The last two months of the year is the ideal time to make last-minute money moves.

With just a few weeks left in 2014, the countdown to 2015 is officially on. That means it’s time to strategize about financial goals and last-minute moves before the calendar switches over to make sure you’re taking full advantage of potential tax benefits that expire at midnight on Dec. 31. Here are nine moves you should consider making in the next two months:

Give yourself a career upgrade. First, take some time to reflect on how your work has changed over the last year. Are you earning more or less than you were in January 2014? Has any change been by choice, or did you face some unexpected circumstances? If you’re still recovering from a setback. like a layoff, create a plan to find your footing again in 2015, starting with creating an additional source of income. If you have a skill, such as playing a musical instrument, cooking or speaking a second language, consider teaching others on the side.

Track spending. If you haven’t yet conducted an in-depth analysis of where your money is going, the end of the year is a great time to do so because you can look back over the entire year. And as research has shown, that’s the most effective way to budget because it’s harder to forget big annual expenses, such as summer vacation or holiday gifts. Thanks to easy-to-use websites like Mint.com (or your own bank’s online interface), you can upload and analyze spending in less time than it takes to watch a movie.

Save up. If you haven’t maxed out your retirement savings for the year ($17,500 for a 401(k), or $23,000 if you’re 50 or older), you have until April 15, 2015, to do so. Non-retirement savings are easy to forget, especially this time of year when holiday travels and shopping can cloud longer-term goals. But if you have big ones for 2015 and beyond, such as buying a home or building a hearty emergency savings account, now is also the time to think about prioritizing after-tax savings. too.

Lower your fees. Particularly on any long-term retirement accounts, expenses can take a big chunk out of your investment return. But fees vary widely, typically from 0.1 to 2 percent of your total investment on an annual basis. Index funds often offer lower fees, which means investors can keep more of their money.

Coordinate with your partner. Not talking about money is one of the biggest money mistakes couples make. Preparing for the new year by brainstorming big money goals is a great way to close out 2014. Do you want to pay off debt together, save for a house or cut back on some area of spending? Agreeing on common goals makes it easier to save.

Automate savings. Many banks make it easy to sign up to automatically deposit savings into your account every month, and you might even be rewarded for it with extra interest points or lower fees. Your employer might also be able to set up automatic deposits for you, so you won’t even miss the money.

Revamp your passwords. Don’t let online predators stump your style in 2015. Give yourself foolproof passwords by following some basic rules: avoid words you find in the dictionary, use a mix of numbers and letters and create long passwords, perhaps incorporating acronyms for sentences that are easy for you to remember. Also, change passwords to important accounts, including financial ones, every few months and avoid duplicating passwords across accounts.

Up your insurance policies if necessary. If 2014 saw you through any major life changes, such as a home purchase, marriage or children, you might need more insurance. In fact, many people are underinsured, which can put their dependents at risk. Let the holidays inspire you to review your current policies and see whether you need to take steps to further protect your family.

Empty out flexible spending accounts. Many flex-spending accounts that are offered by employers, including those for health care, commuting and child care costs, come with a use-it-or-lose-it policy. That means if you set money aside, now is the time to gather your receipts and file for reimbursement. (Some policies give employees until March 15 to file.)

With these items ticked off, you can ring in the new year with a little less on your plate.