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I've got valuable information and resources to share. Explore away! And check back often.

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Thanksgiving is a special time to gather with loved ones. We break bread together, count our blessings and share our gratitude for the things that matter most. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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Thanksgiving is a special time to gather with loved ones. We break bread together, count our blessings and share our gratitude for the things that matter most. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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Today we honor our veterans who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedom. Thank you for all you’ve given. #VeteransDay

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Today we honor our veterans who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedom. Thank you for all you’ve given. #VeteransDay

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Are you putting your cash to work? In January 2022, the highest nationally available savings account rate was 0.70%. Yesterday, the highest nationally available savings account rate is 5.26%. The Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times during this period. And, with inflation cooling off, cash and cash-alternative investments are offering a decent "real return." A real return is an investor's return after adjusting for inflation. The July's consumer price index rose 3.2% over the last 12 months, so high-yeilding savings accounts are well above this mark. You may want to reconsider the location of your cash savings if you aren't earning near the national high. Important considerations: -You may need to open a new account with a new institution -In times of declining interest rates, your rate will likely decrease -Savings accounts are fully liquid, so the ease of access could be tempting for spenders Other alternatives you may want to consider: -money market accounts -certificates of deposit (CD's) -treasuries Soources: https://www.investopedia.com/best-high-yield-savings-accounts-4770633 https://www.bls.gov/cpi/ Disclosure: CDs offer a fixed rate of return. The value of a CD is guaranteed up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per insured institution, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. A money market fund seeks to maintain the value of $1.00 per share although you could lose money. The FDIC is an independent agency of the US government that protect the funds depositors place in banks and savings associations. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. See thrivent.com/social for more information

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Are you putting your cash to work? In January 2022, the highest nationally available savings account rate was 0.70%. Yesterday, the highest nationally available savings account rate is 5.26%. The Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times during this period. And, with inflation cooling off, cash and cash-alternative investments are offering a decent "real return." A real return is an investor's return after adjusting for inflation. The July's consumer price index rose 3.2% over the last 12 months, so high-yeilding savings accounts are well above this mark. You may want to reconsider the location of your cash savings if you aren't earning near the national high. Important considerations: -You may need to open a new account with a new institution -In times of declining interest rates, your rate will likely decrease -Savings accounts are fully liquid, so the ease of access could be tempting for spenders Other alternatives you may want to consider: -money market accounts -certificates of deposit (CD's) -treasuries Soources: https://www.investopedia.com/best-high-yield-savings-accounts-4770633 https://www.bls.gov/cpi/ Disclosure: CDs offer a fixed rate of return. The value of a CD is guaranteed up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per insured institution, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. A money market fund seeks to maintain the value of $1.00 per share although you could lose money. The FDIC is an independent agency of the US government that protect the funds depositors place in banks and savings associations. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. See thrivent.com/social for more information

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Timing vs Time-In When trying to time the market, you have to be right twice, knowing when to sell and when to buy. Even the greatest frequently get timing wrong. More often than not, the average investor, driven by emotions, exits the market after a decline. Then, they re-enter the market after a rebound and miss out on the recovery. More importantly, is "Time In" the market. Below illustrates the impact of missing the 10 best days in the market over the past 15 years ending 12/31/2022: S&P500 - 255% Total return over the past 15 years S&P500 - 62% Total return if you missed the 10 best days over the past 15 years Tips: 1. Diversify your portfolio 2. Match your allocation with your risk tolerance and timeline for use of funds 3. Stay the course Source: https://www.thrivent.com/literature/33094C.pdf Disclosure: While diversification can help reduce market risk, it does not eliminate it. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. See thrivent.com/social for more information

Timing vs Time-In When trying to time the market, you have to be right twice, knowing when to sell and when to buy. Even the greatest frequently get timing wrong. More often than not, the average investor, driven by emotions, exits the market after a decline. Then, they re-enter the market after a rebound and miss out on the recovery. More importantly, is "Time In" the market. Below illustrates the impact of missing the 10 best days in the market over the past 15 years ending 12/31/2022: S&P500 - 255% Total return over the past 15 years S&P500 - 62% Total return if you missed the 10 best days over the past 15 years Tips: 1. Diversify your portfolio 2. Match your allocation with your risk tolerance and timeline for use of funds 3. Stay the course Source: https://www.thrivent.com/literature/33094C.pdf Disclosure: While diversification can help reduce market risk, it does not eliminate it. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. See thrivent.com/social for more information

