Finances + Generosity | ThriventEven though your personal finances likely start with your personal goals, they can also be a way to support the people, causes and community you love. Who are you building your legacy for?
Thrivent investment leaders gathered on Jan. 13 to discuss their perspectives on the health of the markets and economy. Their conversation included a number of insights to help you navigate the shifting environment. Hear them review inflation, the labor market, AI and more: https://bit.ly/4sIMLFz
Exciting news! Thrivent has been named to Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for the first time. Honored to be part of an organization recognized for its innovation, quality of management, financial soundness and commitment to long-term value.
Learn more about this recognition here: https://bit.ly/466lt23
As your career grows and life becomes more complex, your financial plan should focus on more than just saving and investing. Understanding how taxes affect your long-term goals is an important step that can help keep more of your hard-earned money working for you.
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/45coYDA
If you’d like help finding opportunities to build more tax efficiency into your overall financial plan, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Building an investment portfolio for the first time? Before jumping in, take time to nail down your goals, your timeline and how comfortable you are with risk.
👉 Getting clarity on these basics helps you make more intentional choices—and can lead to stronger long-term outcomes.
If you’d like help understanding your risk tolerance or building a strategy around it, let’s discuss.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
If giving is on your heart this holiday season, a meaningful strategy can help you make the most of your generosity. From tax-efficient donations to legacy gifts, the right approach can align your giving with both your values and your financial goals.
Get in touch to discuss which strategy may be right for you.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Before the ball drops on Dec. 31, make sure your retirement income is protected. Take these 3 essential steps:
1️⃣ Take your required minimum distributions (RMDs). Missing the Dec. 31 deadline can trigger a 25% penalty.
2️⃣ Watch your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). Even small increases could raise future Medicare premiums.
3️⃣ Consider a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). It can satisfy your RMD, lower your MAGI and help you support the causes you care about.
A few simple moves today can help you avoid penalties, manage future healthcare costs and protect your retirement income.
Get in touch if you’d like help reviewing your year-end strategy.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Thrivent is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
6 year-end financial tasksThe hustle and bustle of the holiday season can distract us from other action items on our checklist. End the year on a strong note by refocusing on your finances. Take a look at these tasks to complete before Dec. 31.
It’s hard to believe the year is already winding down! While shopping, baking and holiday gatherings may be at the top of your to-do list, don’t forget to carve out time for a year-end financial checkup.
Taking these 6 steps now can help you minimize your taxes, strengthen your savings and start the new year on solid footing.
👉 If you’d like personalized guidance, let’s connect.
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.
👉 Tip: Don’t forget to check your FSA or HSA by year-end.
✅ FSA: Most dollars don’t roll over, so now’s the time to use those funds by stocking up on eligible supplies or booking any last-minute appointments.
✅ HSA: Confirm you’ve taken advantage of your HSA.
Reach out if you’d like guidance on other year-end financial strategies.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
As the year wraps up, it’s the perfect moment to check in on your finances. These 3 simple steps can help set you up for success in the year ahead:
✅ Review your budget and spending. Make sure your money is working toward your goals.
✅ Assess your debt. Track your progress and explore ways to pay it down faster.
✅ Evaluate your savings. Strengthen your emergency fund, boost retirement contributions and refresh your funding strategies for the coming year.
Not sure where to start? Together, let’s plan how you can start the year on solid footing.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
The end of Daylight Savings is upon us. On Sunday, November 2nd, most of us in the United States move back our clocks one hour. It is one way we save time.
In his book, "The Psychology of Money", Morgan Housel writes, "Controlling your time is the highest dividend money pays." In essence, time is money.
One service I provide is dedicated planning services, in effect, using my time to analyze your financial puzzle, to save you the time for what that money is for . . . family, friends and fun.
Reach out if you would like to learn more about dedicated services.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
With rates starting to decline, now is a great time to think about what's next for your cash.
Whether you want to keep funds liquid, generate income or save for a future goal, now’s a great time to put your savings to work.
Together, let’s review your goals and liquidity needs to maximize your money’s potential.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
"Planning is important, but the most important part of every plan is to plan on the plan not going according to plan." (Morgan Housel, "The Psychology of Money" 63)
Continuing my series on "The Psychology of Money", Housel points out there is a big difference between getting wealthy and staying wealthy. What he is referring to is risk management. Risk management is planning on the plan not going according to plan.
Components around risk management look like an emergency fund, life insurance, disability insurance and an extended care plan. If you want to plan for the plan not going according to plan, please reach out. Let's talk risk management.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
A foundational principle in one's financial life is what some have called, "The Eighth Wonder of the World." That is . . . compound interest. The bottom line . . . start sooner than later.
In Morgan Housel's book, "The Psychology of Money" his fourth chapter is titled as Confounding Compounding. And it is truly confounding. For instants, Warren Buffett's $81.5 billion of Warren Buffett's $84.5 billion net worth came after his 65th birthday. Housel writes, "Our minds are not built to handle such absurdities."
Start early, let me show how.
Hypothetical example is for illustrative purposes. May not be representative of actual results. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
What's one of the hardest financial skills? Getting the goal post to stop moving.
Continuing my series on "The Psychology of Money", Morgan Housel identifies the human problem of "Never Enough." In our world of social comparison, promoted shamelessly by curated social media posts, there is a temptation to keep moving one's financial goals based upon the envy of others. Another temptation is to glory in one's success without thinking about how that God-given success is to be leveraged for others.
Financial planning requires regular check ins from your financial advisor. All of us need to have the challenging questions of, "When is enough, enough?" and "How are you going to give your God-given success away?"
Allow me to walk this journey of life with you . . . a journey that requires hard but value questions.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
You are not crazy!
A timeless lesson from "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is that what we do with our money may seem crazy to one person, but not to another. Certainly not to you. Often an advisor will present a recommendation to invest or insure based solely on a rational set of numbers. But while that may be rational it may not be "reasonable". Reasonable takes into account more than math, it takes it to account one's values, experiences and personality.
An advisor who knows you; knows your values, experiences and personality will give recommendations that may seem "crazy" in terms of the math, but fits who you are as a person.
I'm here to say, "You're not crazy."
September 2025 Market Update: Expectations for lower rates returnEconomic data from August showed that growth is slowing. Read Thrivent's September market update to learn more.
Reading "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel. There are some great nuggets here in terms of how we understand money. In my coming posts, I will share a few thoughts.
One nugget comes from the chapter, "You'll Change", alluding to the fact that what we thought about how our lives would look when we were 20 is a lot different in reality in our 40s. We really do change.
Thus this begs for the importance of meeting with your advisor at least once a year to adjust to the changes that inevitably come over time.
