As interest rates continue to change, it’s important to make sure your cash, investments, and savings are still aligned with your needs and long‑term goals. Our advisors, like Eric (pictured below), help clients evaluate their options and build strategies that balance flexibility with growth potential.
Call our Altamont office at 618-483-6167 or our Collinsville office at 618-345-4900 to connect with us.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Have you spotted these Thrivent "Live Generously" t-shirts around town? Ever wondered where YOU can get one?
When you lead a Thrivent Action Team, you can receive up to 25 of these t-shirts for your team volunteers to wear! We love seeing people wear these shirts out and about- it’s such a fun reminder of the incredible impact our clients are making right here where we live and work.
The design of the shirt changes every year! This year's shirt isn't pictured... meaning you'll just have to lead an Action Team yourself to find out!
Interested in learning how you can bring people together to support the causes you care about most? Our team member Ryleigh Farar would be happy to help you explore all the ways Thrivent Action Teams can make an impact!
Give us a call at (618) 345-4900 or send an e-mail to Ryleigh.Farar@Thrivent.com to get started!
Plan your finances for the people, causes and community you love | Thrivent
It takes more than what meets the eye to create a great client experience. Behind every meeting, recommendation, and thoughtful plan is a team working diligently to compile information, prepare details, and keep everything moving forward. These behind‑the‑scenes team members are the backbone of our practice. These team members work meticulously to make sure that you are taken care of as our client, and help us provide not just thorough advice, but an exceptional experience with us. We’re so thankful for the people who keep everything running day in and day out. Want to see all that our team does? Give us a call! Our Altamont office number is (618) 483-6167, our Collinsville office number is (618) 345-4900, our email is EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, and you can see our whole team at https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group/about-us/our-team See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Does tax-efficient planning make you as excited as it makes Mike? Maybe not yet... but we're here to help you find a tax-efficient strategy that can help you save more of your hard-earned dollars, so that you can put it towards what really matters. (Which might make you feel like Mike!)
Want help paving a path forward with confidence and clarity? Give our Altamont office a call at (618) 483-6167, our Collinsville office at (618) 345-4900, send us an email at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website at https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
Living generously is at the heart of everything we do at Thrivent, and yesterday was a beautiful example of that in action.
Together, we packed 40 wild rice and chicken casserole meal kits, each including everything needed for an easy, nourishing dinner. These meals will be donated to the local food pantry to help support families right here in our community.
Projects like this are made possible through our many generosity programs. Ryleigh Farar, our team's community outreach specialist, was thrilled to help share the many ways Eckhardt Financial Group could partner with the congregation, the church, and the community to make a positive impact!
We are so grateful for the chance to partner with Salem Lutheran Church and for their welcoming spirit and commitment to serving others. This is what it looks like when generosity brings people together.
Want to learn more about how Eckhardt Financial Group can help the people around you? We'd love to talk! Call us at (618) 345-4900, e-mail us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website at https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Advisor Spotlight: Meet Taylor Main, BFA®️, FIC!
When it comes to financial planning, numbers matter... but people matter more. That belief is at the heart of how Taylor Main, Associate Financial Advisor, serves the families and individuals he works with every day.
Taylor’s approach starts with listening. He asks thoughtful questions to understand what’s truly important to his clients, then partners with them to create, track, and accomplish meaningful financial goals. His philosophy? Plan for the worst, hope for the best. He strives to make sure clients understand and can manage both the obvious and not‑so‑obvious risks along the way, including things like unintended tax consequences for themselves and future generations.
Taylor has worked hard to achieve a few important designations that bring a lot to the table. His Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA®️) designation allows him to help clients navigate the emotional and psychological side of financial decision‑making, so their money choices align with their values and long‑term goals. With his FIC (Fraternal Insurance Counselor) designation, he provides a strong foundation in life insurance planning, ethics, and needs analysis, especially within a values‑based framework.
Taylor is passionate about financial advising as whole, but his niche on our team is helping clients through tax‑efficiency strategies to encourage smart, intentional decisions with both today and tomorrow in mind.
What motivates him most?
“I like helping people problem solve. Hearing about their financial and life goals gets me excited to help make sure they’re on track. One of the most rewarding moments is when a client refers a family member because their experience with our team made them want their loved ones to be just as well taken care of.”
If you’re looking for an advisor who combines technical knowledge with genuine care, thoughtful planning, and a steady, values‑driven approach—Taylor would love to meet you.
Let’s start the conversation. Call our office to set up an appointment with him at (618) 483-6167, email us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website at https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Celebrating 9 Years of Jessica Rahn!
Since Jess joined our team 9 years ago, she has kept our team running like a well-oiled machine. If you've ever called our office, you'll know that Jessica helps ensure a smooth client experience by managing all of our incoming calls. With her friendly voice, extensive product knowledge, and phenomenal work ethic, she’s a true asset to our team.
Jessica lives in Stewardson, Illinois, with her husband, Zachary, and their four sons,Clayton, Auston, Easton, and Trenton. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, traveling, cheering on her kids at sporting events, and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica, thank you for 9 wonderful years. We’re so grateful to have you!
As our population ages, the need for caregiving support is more critical than ever. Nearly 70% of people who turn 65 will need some form of long‑term care during their lifetime, whether due to aging, illness, or disability, and most care happens at home. Today, more than 63 million Americans (about 1 in 4 adults) are providing unpaid care to a loved one, often while balancing work and family responsibilities, and this number is growing every year.
That’s why having guidance matters.
Get expert help navigating aging, disability, or a medical condition. Thrivent clients with membership have access to caregiver resources at no cost through Homethrive, including the support of expert care guides.
