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Ascend National Wealth Advisors, Financial Advisors in Bellevue, WA | Thrivent

Most people only look at benefits during open enrollment. But a lot can change between then and now: A new job opportunity. A move. A wedding. A baby. A change in income or responsibilities And benefits are one of the easiest places to accidentally leave money or protection on the table. Two things I see get overlooked all the time: 1. Disability coverage If your paycheck depends on you showing up, this matters more than most people realize. 2. HSA strategy Not just “do you have one,” but whether you are using it the best way for your situation. A quick benefits check in April can prevent a lot of “I wish we knew that” later. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

The most expensive phrase in personal finance is "we’ll figure it out later.” Later becomes: After the next bonus After the next promotion After the house move After things calm down at work And then one day you are making decisions under pressure. For most professionals, the issue is rarely a lack of income. It’s a lack of systems. If your money plan requires a free weekend and a clear head, it will not happen consistently. The plan has to be simple enough to run in the background. If you are only looking at your finances when something breaks, that is a sign the system needs a tune up. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Most people file taxes and move on. High earners should not. Because your return is basically a scoreboard of what happened with: withholding bonuses RSUs side income retirement contributions and the way your benefits were set up If you just filed, here are the three questions worth asking this week while it’s fresh: 1. Did you owe more than you expected, or get a refund that felt weirdly big? That usually means your withholding is off. 2. Did any “one-time” income show up this year (bonus, RSUs vesting, relocation, backdoor Roth steps, side hustle)? Those are common reasons a high earner gets surprised. 3. Did you miss any easy levers you can still pull for next year? Examples: adjusting W-4, setting an HSA strategy, increasing 401(k) percentage, planning for RSU tax withholding, cleaning up quarterly estimates. Make the change now. Avoid the surprise later. . . . My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

If a big chunk of your income is commission, bonus, or equity, your emergency fund should not be based on your base salary lifestyle. It should be based on your real monthly burn rate. A lot of high earners are one bad quarter away from: Using a credit card as an emergency fund, or Selling investments at the wrong time. If your income is variable, a bigger cash buffer is not conservative. It’s practical. - Learn more about how our team can help: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Before you change jobs, negotiate a new offer, or take time off, do a quick benefits audit. A job change can quietly impact: Health insurance timing HSA eligibility 401(k) match and vesting Life and disability coverage Equity vesting schedules Your salary is only part of the deal. If 2026 might include a move, a promotion, or a break, this is one of the highest ROI planning conversations you can have. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

If you got a bonus recently and thought, “Where did the rest go?” You are not crazy. Bonuses are often withheld differently than regular pay, so the paycheck can look shockingly light even when your income is strong. Two quick takeaways: 1. Withholding is not always your final tax bill. 2. A bonus can push you into a higher marginal bracket, even if only for part of your income. Before you change your 401(k) or savings plan because “taxes are brutal,” look at the full-year picture. A one-time paycheck is not the whole story. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Will Your Taxes Affect Your Retirement?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Most retirement tax mistakes come from waiting, assuming, and thinking there will be time later to adjust. For many families, those assumptions create higher lifetime taxes than expected. We’re hosting a live, complimentary webinar this month to explain how tax efficiency fits into retirement planning and what proactive decisions can influence long-term outcomes. Tuesday, February 24 at 12 PM PT Thursday, February 26 at 6 PM PT Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3017694624221/WN_IPBQEj7aQS6vyLhJIYZ7sw - Meet the team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: No products will be sold. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Will Your Taxes Affect Your Retirement?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Your future tax bill is being shaped right now. Most people assume taxes are something you deal with later, when retirement arrives and income slows down. The problem is that many of the decisions that influence retirement taxes can only be made years in advance. Once distributions start, flexibility drops. Options narrow. And small choices compound. That’s why I’m hosting a live, complimentary webinar this month focused on tax efficiency and long-term planning. The goal is simple: help you understand where taxes actually come from in retirement and what proactive planning can change. Tuesday, February 24 at 12 PM PT Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 PM PT Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3017694624221/WN_IPBQEj7aQS6vyLhJIYZ7sw -- Learn more about the team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: No products will be sold. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

“Why don’t I feel richer, even though I make more than I used to?” In many cases, the data tells the story: Income has gone up. Net worth is higher. Retirement accounts are growing But so have: Fixed expenses. Lifestyle creep. Cash sitting idle “just in case” On paper, things look better. In real life, it still feels tight. That gap usually isn’t about returns. It’s about how money is allocated and what it’s expected to do. Progress doesn’t always feel like progress when your plan grows more complex but not more intentional. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

The most expensive retirement mistakes usually are not made in retirement; they are usually made in the last working decade. For 2026, if you are 50 or older, you can put up to $32,500 into many 401(k) or 403(b) plans when you include catch up contributions. That extra $8,000 of catch up room each year is one of the last levers that can still move the numbers in a meaningful way. You do not have to jump to the max overnight. But if “I’ll get to it later” has been the plan so far, this is the stretch where even a small increase in contributions can matter more than another year of waiting. - My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Roth IRA reminder: you still have time! You can still make 2025 Roth IRA contributions up until April 15, 2026, as long as you qualify on income and have earned income. Why it is worth a look: Tax-free withdrawals in retirement can give you a lot more flexibility with future tax brackets. And you can usually add a Roth IRA on top of what you are already doing in a 401(k) or 403(b), up to the annual limit. If dropping in the full amount at once feels like too much, you can just pick a number and automate a few contributions between now and April. Even 3–4 months of consistent investing is better than another year of “I’ll start later.” 💸 Your future self will thank you for it! - My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

