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Smart Money Monthly
September 2025 201 Townepark Circle, Ste B-1 Louisville, KY 40243 163 Dennis Drive Lexington, KY 40503 From Cows to Calculators
(502) 426-0000 ∙ Roberts.cpa
A GRANDSON’S GRATITUDE
I may work in an office these days, but I spent many childhood weekends on a farm. Long before I became a CPA, I grew up next to the 100-acre farm owned by my grandparents on my father’s side in eastern Kentucky. My grandfather was a big guy, built to work outside, while my grandmother was just a little thing. Together, they were an odd couple and proof that opposites attract! My grandmother’s talents were in cooking, while my grandfather’s gifts were shown in the hard work he put into earning a living off the land, and there was never a shortage of things for him to do. As a boy, I’d get up early on weekends, watch him work, and help him feed the cows. Spending time with him was always enjoyable. He was just a country boy — pleasant, hardworking, and someone who would talk to anyone. We became very close during those early mornings, and I felt the loss deeply when he passed away when I was 10 or 11 years old. Life was so much simpler then. My grandmother didn’t even have a driver’s license, and I’d milk cows when I was away from school. It wasn't a glamorous way to pass the time, but it was perfect. Best of all, I spent my weekend mornings with a great man whose company I never took for granted. By junior high, I had realized that working with numbers came naturally to me, so I pursued my career in accounting. My days of feeding cows were in the rearview mirror when I started my firm. Still, I’ve never stopped appreciating every life lesson I learned from watching my grandfather on that farm. The hours are long, the days are
tough, and success is earned by giving it your all. There are no fancy offices or conference rooms — just a lot of land to work on and animals to care for. Without seeing those things, I wouldn’t have understood the value of an honest day’s work as early as I did. Sure, my days are now spent filing documents rather than feeding cows, but I’m still committed to getting up every day and doing things right. Although I often think of my early years, they’re top of mind with National Grandparents' Day coming up on Sept. 7. Of all the special events on the calendar this time of year, this one means a lot. No matter where our lives take us, we thrive because of the foundation set by our loved ones who came before us. If you have some free time, think about how much where you came from inspired where you are today. If you start by thinking of your grandparents and working your way down, you may be amazed by how the seemingly small moments you spent with family growing up shaped the person you became. If your grandparents are still here, thank them for everything they’ve done for you. If they’re no longer with you, honor them by passing their values on to others.
Our lives are only as strong as the lessons we’ve learned. Thanks, Grandpa, for teaching me so much. —Kevin Roberts
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OUTWIT EXPENSES ON ONE INCOME SAVE MORE WITHOUT EARNING MORE
If you're rocking a one-income lifestyle, you know every penny has a part to play. The good news? With a few smart strategies and some creative hustle, you can stretch your dollars and live abundantly with what you’ve got.
while you're at it! A little tidying can go a long way toward a cleaner home and a fatter wallet. Be a savvy shopper. Loyalty is great … except when it costs you. Revisit your utility bills, internet plan, insurance, and other regular expenses. A few phone calls can lead to serious savings, and hey, who doesn’t love a good deal? Try a no-spend weekend. Want to hit the reset button on your spending habits? Challenge yourself to a no-spend weekend. No takeout, no spur-of-the-moment Target trips, no extras. It’s eye-opening to discover how resourceful you can be when you give your wallet a break. If you feel extra motivated, try a no- spend week and watch your wallet rejoice. Home hacks that save. A few clever tweaks can quietly cut costs and make your home more efficient. Start with
your water heater; most are set far higher than necessary. Dropping the temperature can reduce energy use, lower your bill, and help prevent scalding accidents, especially if you have kids. Laundry is another area where tiny changes add up. Tossing a clean, dry towel into a wet load can help soak up moisture and reduce drying time, while wool dryer balls cut energy use and replace costly dryer sheets. Divide and conquer big bills. Big monthly expenses got you stressed? Try the half-payment method: Divide larger bills into smaller chunks and save up with every paycheck. It’s way less painful than facing one massive payment all at once. Living on one income doesn’t mean living without comfort. It means getting clever, and everyone can be up for the challenge.
Get cozy with your budget. Think of your budget like a team; every cent is a player. If one’s just standing around doing nothing (we’re looking at you, random subscription services), it’s time to cut them from the roster. Start tracking where your money goes, even the tiny stuff. Those impulse coffee runs and late- night Amazon scrolls add up more than you think! Declutter and cash in. Do you have duplicate pantry items, forgotten batteries, and a mystery Tupperware you keep buying duplicates of? It's time to take control. Clean out, organize, and sell what you don’t need
Stars Who Channeled Fame Into Fundraising As many past articles in this newsletter have shown, celebrities don't always make the best decisions with their money. However, there are an equal number of instances in which they use their MUSIC WITH A MISSION
When Pop Fought Poverty In July 1985, Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia simultaneously hosted Live Aid, a global music event created to raise funds to end poverty in Africa. Spearheaded by Irish musician Bob Geldof, Live Aid boasted performances by nearly 80 musical acts, including Queen, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Elton John, David Bowie, and the reunited Led Zeppelin. The concerts were broadcast to over 1 billion people in 150 countries through satellite technology, raising over $100 million for famine relief. A Fix for Struggling Farmers While at JFK Stadium for the Live Aid festivities, Bob Dylan expressed an interest in organizing a similar concert to support American farmers facing financial hardships nationwide. His comment caught the attention of Willie Nelson, who immediately set the concept into motion with help from fellow artists Neil Young and John Mellencamp. Two months later, the first-ever Farm Aid concert was held in Champaign, Illinois, attracting over 75,000 concertgoers and featuring performances by Nelson, Dylan, Johnny Cash, June Carter, and more. Ultimately, Dylan's initial idea resulted in $7 million being raised for farmers and their families in a single day.
