The Fall Financial Reset:
September Is the New January
By Ruthanne Monteleone, CFP® & Seth Borders CFP®, CPWA®
January gets all the attention as the “resolution season,” but it’s not always the most effective. By the time the new year arrives, we’re juggling holiday bills and half-hearted resolutions. That’s why I encourage clients to think of September as the real fresh start.
Fall naturally brings structure: kids back in school, vacations behind us, and routines returning. With four months left in the year, it’s the perfect time to pause, reset, and make small adjustments that can have an outsized impact. At Plan & Prosper, we call it your “second January.”
Why September Works
- Clarity on the year so far: With most of 2025 behind you, you can see where income, spending, and investments have tracked against your goals.
- Room to influence outcomes: There’s still time to adjust retirement contributions, make charitable gifts, or pay down debt.
- Less pressure than January: September planning is proactive—not reactive.
What to Revisit Now
- Retirement savings: Are you on track to maximize contributions? Even a small increase now can boost long-term growth.
- Roth conversions: Fall is a great time to explore whether converting some traditional IRA assets to Roth makes sense for your tax situation.
- Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): If you’re 73 or older (or inherited an IRA), make sure your withdrawals are on track—waiting until December can cause stress or mistakes.
- Budget alignment: Summer spending often runs higher—does your fall plan need a reset before the holidays?
- Debt management: Even modest extra payments can reduce interest and free up year-end cash.
- Charitable giving: Thinking ahead allows for more strategic, tax-efficient choices, like Qualified Charitable Distributions.
- Portfolio and cash positioning: Ensure your investments are properly allocated for your goals and that your cash is positioned to provide both security and flexibility.
What’s Shaping the Financial Landscape
Recent economic signals are giving households plenty to think about. Following Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole, markets are now heavily betting on a September interest rate cut, which could lower borrowing costs on mortgages, loans, and credit cards (Federal Reserve). Meanwhile, Americans are quietly adjusting their habits—after years of post-pandemic splurging, the personal savings rate has ticked higher this year, reflecting a growing focus on financial stability and preparedness (MarketWatch).
In this environment, it’s especially important to keep your financial plan flexible. Regularly reviewing your portfolio ensures your investments are balanced for your goals, and your cash is positioned to support both opportunities and security.
Why a Conversation Helps
Even if you feel on track, a short review can uncover opportunities—whether it’s optimizing tax strategies, freeing up cash flow, or adjusting investments for the months ahead. Sometimes just having an outside perspective is what turns a good plan into a great one.
Think of September as a calm but powerful reset—so you can finish the year strong and step into 2026 already ahead.
Next Steps
If you’d like to review your plan, or if someone you care about could benefit from this type of check-in, we’d love to help. Reach out to schedule your fall review—or share this article with a friend so they can connect with our team at Plan & Prosper.
Stay tuned for our mid-month blog, where we’ll dive into open enrollment season and how a benefit review can help you integrate workplace benefits into your financial plan.