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News and Insights

Financial literacy: Preparing teens for financial freedom

Summer is a great time to help teens build lifelong money skills. From budgeting and saving to understanding spending decisions, small lessons today can make a big impact tomorrow. Check out this helpful Thrivent resource: 👉 https://www.thrivent.com/insights/budgeting-saving/financial-literacy-for-teens-6-lessons-about-money-management See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

The FIRE movement: What it is & why it matters

Have you heard of FIRE? FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early—a movement focused on intentional saving, investing, and spending with long-term goals in mind. Curious if it's right for you? Learn more here: 👉 https://www.thrivent.com/insights/retirement-basics/the-fire-movement-what-it-is-why-it-matters See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

18 fun (and affordable) ways to make the most of summer

☀️ Summer often brings travel, celebrations, and time with the people who matter most. It's also a great opportunity to pause and reflect on your priorities. Financial planning isn't only about numbers—it's about supporting the experiences, relationships, and goals that are important to you through every season of life. Looking for ways to enjoy summer without overspending? Check out this helpful article: 👉 https://www.thrivent.com/insights/budgeting-saving/18-fun-and-affordable-ways-to-make-the-most-of-summer #SummerPlanning #FinancialWellness #LifeWellLived #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #SummerFun See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

💛 Thank You for Serving! A big thank you to everyone who came out to support our Motown Soup Packing Event. Your time and effort made a real difference in helping provide meals for those in need. We’re grateful to be part of a community that shows up and gives back. #ThankYou #CommunityImpact #ServeOthers #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #LivingGenerously See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

May 2026 Market Update: Optimism inflates equities

Thrivent's May Market Update breaks down what’s driving recent volatility, how stocks and bonds are responding, and why staying diversified and focused on fundamentals remains important.

Do you need life insurance? Questions to ask yourself & your family

Life insurance isn’t always the easiest topic to talk about—but it’s one of the most meaningful ways to care for the people you love. Taking time to think through your goals, your family’s needs, and the impact you want to leave behind can help bring clarity to this important decision. Conversations like these can help ensure your plans reflect what matters most. If you’ve ever wondered whether life insurance fits into your financial picture, this is a great place to start: 👉 https://www.thrivent.com/insights/life-insurance/do-i-need-life-insurance-questions-to-ask-yourself-and-your-family #NationalLifeInsuranceDay #ProtectWhatMatters #FinancialPlanning #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #PlanWithPurpose See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

March 2026 Market Update: Wobbling stocks, stronger bonds

Markets shifted in February, and that matters for how portfolios are positioned today. Thrivent's March Market Update explains what drove stock volatility, why bonds strengthened, and how we’re thinking about risk and diversification moving forward.

🐣 Action Team Recap – Easter Egg Hunt Candy Prep 🍬 2,900 pieces of candy later… we’re ready for Easter fun! Our Intentional Financial Advisors team recently completed an Action Team project in our office—filling bags with over 2,900 pieces of candy for a local community Easter Egg Hunt at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Macomb. We’re excited to support this family-friendly event happening: 📅 Sunday, March 29 ⏰ 2–4 PM Families can register to attend or volunteer here: https://immlutheran.org/egg-hunt/ We love opportunities like this to partner with our community and help create joyful experiences for local families. #ThriventActionTeam #CommunityEvent #EasterEggHunt #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #LivingGenerously See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

A beautiful example of generosity and gratitude in action! Through a client’s Thrivent Action Team, a Ladies Bible Study group recently hosted a Ladies Aid Appreciation Luncheon centered on the theme Seeds of Faith: Sowing Wisdom, Growing Generations, inspired by Psalm 145:4. The event honored the wisdom, love, and lifelong service of the women in the Ladies Aid group. As part of the day, attendees participated in an intergenerational service project, creating “Open When…” letters for Immanuel’s homebound members—messages of encouragement such as “Open when you’re feeling lonely,” “Open when you need a hug,” and “Open when you’re missing someone.” Guests enjoyed a catered lunch and homemade desserts while spending meaningful time together in gratitude and connection. Now, Ladies Aid volunteers are delivering the care kits while visiting homebound members, sharing encouragement and reminding them they are not alone. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a lasting impact. #ThriventActionTeam #FaithInAction #CommunityCare #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #LivingGenerously See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

