September is almost over, and I need to ask you something important: Are you going to drag those same leaky money bags into 2025?
As a financial consultant in Houston, I’ve watched too many good people make the same mistake year after year. They identify their money problems, get motivated to change, but then never actually do the repair work. They just keep carrying around the same broken financial bags, hoping somehow next year will be different.
Well, let me tell you something – 2025 isn’t going to magically fix your money problems. But you can.
This week, I’ve been working with clients across Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, and Sugar Land who attended my September webinars, and the transformations I’m seeing are incredible. People who were bleeding $800, $1,200, even $2,000 a month are now plugging those leaks and redirecting that money into wealth-building.
But here’s what separates the people who actually repair their money bags from those who just complain about them: They take action before the year ends.
The Houston Family That Changed Everything in 30 Days
Let me tell you about Maria and Carlos, a couple from Cypress. When they first came to me for retirement planning in Houston, they were drowning. Making $95,000 combined income but living paycheck to paycheck with three kids and zero savings.
Their money bags had so many holes, I didn’t know where to start:
- $847 a month in credit card minimum payments
- $200 monthly in subscriptions they forgot about
- No emergency fund (dangerous during Houston hurricane season)
- Missing their employer’s 401 (k) match (free money left on the table)
- Paying full price for insurance, they hadn’t shopped in 5 years
Sound familiar?
After implementing our wealth-building strategies Texas system for just 30 days, here’s what happened:
- Cancelled $156/month in unused subscriptions
- Consolidated and lowered credit card payments by $200/month
- Started automatic $300/month emergency fund contributions
- Increased 401k to capture full employer match (+$150/month free money)
- Shopped for insurance and saved $125/month
Total monthly improvement: $931. That’s over $11,000 a year they redirected from leaks into wealth-building.
By December, they had their first $1,000 emergency fund. Today, they’re on track to be debt-free by next September and have $25,000 in retirement savings by 2026.
The 4 Money Bag Repairs You Must Make Before 2025
As we head into the final quarter, there are four critical repairs that successful Houston families make before January 1st. Miss these, and you’ll be starting 2025 with the same financial holes you had in 2024.
Repair #1: The Emergency Fund Bag Houston families need this more than anyone because of hurricane season, but most people never start building one. Here’s how to repair this bag before 2025:
- Week 1: Open a separate high-yield savings account (call it your “Peace of Mind Fund”)
- Week 2: Set up automatic $50/week transfers ($200/month)
- Week 3: Add any extra money from cancelled subscriptions or side income
- Week 4: Challenge yourself to find one more $25/week to add
By December 31st, you’ll have $800-$1,200 in emergency savings. Not huge, but it’s a start.
Repair #2: The Retirement Bag This bag has the biggest holes for most people, but it’s also the easiest to repair if you work for a company with benefits.
- Check your current 401k contribution (most Houston employers offer matching)
- Increase it by just 1% (you won’t even notice the difference)
- If your company matches 3%, contribute at least 3% (otherwise you’re turning down free money)
- Set a calendar reminder for January to increase another 1%
That 1% increase on a $60,000 salary is $50/month. Over 30 years with compound interest, that’s $175,000 more in retirement.
Repair #3: The Insurance Protection Bag Living in Houston, this bag can’t have holes. Hurricane season, flooding, and Texas weather make insurance critical.
- Review all policies before December (health, auto, home, life)
- Shop around for better rates (I help clients save $100-300/month regularly)
- Increase deductibles to lower premiums (if you have emergency fund to cover them)
- Consider bundling with one company for discounts
Repair #4: The Tax Optimization Bag This is the bag most people ignore until April, but smart wealth builders repair it in Q4.
- Maximize HSA contributions (deadline: December 31st, not April 15th)
- Review FSA spending (use it or lose it by year-end)
- Consider year-end charitable giving for tax deductions
- Meet with a tax professional to plan for next year (book now, don’t wait until March)
Why October 1st is Your Financial New Year
Forget January 1st. October 1st is when smart money managers start their financial new year.
Here’s why: Q4 gives you three months to implement changes, see results, and build momentum before the calendar year ends. People who wait until January are already behind – they’re starting the year in reactive mode instead of proactive mode.
The October-December Advantage:
- October: Implement new systems and habits
- November: See early results and fine-tune
- December: Lock in gains and plan for next year
- January: Start with momentum instead of starting from zero
Your Last Chance: September 30th Webinar
This Monday, September 30th at 7 PM, I’m hosting my final webinar of Q3: “Repair Your Money Bags: Plug the Leaks & Start Building Wealth.”
This financial recovery Houston focused session is specifically designed for people who are done making excuses and ready to do the actual work of repairing their finances.
I’m going to show you:
- The 30-day money bag repair system that Maria and Carlos used (step-by-step implementation guide)
- How to find $500-$1,500 monthly in your current budget without feeling restricted
- The Q4 wealth acceleration plan that puts you ahead before 2025 starts
- How to automate your repairs so they happen whether you remember or not
This isn’t about budgeting theory or motivation speeches. This is about actual repair work – the nuts and bolts of fixing your financial foundation before we hit 2025.
Don’t Start 2025 With the Same Broken Bags
I’ve been doing this long enough to know who’s going to succeed and who’s going to struggle. The people who succeed are the ones who take action in Q4. The people who struggle are the ones who say “I’ll start fresh in January.”
January is not a magic reset button. January 1st doesn’t erase December 31st’s problems. If your money bags have holes in September, they’ll have holes in January – unless you repair them.
We have both paid premium access with exclusive repair toolkits and free basic attendance available. But this is my last webinar before Q4 chaos begins, so the spots are filling up fast among Houston area families who understand: there’s no better time than right now.
[Register here immediately] for Monday, September 30th at 7 PM.
Your 2025 financial success is determined by the repairs you make in the next 90 days. Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for perfection. Don’t wait for January.
Repair your money bags now, or carry the same broken bags into another year of financial struggle.
The choice is yours. But you have to choose.
P.S. – Ready to start repairs before the webinar? Book a strategy session with me at https://www.dickeyfinancialfirm.com/book-me/. Let’s create your personalized money bag repair plan and get you started immediately.
About Dickey Financial & Wealth Management Firm
Serving Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Pearland, and surrounding Texas communities with comprehensive financial planning Houston services including retirement planning, investment management, insurance review, debt management, and wealth-building strategies. Schedule your consultation today to start repairing your financial future.