2023 Summer Edition
2023 | Summer Edition
It's time for a summer edition of Ripples! We hope this update finds you well, and that you are having a blast gathering with friends, family and loved ones.
In this Edition....
Click on any of these topics to be taken to the article!
- New Email Subscription System - Keep Scrolling
- 2023 Personal Finance Calendar
- Video: The Latte Lie and Other Myths
- Summer Staff Updates - Keep Scrolling
- Strategies for Managing Student Loan Debt
- Retiring Earlier than Expected? Here's what to know
- Quiz: Test Your Estate Strategy Knowledge
This edition of Ripples may look a little different than our previous editions - keep scrolling to find out why!
New Email Subscription System
With our upgraded email system, we are thrilled to offer the option for enrollment in multiple email subscription styles, tailored exclusively for you. From event notifications to timely current event articles to our new bi-monthly retirement newsletter, you can now receive the emails you want to receive, when you want to receive them.
For more information, to check out the different email subscription styles, or to sign up for resources on-the-go visit www.MakeSmartDecisions.com/Subscription-Styles.
You can update your email preferences at any time at www.MakeSmartDecisions.com/Email-Preferences or from the links at the bottom of any promotional email going forward. Rest assured, if there are updates with direct effects for you or your accounts you will still receive communication from our team.
Download the 2023 Personal Finance Calendar
The Latte Lie and Other Myths
Click here to view in browser.
Staff Updates
Szablis -
This summer has been moving FAST. In June, many members of the Full Circle Team and I attended a conference in Phoenix, where our branch was recognized with an award for outstanding office. While here, I also got the chance to be interviewed by Wealth Management Magazine.
Right after, me and the kids loaded up an RV in Arizona, and set out for a weekend of road-tripping and hiking in the Grand Canyon, Bryce National Park, and Zion National Park. Finally, we drove the RV to our final destination where I visited my sister in Las Vegas.
I hosted Ethan’s engagement party here at the house and in my brand new overhauled garden, which some amazing friends helped me re-landscape in the weeks leading up to the event - the party was a beautiful success on a beautiful summer day filled with joy!
Though that joy had a startling jaunt when only a couple weeks later my home experienced a fire followed by a flood that affected all but three rooms in the house. We are in the long process of recovering from this, but everyone is safe thankfully.
Alex -
I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start. At our home we’ve been very busy, we’ve embarked on new landscaping projects, and we’re having a sunroom installed this fall. We love to host all our friends and family throughout the year, especially for the holidays, so this new addition will allow us to have more space for everyone. We’re also excited for a few cabin trips around northern MN and WI this summer, and planning for a couple of road trips this fall - we’re thinking Door County and potentially Traverse City, MI.
Ximena is growing so fast we can barely keep up; she’ll be 20 months in August. She spends most weekdays with Grandma Martha, who is teaching her Spanish. She speaks multiple new words each day in both languages and has enjoyed her first six months in a preschool program.
The restaurant has had an exciting start to the year, as well. Abraham has been hiring like crazy, with almost 50 staff members. The TV segment on Twins Cities Live and our stalls at the Twins Stadium have been super helpful in generating new guests at the restaurant; we’re expecting a busy year at La Tapatia.
Kim -
If you know me, you know if the sun is out, I want to be out in it. Samson summer life means we are at the camper, at the lake, or day-dreaming of being there.
After the week of travelling for the kiddo's soccer games, it's off to water-based activities and campfires for the weekends.
My Summer Goals:
- Sun, Sun, Sun + Run, Run, Run = Fun, Fun, Fun
- Complete a 10k Race
- Finish at least 3 books - I'm currently working on "Where the Crawdads Sing" and yes, I know I'm behind on the times!
Sarah -
Sarah had an early summer highlight, celebrating her birthday by visiting a llama farm - Ximena and Alex came too! Ximena fell asleep at the beginning but was refreshed towards the end. Everyone had the best time. Sarah has decided she will need a farm of her own to accommodate the llamas, running ducks and goats she hopes to have in the future. She has continued to read a book each week of 2023; her favorites so far have been The Push by Ashley Audrain and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Maggie "Mags" -
My "semi" retirement is off to a grand start, allowing for fun times and every grandparent's dream - all the time possible with these bundles of joy. Life's little treasures! They sure make not working so much more funner (if that's even a word)!
Ethan -
This summer has been filled with so much celebrating - many friends getting married or having kids, camping trips with 10+ friends, our engagement party, and finally getting to hammer down more details for my wedding next year. We will have been engaged for 2 years come our wedding, and somehow I know I'll feel like I'll have been forgetting something obvious!