Do you need life insurance? Questions to ask yourself & your familyWondering how life insurance can benefit your loved ones when you’re gone? Here's a conversation guide to help you in planning for the unexpected. 👇
Together, we can make sure your family is covered for the future.
Can you check off any of these boxes?
✅ Loved ones depend on you for income
✅ Don’t want to pass large debts onto others
✅ Want to leave a legacy
If you checked any of the boxes, you should consider how life insurance can help you protect what’s most important to you: https://bit.ly/47eNLJh
Some of the most important conversations are also the hardest to start.
Talking about what would happen to your loved ones' finances if the unthinkable happened isn't easy. But making space for the conversation today can bring clarity and reassurance for the future.
This resource offers thoughtful questions to start the conversation about life insurance with your family: https://bit.ly/4wHcwH8
Did you know life insurance can do more than just provide a death benefit? It also can help you build wealth during your lifetime and help your family build generational wealth after you pass away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3zAzMyO
A few other truths about life insurance:
- It can be more affordable than a lot of people think.
- Your work policy probably isn’t enough on its own.
- Some types offer other benefits and tax advantages.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Week 33 - September - Do a pantry cleanout meal to save money and reduce waste
Looking at this meal, there is a good chance it did not start with a detailed recipe or a special trip to the grocery store. It came together from ingredients that were already on hand. Before adding more to your cart, take a look at what is already in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Challenge yourself to create a meal using foods you already have.
Start with a quick inventory:
🍅 Check for produce that needs to be used soon
🍅 Look for canned goods, pasta, rice, or other pantry staples
🍅 Use proteins that have been sitting in the freezer
🍅 Get creative with leftovers and ingredients you might normally overlook
A pantry cleanout meal can help reduce food waste, stretch your grocery budget, and remind you of all the food you already have available.
As we head into the busy fall season with school schedules, sports, and activities filling up the calendar, this can be an easy way to save both time and money.
Sometimes the best meal is not the one you planned. It is the one you create with what is already in front of you.
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Hi, I'm Vanessa. I'm a Marine Veteran and a Thrivent Advisor. I help individuals at every stage of life define and achieve their goals, whether they're just starting their financial journey or preparing for retirement. The more we understand our objectives and align them with our values, the stronger we become as partners, parents, business owners, leaders, and neighbors.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
Have you thought about which assets are meant for living today and which ones you hope to pass on? Let’s connect to explore what each piece is supporting today and how it could show up for the people and causes you care about.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Wealth transferYou’ve worked hard to build a life you love—now it’s time to decide what your money is meant to do. How it’s set up today is already shaping what reaches the people and causes closest to your heart tomorrow. Take a closer look at your money, so it can support your life now and benefit those you care about.
Week 33 - September - Negotiate a bill
As summer winds down and the school year begins, many families are adjusting to new routines, schedules, and expenses.
School supplies, sports registrations, after-school activities, and all the little costs that come with a new school year can add up quickly. That is why this week's habit focuses on finding savings in a place many people overlook.
Negotiate a bill.
It may not sound exciting, but one phone call could potentially lower a monthly expense and free up money for the things that matter most.
Consider reviewing:
🐎 Your cell phone plan
🐎 Internet or cable service
🐎 Streaming subscriptions
🐎 Insurance policies
🐎 Memberships you are not fully using
Many companies have promotions, loyalty discounts, or lower-cost options available, but they rarely advertise them. Sometimes all it takes is asking.
As a new school year begins, a few small financial adjustments can help create more room for the experiences, memories, and priorities that matter most to your family.
One call. A few questions. Potential savings all year long.
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Hi, I'm Vanessa. I'm a Marine Veteran and a Thrivent Advisor. I help individuals at every stage of life define and achieve their goals, whether they're just starting their financial journey or preparing for retirement. The more we understand our objectives and align them with our values, the stronger we become as partners, parents, business owners, leaders, and neighbors.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
The great wealth transfer: What baby boomers need to knowTrillions of dollars are expected to pass to the next generation in what’s being called the great wealth transfer.
Taking time to think about how you’d like your assets to be passed on can bring greater clarity for you and the people and causes you care about.
It can also help you:
• Align your assets with what matters most.
• Set clearer expectations for loved ones.
• Reduce uncertainty with intentional planning.
Discover how to help secure your legacy for your loved ones ⬇️
Wealth transfer strategies: How to leave assets to your loved onesPassing on assets is more than drafting a will—it’s an opportunity to share the beliefs and goals that shape your legacy. By planning now, your legacy is shaped by intention, not left to chance. Let’s schedule time to connect and help ensure your values carry forward in a lasting way.
Week 32 - August - Practice a 24-hour pause before purchases.
Standing on top of these dunes, looking out over the river and the changing weather, is a reminder that not every decision has to be made in the moment. Sometimes the best thing you can do is pause. When something catches your eye, give yourself a full day before clicking "buy."
Use that time to ask:
🌤️ Do I really need this, or do I just want it right now?
🌤️ Will I still be excited about this tomorrow?
🌤️ Does this purchase support my goals and priorities?
