
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." - Psalm 118:1

Pros & cons of paying off your mortgage before you retire
If you’re nearing retirement with a mortgage in tow, you’re not alone. But should you pay it off before you retire? While being debt-free can offer a sense of reassurance, in some cases, keeping your mortgage might actually be beneficial. Explore the pros and cons of having a mortgage during retirement.

Life can be unpredictable, but your financial future doesn't have to be. Together, we can prepare for potential changes and help you stay ahead of risks with a flexible financial plan. Let's schedule time to discuss.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Happy International Dog Day!
Our team are big animal lovers, and we know many of you are too! Around here, our dogs are family, and for those of us who work from home, they’re also our most loyal (and sometimes distracting!) coworkers.
We’d love to see your four-legged teammates! Share a picture of your dog in the comments below and let’s fill this thread with wagging tails, wet noses, and the best “coworkers” anyone could ask for.
Here’s to the pups who make our days brighter!

On the hunt for a new home? Navigating the housing market can be challenging, but you don't need to do it alone. Let's review your financial goals and priorities and discuss what steps you can take to get where you want to go.
For tips on saving and budgeting for a home: https://bit.ly/4lpwyjX

At Thrivent, our values guide everything we do:
We lead with empathy. We act with commitment. We live with gratitude.
These principles show up in how our team serves every day through meeting clients with dedication, building genuine connections, and giving thoughtful attention to each person’s needs. Tessa here is a rockstar when it comes to serving our clients with a smile every day!
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients and community, and we look forward to continuing to walk alongside you on your financial journey.
Email: EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
Phone: 618-483-6167
Website: https://bit.ly/42ju8wI
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Thrivent is partnering with a company called Empathy to offer a new grief resource. Empathy offers the tools and resources to support families through the difficult experience of losing a loved one.
Empathy can be accessed via app, online and over the phone. Care Managers provide personalized guidance and custom care plans for helping manage both the emotional and practical aspects of loss.
Learn more about this new membership benefit: https://bit.ly/43H43Zn

August 5 is a special day at Eckhardt Financial Group!
On this day in 1987, Financial Associate Dick Eckhardt began serving clients through the Aid Association for Lutherans, the organization that would later become the Thrivent we know today.
In 1996, his son and Wealth Advisor Ryan Eckhardt followed in his footsteps, helping individuals and families steward their resources and find financial clarity. Together, Dick and Ryan laid the foundation for what would eventually become Eckhardt Financial Group. As the team grew, Wealth Advisor Dustin Eckhardt joined them, officially forming the trio that launched EFG. With more clients to serve, they sought out others who shared their commitment to service and excellence.
That journey brought Associate Zach Sampl to the team on August 5, 2019. Since then, Zach has built lasting relationships and contributed to the exceptional service our clients experience every day.
Join us in congratulating Dick Eckhardt on 38 years of dedicated service, Ryan Eckhardt with 29 years of continuing the legacy, and Zachary Sampl with 6 years of impactful client care! We are so grateful for their guidance and knowledge that has led to who we are today.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

We're in the final stretch! Less than one week left to help us reach our $25,000 goal for Collinsville Faith in Action, and we’re counting on YOU to help get us there.
The support so far has been incredible, but we still have ground to cover and not much time left.
Every donation helps, but so does every share, comment, and like. If you believe in supporting seniors in our community, help us bring this mission to more people by boosting this post.
Collinsville Faith in Action provides critical services like transportation, home repairs, and social connection to older adults who need us. This fundraiser helps make all of that possible.
We are covering all processing fees for this fundraiser so you can rest assured that every last penny goes to CFiA.
The fundraiser ends August 1 – act now!
Give here: https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/1151209/detail
We’re in crunch time. Let’s make it happen!
Like, share, and spread the word!

