Is It Time for a Fall Financial Reset?

Feeling the post-summer financial fog? You’re not alone—but now’s the perfect time to reset.

Summer is a season of rest, family, and fun—but it can also knock our financial habits off course. That’s why fall is an ideal time to pause, reflect, and get back on track. Let’s explore six small but meaningful steps that can help realign your finances with your goals—and your faith.

Summer Spending Can Leave You Off Balance

Summer often brings looser schedules and, sometimes, looser spending. That’s okay—we need time to rest. But if your finances feel off-center, it may be time for a reset.

1. Review Your Summer Spending

Before moving forward, look back. Did your summer spending reflect your values or just your impulses? Whether it was vacations, eating out, or spontaneous purchases, reviewing where your money went brings clarity. Think of it as an act of stewardship—learning from the past so you can plan better for the future.

2. Revisit Your Budget

Seasons change—and so do financial rhythms. Back-to-school costs, higher grocery bills, or other expenses may have shifted your cash flow. Revisit your budget to ensure it reflects your priorities: generosity, saving, and wise spending.

A helpful tool: The FaithFi app makes budgeting a daily reminder that every dollar belongs to God. It helps you plan and track your finances in alignment with your faith.

3. Check for Missed Payments

Life gets busy, and bills sometimes slip through the cracks. Go back and confirm you haven’t missed any payments. Even one late bill can hurt your credit. Also, review your autopay accounts to ensure everything is running smoothly. A little attention here prevents bigger headaches later.

4. Catch Up on Your Giving

Generosity sometimes takes a backseat in busy seasons. If that happened this summer, take time to prayerfully revisit your giving. Ask yourself: Has God blessed me in a way that calls for deeper generosity? Whether to your church, a ministry, or a neighbor in need, giving is more than duty—it’s an expression of trust in God as your ultimate provider.

5. Tackle That Financial To-Do

We all have one thing on our financial to-do list that gets pushed aside—reviewing insurance, starting a will, or scheduling a meeting with an advisor. Stewardship often looks like taking the next step, even if it’s small or unglamorous.

6. Look Ahead with Wisdom

Fall is a season of preparation. Anticipate upcoming costs, such as school expenses, open enrollment, holiday shopping, or tax planning. Mark dates and set reminders now so you won’t be scrambling later. Wise stewardship is proactive, not reactive.

One Step at a Time

Don’t feel pressure to fix everything in one day. Growth—financial and spiritual—comes through steady, faithful diligence. Proverbs 4:26 reminds us: “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”

Wherever you’re starting from—catching up, starting over, or just resetting—God meets you there. He isn’t after perfection; He’s after your heart, and He promises to walk with you every step of the way.

At FaithFi, we’re committed to equipping Christians to integrate faith and financial decisions for the glory of God. If you believe in this mission, we’d love to invite you to become a monthly partner.

A gift of $35 or more per month (or $400 per year) helps us continue this vital work. As a thank-you, you’ll receive exclusive benefits, including our quarterly Faithful Steward magazine, Pro Access to the FaithFi app, and early access to our devotionals and studies.

Learn more or become a partner today at FaithFi.com/Partner.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• Is life insurance really necessary? I’ve been paying about $100 a month for a few years, and I’m wondering if the benefit justifies the cost.
• My husband and I are dual citizens of the U.S. and Canada. We’ve farmed for 40 years without any retirement accounts or formal plans. We’re debt-free, but we’re unsure where to start with retirement planning, especially since our income and pensions come from both countries. Is there a kingdom-minded advisor familiar with agriculture and cross-border planning, or should we begin elsewhere?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.