What Actually Matters Right Now
I recently spent a few days in Bourbon Country with my parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law. It was a wonderful way to kick off the summer, but what stayed with me wasn’t the bourbon or the scenery.
It was the reminder that we’re all still able to travel together and genuinely enjoy spending time with one another.
Somewhere between work, kids, schedules, and trying to keep all the plates spinning, I don’t always stop to appreciate that.
Summer has a way of moving quickly. Before long we’ll be talking about back-to-school schedules, football season, and the holidays.
That’s why my reminder this month is simple: don’t let summer get away from you.
It also got me thinking about how often we’re focused on the next vacation, the next goal, the next promotion, or the next financial milestone. While there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead,sometimes we’re so focused on where we’re going that we forget to appreciate where we are.
I see this happen financially all the time. We spend so much energy worrying about the next step that we forget to acknowledge the progress we’ve already made.
If This Sounds Familiar
Have you ever thought:
“I should be doing more.”
“I’ll get to that later.”
“I really need to figure that out but don’t have time.”
You’re not alone.
Summer has a funny way of amplifying those feelings. Social media fills up with vacations, celebrations, home projects, and highlight reels. It’s easy to feel like everyone else is doing more, spending more, or somehow getting ahead faster.
But financial confidence rarely comes from keeping up with everyone else.
It comes from understanding what matters most to you and building your plan around that.
Don’t Add More to Your Plate
Most people don’t need a complete financial overhaul.
They need clarity around their priorities, a few good habits, and permission to stop comparing themselves to everyone else.
A clear mind doesn’t come from doing everything.
It comes from focusing on what matters most.
This month’s Challenge: One Smart Financial Move
Choose one financial task you’d like to complete before year-end.
Just one.
Not five.
Not ten.
One example I often give clients is to focus on estate planning. If your will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, or trust documents have been sitting on your to-do list, make this the year you finally check them off. It’s an investment in your and your family’s future. And, it feels really great to check this box.
Other ideas:
· Increase retirement contributions
· Update beneficiaries
· Build your emergency fund
· Consolidate old retirement accounts
When everything feels important, nothing gets the attention it deserves.
What I’m Loving Lately
Tennis season is finally here, and I’m trying to get on the court whenever I can.
I’m also enjoying Rooster on HBO. The show follows a father helping his daughter navigate a divorce while dealing with changes in his own life. Beneath the humor, it’s really about family, relationships, and learning how to move forward when life doesn’t go according to plan. As someone who works with women through many of life’s transitions, that theme resonated with me.
And perhaps most importantly, the Peach Truck is back. Nothing says summer has officially arrived quite like opening a box of fresh peaches and realizing they’re gone far sooner than expected.
What I’m Reading (And What Are You Reading?)
Current books on my nightstand:
· Atomic Habits
· The Midnight Library
· The Lion Women of Tehran
One takeaway from Atomic Habits that has already stuck with me is that meaningful progress usually comes from small actions repeated consistently over time, not dramatic overhauls. That’s true in finances, careers, health, and just about everything else.
I’m still working through The Midnight Library, but it has me thinking about how easy it can be to focus on the paths we didn’t take instead of the opportunities in front of us.
The Lion Women of Tehran reminds us that we often overlook our own internal strengths. And, that asking for help or working together, we can be even stronger.
I’m heading to the Outer Banks soon and could use some recommendations.What’s the best book you’ve read lately? Reply and let me know. I’m always looking to add to my reading list.
Hot Topic of the Month: Financial Gifts That Last
Graduation season always sparks conversations about financial gifts.
One article I recently read made a point that stuck with me: one of the most valuable gifts we can give young adults isn’t necessarily money itself, it’s confidence around money.
Whether it’s helping them open a Roth IRA, teaching them how investing works, or simply talking openly about finances, those lessons can last far longer than the gift itself.
If you have younger kids, we can get them thinking about what we spend, and how we save. One recent post recommended:https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZV3ekth8io/
3 Things to Do This Month
· Spend time with someone you don’t get to see often.
· Pick one financial goal to accomplish before year-end.
· Take 10 minutes to appreciate something that’s already going right.
Tell Me What You Want
I want this to be helpful, not just another email you skip. Will you share this with three friends?
What financial topic would you like me to cover next?
What are you reading this summer?
And what is one thing you’ve been putting off financially that you know you should probably tackle before year-end?
I’d love to hear from you!