Life Planning

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Defining Your Money Values

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Defining Your Money Values

Understanding your money values helps to ensure that your financial decisions align with what matters most to you and your family. These values serve as a foundation for making consistent, purpose-driven choices, while reducing financial stress and potential arguments. 

For instance, prioritizing education might mean setting aside funds for college rather than opting for an extravagant vacation. It’s not that you wouldn’t vacation, family memories are important too, but opting for something in-state may align better with your family’s goals than taking three weeks in Bali.

Let’s get practical and discuss some steps to help arrive at meaningful goals as a family. We think you’ll find the exercise itself to be rewarding and insightful.

Develop Healthy Hobbies as a Family

Develop Healthy Hobbies as a Family

We may feel like we spend lots of time with our family members. But squeezing in a few hugs and meals on our way to and from work, school, and soccer practice isn't really the same as scheduling meaningful family time. Developing family hobbies can help you all spend more purposeful time together, improve your family's wellbeing, and find new ways to connect. 

Mix and match a few of these ideas to find some go-to family hobbies, rain or shine. 

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Giving More Thoughtful Gifts

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Giving More Thoughtful Gifts

We all want to find that "perfect gift" for everyone on our nice lists. But in the online shopping age, most people swipe and click to whatever they want every day of the year. Teens and children might be disappointed by any present they can't load onto their screens. Clothes might not fit. Food and beverages might not be to everyone’s taste. Older relatives might grumble that you spent money on them at all.

The secret to less stressful gifting is to think outside of the box – literally. Shopping from these three holiday gift categories will make the season a little merrier for your loved ones and for you

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Navigating the Emotional Side of Retirement

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Navigating the Emotional Side of Retirement

You've been working towards this moment for decades.

But have you really prepared for it?

Once the countdown is over and you've left your retirement party, the reality of retirement is going to set in. And many new retirees are surprised by the waves of emotions they feel, especially in those first few days without work. The initial euphoria and sense of freedom can give way pretty quickly to feelings of loss, aimlessness, anxiety, and even depression.

Getting ready for this emotional side of retirement is every bit as important as preparing financially. Many of the most successful retirees focus their emotional prep on these three areas:

Transitioning Into Fall Intentionally

Transitioning Into Fall Intentionally

While summer 2025 doesn't officially end until September 22nd, the leaves have probably started falling in your neighborhood. Your local big box retailer swapped out its back-to-school corner for Halloween costumes. It's pumpkin spice season at Starbucks and Dunkin'. And your Labor Day party capped off another summer of good times in the backyard.

For many families, planning ahead is the secret to a great summer. We don't always apply the same forethought to the fall. But between school, extra curriculars, working teens, your company's big Q4 push, and holidays on the horizon, it's just as important to make some plans now before your autumn blows by.

Use these three steps to bring your family closer together this fall.

Three Keys to Purposeful Wealth

Three Keys to Purposeful Wealth

What is your money for?

Financial security and comfortable living are very important. But if you aren't making purposeful investments in the things that matter most, you might find yourself surrounded by stuff that doesn't bring you any joy and money that just earns more money.

Consider adding these important investments to your Life-Centered Financial Planning portfolio to boost more than just your bottom line.

Three Overlooked Areas of a Solid Financial Plan

Three Overlooked Areas of a Solid Financial Plan

Many nearing retirement focus on investments, but a Life-Centered Financial Plan covers key "What If?" scenarios often missed. Review income sustainability, healthcare costs, and legacy goals with your advisor for complete security.

The next time you meet with your financial advisor, review how your plan handles these three important areas:

What Makes a Good Life?

What Makes a Good Life?

You have a steady job that pays the bills and puts your abilities to good use. You have loving relationships with your spouse, your children, extended family, and close friends. Your house provides enough space and security. Your golf league gives you a chance to unwind. Your volunteer work improves your community.

The specific details might vary, but most people would consider this scenario the basis for a pretty good life. Yet many of us who do check these boxes often feel like there's something missing.

A fascinating new study published by Affective Science asked nearly 4,000 people from 9 countries what kind of life they wanted. The results suggest that there's an important dimension to improving life that many of us may be overlooking.

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When Adult Children Move Back Home

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When Adult Children Move Back Home

School is out, and perhaps your college graduate is trading in the dorms for their old room - back at mom and dad’s house. The rising trend of adult children moving back in with their parents—often called “boomerang children”—is reshaping family life and financial dynamics. Driven by high housing costs, inflation, and mounting student debt, this arrangement can provide a much-needed safety net for the child, but it can also create challenges for the household. The following tips can help you support your children while maintaining healthy boundaries.