We’re more than halfway through our fundraiser for Collinsville Faith in Action, and we are truly amazed by the generosity we’ve seen so far.
But we’re not at the finish line yet. The response has been inspiring—but with time running out, we need help reaching even more people who care about supporting seniors in our community.
That’s where you come in. If you’ve already given, we extend the biggest thank you. If you’re not in a place to give right now, you can still make a big impact by simply sharing this post, leaving a comment, or tagging someone who might want to get involved.
Together, we’re raising funds to support vital services like transportation, home repairs, and social connection for a population that needs us now more than ever. Here you can see one of the amazing people that helps CFiA bless our community!
The fundraiser runs through August 1 – time is running out!
Our goal is to raise $25,000. For every $2 donated, Thrivent adds $1, up to $3,000, and then cover ALL processing fees beyond that!
Donate here: https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/1151209/detail
Let’s keep the momentum going and help this mission reach every corner of our community.
Like, share, and comment to spread the word!

Thinking about investing but not sure where to start? You're not alone - Eckhardt Financial group is happy to help. It's never too late to begin.
Here are 3 questions to help guide your first steps:
• What are your goals?
• How long do you have to reach them?
• How much risk are you comfortable with?
We’re here to walk with you as you explore your options. Let's start the conversation.
Email: EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
Phone: 618-483-6167
Website: https://bit.ly/42ju8wI
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

What a night!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Collinsville Faith in Action fundraiser. It was a beautiful evening filled with community, joy, and some of the biggest hearts we’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.
The energy was contagious, and the generosity shown that night was nothing short of inspiring. Collinsville Faith in Action outdid themselves with such a great meal and amazing music!
But we’re not done yet. The online fundraiser is still going strong through August 1 and we’re getting closer every day to our $25,000 goal.
If you weren’t able to attend or haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to make a difference. Every dollar goes toward essential services for older adults in our area such as transportation, home repairs, social support, and more.
And don’t forget—for every $2 you give, Thrivent will add $1, up to $3,000. Plus, all processing fees are covered.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Your gift can help bridge the gap.
https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/1151209/detail
Thank you for showing up, giving big, and believing in the power of community.

For newlyweds, blended families, and veteran couples alike, finances are a crucial part of life together. At Thrivent, we know just how much conversations about money can strengthen your relationship and build a solid financial foundation.
If you’ve never talked about your finances with your partner, here’s a great plan of action to start the conversation.
1. Get to know each other’s financial lives : What are your money mindsets? Are you both knowledgeable about the other’s situation regarding debt, assets, and savings? What are your long-term goals, such as early retirement or paying for kids’ education?
2. Create a financial plan together : This is the nitty-gritty where our team can help provide clarity. How do you plan to approach budgeting, saving, investing, and generosity?
3. Use your finances to thrive : After you achieve a firm footing financially, it’s time to make your money work for you. At Eckhardt Financial Group, we have a great team of associates who can make this process easy for you. By helping guide your savings, investments, insurance situation, and aligning them with your ever-evolving needs, we can help you develop a substantial diversified, growing portfolio to support the lifestyle you want – one of impact, generosity, and meaning.
We’d love to hear from you – for the married folks, when did you start having financial conversations with your spouse? For those yet to marry, when do you think you would?
For more information on this topic, visit https://bit.ly/4iAWWph
Email: EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
Phone: 618-483-6167
Website: https://bit.ly/42ju8wI

Thrivent is partnering with three organizations providing both immediate relief and long-term recovery support in Texas. When you make a donation through the online giving platform, Thrivent will add $1 to every $2 donated. Thrivent also pays the processing fees so 100% of your donation goes directly to the cause.
To help today 👉 https://bit.ly/3U57K56

The right financial product is one that fits your life, your needs, and your goals. If you're looking for stable, reliable income, an annuity might be worth considering. Does that sound like something that could support your financial future? We’d be happy to talk about how an annuity could work as part of your broader financial plan.
Email: EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
Phone: 618-483-6167
Website: https://bit.ly/42ju8wI
Guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the product’s issuer. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.