Sharpen your pencils. It’s time to sharpen your financial plan too.

As school begins and the weather begins to change, many families shift back into a structured routine. For clients, this moment is also an opportunity to revisit their financial priorities. Summer often brings spending increases, looser schedules, and postponed planning. Late August through September is a natural time to get work with your clients to get re-centered.

Here are five ways financial professionals can support clients in getting back on track as the school year begins.

1. Rebuild the Household Budget

Things like Back-to-school shopping, sports fees, and end-of-summer trips can lead to unexpected expenses. Fall is a good time to reset cash flow, reduce waste, and re-establish financial discipline.

What You Can Suggest:

• Share a budgeting worksheet or offer a short 1-on-1 budget check-in.

• Discuss automated savings strategies and tracking tools.

• Help clients identify where to trim recurring expenses.

2. Revisit Education Planning

This time of year naturally prompts questions about education costs, from preschool tuition to college savings. It’s a great time to review how clients are funding their or their children's current and/or future education needs.

Areas of Focus:

• Check 529 contributions and discuss gifting strategies

• Review timelines and projections for college-bound children

• Assist with student loan repayment planning

3. Offer a Mid-Year Portfolio Check-In

As the year winds down, many clients appreciate a check-in to see how their investments are progressing. Fall is also a time to review goals, maybe set new ones and realign needs.

Suggestions for Review:

• Asset allocation and rebalancing if needed

• Updates to risk tolerance or time horizon

• Progress on retirement or investment milestones

4. Reassess Risk and Coverage

Planning should include protecting. This time of year is a good time to review insurance coverage and confirm that emergency safeguards are still in place.

Items to Discuss:

• Life, disability, or long-term care insurance

• Emergency fund levels

• Wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations

5. Support Family Financial Education

Back-to-school season may be about learning, but it’s also a great time to encourage clients to teach money values at home or begin legacy conversations.

What You Can Provide:

• Offer family-friendly financial literacy materials.

• Host a short virtual session for teens or parents.

• Encourage clients to share budgeting or saving habits with kids.

Helping Clients Refocus for Fall

Back-to-School is a natural time reset. Clients are more likely to respond to financial planning prompts when their calendars become more routine again. Advisors can provide value by guiding clients through budgeting, investment reviews, risk coverage, and family conversations, this becomes timely and relevant as the school year begins.