Who can say they work for a company that prioritizes generosity? Who can say their clients live out their faith, giving of their time, talent, and treasures? WE CAN! The 2025 numbers are in, and we are in awe of the impact of our clients on their communities--thank you for living generously! #HeartOfGenerosity #FaithInAction #ServeOthers #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #CommunityCare See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

February 2026 Market Update: Stocks rose and broadened

International equities outperformed U.S. markets, the dollar weakened, and key economic indicators held firm. Catch all the insights in this month’s market update. ⬇️

✨ Looking for Meaningful Ways to Give Back in 2026? Generosity comes in many forms—time, talents, and resources. This Thrivent article shares 26 inspiring ways to live generously in the year ahead. 👉 https://www.thrivent.com/insights/magazine/winter-2025/26-ways-to-be-generous-in-2026 Which idea inspires you most? #LivingGenerously #FaithAndFinance #GiveBack #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #PurposeDriven See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

Gifts for All God’s Children brings hope and joy to children and families during the Christmas season and all year long by providing those in need with supplies and sharing Christ’s love. Their mission reminds us that generosity can make a lasting impact—especially for those facing difficult circumstances. We’re thankful for organizations that serve with compassion and purpose. Learn more: giftsforallgodschildren.org #NonprofitSpotlight #FaithInAction #ServingOthers #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #Generosity See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

Meet Mark Gugel, who joined Thrivent in 2001 and has spent more than two decades building trusted, long-term relationships with clients. Mark specializes in helping individuals and families prepare for and navigate a successful retirement—using thoughtful investment strategies, retirement income planning, and legacy planning to help reduce the impact of taxes. In 2024, Mark was inducted into Thrivent’s Hall of Fame, recognizing his longevity, expertise, and passion for helping others. Outside the office, Mark enjoys snow skiing, golfing, and spending time with his wife, Kristin, and their two children. Their favorite place to unwind is their family’s vacation home in Petoskey. Mark and his family are also active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. We’re grateful for the experience, care, and heart Mark brings to our team. #TeamSpotlight #MeetTheAdvisor #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #RetirementPlanning #LivingGenerously See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

📊 Small Habits. Big Impact. Looking to strengthen your financial routine this year? Building better money habits can help you feel more confident and intentional about your finances. Check out this helpful resource from Thrivent for practical tips you can start using today: 👉 https://www.thrivent.com/insights/magazine/winter-2025/building-better-money-habits #MoneyHabits #FinancialWellness #IntentionalLiving #IntentionalFinancialAdvisors #ShelbyTownshipMI #FinancialPlanning See thrivent.com/social for disclosures

If you own a home, investments, life insurance or other valuable assets, it might be time to consider a revocable or irrevocable trust. Depending on the structure you choose, a trust can offer a variety of benefits—including privacy, tax advantages and greater control over how your assets are distributed. In some cases, it may even protect your assets from creditors or Medicaid inclusion. Learn more about your options: https://bit.ly/3VZ6FNl

Looking for a festive holiday experience? Check out the Holiday Trian Display and Christmas Market at St. Trinity Lutheran in Clarkston! Visit https://www.sainttrinitylutheran.com/events/holiday-trains-christmas-market-3/ to learn more! See thrivent.com/social for disclosures. #Thrivent #LiveGenerously

Your legacy is more than what you leave behind—it’s what you intentionally pass forward. Whether you’re still building or ready to pass it on, let’s connect to make it lasting and meaningful. Legacy planning looks different for everyone. This guide helps you explore key areas so your plan reflects what matters most: https://bit.ly/3IeMVSD

Starting financial conversations at home is key. 🔑 Many parents wish they’d learned more about money as kids – teaching small lessons on budgeting, saving, and investing now can help change that for future generations.

Choo-Choo! Chug into the holiday season with this great event supported by Thrivent Action Teams! Visit https://www.sainttrinitylutheran.com/ to learn more. See thrivent.com/social for disclosures. #Thrivent #LiveGenerously