star power to improve our world. Here are three special music events that brought hope and
much-needed help to millions. Songs to Support Children
Mere days before his untimely passing on July 22 at 76, singer Ozzy Osbourne staged a special “farewell” concert at an arena in Birmingham, England. The July 5 event, which included performances from some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal, sold more than 40,000 tickets, some of which cost around $1,000! Additionally, more than 5 million people worldwide paid $29.99 to view a livestream of the event. That equals a lot of money earned from a single rock concert, but the most impressive thing about the show was that every dime was raised for charity. The concert raised over $190 million — a sum that will be divided among Cure Parkinson’s (Osbourne himself had the disease), the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and the Acorns Children’s Hospice.
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Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Close out the season with the ultimate late summer sip — refreshing, light, and effortlessly elegant. With its perfect balance of bitter Aperol, crisp Prosecco, and a splash of club soda, this classic Italian cocktail is as easy to make as it is to enjoy. 3:2:1 Aperol Spritz
Seasonal Spending Smarts With only four months left in 2025, it won’t be long before the next round of holidays arrives. Of course, the festivities to come are often followed by feelings of vertigo when the bills for all the unexpected expenses we incurred arrive in January. Here are three tips to help you plan — and trim the surprising drains on your budget — before the holiday gifts, parties, and travels put your money to the test. It’s time to shrink the 'small' stuff. When it comes to restructuring your budget for the holidays, there’s no such thing as a “small” expense. All those seemingly minor recurring fees you agreed to and promptly forgot about add up over time and can prevent you from having the money for larger and more essential expenses later in the year. If you bought a gym membership last January, but stopped going by March, now’s the time to cancel it to save a few dollars each month. The same goes for the streaming service you subscribe to just to watch a particular movie or two that you haven't watched in months. If you trim these unnecessary costs now, there’s a strong chance those savings could cover that plane ticket you must purchase before Christmas. September is a budgeter’s dream. A lot happens this time of year. We have Labor Day, back-to-school time, and the switch from summer to fall. You know what else we have? Sales ! These events typically have retailers slashing prices to make way for holiday stock, giving you a prime opportunity to buy gifts on sale that will inevitably jump in cost as fall transitions to winter. Shopping earlier will help save your bank account and sanity, as picking up items in September means you won’t have to race around on Christmas Eve to find things to put under the tree. Fly high with lower debt. If you plan to travel by plane over the holidays, booking your flight sooner rather than later can potentially save you hundreds in airfare. Set your travel arrangement deadline for September or October at the latest, as airline tickets tend to skyrocket during the last two months of the year. Lighten Loads Before Lights Go Up
• 4 ice cubes (or more as desired) • 3 oz Prosecco INGREDIENTS
• 2 oz Aperol (or other bitter orange aperitif)
• 1 oz club soda • 1 orange slice
DIRECTIONS
1. Fill a wine glass with ice cubes, then pour in Prosecco. 2. Add Aperol to the glass, then top with club soda. (For a sweeter sip, substitute San Pellegrino orange soda for the club soda) 3. Finish by garnishing with an orange slice and enjoy!
SUDOKU
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 Lessons From the Land 2 Live Well on One Income Without Losing Your Sanity Fame Fuels Philanthropy 3 Pre-Holiday Bankroll Basics 3:2:1 Aperol Spritz 4 Why Side Hustles Are a Hit for Retirees
How Retirees Are Redefining Work FINDING PURPOSE THROUGH A SIDE HUSTLE
What are you planning for your retirement? If you’re like many people, your plans likely look different from those of retirees a few decades ago. Retirement used to mean slowing down, and it still does. However, many retirees now choose to continue working through a side hustle. The flexibility of a side hustle makes it perfect for those in retirement. And it’s a great way to earn extra income for unexpected living expenses. Today, a variety of side gigs offer flexible hours or the chance to work from home. A retired teacher might start remote tutoring, and someone who spent years in a corporate office could find work as a part-time consultant. Others find a way to turn a hobby into something more, like selling homemade crafts or working as a freelance writer. Rideshare and food delivery apps are also great options and don’t require any experience to get started. Money is a big draw, but many retirees find that a side hustle has other benefits. Working part-time can add structure to your day and allow you to meet new people. It can also help you stay mentally sharp and give you a sense of purpose after the structure of a full-time job fades away. Another great thing about working this way is that you can do it on your terms. It can be as simple as helping out a few hours a week or offering services during the busy season. What matters is finding something that feels rewarding. If retirement is a new chapter, a side hustle can be a plot twist that keeps things interesting.
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