As the crisp air settles in and the leaves fall from the trees, I find myself reflecting on the rhythm of the seasons and how much they mirror our financial lives. Fall has always been my favorite time of year: a season that calls us to enjoy family, prepare, plan, and gather. It’s a reminder that the habits we establish now will shape how we experience the “winters” ahead, both literally and financially.


Lenny Marsch Financial Advisor


T


his year, I’ve been thinking about preparation in a more personal way. My wife, Margaret, and I have five daughters, and now nine (soon to be eleven!) grandchildren. At our family gatherings, in between the laughter, we’ve been having more conversations about how to prepare well for


the future. After years of helping other families plan financially, I’m in a new season myself—preparing for my own retirement at the end of this year. And it’s both humbling and encouraging to practice what I’ve been preaching since I joined the firm back in 2008.


FAMILY RHYTHMS & FINANCES Fall has a way of reordering life. Te carefree days of summer give way to full schedules. Yardwork needs attention. Te calendar fills with concerts, holidays, and church events. In our family, we’ve always tried to view this shift not as a burden but as a blessing—a chance to reestablish healthy rhythms.


Te same is true for finances. Just as we tidy up the yard before winter, it’s wise to tend to our financial “landscape” before the end of the year. Fall is a great time to revisit your budget, update your goals, and check in on your retirement and education savings plans. Establishing these small, intentional habits now can bring peace of mind later, when life’s expected or unexpected winters come.


It’s also an ideal time to teach the next generation about money. When our daughters were young, Margaret and I encouraged them to set aside some money for giving and saving. We first started using jars for different categories where we could all count along with the clinking of the coins… Remember those? Now, watching our grandchildren learn those same lessons is a joy beyond measure. Tese early financial habits—saving, budgeting, generosity—help them understand that preparation isn’t just about security; it’s about stewardship.


Thank you, Lenny!


LENNY WAS HONORED BY FAITHWARD’S LEADERSHIP AT OUR RECENT


COMPANY-WIDE SUMMIT IN OCTOBER.


GRATITUDE & GIVING As the holidays draw near, conversations about generosity naturally come to the forefront. Gratitude and giving are intertwined— when we recognize how richly we’ve been blessed, we’re moved to bless others.


Each year, we can revisit where we’ve given, what’s had an impact, and how we can be more intentional. In fact, creating a “family giving plan” before year end doesn’t have to be complicated—it might be as simple as discussing a donor advised fund or identifying how to give in the most tax-efficient ways.


THE YEAR-END FAMILY CHECK-UP As fall turns toward winter, it’s wise to take a financial “check-up.” Review your insurance coverage—does it still meet your family’s needs? Confirm that your retirement and health savings contributions are on track. Make sure education accounts for children or grandchildren are funded to meet your goals. And don’t forget to revisit your estate documents, so your wishes are clear and your loved ones are cared for.


Preparation isn’t just about avoiding hardship—it’s about living with peace and purpose, no matter what the next season brings. Life will always have its surprises, but the more intentional we are now, the more ready we’ll be when the snow starts to fall.


As someone approaching retirement myself, I can say that preparation brings freedom. It allows you to savor the present without anxiety about the future. And like fall itself, it reminds us that every ending is really the beginning of something new.


FAITHWARDADVISORS.COM • 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12