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

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Love paying taxes? I have yet to meet with a client who wants to give the government more of their money. Roth and Traditional retirement accounts are designed to improve your tax efficiency and help you save for retirement. But not everyone has been explained the difference. Roth accounts are funded with after tax dollars (no tax deduction), grow tax free and have tax free distributions at retirement. Traditional accounts are funded with before tax dollars (tax deduction), grow tax free and the distributions are taxed as ordinary income at retirement. Why would you want to pay taxes now with a Roth account? Why not get a tax deduction this year with the traditional contributions? Well it depends… The way we work with clients is to review your current tax efficiency mix and then project forward to what this mix will look like in retirement. For example, you would pay 32% on income over $197,300 for single filers and $394,600 for married joint in 2025. It can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay the tax this year and avoid that 32% bracket in the future. It is hard to say what tax rates will be in the future but $37 trillion in national debt makes it hard to believe it will be lower. This review can be extremely beneficial! If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free, if you follow the rules. To withdraw earnings without penalties, you must first have the account for five years and be age 59½.

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Love paying taxes? I have yet to meet with a client who wants to give the government more of their money. Roth and Traditional retirement accounts are designed to improve your tax efficiency and help you save for retirement. But not everyone has been explained the difference. Roth accounts are funded with after tax dollars (no tax deduction), grow tax free and have tax free distributions at retirement. Traditional accounts are funded with before tax dollars (tax deduction), grow tax free and the distributions are taxed as ordinary income at retirement. Why would you want to pay taxes now with a Roth account? Why not get a tax deduction this year with the traditional contributions? Well it depends… The way we work with clients is to review your current tax efficiency mix and then project forward to what this mix will look like in retirement. For example, you would pay 32% on income over $197,300 for single filers and $394,600 for married joint in 2025. It can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay the tax this year and avoid that 32% bracket in the future. It is hard to say what tax rates will be in the future but $37 trillion in national debt makes it hard to believe it will be lower. This review can be extremely beneficial! If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free, if you follow the rules. To withdraw earnings without penalties, you must first have the account for five years and be age 59½.

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WOW!!! This definitely exceeded my expectations!!! We had around 25 families come by for the ice cream social we held at our house. The kids were having a blast and the weather was perfect. You can see from the photos that the neighborhood was able to raise a significant amount of food and resources for Kirk Care. Huge thank you to everyone that came out and supported the event. The ice cream truck was funded by a Thrivent Action Team which is one of our member benefits. If you would like more information on how you can become a member please reach out. And if you are a member, let's collaborate on a future event for your favorite charity!

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WOW!!! This definitely exceeded my expectations!!! We had around 25 families come by for the ice cream social we held at our house. The kids were having a blast and the weather was perfect. You can see from the photos that the neighborhood was able to raise a significant amount of food and resources for Kirk Care. Huge thank you to everyone that came out and supported the event. The ice cream truck was funded by a Thrivent Action Team which is one of our member benefits. If you would like more information on how you can become a member please reach out. And if you are a member, let's collaborate on a future event for your favorite charity!

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These are my 3 core values for how I conduct my practice. Core Value - #3 DATA DRIVEN - Do the math, know the numbers With a master's degree in accounting, I have a deep appreciation for the clarity that well-structured calculations bring. While most financial decisions involve hypothetical assumptions, they also often lead to a clear mathematical conclusion about which option is most advantageous. For example, determining whether a Roth conversion is beneficial this year—and, if so, the optimal amount to convert—requires careful analysis. However, financial choices are not solely driven by numbers. The emotional dynamics and specific goals of your family play a significant role in shaping the best path forward. Our process integrates both the mathematical and emotional components of financial planning to create tailored strategies that align with each family's unique circumstances. If you would like to explore options specific to your financial situation, I would love to connect and discuss how we can develop a plan that works for you. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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These are my 3 core values for how I conduct my practice. Core Value - #3 DATA DRIVEN - Do the math, know the numbers With a master's degree in accounting, I have a deep appreciation for the clarity that well-structured calculations bring. While most financial decisions involve hypothetical assumptions, they also often lead to a clear mathematical conclusion about which option is most advantageous. For example, determining whether a Roth conversion is beneficial this year—and, if so, the optimal amount to convert—requires careful analysis. However, financial choices are not solely driven by numbers. The emotional dynamics and specific goals of your family play a significant role in shaping the best path forward. Our process integrates both the mathematical and emotional components of financial planning to create tailored strategies that align with each family's unique circumstances. If you would like to explore options specific to your financial situation, I would love to connect and discuss how we can develop a plan that works for you. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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These are my 3 core values for how I conduct my practice. Core Value - #2 BE A GOOD PERSON - Good things happen to good people Money is more than a financial goal—it is a powerful tool for making a positive impact in our communities. At Thrivent, we offer unique member benefits and resources to help clients support the causes that matter most to them. Charitable giving will be a foundational element of my practice, and I am committed to helping individuals and families find meaningful ways to give back. If you have a charitable organization that is important to you, I would love to have the discussion on how we can collaborate to make a difference. Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to support the causes that inspire you.

