This month, I’ve made a gift to The Chattanooga Area Food Bank for several meaningful reasons. I feel especially fortunate to do work I love and enjoy the fruits of business growth. I’m grateful to have passed through my five-year-in-operation milestone. In gratitude for the support of clients, friends, and my family, it feels natural to “pay it forward” in supporting a critical, impact-driven local charity.
In a more pressing way, it felt right to support our local food bank in this moment. As of this writing, the federal government shutdown continues. I, like many of you, will be enjoying time with family and friends, sharing our thanks and enjoying our favorite, sometimes over-the-top delicious food. Yet, in the wealthiest country in the world, it confounds me that so many of our fellow Americans go hungry.
I’m privileged to work with great clients who are motivated to steward their resources and work hard to build a stable financial base that will serve them well into and through retirement. Yet, I am keenly aware of hard-working families who right now struggle to stretch dollars to cover the essentials.
In the national discourse, it’s important to remember that we don’t think of “have’s” and “have not’s” as static conditions. Although I’m financially successful today, I have very clear memories of a period in my childhood when our family was financially fragile. A surprise delivery of a generous box of food and treats arrived at a time when my family needed it most.
We are all on a wealth journey. Life throws us opportunities and sometimes negative surprises, too. It is important to take care of ourselves and prioritize our own financial stability. In doing so, we set an example for loved ones and heirs and illuminate the rewarding path of weaving philanthropy into responsible financial stewardship practices.
I always aspire to be aligned with efforts to exercise compassion and empathy, and to help open paths for others to improve and enjoy a better quality of life. Thank you for inviting me into your wealth journey. I’m sending the warmest wishes for a festive and bountiful Thanksgiving holiday.
Investment Advisory services offered through Equita Financial Network, Inc., an Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Equita Financial Network also markets investment advisory services under the name AegleWealth. The foregoing content reflects our opinions and is subject to change at any time without notice. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment advice or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of any security. There is no guarantee that the statements, opinions, or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful. Along with the author’s views, the reflections above include contributions from Beyond AUM and ChatON AI.