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A friend and prospective client recently told me "We want to hire you, but we are not financially ready." Here was my response to my friend, and to everyone else who needs financial advice and feels that they are not yet ready. Financial advisors are not just for the wealthy. In fact, the decisions you make while you are working towards financial freedom are most critical when you are in survival mode. Each decision is paramount to your success and poor decisions may completely derail you. A financial advisor can bring significant value to your situation and financial planning is more than just money management. For example, here are four ways a financial advisor can offer guidance: 1) Cash management: After satisfying essential expenses, a good financial advisor can guide you on where your next dollar should go (e.g., savings, retirement, debt paydown, lifestyle). 2) Employer benefits: A good financial advisor should help with every selection of employer provided benefits. Not by checking a box, but by ensuring you have maximized your employer benefits. 3) Debt management: If you have high-interest revolving debt that carries over from month-to-month, a good financial advisor can help you create a plan to eliminate debt altogether. 4) Risk management: A good financial advisor will help you create a plan that protects you and your family from a loss of income due to layoff, job loss, illness, injury, premature death, or a liability lawsuit. If one of these events occur, it can be devastating. However, because they are less likely to occur, they are often less expensive to insure. While the services of a financial advisor may not be for everyone, there are people that simply FEEL a financial advisor is out of their reach. However, someone may truly benefit from financial advice available through a financial advisor that is just within their reach. See thrivent.com/social for additional information.

A friend and prospective client recently told me "We want to hire you, but we are not financially ready." Here was my response to my friend, and to everyone else who needs financial advice and feels that they are not yet ready. Financial advisors are not just for the wealthy. In fact, the decisions you make while you are working towards financial freedom are most critical when you are in survival mode. Each decision is paramount to your success and poor decisions may completely derail you. A financial advisor can bring significant value to your situation and financial planning is more than just money management. For example, here are four ways a financial advisor can offer guidance: 1) Cash management: After satisfying essential expenses, a good financial advisor can guide you on where your next dollar should go (e.g., savings, retirement, debt paydown, lifestyle). 2) Employer benefits: A good financial advisor should help with every selection of employer provided benefits. Not by checking a box, but by ensuring you have maximized your employer benefits. 3) Debt management: If you have high-interest revolving debt that carries over from month-to-month, a good financial advisor can help you create a plan to eliminate debt altogether. 4) Risk management: A good financial advisor will help you create a plan that protects you and your family from a loss of income due to layoff, job loss, illness, injury, premature death, or a liability lawsuit. If one of these events occur, it can be devastating. However, because they are less likely to occur, they are often less expensive to insure. While the services of a financial advisor may not be for everyone, there are people that simply FEEL a financial advisor is out of their reach. However, someone may truly benefit from financial advice available through a financial advisor that is just within their reach. See thrivent.com/social for additional information.

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Wildfires in Maui have caused widespread devastation to homes, businesses, and communities. Thrivent is offering ways for our Thrivent community to show support to those impacted, including: 1) a 50% match of any gifts made to the following organizations: Convoy of Hope, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Kahului, Maui Humane Society, and Lutheran Disaster Response. Additionally, Thrivent will cover 100% of the processing fees, so 100% of your gift goes directly towards the cause. 2) Expedited Thrivent Action Teams - Use promo code "HAWAIIFIRES2023" when applying Contact me or my team directly if you would like to provide support and need help with either of the above. And, for more details and to learn more, go to: https://bit.ly/thrivent-maui-fires #mauifires #mauifiresfundraiser #mauifires2023 #livegenerously #thrivent #thriventactionteam

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Wildfires in Maui have caused widespread devastation to homes, businesses, and communities. Thrivent is offering ways for our Thrivent community to show support to those impacted, including: 1) a 50% match of any gifts made to the following organizations: Convoy of Hope, Emmanuel Lutheran Church Kahului, Maui Humane Society, and Lutheran Disaster Response. Additionally, Thrivent will cover 100% of the processing fees, so 100% of your gift goes directly towards the cause. 2) Expedited Thrivent Action Teams - Use promo code "HAWAIIFIRES2023" when applying Contact me or my team directly if you would like to provide support and need help with either of the above. And, for more details and to learn more, go to: https://bit.ly/thrivent-maui-fires #mauifires #mauifiresfundraiser #mauifires2023 #livegenerously #thrivent #thriventactionteam

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How to Build Generational Wealth with a 529 Plan? The Secure Act 2.0 added a provision to 529 plans that allow up to a lifetime total of $35,000 to be rolled over to a Roth IRA established in the name of the beneficiary. With this change, even if your child doesn't end up going to college or make use of the 529, you have safeguarded their future. Note: In order to convert the 529 account to a Roth IRA, the account has to have been open for 15 years. Here is an example of how to leverage a 529 plan for your child's future or retirement: 1) Open a 529 plan and fund it as early as possible (ideally when the child is 0-3 years old). This allows the power of compounding growth to work and starts the clock for the 15 year requirement. 2) At age 18, the child starts converting the 529 to a Roth IRA. This will need to be done over a 5-6 year period because Roth IRA contribution limits still apply. At age 24, the child will have the $35,000 in his Roth IRA. 3) Invest the Roth IRA in a diversified allocation fund with a risk tolerance that matches a long time horizon. 4) When the child turns 67, assuming a 9% compounded annual return and no other contributions, your child will have a balance $1,423,664 free from federal income tax. Disclosure: Hypothetical example is for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to represent the performance of any particular investment product, nor does it take into consideration any potential product expenses, fees or sales charges. Results would be reduced if included. See thrivent.com/social for additional information.