Thrivent can help you connect with caregiving, aging, and Medicare experts, receive personalized product recommendations, and get help finding the right care for the ones you love.
Give us a call at (618) 483-6167, e-mail us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website at https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
Learn more now: https://bit.ly/49VL7ZT
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Today, we get to celebrate the ones we love and show them how much they mean to us... and our team LOVES our clients! We are so grateful for every person we get to serve.
We asked our team for some silly Valentine's Day lines, and we got some pretty great ones. Let us know what you think of our staff's pick-up game!
"Are you a diversified portfolio? Because you've got a little bit of everything I'm looking for!"
"Good thing I just bought life insurance... because when I saw you, my heart stopped!"
"I don't need a financial advisor to know that you're a solid investment!"
You think you've got better game than our team? Let us know below! Give us your BEST corny pick up lines!
If you own a home, investments, life insurance, or other valuable assets, creating a trust can be a meaningful way to care for the people who matter most to you.
A revocable or irrevocable trust can help ensure your loved ones are supported, protected, and spared unnecessary stress. The right trust structure may provide clarity around your wishes, reduce delays, preserve privacy, and help your family avoid complications during an already difficult time. In some cases, it can also help protect assets for future generations or long‑term care needs.
Learn more about how a trust can help you take care of the people you love:
https://bit.ly/3VZ6FNl
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Love the people who matter most by giving them the gift of clarity and confidence. At Eckhardt Financial Group, we’re passionate about guiding families through the estate planning process to help you protect and provide for the ones you love.
Why is an estate plan so important?
•It helps prevent conflict by making your wishes clear.
•It allows you to avoid costly, time consuming probate.
•It gives you a voice in your medical and end of life decisions, bringing peace of mind to you and your family.
•It lets you appoint trusted individuals to step in if you can’t make decisions yourself.
•And most importantly, it ensures your assets go exactly where you intend.
At Eckhardt Financial Group, we’re here to help you find clarity and confidence as you plan for your loved ones’ future. We’d love to talk with you.
Connect with us:
📞 Collinsville office: (618) 345 4900
📞 Altamont office: (618) 483 6167
📧 EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
🌐 Website: https://bit.ly/4bGts9A
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
We’re celebrating two wonderful years with Kayla Lancaster on our team!
Kayla plays a vital role in supporting our advisors by managing appointment scheduling with care and precision. But what truly sets her apart is the warmth she brings to every interaction. She’s a friendly, reassuring presence not just for our clients, but for our entire team.
Kayla has an incredible knack for remembering the little things about people and checking in regularly. Those thoughtful touches make everyone feel seen and supported and is the glue that holds our team together! Even while working remotely from Florida (with her mom, Sherry Lancaster!), she’s always deeply connected to our office and our clients.
We’re so grateful for everything you bring to our practice, Kayla. Here’s to many more years together!
We can’t believe Robin Lewis has been with us for 16 years. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!
Robin keeps our practice running not only through her meticulous accounting work, scheduling of appointments for many of our advisors, careful management of payroll, and dedication as our HR point person, but through countless behind‑the‑scenes efforts that our team would crumble without. And of course, her sense of humor is unmatched—she can make even the most serious among us crack a smile!
We’re so grateful for everything you do, Robin. Here’s to 16 amazing years and many more to come!
We love seeing our clients change their communities for the better!
Today, we’d like to shout out Mark Goerger, who led the charge in teaching 18 members of his church CPR and AED! What a great way to help save lives and live generously!
Want to join us in making a difference in YOUR community? We’d love to talk! Call our Collinsville office at (618) 345-4900, our Altamont office at (618) 483-6167, email us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website https://bit.ly/4bGts9A.
We’re blessed with an amazing team here at EFG. Every year we have with our teammates is something to celebrate and we’re proud to say that Jared Gray has been with us for 3 years!
Jared serves our clients in many ways, from assisting our investment clients, processing applications, contribution and distribution requests, and maintaining client information. He graduated from University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management.
When Jared isn’t being a rockstar in the office, he rocks the mic at karaoke and stays active through boxing and running!
Join us in thanking Jared for 3 awesome years with us!
If you’d like to reach out to Jared to personally tell him congratulations, give us a call at (618) 345-4900, email us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website https://bit.ly/4bGts9A.
Eckhardt Financial Group is honored to be recognized as one of Thrivent’s Community Impact Leaders! This achievement was made possible through the generosity and involvement of our team members and clients. Together, your participation in Thrivent Action Teams®️, direction of Thrivent Choice Dollars®️, and support of charitable organizations, both locally and across the country, has made a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.
Join us in celebrating this exciting news! And if you’d like to partner with us in living generously, we’d love to hear from you. Call our Collinsville office at (618) 345-4900, our Altamont office at (618) 483-6167, email us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website https://bit.ly/4bGts9A.
Eckhardt Financial Group is hiring!
We’re looking for a friendly, professional, and dependable Receptionist to join our Collinsville office. This role is often the first point of contact for our clients and plays a vital role in shaping their overall experience. The ideal candidate is welcoming, organized, and enjoys supporting a busy, collaborative team.
Interested in joining our team? Follow this link to apply: https://thrivent.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/IL---Collinsville/Receptionist_REQ-45718-2
Taxes play a big role in how far your money can go in retirement. Our advisors here with Eckhardt Financial Group are here to help navigate your retirement savings to help you make the most out of what you’ve earned.
Whether you’re early in your savings journey or approaching retirement, our comprehensive guide breaks down the essentials in simple terms, from how different accounts are taxed to strategies for creating tax-efficient income.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3MybMCS
Still have questions? Let’s schedule time to review your financial plan through a tax-smart lens. Call us at (618) 345-4900, email us at EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com, or visit our website https://bit.ly/4bGts9A.