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These are my 3 core values for how I conduct my practice. Core Value - #2 BE A GOOD PERSON - Good things happen to good people Money is more than a financial goal—it is a powerful tool for making a positive impact in our communities. At Thrivent, we offer unique member benefits and resources to help clients support the causes that matter most to them. Charitable giving will be a foundational element of my practice, and I am committed to helping individuals and families find meaningful ways to give back. If you have a charitable organization that is important to you, I would love to have the discussion on how we can collaborate to make a difference. Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to support the causes that inspire you.

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These are my 3 core values for how I conduct my practice. Core Value - #1 EDUCATION - Everyone deserves a financial education My mom was a teacher her whole career so education will always hold a special place in my heart. Also, my dad encouraged me to learn finance when I was in the 6th grade. He gave me a book I still have today called "The Totally Awesome Money Book for Kids" and I thought it was totally awesome! Its never to early to start learning about personal finance, if you want some tips on how to start the conversation please reach out. Learning about personal finance is a critical topic that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Some topics get talked about more frequently than others, such as trying to stay out of credit card debt or participating in your company 401k. But what about the difference in Roth and Traditional accounts? Or tax efficiency strategies entering into retirement? There is a lot of information in on the internet, and it can feel overwhelming. Working with a professional is a great step toward achieving financial clarity. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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These are my 3 core values for how I conduct my practice. Core Value - #1 EDUCATION - Everyone deserves a financial education My mom was a teacher her whole career so education will always hold a special place in my heart. Also, my dad encouraged me to learn finance when I was in the 6th grade. He gave me a book I still have today called "The Totally Awesome Money Book for Kids" and I thought it was totally awesome! Its never to early to start learning about personal finance, if you want some tips on how to start the conversation please reach out. Learning about personal finance is a critical topic that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Some topics get talked about more frequently than others, such as trying to stay out of credit card debt or participating in your company 401k. But what about the difference in Roth and Traditional accounts? Or tax efficiency strategies entering into retirement? There is a lot of information in on the internet, and it can feel overwhelming. Working with a professional is a great step toward achieving financial clarity. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Thank you to everyone that came out to my Launch Party! These are some of the photos of these beautiful people that came out to have some fun! It was a great time, and the support means the world to me!

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Thank you to everyone that came out to my Launch Party! These are some of the photos of these beautiful people that came out to have some fun! It was a great time, and the support means the world to me!

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So excited to be a Thrivent client!!! This is our first of many charitable activities we will be hosting. If you have a cause that is important to you reach out and let's collaborate!!! If you would like more information on how Thrivent can help your charitable goals, please reach out. I would love to have the conversation. This is something that makes us a truly special company.

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So excited to be a Thrivent client!!! This is our first of many charitable activities we will be hosting. If you have a cause that is important to you reach out and let's collaborate!!! If you would like more information on how Thrivent can help your charitable goals, please reach out. I would love to have the conversation. This is something that makes us a truly special company.

