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The last few weeks and months have had a lot of stress and uncertainty. So, instead of writing to you about politics, or the economy, or the supply chain, I figured I'd change the script and write about something completely different. Let's talk about gratitude. Is gratitude a practice for you? In my role as a financial professional, I'll tell you that it should be. Why? Gratitude reminds you of what really matters. Not [...]

When you are sick, healthcare insurance is there to partner in your care. If you need care, you're going to get care. But what about the future care you will need? No one plans to need long-term care, but life circumstances can change rapidly. Will you be prepared? Consider these questions as you consider your future care. Questions to Consider Who is the point person that's going to coordinate the care? When someone needs care, [...]

Capitol Hill is producing more drama than Hollywood. We've got bold statements, ultimatums, cliff-hangers, and confusing sequels. We've even got folks paddling up to Senators' party boats to discuss tax reform. Let's recap what we know with some educated speculation about what could happen next. [Scroll down to the bottom for the nitty-gritty if you want to skip the details.] Congress is currently debating two action items on President Biden's “Build Back Better” agenda: [...]

Originally published on Discovering Truth Ministries and written by Jamie Wood As I was walking along the beach one day, I came upon an oyster shell. It was cracked in half, and its contents had been removed, probably from a predator in the sky. I decided to pocket the shell fragments and bring them home to share with my boys how a desirable piece of jewelry comes from such an unsightly mollusk. A pearl [...]

Summer is behind us now, though the warm sunny days still invite us to soak in the last fleeting summery moments remaining. But fall is upon us and reminds us that we are looking toward winter, symbolic of our lives. Have you prepared for the next season of your life? Seasons and years fly by in a blink, but the wise steward knows the importance of planning ahead. It is not the reactive person [...]

Summertime is winding down and the desire to return back to the daily grind might be waning. Ruminations of retirement visit you often. But perhaps the thought of retirement is a daunting one for you. Are you on track to retire comfortably? What are your financial goals? How much income will you need to generate each month when you have retired? Retirement takes planning over the long haul. Here are some key considerations to guide [...]

Everyone enjoys a splurge or pampering every now and then. In this often stress-filled world, it feels like an escape. But consistent spending can become an addiction. We grow accustomed to acquiring things when we feel the urge. Now I am not talking about regular necessary spending like the mortgage, fueling up the car, and meals on the table. It is habits of spending and "treating ourselves" that can cause us to lose perspective. [...]

Yesterday was the first Father’s Day… without my Dad. I’ve been reflecting as the day approached and wanted to share some of the thoughts that have been running through my mind. As you would expect…I miss my Dad! No one loved me more or believed in me more than my Dad. From the day I was born my Dad was my biggest cheerleader. And yet, let me be real, authentic and genuine. Father’s Day [...]

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance that can quickly lose its purpose unless we are intentional. Rather than being a day of honoring fallen heroes, it can become just another holiday. So it is with our special memories in our own homes. Each family has its own unique days where they honor one another or family events—anniversaries, birthdays, and special landmark moments in their own family history. But unless those memories are stewarded, the [...]

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." —Proverbs 31:28-30 This coming month we will be celebrating moms. It can be easy to just pick up some flowers and treat moms to a meal, but if we really thought about the value that moms [...]

Spring has sprung! Whether or not the weather is cooperating with that truth, we have made it out of the winter! This season is marked with getting back outside, renewing our mindset, and spring cleaning! But spring cleaning is about more than just getting rid of the dust bunnies. We can spring clean our finances, too! Here are some tips to get a renewed financial outlook and to clean up your account. Tip #1 [...]

"Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar" (Mark 12:17). These words spoken by our Savior reveal that there is a tax responsibility as we seek to be citizens who are under governmental authority. This said, how we structure our tax liability can also have a great impact on the Kingdom of God and keep more of our hard-earned income in our pocket if we are wise. Tax time is here again and it does [...]