🌤️ Is there something I would rather do with this money?
You may find that some purchases are still worth making. Others might lose their appeal after a little time and perspective. The goal is not to eliminate spending but to create space between impulse and decision.
Just like the weather in this photo, things can look a little different when you give them time.
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Hi, I'm Vanessa. I'm a Marine Veteran and a Thrivent Advisor. I help individuals at every stage of life define and achieve their goals, whether they're just starting their financial journey or preparing for retirement. The more we understand our objectives and align them with our values, the stronger we become as partners, parents, business owners, leaders, and neighbors.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
Legacy planning doesn't have to be stressful. With the right tools and timely strategies, you can stay true to your vision and help your loved ones feel prepared.
Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
• The amount you can pass on without federal estate or gift tax is $15 million per person—or $30 million for married couples in 2026. These higher limits give families more flexibility and room to plan for the future.
• Preparing your wealth transfer priorities today can make a meaningful difference. Name beneficiaries, establish a will and consider trusts.
• Gifting can also play a role. Many people give annually to take advantage of the gift tax exclusion—up to $19,000 per person in 2026 without triggering gift tax.
A thoughtful approach can help more of what you’ve built reach the people and causes you care about. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4hpRIzN
Building a business often means sacrificing your time, energy—and even your financial security—to bring your vision to life. That's why personal financial planning is so important, especially early on.
Early-stage entrepreneurs may face:
✅ Unpredictable income
✅ Tax complexity
✅ Blurred lines between personal and business finances
✅ High debt levels
✅ Difficulty saving for the future
A thoughtful plan can help protect what you're building and support your long-term goals. Not sure where to start? Let's talk. Together, we can create a financial plan that helps you grow your business with confidence.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Week 31 - August - Name one money habit you are proud of. Celebrate your growth.
Out on the water, it is easy to focus on how far there is left to go. But sometimes the better perspective is to look back and appreciate how far you have already come.
The same is true with your finances. Instead of focusing on what needs to change, take a moment to recognize what is already going well.
Ask yourself:
🌊 What money habit am I proud of?
🌊 What financial decision have I stuck with consistently?
🌊 What is easier today than it was a year ago?
🌊 How have I grown in my confidence around money?
Maybe you have built an emergency fund. Maybe you are contributing to retirement consistently. Maybe you have paid off debt, started budgeting, or simply become more intentional with your spending.
Progress deserves to be recognized! Too often, we move from one goal to the next without celebrating the habits that got us there. Taking time to acknowledge your growth builds confidence and reinforces the behaviors that create long term success.
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Hi, I'm Vanessa. I'm a Marine Veteran and a Thrivent Advisor. I help individuals at every stage of life define and achieve their goals, whether they're just starting their financial journey or preparing for retirement. The more we understand our objectives and align them with our values, the stronger we become as partners, parents, business owners, leaders, and neighbors.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
Helping your kids learn about money is a gift that grows with them. Start early, build gradually and focus on simple concepts at each stage.
These age-appropriate skills can help them develop discipline and healthier money habits as they grow. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4axUyhk
Little eyes are always watching—especially when it comes to money. The way we manage and talk about money shapes our kids long before they earn their first dollar.
Try modeling these simple habits to help them build a healthy relationship with money:
⭐ Avoid speaking about money with stress or shame
⭐ Narrate your choices (“We’re saving for X, so we’re skipping Y today”)
⭐ Keep a visible savings routine
⭐ Use positive language around budgeting and planning
As a parent, you already know the values you want to instill in your kids. But figuring out how to teach them isn’t always easy, especially when it comes to money.
The good news? Raising money-smart kids doesn’t require a lesson plan—just simple, everyday moments. Small habits practiced together can build financial discipline that grows with them. 🙌
These five are a great place to start. ⬆️
How an allowance for kids teaches financial lessons for adulthoodLooking for a way to teach your children the value of money? An allowance can help them understand the basics of budgeting and saving. Here are some things to consider before giving out an allowance. ⬇️
Week 30 - August - Choose one financial boundary. Protect your peace.
Standing on this suspension bridge, one thing is clear: boundaries are what make the journey possible. Without them, the path would feel a lot less secure.
The same is true with your finances. Choose one financial boundary that helps protect your goals, your priorities, and your peace of mind.
A few examples:
🌿 Decide on a maximum amount for impulse purchases
🌿 Say no to expenses that do not align with your values
🌿 Limit how often you check investment accounts
🌿 Create a budget category just for fun spending and stick to it
Financial boundaries are about creating clarity but not restriction. When you know your limits, it becomes easier to make decisions with confidence and less stress. The healthiest financial habits are often the ones that give you more peace, not more pressure. Sometimes protecting your financial future starts with protecting your peace today.
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Hi, I'm Vanessa. I'm a Marine Veteran and a Thrivent Advisor. I help individuals at every stage of life define and achieve their goals, whether they're just starting their financial journey or preparing for retirement. The more we understand our objectives and align them with our values, the stronger we become as partners, parents, business owners, leaders, and neighbors.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
