Ms. FinancialE

September is the Financial New Year You Didn’t Know You Needed.🍂💰

This past week, I sent my son off to a new school year, celebrated my dad turning 80 years old 🙌🏾, and somehow… September is already in full swing.

And it got me thinking about time.

We’re always saying, “I’ll start next month.”
I’ll start saving.
I’ll finally look at my budget.
I’ll get serious about retirement.
I’ll handle that debt.
I’ll get my business finances together.

But watching one generation celebrate 80 years while another starts a brand-new school year reminded me that time is one of our greatest financial assets.

September gives us four months before the year ends. That’s enough time to make some REAL progress.

So here’s your September financial reset: What is ONE
money goal you refuse to carry unfinished into 2027? 👀💰

Drop it below. ⬇️

Food recalls. Product recalls. Safety recalls.
Meanwhile…

🏠 Rent/Mortgage: STILL DUE.
💡 BGE: STILL DUE.
⛽ Gas: STILL COSTING.
🛒 Groceries: STILL GROCERY-ING.
📱 Phone bill: STILL DUE.
🚗 Car payment & insurance: STILL DUE.

Can somebody recall a BILL?! 😂

But seriously, we may not control rising costs, but we can control how closely we audit our bills.

💰 Know your monthly numbers and prioritize needs.

✂️ Review recurring expenses, subscriptions,
memberships, delivery fees and automatic charges. Call providers—Internet, phone, insurance and subscriptions—to ask about cheaper plans, discounts or better options.

🛒 Plan grocery trips, compare prices and check your pantry first.

💵 Build an emergency cushion, even $10 at a time.
When money gets tight, pay MORE attention—not less. Give every dollar a job before it leaves your account. 💪🏾💰

🍂 Back to school is in FULL gear… and here comes Fall right behind it!

School supplies. Bigger grocery lists. Activities. Car maintenance. Home projects. Holidays creeping up. 😩💸

This time of year can feel like everything needs your attention—and your money—at the same time.

But here’s your financial reminder: if you fail to plan, the to-do’s will pile up and your budget will feel it.

As we head into the final stretch of the year, this is the season to focus a little more on your needs and be intentional about your wants.

Here are 3 simple ways to stay ahead:

📋 1. Pick your top 3 priorities each week.
You don't have to tackle everything at once. Decide what needs to happen now, what can wait, and plan accordingly.

💰 2. Give your money an assignment.
Groceries, school expenses, car maintenance, home needs—start setting money aside before the expense becomes an emergency. Even a little at a time counts.

❤️ 3. Keep YOU on the list.
Rest, health, and peace matter too. Planning isn't just about protecting your money—it's about protecting your capacity.

We have a little over four months left in 2026. You don't have to finish the year perfectly. Just finish it intentionally.

Plan it. Prioritize it. Finish strong. 💪🏾💚

Sometimes we don’t need MORE money. We need a better SYSTEM for the money we already have. 💯

Financial disorganization can quietly COST you, so here’s the problem and the fix:

💸 Missing due dates = Late fees
📅 Put every bill on a money calendar and set reminders BEFORE it’s due.

🛒 Shopping without a plan = Overspending
📝 Take a list AND a budget. Know what you need and how much you’re spending before you walk in.

💳 No emergency fund = More credit card debt
💰 Start saving something consistently—even $25, $50 or $100 at a time adds up.

😩 Avoiding your money = Bigger money problems
📱 Give yourself 15 minutes once a week to check balances, bills, spending and savings.

💵 No spending plan = Wondering where your paycheck went
📝 Give every dollar a job BEFORE payday—bills, savings, spending and yes…a little FUN too. 😂

🏦 Relying on memory = Missed financial moves
⚙️ Automate your bills and savings whenever possible.
Let the system do some of the work for you.

You don’t need a 12-tab spreadsheet, three planners and a finance degree. 😂

You just need a system that works for YOU.

Financial organization isn’t about perfection. It’s about knowing where your money is, where it’s going and what it needs to do next.

Get organized. Get intentional. THEN make your money MOVE. 💚💰

For a while now, my son has been using his piggy bank to save money. Once a year, we cash it in, count it up, and most importantly, talk about his plans for the money.

Wellllll…this year Mama had to break out the 70/30 Money Rule. 😂

💰 70% goes to SAVINGS.
🛍️ 30% is available for PERSONAL SPENDING.

Because financial literacy for kids isn’t just about telling them to save their money. It’s teaching them to set goals, make choices, delay gratification, and understand that every dollar needs a plan.

And yes, he gets to enjoy some of his money! I want him to experience the reward of saving AND the freedom of spending, just within boundaries.

No matter how long my day has been, I’ll always make time for conversations like these. Because one day, that little piggy bank becomes a checking account, a savings account, a paycheck, a credit card, and some REAL financial decisions.

