September always feels like a fresh start. The school bags are back, the evenings get darker, and the shops are filled with pumpkin-spiced everything. It’s also the time of year when many people feel the urge to get organised, whether that’s decluttering the house, switching out summer clothes for cosy jumpers, or finally dealing with the overstuffed junk drawer. So why not give your finances the same attention?
We tidy the house for autumn. Why not tidy the finances too?
The truth is, September is the perfect time to check in with your money. You’re far enough past the summer spending, but still a few months out from the Christmas chaos. It’s a quiet (ish) window to look ahead, reset your financial goals, and get your money working for you again.
One of the best things you can do this month? Give your money a bit of direction. For many people, that means finally doing something with the savings sitting in the bank, earning next to no interest. Enter investing.
Now before you panic and picture Wolf of Wall Street chaos, let me reassure you that investing doesn’t have to be risky, complicated or just for millionaires. It’s simply about putting your money to work in a way that suits you. It doesn’t mean you have to become an expert or watch the stock market every day. That’s what financial advisors are for: to help you make smart decisions based on where you are in life and where you want to go.
You don’t need €10,000 to start. Plenty of people begin with €100 or €250 a month. The key is figuring out your goals. Maybe you want to save for a home, future education costs, or even just build wealth over time so you can retire a bit earlier. Maybe you’ve received a small inheritance, or built up a lump sum during lockdown that’s still sitting untouched. Once you know the goal, you can match the investment to suit.
And here’s where the ‘autumn clean’ comes in. Dust off that old savings account. Look at what’s sitting there. Ask yourself: is this money growing? Is it working for me? Could part of it be invested instead of just waiting? Is it time to separate short-term needs from long-term goals and treat them differently?
Every investment carries some level of risk. That’s why planning matters. A proper chat with an advisor will help you understand your risk tolerance and match you with an investment that reflects your comfort zone and timeline. We’re not throwing darts at a board here. It’s tailored to you. And we don’t push people into aggressive funds if that’s not their thing. If you’re cautious, you can choose cautious. If you’re ambitious, there are strategies for that too.
Investing doesn’t mean you’re gambling the kids’ college fund or betting the farm. It means you’re giving your money a chance to do more than just sit. With interest rates still not delivering much on traditional savings accounts, long-term investing can be one of the best ways to beat inflation and grow your wealth.
A big part of investing well is understanding that it’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market. The sooner you start, the more time your money has to grow, even if it’s just small regular contributions. Investing is a long game, not a quick fix. But that long game can seriously pay off.
And don’t be put off by the word ‘investing’ itself. It might sound intimidating, but it’s really just the next level of money management. It’s the part where your money starts working for you while you’re off living your life. It’s one of the most empowering financial moves you can make.
You might also want to review existing investments you already have, maybe through work or an old policy you set up years ago. Do you know what they’re invested in? Do the funds match your current goals and values? Could it be time to consolidate or refresh them? It’s worth checking in.
So, this September, as the kids sharpen their pencils, maybe it’s time to sharpen up your own money strategy. Let your money go back to school too. It should be working just as hard as you are.
And if you’re not sure where to start, or you feel a bit overwhelmed by the jargon, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what we’re here for. To walk through it with you, explain the options clearly, and help you build a plan that fits your life. No pressure, no judgement, and no finance-speak unless you want it.
Make this your season to reset. A tidy investment plan today can lead to real rewards tomorrow. You just have to take that first step.
