By: Tayyab Shah

Whether you spent your summer at the beach or treated yourself to too many iced lattes in the Elmwood Village, your wallet probably noticed. Oops, spent again.

According to a Forbes report, fewer than half of Americans took a vacation this summer, with many opting for shorter, budget-friendly trips close to home. But travel or not, the pinch was real: groceries alone had over 60% of Americans feeling financially strained (AP-NORC).

So whether you lost track of your budget after summer travels or stayed on course but want to sharpen your financial habits, you’re in the right place. Maybe vacation mode lingered longer than planned, or everyday expenses quietly piled up. Either way, your wallet can finally exhale now that the high-spending season is behind you.

Deep Breath In: Summer Spending Happens, So Can a Financial Reset

The “BER months,” September to December, offer the perfect window to reset with purpose, not panic. Research shows that big-picture thinking/visualization helps you save smarter and resist impulsive spending (short-term gratification).

Just like personal finance blogger Afe Funbi shared in his Medium post “My Financial Reset,” who turned post-summer debt into real savings within months, you too can rebuild and get back on track to saving, starting now.

Start With a Simple Reflection

You’re ready. Grab a piece of paper and spend 10 minutes listing your summer spending, no apps, no stress, and just honest notes. Think iced lattes and impulse buys. Writing by hand helps you process habits.

This isn’t about guilt. But if you skip this step, you might be reading this same advice next year!  So let this be the start of your saving season.

Picture Your “BER Months” Ahead

Cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, school shopping, Halloween, holiday gifts, travel plans, energy costs, and Christmas is coming. So take control now. Turn the year’s final stretch into your smartest saving season yet.

You have reflected: Now Rebuild & Get Back on Track to Saving. Summer spending? Faced it. Fall goals? In sight.

Now let’s take action. Here are three smart steps to reset and rebuild.

Step 1: Clean Up Your Spending

Do a 30-day Financial Cleanse: track every expense and cut non-essential spending by 20%. Sort expenses into:

• Fixed (rent, utilities)

• Variable (groceries, gas)

• Discretionary (dining out, entertainment)

Why it matters: Cutting discretionary spending frees up cash you can redirect into savings. Small shifts = big momentum.

Step 2: Knock Out Debt with Momentum

Try the Debt Snowball Method:

• List debts from smallest to largest

• Pay off the smallest first

• Roll that payment into the next debt

Why it matters: Each win clears mental and financial space, boosting your ability to save consistently.

Step 3: Make “Money Night” a Weekly Habit

Set aside one hour weekly for Money Night: review spending, pay bills, and set goals.

Why it matters: Weekly check-ins keep you focused and uncover hidden savings opportunities

BONUS: Define and Track Your Savings Goals

Give your savings a goal and timeline. Are you building an emergency fund, saving for a trip, or peace of mind?

Write down:

• Your savings goal

• Amount saved so far

• Target date

• Weekly or monthly contributions

Pro tip: Use a visual tracker/spreadsheet to see your savings grow; progress fuels motivation.

Daily Actions = Real Progress

Reflection? Done. Cleanse? Started. Debt? Tackled. Habits? In motion. You’re not just recovering; you’re taking bold steps to get back on track to saving. No overwhelm. Just smart, doable actions leading to lasting financial change. This is not just a tune-up; it is your savings comeback.