The weekly meeting handles the day-to-day. But some things need a longer view: your budget, your quarterly goals, the patterns that keep showing up. That's what the monthly check-in is for.
This hour-long session, held on the first of each month, gives you space to zoom out, review the numbers, and make course corrections before small issues become big problems.
Why Monthly Matters
Weekly meetings are tactical. Monthly check-ins are strategic. They're where you:
- Review actual spending — How did last month compare to your budget?
- Track goal progress — Are your Family Rocks on track?
- Spot patterns — What issues keep coming up week after week?
- Plan ahead — What's coming next month that needs preparation?
Without this regular review, it's easy to drift. You look up three months later and wonder where the money went or why that goal never happened.
The One-Hour Agenda
📊 Monthly Check-in Agenda
1. Wins & Gratitude (5 min)
Start by acknowledging what went well. What are you proud of from the past month? What are you grateful for? This grounds the conversation in appreciation before diving into numbers and problems.
2. Budget Review (20 min)
This is the heart of the monthly check-in. Pull up your actual numbers:
- Income: What came in? Any surprises?
- Fixed expenses: Rent, utilities, subscriptions — any changes?
- Variable spending: Groceries, dining, entertainment — how'd you do?
- Savings: Did you hit your target? If not, why?
The goal isn't judgment — it's awareness. You can't improve what you don't measure. Look at the gaps between plan and reality, and discuss what adjustments to make next month.
Keep It Simple
You don't need complex spreadsheets. Even a simple breakdown — income, needs, wants, savings — gives you enough visibility. The best system is one you'll actually use.
3. Rock Check (10 min)
Review your quarterly Family Rocks — those 2-4 big goals for the quarter:
- Is each Rock on track, off track, or at risk?
- What's the next specific action for each one?
- Does anything need to be dropped or modified?
This keeps your big goals from getting buried under daily life. A quick monthly pulse-check can save a quarter from going sideways.
4. Recurring Issues — IDS (15 min)
Some issues don't get solved in weekly meetings. They keep coming back. The monthly check-in is where you tackle these patterns:
- Identify: What issues keep recurring? Name them specifically.
- Discuss: Why do they keep happening? What's the root cause?
- Solve: What systemic change would prevent recurrence?
These are usually process problems, not people problems. "We always run out of groceries mid-week" is a planning issue. "The kids' rooms are always messy" might need a systems solution, not more nagging.
5. Next Month Preview (10 min)
Look ahead to the coming month:
- Any unusual expenses coming? (Insurance, tuition, holidays)
- Any schedule changes? (School breaks, travel, visitors)
- Any deadlines or events to prepare for?
End by confirming 2-3 action items with clear owners and due dates. Write them down.
Preparation Checklist
Before Your Monthly Check-in
- Export or screenshot last month's bank/card transactions
- Calculate total income and spending by category
- Note any budget variances (over/under)
- Review progress on quarterly Rocks
- List any recurring issues from weekly meetings
- Check calendar for upcoming month events
Tips for Success
Making It Stick
- Same day each month — The 1st works well (or the first Sunday)
- Prepare in advance — One person gathers the numbers beforehand
- No blame, just data — Focus on patterns, not pointing fingers
- Keep it private — This one's for the adults; include kids in weekly meetings instead
- Celebrate progress — Acknowledge what's working, not just problems
When to Schedule It
The first of the month is ideal — you're reviewing a complete month with fresh data. Options:
- 1st of the month (evening) — After work, before the month gets busy
- First Sunday — Weekend brunch check-in
- Last day of prior month — Get ahead of the new month
Block it on your calendar as a recurring event. Protect it like any important appointment.
What If You Miss One?
Life happens. If you miss a month:
- Don't try to "catch up" with a two-hour session
- Do a lighter version: 30 minutes on budget + biggest issue
- Get back on schedule next month
Consistency beats perfection. Eleven check-ins per year is vastly better than zero.
"The monthly check-in is where we catch things before they snowball. Last month we noticed we'd been overbudget on dining out for three months straight. One conversation, one adjustment. Problem solved." — Intended OS user
Connecting the Cadence
The monthly check-in sits between your weekly meetings and quarterly planning:
- Weekly meetings — Tactical, day-to-day coordination
- Monthly check-ins — Strategic review of finances and progress
- Quarterly planning — Setting new Rocks and rotating responsibilities
- Annual vision — Big-picture goals and values alignment
Together, these four sessions create a rhythm that keeps your household intentional at every time horizon.