Purse Strings Approved Professional Blog Series
What I’m Seeing in My Practice: How to End the Year with More Clarity (and Less Chaos)
By: Chelsea Scomak, CFP, Lifestyle Financial Planner and CEO at Via Brio
Here’s what I’m seeing in my practice right now: Business owners are heading into Q4 feeling tired, behind, and unsure how they’re going to finish the year strong—financially or otherwise. And you know what? It’s not your fault. The pace of the year speeds up, life gets busy, and planning can fall to the bottom of the list. But here’s the truth I keep coming back to:
👉 How you feel in December is being decided right now.
Whether you’re running a business, managing a household, or simply trying to stay afloat—clarity is the best gift you can give yourself as the year winds down.
Here’s what I’m helping clients do right now so they can step into the end of the year without the
usual scramble.
Start Refining—Don’t Just Reflect
Too often, we wait until the holidays to start “thinking about money.” But by then, options are
limited.
Start now by asking:
- What’s working?
- What’s not?
- What support do I need to finish strong?
Refining in real time puts you back in control.
Protect What You Want December to Feel Like
Do you want it to be calm? Profitable? Restful? Spacious?
You can build around that. Most people don’t even realize it’s an option—but it is, and it’s powerful when you claim it.
Prioritize Tax Strategy Before It’s Too Late
Tax season might feel far away, but Q4 is when the smart planning happens.
This is the time to:
- Review revenue and expenses
- Maximize deductions and contributions
- Avoid April surprises
BONUS: Plan for Personal Spending and Time Off
Q4 comes with extra expenses—gifts, travel, meals, and events—and sometimes less revenue if you’re taking time off. Start putting cash aside now.
Even better? Open a high-yield savings account (HYSA) just for this purpose, and include a buffer for any income you’ll miss while resting.
Let’s Make December Feel Different
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay, I need this,”—you’re not alone. This is the work I help my clients do in real time, and I’d love to help you feel this grounded too.
✨ Want to chat about what this could look like for you?
💌 Or subscribe to Off the Ledger to get financial clarity tips, planning prompts, and seasonal insights—delivered monthly with a personal touch.
💡 Advisors: If you’re ready to rework your schedule, set stronger boundaries, or scale without sacrificing your peace, Your Paradise Practice might be the framework you’ve been looking for. The next group cohort starts September 22, and it’s designed to help you reclaim space while still showing up powerfully for your clients.
📬 Want more behind-the-scenes insights, workflow tips, and perspective shifts for modern advisors? Subscribe to Advisor Underground—my monthly insider email for those of us doing this differently.
You don’t have to wait until January to feel clear. Let’s make that happen now.
Chelsea Scomak, CFP
Lifestyle Financial Planner and CEO at Via Brio
Chelsea’s mission is to provide driven, entrepreneurial women high quality financial planning advice in an innovative, upbeat, and flexible way that’s tailored to their lifestyle goals and helps them ditch money overwhelm and achieve financial security to create a legacy of financially empowered female business owners who empower their communities.