The week between years is one of my favorite times to quietly reset before life speeds up again. Here are a few simple questions I am asking myself heading into 2026: “I know what my goals are, but what are God’s goals for me this next year?” “What are God’s goals for my wife and kids this year, and how can I help them achieve them?” "Where did I feel the most present with my family, and what was different about those moments?" "If my calendar was a reflection of my values, what would need more space and what would need less?" "What is one decision I have been avoiding (money or otherwise) that would bring relief if I finally faced it?" "What is one bill, subscription, or habit I kept paying for that didn’t actually make life better?" No pressure for a big reinvention. Just a chance to nudge life a little closer to what actually matters.

This season is a reminder of the greatest gift we have ever been given: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Wishing you a Christmas filled with peace, gratitude, and time with the people you love most.

If your feed is all doom, the economy will look like doom. If your feed is all hype, the economy will look like a rocket ship. Your brain does a great job reflecting whatever you keep putting in front of it. That is why the most important “input” is not the latest headline; it is the process you commit to follow. Markets will go through optimism, pessimism, and everything in between. A sound plan is built to live through all three. - My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Being face-to-face still matters. But being in the same zip code doesn’t. Virtual meetings have completely changed how we serve. We can sit down with entire families, even when they are spread across states, time zones, and busy schedules. That’s especially important around the holidays or during big life transitions, like a move, when life is full, but decisions still need to be made. It also means we are not limited to whoever happens to live nearby. We can work with people who share our values and want a long-term relationship, not just a quick transaction. With my team, that’s the goal: to make it simple to stay connected, keep everyone on the same page, and give families confidence in their plan wherever life takes them next. - My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Four pie drives, four cities, and now a little drumroll for the impact you helped create. 🥁🥁🥁 Across all drives, our clients, partners, community members, family and friends helped us: 🥫 Collect over 400 lbs of nonperishable food 🧥 Donate more than 300 jackets and cold‑weather clothing items 💵 Raise over $3,000 in donations These efforts supported Friday Feast, Olympia Union Gospel Mission, Tacoma Rescue Mission, and The Well Outreach, and were made possible through the partnership of Illume, Gig Harbor Group, and Grace Community Covenant Church. Thank you to everyone who gave or helped to spread the word. We host these pie drives every year and look forward to growing this tradition, inviting more families, friends, and community partners to help us amplify our impact even further next time.

Financial planning is changing. People are less interested in chasing the latest trends, and more focused on finding a plan that actually works for their lives. Instead of worrying about squeezing out every last bit of growth, most are looking for stability and confidence. That shift means fewer second guesses and less stress with each financial decision. Having a solid plan in place, plus a team you trust, makes sticking to your goals easier. - My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Here are a few photos from this year's Thrivent NPG Symposium in Tennessee. A big highlight - Ascend was named #1 for Charitable impact growth in 2024. That recognition goes straight to our clients, whose generosity continues to make a real difference in their local communities. We were grateful for the chance to speak about our collaborative team and took away new ideas from great presentations and conversations with other advisors. We left feeling inspired to keep raising the bar for our clients and community. My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Small changes to tax rules can have a real impact, especially for high earners making catch-up contributions to retirement plans. If your income is over $145,000, the extra amount you add to your 401(k) now goes into a Roth account instead of the pre-tax option. You pay taxes on those dollars now, but your future withdrawals are tax-free. A few tips for this season: ➜ If you are maxing out, review your account setup to make sure everything’s set up right ➜ This change might help you avoid higher tax bills down the road As the year wraps up, taking small steps today keeps your retirement strategy working for the years ahead. - My team is here to help: thrivent.com/ascend See disclosures: thrivent.com/social

It’s pie season — and giving season! 🥧🎁 We’re hosting three community pie drives across Western Washington to support local nonprofits doing incredible work this holiday season. When you register, a pie will be reserved just for you — and your participation helps collect much-needed donations for neighbors in need. Join us at one of these upcoming Pie Pantry Drives: Seattle Pie Pantry & Coat Drive – Wednesday, November 19: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pie-pantry-coat-drive-seattle-tickets-1826169906349?aff=oddtdtcreator Olympia Pie Pantry & Food Drive – Thursday, November 20: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pie-pantry-olympia-food-drive-tickets-1783156391769?aff=oddtdtcreator Gig Harbor Pie & Pantry Donation Drive– Monday, November 24:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pie-pantry-donation-drive-gig-harbor-tickets-1783163984479?aff=oddtdtcreator You do not need to be a Thrivent member to participate — all are welcome to join in the generosity! Click through to find event details and the local nonprofit each drive supports. Together, we can make this season a little sweeter. - Our team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social No products will be sold.