If you experience the year anything like my family, then June often comes in softly and flys away like jolt. Client projects pile up, kids finish school, and summer plans start to fill up the calendar. Blink twice and you’re nearing the end of summer and managing fall deadlines. That’s why I call June the “Money Month,” or the time when I take stock of my financial life, and shift tactics for the rest of the year.

Money Month is a deliberate window to review whether your money is moving towards the goals you mapped out back in January. It isn’t a complete overhaul or a guilt trip. It’s a focused check-in on three areas that decide whether the rest of your year feels intentional or reactive. Think of it as a financial tune-up—because cars need maintenance, and so do money plans.

The good news: You can probably manage most of the checkup in an hour or so.

Cash-Flow Reality Check: Are You on Pace?

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any family or business, but it’s easy to lose track while serving clients, managing kids and juggling chores, friends, extracurriculars and other parts of life.

• Pull your projection. Locate the revenue target you set at the start of the year—maybe that was $120,000 in sales or 800 client sessions.
• Run a profit-and-loss through May 31. This is important if you’re a business owner. Most software can do this in seconds. But you need to see where you’re at for the year.
• Calculate the gap. If the target is $120,000 for the year, you’d like at least $60,000 booked by now. Ahead? Bank the surplus or invest in growth. Behind? Identify what’s missing—price, volume, or marketing—and adjust.

Money Month isn’t about panic; it’s about small moves. Raising your session fee by $10, adding a group workshop, or automating follow-ups to lapsed clients can close the gap faster than you think.

Tax Planning Tune-Up: Is Your Savings Rate Still Right?

Estimated taxes are a moving target. Money Month is the ideal time to confirm your tax stash.

• Add net income so far (revenue minus expenses).
• Multiply by 25%-to-30% percent to approximate federal income plus self-employment tax.
• Compare to what you’ve banked. Short? Increase the percentage withheld from each invoice. Over? Ease back and improve cash flow.

Example: If net income (or pre-tax profits) through May is $45,000, aim for roughly $11,000–$13,500 in your tax account. Light? Bump transfers to 30% until you’re even. Heavy? Dial back to 20% for a few months. Either way, you’re staying near your goals.

If you want to be more precise, then look to a professional so they can talk to you about the safe harbor rules, when paying estimated taxes.

Also make sure you’re paying those estimated taxes by their due dates.

Retirement Contributions: Are Your Future Dollars Working?

Retirement often stalls when revenue is unpredictable. Money Month puts it back on the docket—because every month you delay is a month of compounding lost.

• Check contributions to your SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), or Roth IRA.
• Project the year-end goal. Want to contribute $24,000 to a Solo 401(k) but only at $6,000? You’ll need $3,600 per month for the rest of the year.
• Use catch-up math. Divide what’s left by pay periods remaining. Spreading deposits makes the goal less daunting.

Not sure which account fits? Solo 401(k)s allow higher limits and a Roth option, while a SEP wins on simplicity. Roth IRAs stay flexible if income is under the threshold. If questions linger, let’s chat—choosing the right vehicle can shave thousands off your tax bill and super-charge your nest egg.

A Final Nudge

Money Month isn’t about perfection; it’s about a deliberate pause. Small tweaks now compound into big results later. Make one smart adjustment today and you’ll glide into Q4 with momentum, not anxiety.

And remember, you don’t have to navigate the numbers alone. If you’re questioning whether your quarterly tax payments are dialed in or if your business structure still pulls its weight, reach out. A quick strategy call now can save hours—and dollars—down the line.

Here’s to a productive Money Month and a profitable rest of the year.