Financial News and Articles with Michael Kruse in Bradenton FL | Thrivent

Insights

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Investing & Market Check‑In 📈 The year-end is a good time to review your investment portfolio: re‑balance, check expense ratios, and align with your risk tolerance. 👉 What’s one investing question you have for me (or another advisor)? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Emergency Fund Reminder Before Year‑End 💡 Before the holiday rush, verify your emergency fund is still intact. 40% of Americans couldn’t cover a $400 emergency. (Source: various) 👉 What’s one expense you’d feel comfortable handling without tapping a credit card? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Year‑End Tax Moves & Benefit Maximizing” 🧾 December is one of the last months to max out flexible spending accounts (FSAs), review 401(k) contributions, and plan charitable giving for maximum tax benefit. (Source: Sherman Wealth Management) 👉 Which benefit do you need to check on this month? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Holiday Gifting vs. Financial Goals” 🎁 Fun fact: The average holiday spend per person is rising each year. (Source: Holiday spending studies) 👉 One financial rule I follow: I use 80% of my gifting budget for presents, 20% for experiences or surprises. What’s yours? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Start of Holiday Financial Check‑In 🎄 December means both celebrations and expenses. Now’s a good time to check your budget, review year‑to‑date savings, and set a spending envelope for the holidays. 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Year‑End Bonus & Savings Habit 💼 Many receive year‑end bonuses (or anticipate them). Rule of thumb: Allocate at least 50% toward goals (debt, savings, investing), allow 10‑20% for fun. 👉 If you got (or expect) a bonus, what’s your priority for it? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Black Friday / Holiday Shopping Strategy” 🛍️ Sales are everywhere. But impulse buys often lead to regret. Tip: Set a spending limit before you shop. 👉 What’s your best holiday shopping tip? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Thanksgiving Prep & Financial Gratitude” 🍂 As we approach Thanksgiving (Nov 27), remember budget for the celebration too. Costs add up fast. 💬 What does financial gratitude mean to you? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Estate Planning Reminder 📝 Not just for the wealthy: updating wills, trusts, beneficiary designations matter for everyone. 👉 When did you last review yours? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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National Philanthropy Day (Nov 15) & Giving Back Smartly ❤️ On National Philanthropy Day we celebrate giving. Did you know strategic giving can offer tax advantages and community impact? 👉 What cause matters most to you—and why? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Mid‑Month Money Habit Review 💡 Try this: Track your spending for 30 minutes. You’ll often spot leaks—subscriptions you forgot, small purchases that add up. 👉 Found a money leak in past weeks? Share it! 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Scholarships & Education Funding 🎓 November is National Scholarship Month. Now’s a good time to check college funding strategies: 529 plans, scholarships, alternative paths. 👉 If you’re planning for college, what’s your biggest question? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Image prompt: “open college fund document, laptop, young adult with notebook”

Sequence of returns risk: What it means for your retirement

Sequence of returns risk: What it means for your retirementThe market can shift at any time, and big drops early in retirement could affect your savings. The right approach can help keep your savings resilient. Check out this article, then reach out to talk through ways to help protect your savings.👇

👻 Happy Halloween! Scary stat: 40% of Americans don’t have enough saved to cover a $400 emergency (Fed Reserve, 2024). 👉 What’s the scariest money mistake you’ve seen—or learned from? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #HalloweenFinance #EmergencyFund #SmartMoney

🌐 Today we celebrate National Internet Day! Did you know? 60% of Americans now use online tools or apps to track spending—but only 20% stick with them consistently (CNBC, 2024). 👉 What’s your favorite financial app or tool? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #InternetDay #Fintech #MoneyManagement

📆 Only 65 days left in 2025! 💡 Year-end reminder: Check your beneficiaries, update wills or trusts, and confirm account info. 👉 When was the last time you reviewed your financial “paperwork”? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #YearEndCheck #FinancialPlanning #SmartMoney

🌍 On UN Day, I’m reminded that money is more than numbers—it’s about global impact. Did you know? Global charitable giving exceeds $500 billion annually (OECD, 2024). 👉 What cause or nonprofit are you most passionate about supporting? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #GlobalImpact #CharitableGiving #FinancialWellness

📊 Money Myth Wednesday! 🚫 Myth: Debt is always bad. ✅ Fact: Certain types of debt (like low-interest mortgages or education) can be leveraged as tools for growth. 👉 What’s a money myth you grew up believing? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #FinanceMyths #WealthBuilding #SmartDebt

📆 October = Q4 tax prep time. Charitable giving, retirement contributions, and tax-loss harvesting are strategies worth reviewing before December. 👉 What’s one financial task you always try to tackle before year-end? 📎 See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. #YearEndPlanning #SmartMoneyMoves #TaxPlanning

Help your money last in retirement

Help your money last in retirementA long life is a gift—let’s help make sure your finances can keep up. Start by building financial resilience against inflation, market swings, and rising health and care costs.