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What are the benefits of building a brokerage account? Most people invest in retirement plans for their tax advantage status but what about a taxable investment account? Here are 3 reasons to build a non-retirement investment account. 1. First benefit is obvious; you can access the money before retirement! For most retirement accounts you are penalized for pulling out funds early but that does not apply for non-retirement accounts. So, if you have goals for funds that you would like access to before age 59 ½, this could be a fit. 2. Access to greater returns than just high yield savings accounts. This is a favorite strategy of mine! Think about the emergency fund interest earned in a high yield savings account. This can generate a good amount of interest income by the end of the year which is great. But if you have additional funds that you can save for goals you would like to pursue maybe 3-7 years from now, you can start putting those funds in an investment vehicle that has a potential higher return than a savings account. 3. Eventually you earn enough to significantly supplement your budget. Imagine eventually building a non-retirement account up to $50,000 that hypothetically earns a 10% return. Your family just generated $5,000 to use as needed! This could be your vacation budget, help purchase your next car, fund home improvement projects, or you utilize these funds for more complex financial strategies. The possibilities are endless for how this can support your overall goals! The benefits of building a non-retirement account are HUGE! But it isn’t a strategy that every household is ready for. There is foundational work that needs to be tackled first. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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What are the benefits of building a brokerage account? Most people invest in retirement plans for their tax advantage status but what about a taxable investment account? Here are 3 reasons to build a non-retirement investment account. 1. First benefit is obvious; you can access the money before retirement! For most retirement accounts you are penalized for pulling out funds early but that does not apply for non-retirement accounts. So, if you have goals for funds that you would like access to before age 59 ½, this could be a fit. 2. Access to greater returns than just high yield savings accounts. This is a favorite strategy of mine! Think about the emergency fund interest earned in a high yield savings account. This can generate a good amount of interest income by the end of the year which is great. But if you have additional funds that you can save for goals you would like to pursue maybe 3-7 years from now, you can start putting those funds in an investment vehicle that has a potential higher return than a savings account. 3. Eventually you earn enough to significantly supplement your budget. Imagine eventually building a non-retirement account up to $50,000 that hypothetically earns a 10% return. Your family just generated $5,000 to use as needed! This could be your vacation budget, help purchase your next car, fund home improvement projects, or you utilize these funds for more complex financial strategies. The possibilities are endless for how this can support your overall goals! The benefits of building a non-retirement account are HUGE! But it isn’t a strategy that every household is ready for. There is foundational work that needs to be tackled first. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Can you financially prepare for children? It is often said that if you wait to be ready for children, you will never have children. But what are some steps to help you get ready financially that you can take? Here are 3 recommendations that will help. 1. Get good at setting a budget and sticking to it. Yes, kids are expensive, and you will have to redirect a large portion of your funds to children. Getting good at controlling where your money goes is critical. 2. Have a stronger emergency fund than normal. A good rule of thumb is 3-6 months expenses set aside in a high yield savings account. But let’s consider the changes you are about to experience. How much time off will you be taking? How much income will be missed during this time? What are the additional expenses that will reset what one month of expenses cover? There will be medical bills and other one-time expenses too also consider. So, let’s try to add these amounts to your emergency fund and build it up in advance. 3. Pay off debt. Having a child is stressful! No need to have the stress of credit card debt or other high interest debt adding to the mix. Pay it off. You can also take it a step further and pay down other debt items to free up space in your budget. Starting a family is incredibly exciting! These are some general suggestions that will make it a little less stressful on the financial side. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion!

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Can you financially prepare for children? It is often said that if you wait to be ready for children, you will never have children. But what are some steps to help you get ready financially that you can take? Here are 3 recommendations that will help. 1. Get good at setting a budget and sticking to it. Yes, kids are expensive, and you will have to redirect a large portion of your funds to children. Getting good at controlling where your money goes is critical. 2. Have a stronger emergency fund than normal. A good rule of thumb is 3-6 months expenses set aside in a high yield savings account. But let’s consider the changes you are about to experience. How much time off will you be taking? How much income will be missed during this time? What are the additional expenses that will reset what one month of expenses cover? There will be medical bills and other one-time expenses too also consider. So, let’s try to add these amounts to your emergency fund and build it up in advance. 3. Pay off debt. Having a child is stressful! No need to have the stress of credit card debt or other high interest debt adding to the mix. Pay it off. You can also take it a step further and pay down other debt items to free up space in your budget. Starting a family is incredibly exciting! These are some general suggestions that will make it a little less stressful on the financial side. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion!

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

Thrivent financial advisors and 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.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. thrivent.com/privacy-and-security/disclosures.

Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s Broker Check for more information about our financial advisors.

Designations

For additional information on professional designations and the requirements to earn them, visit https://www.thrivent.com/designations

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

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