Insights
🎈🍁 MEET THE TEAM: THANKSGIVING PARADE EDITION! 🍁🎈
Hold on tight, because this next balloon is making quite the SPLASH! 🐟💦
We're continuing our Thanksgiving Parade series with Mike, and if you know Mike, you probably could have guessed what his dream parade balloon would be! 🎣
Introducing... MIKE'S MUSKY EXPRESS! 🐟🎈
Forget the traditional parade floats! Mike is taking his love of fishing to new heights, cruising through the streets of New York City on the back of a GIANT musky! And judging by that smile, we'd say he's having the time of his life! 😂
We're just hoping this is one fish that doesn't get away! 🎣
👇 Your turn! If you could turn your favorite hobby into a giant Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, what would it be?
Stay tuned to see whose balloon is floating into the parade next! 🍂🦃
Charitable giving & financial planning: Strategies to maximize impactIf giving is important to you, consider a strategy that maximizes your charitable impact.
While spontaneous giving can be meaningful, a strategic approach can help you amplify your generosity, minimize your tax burden and give with greater purpose.
Consider these charitable giving strategies: https://bit.ly/3IZ1x9f
🎈🍁 MEET THE TEAM: THANKSGIVING PARADE EDITION! 🍁🎈
We're kicking off November with a little Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade magic... and a WHOLE LOT of Brewers pride! ⚾💙💛
This month, we asked our team: If you could have your very own balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, what would it be?
First up is Adelio, and we couldn't have picked a better person to start with after the Milwaukee Brewers' WORLD SERIES WIN last week! 🏆🎉
Adelio's dream balloon? The Commissioner's Trophy, of course! And after that incredible championship victory, his Championship Parade feels more like a victory lap! 💙💛
Complete with Brewers gear, championship celebrations, and enough confetti to cover Milwaukee, Adelio is ready to take his Brewers pride all the way to New York City! 🎈⚾
👇 Now we want to know: If you could have ANY balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, what would it be?
Stay tuned throughout November to see what the rest of our team dreamed up! 🦃🍂
Whether you're hanging out with the Great Pumpkin, exploring a haunted house, or spending the night with some friendly monsters, we hope your Halloween is full of tricks, treats, and a whole lot of fun! 🍬✨
From our wonderfully spooky crew to yours, HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🧡🖤
Stay safe, have fun, and don't let the ghosts get you! 👻
Charitable bunching: A smart way to maximize your giving & tax deductionsCharitable giving is one of the most powerful ways to live your values, support your community and create a lasting legacy.
To make the most of your generosity, consider a strategy called charitable bunching. By grouping multiple years of donations into a single tax year, you may be able to increase your deductions—while still supporting the causes you love every year.
Explore whether charitable bunching is right for you. ⬇️
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.
Top 7 charitable giving strategies: Maximizing tax benefits and impactThere are ways you can help maximize tax benefits when giving. Learn more about different charitable giving strategies and their tax advantages.
🎬🍿 Meet the Team Monday: The Grand Finale! 🎃
We've survived haunted houses, wandered through spooky worlds, and even checked into a monster-filled hotel... but there's still one mystery left to solve! 👀
This week, Mike is taking us back to a Halloween classic, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! 🎃
While the rest of our team has been busy navigating their spooky movie adventures, Mike is keeping things simple. Just a pumpkin patch, a little patience, and a whole lot of faith that the Great Pumpkin will finally show up! 🌙🍂
And just like that, the credits are rolling on our October movie adventures! 🎥
Thanks for joining us as we sent our First Light team into the movies! Which adventure was your favorite? 🍿
💍❤️ We've got some exciting news to share from the First Light Financial team!
It looks like we've got a wedding to look forward to! 🥂✨
This past weekend, Lauren got engaged to her now-fiancé, Adam! 💍 And judging by that smile (and that gorgeous ring!), we'd say she's pretty excited! 🥰
We love getting to celebrate life's big milestones with our team, and this is certainly one worth celebrating!
Please join us in congratulating Lauren and Adam as they begin this exciting new chapter together! ❤️
Congratulations, you two! 🎉💕
Navigating open enrollment: 5 ways to make the best choices for your familyOpen enrollment is your opportunity to make choices that will protect and support your family throughout the year. Take a look at this helpful guide before you get started. Let’s connect if you want to discuss which options are the right fit for your family’s needs.
Help prepare for retirement with confidence by getting a locked-in interest rate for the guarantee period you choose—either 3, 5, 7 or 9 years—with a Thrivent Multi-Year Guarantee Annuity™.
This single premium fixed deferred annuity offers:
• Dependable interest
• Tax-deferred earnings
• Protection from market risk
Contact us today if you want to discuss if this is right for you.
For additional interest rates and other important information: https://bit.ly/4fFumVI
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
🎬 First, Adelio took his chances with Monster House, then Ashley and Holden headed to Halloween Town.
