Financial News and Articles with Stephen Knopke in St. Louis MO

Insights

One of the things I love most about my work and involvement in the community is seeing people come together around a cause bigger than themselves. This weekend, my family and I were proud to support Ella's Umbrella at their annual 5K/10K. Jenna had a great run in the 5K, our boys enjoyed every minute of the park water features, and we spent time alongside so many others committed to making a difference. The best part of the day wasn't crossing a finish line. It was helping support an organization that funds critical research and advocacy efforts aimed at saving children's lives and supporting families affected by congenital heart disease. Grateful for organizations like Ella's Umbrella and everyone who helps move their mission forward.

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Grateful for everyone at our church who donated school supplies to help local students start the year strong. 📚✏️ We were able to use a Thrivent Action Team to help support the effort, but what really stood out was the amazing generosity of so many people. I'm thankful my wife and boys got to be part of it too. As parents, we want our kids to see that generosity isn't just something we talk about, it's something we do. One of the things I appreciate most about Thrivent is how it encourages and supports members in giving back. If you'd like to learn more about ways Thrivent can help you live generously and support causes you care about, I'd love to connect.

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Grateful for some time away with my favorite people. This trip was a good reminder of something I talk about often with clients—money is a tool, not the goal. It’s there to support what matters most, not replace it. For many of the families I work with, their priorities look a lot like this: time together, meaningful experiences, and being present for the moments that matter most. Same in our house. One of the things I enjoy most about what I do is helping people align their finances with those priorities—so their money is working for the life they want to live, not the other way around. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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First Action Team of 2026—and it set a high bar for the year! It was an honor to help sponsor this event in support of Joe’s family, a dear friend of a member of our Christian Business Networking Group. As we gathered to grieve Joe’s passing, we were surrounded by an unmistakable sense of God’s presence, love, and comfort. We had an amazing turnout with over 200 guests come throughout the day! The event was a tremendous success—complete with a Highland cow appearance, puppy adoption, tons of raffle items, live music, and BBQ for everyone to enjoy. Through it all, we were able to raise meaningful funds for Joe’s family, but more importantly, we came together to show them love, prayer, and support during a difficult time. If you’re interested in how being a Thrivent member can help you live generously through Action Teams, feel free to reach out—we’d love to help!

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Number 9 Networking Olivette, MOI’m excited to be speaking next week, Mar. 10, at Number 9 Networking in Olivette at 7:30a! If you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or professional who values meaningful relationships and genuine connections, I’d love for you to join us. What to expect: • Visitors are welcome (no registration required—just show up) • Relationship-driven networking (no pressure, no quotas) • Short elevator pitches and real conversations • A welcoming group of local professionals Event details and location to share with your network: https://www.facebook.com/events/2212971692560556/2212971779227214 Hope to see you there! No products will be sold. Number Nine Networking is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thrivent.

Interest rates are shifting. Understanding the purpose and timeline of your cash can help you decide whether and how to invest it for optimal returns. Ask yourself two questions. ⬇️ See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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The cost of cash: Where to invest when interest rates shiftWhether you’re saving for something big, looking to generate a steady income, or seeking flexible access to your cash, there are smart ways to keep your money productive and there for you when you need it—regardless of shifting interest rates. Explore your options below and let’s connect to keep your goals on track as interest rates change.

2026 Market Outlook: A return to normal?What’s ahead for stocks and bonds in 2026? Thrivent Asset Management experts share their base case for a positive environment and why equities may continue to reward investors over time.

We just wrapped up our 4th Thrivent Action Team of the year, and this one was extra sweet! 🍪🎄 With Thrivent’s support, we joined our church’s Cookie Blitz, baking about 10 dozen cookies to deliver to people who have to work on Christmas — police officers, firefighters, hospital staff, gas‑station employees, and more. It’s such a simple way to spread Christmas cheer and remind folks that they’re cared for. Huge shoutout to our kids and neighbors who jumped in to help bake and decorate — they had an absolute blast! If giving back is important to you, you should really check out Thrivent. The member benefits make it so easy to support causes you care about all year long. ❤️✨ See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.

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Do you give regularly? Do you give significantly? One of the best decisions my wife and I ever made was committing to give monthly to our church and charities. Sure, we could spend that money on nicer cars, bigger vacations, or a larger house—but honestly, none of those things would make us happier. What truly brings us joy is knowing we’re helping people who need it. Recently, our church featured me as a resource to help others create margin in their lives—so they can break free from financial stress and live more generously. That was an incredible honor and a proud moment for me. If you’d like help creating margin in your budget, I’d love to connect and see how I can help. And if you already give regularly, there are strategies that can help you give more efficiently—so your generosity goes even further.

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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.

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.👇

The cost of cash: Where to invest when interest rates dropWhether you’re saving for something big, hoping to generate a steady income or seeking flexible access to your cash, there are smart ways to keep your money productive and aligned with your needs—regardless of shifting interest rates. Explore your options below and let’s connect to keep your goals on track in a changing interest rate environment.

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.

🏁 I ran my first marathon this weekend! It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t easy. But I finished — and that’s what matters. What I’m most proud of isn’t the race itself, but the preparation. Waking up at 4am on Saturdays to run 18–20 miles. Cutting out alcohol. Fueling my body right. Staying disciplined when no one was watching. That’s the real win — doing the hard things most people aren’t willing to do. And that’s why most people don’t run marathons. 💡 Whether it’s fitness, career, finances, or faith — if you do what everyone else is doing, you’ll get average results. And let’s be honest: average is not the goal. Be extraordinary. Pursue your dreams. Take the risk. Make the sacrifice. It’s worth it. And above all — find a partner who believes in you. Early in our relationship, I told Jenna I wanted to become a financial advisor. She didn’t just support me — she planned with me. We executed that plan together over years. Whatever we take on next, I know we’ll succeed — because we’re in it together. You can be good on your own. But with the right partner? You can be unstoppable. 💪

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4th Quarter 2025 Market Outlook: Strong markets, weakening fundamentalsThrivent leadership shares expectations for final markets through year-end in the 4th Quarter 2025 Market Outlook.

What is a variable annuity & how does it work?A variable annuity offers several key features: income in retirement, potential tax-deferred growth based on market performance, and—depending on the contract—potential to pass money on to your heirs. Check out this article for more information and let’s connect if you want to discuss how an annuity could help you reach your retirement goals.

We had an incredible time at this weekend’s Pickleball tournament supporting Make-A-Wish! Great matches, even better company, and a whole lot of fun. Special shoutout to Jenna — the real athlete of the duo — for keeping us competitive and for not letting me embarrass her too badly 😅 We also had the chance to give back in a meaningful way by using one of our Thrivent Action Teams to donate a Yeti cooler for the raffle! Thrivent offers amazing opportunities to support causes you care about. If you're curious about how to align your financial goals with charitable giving, I’d love to chat!

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Updating your life insurance: 7 life events that may affect your coverageIf you’re in one of these 7 life stages, it may be time to update your life insurance coverage. ⬇️

What to know about opening a custodial Roth IRA for a childHow many people wished they started saving for retirement earlier? What is the earliest you can start retirement savings? Check out this article that highlights the possibilities of a Custodial Roth IRA. A small contribution could turn into hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax-free retirement income! https://www.thrivent.com/insights/investing/custodial-roth-ira-for-a-child