I’d rather teach him how to manage $50 now than expect him to magically know how to manage $5,000 later. 🙌🏾
Start small. Start young. Make money conversations normal. 💚

That’s how we Enlighten. Empower. Educate. the next generation.

As parents, we often spend so much time invested in our children’s expenses that we forget to teach them how to work toward the FULL RIDE. 🎓💰

Fresh clothes are nice.

A debt-free degree is nicer.

Back-to-school season is more than a shopping season—it’s a teachable moment.

Teach them the difference between looking successful and building a successful future. And while we’re at it, teach them how to ball on a budget, because they can look good now and still work toward the full ride later. 💚🎓

✨ 8TH DAY. 8TH MONTH. 8 NEW THINGS. ✨

I took a little 7-day social media break. No posting. No pressure to keep up. Just living, learning, reflecting, and being present.

And now I'm back on the 8th day of the 8th month… so it only felt right to share 8 NEW THINGS I experienced while I was away. 💚

1️⃣ 🛒 I went to Costco for the FIRST time.
Yes, y'all. 😂 And I get it now!

2️⃣ 📸 I watched my son discover something new.
He completed his first photography camp and discovered an interest in street photography. Watching your child uncover a new gift or passion? PRICELESS. 🥹

3️⃣ 📖 I read the entire book of James.
Then went back and revisited it the next morning. Whew! That time in the Word turned into tears, prayer, reflection, and a much-needed encounter with God. 🙌🏾

4️⃣ 💼 I attended a leadership retreat centered around courageous conversations. A reminder that growth as a leader isn't just about what you say—it's learning HOW to say the hard things with wisdom, clarity, and grace.

5️⃣ 💻 I tackled a new QuickBooks/payroll challenge for a client.Transitioning payroll systems, Maryland registrations, payroll taxes… all the fun financial stuff. 😂

6️⃣ 🥦 I made broccolini for the first time.
Listen… we're counting ALL the new things! 😂 Small experiences count too!

7️⃣ 🥗 I started putting my new nutrition plan into practice.
More intentional about protein. More mindful of portions. More aware of what I'm putting into my body.

8️⃣ 💰 I secured TWO new clients—without marketing.
While I was offline and taking a break from social media, my business was still working. No posts. No ads. No campaign. Just referrals, reputation, relationships, and the work I've already put in speaking for me. 🙌🏾

And THAT may be one of my biggest reminders from these last 7 days: WEALTH ISN'T JUST WHAT'S IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

Sometimes you have to log off long enough to realize just how much LIFE—and business—is still happening. 💚
Day 8. Month 8. 8 new things. I'm back. And I'm still…
Enlightening. Empowering. Educating. 💚💰

Too many people think you have to choose between being generous and becoming wealthy.

You don't.

The key is to give from your overflow—not your survival.

There's a difference between being a blessing and becoming someone's bank account. Financial wisdom means taking care of your responsibilities, building wealth intentionally, and then giving from a place of strength instead of struggle.

When you manage your money well: 💰 You can help without hurting yourself. 💰 You can leave a legacy instead of just making a donation. 💰 You can create opportunities for your family and your community.

Remember: You don't have to stay broke to prove you have a good heart.

Build wealth with purpose. Bless people with wisdom.

MONEY MOVES THAT CHANGE YOUR LIFE

💰 Bringing lunch instead of buying it every day
💰 Telling yourself “not today” when the impulse hits
💰 Paying down debt little by little
💰 Saving first instead of hoping something is left

Those small, quiet choices will eventually make some serious noise.

Everybody wants the glow-up, but nobody really talks about the discipline behind it.

Building wealth is not always cute or exciting. Sometimes it looks like skipping the brunch, leaving the sneakers in the cart, cooking what’s already in the house, or saying no when everybody else is spending.

It’s choosing the budget over the brand. It’s stacking instead of showing off. It’s saying “not right now” so your future can say “we’re good.”

Never forget: Your financial habits can have a bigger impact than your paycheck.

What quiet money move are you committed to making this month? Drop it in the comments so we can hold each other accountable. 💚

💰 CASH COMMANDMENT #6 💰
You worked too hard to earn your money just to become a prisoner to your possessions.

There's nothing wrong with driving a nice car, owning a beautiful home, wearing quality clothes, or treating yourself. The problem starts when your lifestyle owns you instead of the other way around.

If your bills determine your peace, your paycheck disappears before you enjoy it, or you're afraid to make financial moves because you're protecting a lifestyle—you don't own your stuff... your stuff owns you.

Real wealth isn't about looking rich. It's about having options, freedom, and financial peace.

Buy what you can afford. Invest before you impress. Own your assets, don't let your assets own you.