Let’s talk about summer— The BBQs, the getaways, the sunshiney afternoons that somehow cost $87 before you’ve even had dinner!
If your spending feels a little…off plan right now, I want you to know: you’re not alone.
In my 25 years of guiding people to financial ease I have observed, August is one of the top months where people slip off their spending plans. Between travel, back-to-school prep, and that “it’s summer, we deserve this” energy, it’s easy to go off track.
But here’s the good news: Going off plan over the summer months doesn’t mean you’re starting from scratch.
Creating healthy financial habits is like going to the gym for the first time. Everything is new. But the more you go, the stronger you get. Eventually, you can lift heavier, recover faster, and bounce back when you’ve missed a few days.
Money works the same way.
If you’ve been building your money muscles—using your plan, checking in with your numbers, making intentional decisions—then even when life gets a little spendy, you’ve built the muscle memory to get back on track faster.
So how do we keep our financial wellness in shape and still enjoy the summer?
Here are a few tips:
1. Plan for Fun. I know planning for fun doesn’t seem very spontaneous or….fun! But planning for fun means you can enjoy it without guilt. Whether it’s $100 for patio lunches or $500 for a weekend getaway, make it a line item in your spending plan.
2. Use a “Summer Spending” Account. Give your spontaneous summer treats their own container. When it’s gone, it’s gone—but no shame. You had your funandkept boundaries.
3. Plan for the “Big 3”: Travel, Treats & Back-to-School. These tend to be August’s biggest spending busters. Give them some thought before they sneak up on you.
4. Don’t Wait for a “New Month” to Reset. Forget starting over on the 1st. Start today. One small move—checking your accounts, making one intentional choice—starts the momentum.
5. Remember: It’s a Practice, Not Perfection. Financial wellness is something we grow into. Every step counts—even the ones that look like stumbles.
So if your spending has wandered a little this summer, I want you to know this:
You’re not failing. You’re flexing.
And if you’ve been doing The Money Fix work—
Even just a little bit—
You already have what it takes to get back on track.
If you want some help re-aligning or just want to check in, I’m here.Let’s talk.
Yours in Good Financial Health,
April
Founder, The Money Fix Institute
