Nature works in cycles. Spring brings new growth. Summer, vibrancy and energy. Fall, preparation. Winter, reflection and recovery. These seasons are not just part of the natural world—they mirror our financial lives as well. Just like the weather, your finances shift through patterns and phases. Recognizing your current financial season isn’t just a cute metaphor—it’s a vital practice that can shape the way you earn, spend, save, and ultimately live.
In my work helping entrepreneurs and individuals build sustainable financial systems, I’ve identified four core financial seasons we all pass through. Understanding where you are now—and what comes next—allows you to make decisions with clarity, rather than fear or guesswork.
The 4 financial seasons
- Recover – This is the winter of your finances. Things feel frozen or stalled. Perhaps you’re climbing out of debt, catching up on missed bills, or regaining control after a financial disruption. In the recovery season, your main focus is on reasserting control. That means tracking every dollar, automating basic needs like food and housing, and eliminating waste. It may feel restrictive at first, but it’s the foundation for everything that follows.
- Activate – Think of this as springtime. After regaining control, it’s time to start planting seeds for a more joyful life. The Activate season is about using your money to enhance your present, taking that weekend getaway, buying fresh produce instead of cheap processed foods, or finally paying for a hobby that makes your soul light up. Activation isn’t frivolous; it’s deeply motivating. When used wisely, money becomes a tool to live life fully in the moment.
- Fund – Welcome to fall, where we harvest what we’ve planted. This is the season of long-term savings. You’re now setting aside money for future events—emergency funds, retirement, education, or home ownership. In this phase, your mindset is less about the daily wins and more about the coming years. It’s about consistency, not perfection. You don’t need to max out every investment account today, but you do need to create a reliable habit of saving.
- Balance – Summer is when it all comes together. You’re managing today’s joys while building tomorrow’s security. Balance doesn’t mean perfection. It means you’ve found a rhythm between living in the now and preparing for the future. This is the most sustainable and liberating of all the financial seasons, but it also requires the most self-awareness. Stay grounded in your values, adjust when necessary, and celebrate that you’ve created space for both freedom and foresight.
What season are you in? (And what to do about it)
No two people experience these seasons in exactly the same order or timeframe. Some spend years in Fund before they’re ready to Activate. Others may cycle through Recovery more than once. That’s normal. What matters most is knowing where you are right now, and aligning your actions accordingly.
Here’s your next step: identify your current financial season. Be honest with yourself. You can’t jump to Balance before doing the work in Recover. Once you’ve named your season, put your money to work automatically. Most banks allow you to set up multiple checking or savings accounts, each with its own purpose. I call this “bank balance budgeting.” Don’t leave it to willpower—let your bank do the heavy lifting.
To make this easier, we’ve created a free download as part of The Money Habit, which includes suggested percentages for each season. These are just starting points, not rules. The goal is to remove the guesswork and help you build a system that adapts as your life evolves.
Final thought
Freedom doesn’t mean having unlimited money. It means having clarity and control over what you already have. Just like the seasons, your finances will change. The key is knowing which one you’re in and acting with intention.
You;ve got this!
-Mike
PS – Your business hinges on how your personal finances are going. Get on The Money Habit list here to get weekly insight on personal financial management