This week, Lauren decided she'd rather check into a monster hotel. 😂
Her movie of choice is Hotel Transylvania! 🧛♀️🏰
Apparently, being stuck in a Halloween movie isn't so bad when it comes with a giant castle, a vampire makeover, and Adam tagging along as the resident human. ❤️
Three team members have officially been dropped into their Halloween movies... but we’re not done yet. 👀🎬 One more Monday means one more First Light team member is getting stuck in the screen!
So before we reveal our final movie, tell us:
Which one are YOU choosing so far?
🏚️ Monster House
🎃 The Nightmare Before Christmas
🏰 Hotel Transylvania
A Multi-Year Guarantee Annuity™ allows you to lock in a guaranteed interest rate for a set period, making it a popular option for those looking to help add stability, predictable earnings, and reduced market uncertainty.
Reach out if you'd like to discuss whether this type of solution could help support your retirement goals.
For additional interest rates and other important information: https://bit.ly/4qauUq7
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
What is portfolio rebalancing? Tips to maintain your target investment mixIs now the time to rebalance your portfolio? Over time, market shifts can expose you to more risk than you intended. Rebalancing is usually necessary on a periodic basis to help restore your portfolio to your target allocations. Here are 3 reasons why it may be time to rebalance. 👇
🎬 Last week, Adelio got stuck in a house that wanted to eat him.
This week, Ashley made a slightly more festive choice. 😂
Ashley is heading into The Nightmare Before Christmas! 🎃🎄
And apparently if she’s getting stuck in Halloween Town, Holden is coming along for the adventure. ❤️
Between the pumpkins, Christmas lights, and getting the best of two holidays, we have to admit... Ashley may have thought this through a little better than Adelio.
But we're not done yet. Another First Light team member is getting dropped into their Halloween movie next Monday! 👀
Where would you rather be stuck so far: Monster House or Halloween Town?
🎉 Today we’re celebrating a pretty important birthday here at First Light….. Happy Birthday, Mike! 🎂🥳
Mike is more than our team leader. He’s the person who encourages us, teaches us, challenges us to keep growing, and has spent years building First Light into a place we’re genuinely proud to be part of.
His dedication to our clients and our team shows in so many ways: from taking the time to explain something, to sharing his experience and knowledge, to simply being there when someone needs a little guidance or encouragement.
Mike, we’re incredibly grateful for your leadership, your encouragement, and everything you do to make First Light feel like a team. We hope you know how much you’re appreciated, not just today, but all year long.
We hope your birthday brings plenty of laughs, time with the people you love, and maybe even a little break from the financial craziness. 😉😂
💙 Happy Birthday, Mike! Here’s to another great year ahead! 🎉
🎬 Meet the Team Monday is taking a spooky turn this October!
We asked the First Light team:
“If you had to be stuck in a Halloween movie, which one would you choose?”
Kicking things off is Adelio, who apparently looked at all his options and thought, “Yep. Give me the house that’s ALIVE.” 😂🏚️
His pick is Monster House, and judging by the look on his face... he may already be reconsidering that decision.
But Adelio isn't the only First Light team member getting stuck in a movie this month. 👀
What Halloween movie would YOU choose?
☕ Happy International Coffee Day! 🍪
Around here, we believe a good conversation is even better with a fresh cup of coffee!
Our First Light coffee bar is always stocked and ready for clients, guests, and anyone stopping by to see us. And because coffee deserves a good sidekick, you might even find some freshly baked cookies waiting for you, too. 😉
So next time you’re here, help yourself to a cup, grab a cookie, and stay awhile. We’re always happy to have you! ❤️
How do you take your coffee? ☕👇
👋 Meet the Team Monday! 🎸🎶
We’re wrapping up our September Meet the Team series with one final answer to the question:
“If you could learn one thing instantly, what would it be?”
Last but certainly not least, Duane’s choice? GUITAR! 🤘
Forget spending hours learning chords, building calluses, and trying to get your fingers to cooperate, Duane would rather jump straight to picking up a guitar and knowing exactly what to do. 😂🎸
We can’t say we blame him. Being able to grab a guitar and play your favorite songs on command would be a pretty great skill to have!
We’ve loved sharing everyone’s answers this month, but before we officially wrap up this series, we want to hear yours!
If you could learn ONE thing instantly, what would it be? Tell us in the comments! 👇✨
👋 You may have noticed a new(ish) face when you walk through our doors!
Although Lauren certainly isn’t new to the First Light team, you’re going to be seeing a whole lot more of her! 😊
For the past few years, Lauren has primarily worked behind the scenes, helping manage our marketing and online presence. Now, she’s moving from behind the scenes to front and center as our new receptionist!
That means that while Lauren will continue taking care of our online presence, now she’ll also be the smiling face welcoming you to the office, the friendly voice answering the phone, and the person helping get you connected with the right member of our team. ❤️
We’re excited to have Lauren stepping into this new role. Be sure to say hello the next time you stop by! 👋