Insider Guide
November, 2023
reminders
It’s near the end of the year with only two months left of 2023, so we wanted to share some advice to help you wrap 2023 up with a bow.
1. Giving – At the end of the year, ensure that all the money in your giving account has been allocated to the organizations and causes you planned to give to. If you have extra money to designate to charity, decide and plan ahead for how you want to give that extra money.
2. Spending – If you have not yet planned & budgeted for your holiday spending, now would be a good time to discuss your budget – and ensure that money is set aside in advance! The cost of holiday meals, travel, and purchasing presents all add up quickly, but advance planning and open discussions can reduce the associated stress.
3. End-of-year planning guide – Click below to download our end-of-year planning guide with an updated checklist from our advisors, a CPA, and an Estate Planner.
Tim Goodwin’s story on why he started Goodwin Investment Advisory
Since it is November and the month fondly associated with thanksgiving and generosity, it only seems fitting to share how generosity fits in with our core values at Goodwin Investment Advisory.
Please click the button below to read Tim’s story on why he started Goodwin Investment Advisory almost 20 years ago with a passion for generosity.
Blog Update
Our latest blog is about Dale Alexander, who recently joined our Investment Committee. Dale is a renowned financial expert, author, and investment strategist, with insightful perspectives on personal finance and wealth management. He recently became known for gifting his new book to all Georgia High School graduates. Here is his interview with Fox News about why he gave his book away for free. In fact, he has given away over 150,000 copies as of 9/2023 and paid for it with his family’s Charitable Fund!
You can also listen to 2 recent podcasts featuring Dale Alexander on GIA’s Money Pig Podcast. Part 1 is about his book, “THE TALK (about money)“, and this would be an excellent podcast to listen to with your children – especially if they are getting ready to start their first job. Part 2 is on Book Recommendations and Life Advice. Click the buttons below to listen to the podcasts.
Check out one of our newest episodes from The Money PIG Podcast hosted by Reid Trego. This episode features practical wisdom and some background about our Senior Wealth Advisor, Joe Beckford. Click the button below to listen.
Nourish to Flourish
by Tara Bruce
A different perspective of a classic bible verse.
“For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” – Matthew 25:29
When you read the verse above you might have always read it as if the word MONEY was in it. You may have read, “For whoever has money will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have money, even what they have will be taken from them.” Some understand this verse to say that we should be good stewards of our resources – whatever we have been given. I am not saying this is the wrong way to look at it, but what if we also looked at this verse from another angle? Could we also apply the principle of good stewardship to gratitude?
Try reading the verse in a new way. “For whoever has gratitude will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have gratitude, even what they have will be taken from them.” Gratitude is so powerful!
Some interesting facts about gratitude
- Fear and gratitude can’t live in your brain simultaneously. Gratitude truly casts out fear!
- Sustained gratitude is true contentment and studies show that practicing this daily results in an increase in the volume of gray matter in the right inferior temporal gyrus – meaning it fosters a RENEWING of the mind and neuroplasticity, which is the changing of old thought patterns and pathways. This also increases dopamine and serotonin, bringing more health and happiness.
- Sustained gratitude allows your body to reduce pain and inflammation
- Gratitude improves sleep
- Gratitude reduces stress by lowering cortisol
- Gratitude reduces anxiety and depression
This means that having an “attitude of gratitude” may lead to less stress, better sleep, better health, increased happiness, and even more things to be grateful for! Having gratitude brings more gratitude!
Three gratitude practices to help you start cultivating a life of sustained gratitude!
Count your blessings
1. Start each morning by listing ten things you are grateful for.
2. State why you are grateful for each item on your list.
3. End by feeling gratitude as fully as you can and saying thank you, thank you, thank you for all ten things!
4. If your list includes a person, you can even express your gratitude by sending that person a text, card, email, or call them and share how much you appreciate them.
Create a gratitude album
1. Create an album on your phone and select one photo of each person you are grateful for
2. Look at the photo of 3 people in your album each day
3. While looking at their photo state 4 things you are grateful for them for
4. You can even select someone you want to create a better relationship with or someone you have tension with. Finding ways to be grateful for that person could start healing the relationship before you see them next!
Choosing your favorite moment from your day
1. End your day by thinking through your day and finding the moment you are most grateful for. By doing this, you are running through all the things you are grateful for that happened that day and having to feel and decide which of these moments was your favorite.
2. Once you have found your favorite moment in your memory, you say thank you, thank you, and fully feel that moment.
3. Go to sleep thinking about that beautiful moment
Apple Ginger Fizz for Fall
This is a mocktail recipe so you can make it for your kids and grandkids too!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
HOW TO MAKE IT
- 3 oz still apple cider
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 6 mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Pinch powdered cinnamon
- 3 oz ginger ale
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place apple cider, lime juice, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, and a few ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have a shaker, anything with a tight lid, such as a mason jar or drink bottle, will work.
- Clap the mint together in your hands to release the scent, and add to the shaker. Shake for about 20-30 seconds until ingredients are combined.
- Pour into an ice-filled glass and top with ginger ale.
- Stir gently, garnish with mint, dried citrus or a cinnamon stick, and serve.
Disclosure – All investment carries risk, and we cannot guarantee performance or results. GIA does not earn any compensation from any of the non-GIA links provided in these resources. The market insights, podcast, blogs, self improvement thoughts and recipe are based on our perspectives and experience, and may not apply to your unique situation or be appropriate for your health and wellness. Please contact us for any questions relating to the content above, or to discuss how we can support you in your specific situation, and help you to reach your financial and personal goals.
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About the Author: Tara Bruce
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