How to Build Generational Wealth with a 529 Plan? The Secure Act 2.0 added a provision to 529 plans that allow up to a lifetime total of $35,000 to be rolled over to a Roth IRA established in the name of the beneficiary. With this change, even if your child doesn't end up going to college or make use of the 529, you have safeguarded their future. Note: In order to convert the 529 account to a Roth IRA, the account has to have been open for 15 years. Here is an example of how to leverage a 529 plan for your child's future or retirement: 1) Open a 529 plan and fund it as early as possible (ideally when the child is 0-3 years old). This allows the power of compounding growth to work and starts the clock for the 15 year requirement. 2) At age 18, the child starts converting the 529 to a Roth IRA. This will need to be done over a 5-6 year period because Roth IRA contribution limits still apply. At age 24, the child will have the $35,000 in his Roth IRA. 3) Invest the Roth IRA in a diversified allocation fund with a risk tolerance that matches a long time horizon. 4) When the child turns 67, assuming a 9% compounded annual return and no other contributions, your child will have a balance $1,423,664 free from federal income tax. Disclosure: Hypothetical example is for illustrative purposes. It is not intended to represent the performance of any particular investment product, nor does it take into consideration any potential product expenses, fees or sales charges. Results would be reduced if included. See thrivent.com/social for additional information.

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What makes a Health Savings Account (HSA) the best retirement account available? -HSA's are funded with pre-tax contributions meaning they are not subject to Federal Income tax. Additionally, the contributions are not subject to Federal Insurance Contribution ACT (FICA) tax either. -HSA's grow tax-deferred and unspent HSA funds rollover each year -HSA's can we withdrawn tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses Here's how to supercharge your HSA for retirement: Fund an HSA with the intention of using it in retirement. Cover your pre-retirement out-of-pocket medical expenses with your current cash flow. Generally, the bulk of medical expenses will occur when you are older. Most HSA providers will allow you to invest your account in stocks and bonds. The tax-deferred growth of HSA's are often overlooked, and the power of compounded growth make this a very attractive retirement account. Additionally, at the age of 65, withdrawals can be used for non-qualified expenses, subject to income tax only and avoid the tax penalty (just like a traditional IRA or 401k). Lastly, an HSA can be used to reimburse qualified expenses from previous years, so you could technically save your receipts until retirement and then reimburse yourself for years of qualified medical expenses tax-free. Please note that this strategy is not appropriate if: (1) You do not have an adequate emergency account and/or a surplus of income to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses (2) You have a chronic medical condition that requires regular ongoing treatment. An HSA requires a high-deductible health plan, and while preventative treatment is normally covered at 100%, other treatments will be subject to a high deductible. in this case, traditional health plans are likely better off. See thrivent.com/social for additional information

What makes a Health Savings Account (HSA) the best retirement account available? -HSA's are funded with pre-tax contributions meaning they are not subject to Federal Income tax. Additionally, the contributions are not subject to Federal Insurance Contribution ACT (FICA) tax either. -HSA's grow tax-deferred and unspent HSA funds rollover each year -HSA's can we withdrawn tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses Here's how to supercharge your HSA for retirement: Fund an HSA with the intention of using it in retirement. Cover your pre-retirement out-of-pocket medical expenses with your current cash flow. Generally, the bulk of medical expenses will occur when you are older. Most HSA providers will allow you to invest your account in stocks and bonds. The tax-deferred growth of HSA's are often overlooked, and the power of compounded growth make this a very attractive retirement account. Additionally, at the age of 65, withdrawals can be used for non-qualified expenses, subject to income tax only and avoid the tax penalty (just like a traditional IRA or 401k). Lastly, an HSA can be used to reimburse qualified expenses from previous years, so you could technically save your receipts until retirement and then reimburse yourself for years of qualified medical expenses tax-free. Please note that this strategy is not appropriate if: (1) You do not have an adequate emergency account and/or a surplus of income to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses (2) You have a chronic medical condition that requires regular ongoing treatment. An HSA requires a high-deductible health plan, and while preventative treatment is normally covered at 100%, other treatments will be subject to a high deductible. in this case, traditional health plans are likely better off. See thrivent.com/social for additional information

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Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July.

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Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July.

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To all the dads and dad-like figures in our lives—thank you. Happy Father’s Day!

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To all the dads and dad-like figures in our lives—thank you. Happy Father’s Day!

Licensing is available through your State Insurance Department’s website, which can be located through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.

Thrivent and its financial professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Thrivent financial professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.

Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.

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