Magazine · 2019-12-18 · helping members be wise with money | winter 2019 thrivent magazine a...

HELPING MEMBERS BE WISE WITH MONEY | WINTER 2019

ThriventMagazineA

SEASONOF JOY

TIPS FOR FINDING

CONTENTMENT THIS

CHRISTMASPAGE 14

CREATING HOLIDAY MEMORIES

PAGE 7

MONEY MOVES FOR THE NEW YEAR

PAGE 20

A NEW VIEW OF RETIREMENT

PAGE 24

OURNEW LOOK! Read more about our changes on

page 6.

THRIVENT MAGAZINE | WINTER 2019

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may

overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

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Thrive4

Market Outlook

5 Connecting Art and Faith

6 ‘Take Up and Read’

7 Creating Holiday Memories

8How Do HSAs Work?

9 Generosity in Action

10 Member Spotlight

12 5 Ways to Avoid Impulse Spending

29

What’s Happeningat Thrivent

Donating shoes to kidsThrivent’s new radio feature

Free webinarsCFO retirement news

32Just for fun

Features

14 Finding Contentment Keeping the focus on what’s important during Christmas.

20 New Year, New StrategiesSmart money moves for 2020.

24 A New View of RetirementTwo couples take a new view of what it means to retire.

24

14 20

On the cover: Vanessa and Timothy Russell

with children, David and Natasha Photo by Yiqian Barba

In This IssueWINTER 2019 | VOLUME 117, NO. 693

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2 | THRIVENT MAGAZINE | WINTER 2019

PEACE AND GRATITUDE

W ell, it’s upon us. It doesn’t quite seem possible, but

here we are on the cusp of another holiday season, the end of another year. As I reflect and prepare for the upcoming holidays, I’m reminded of Colossians 3:15. Paul writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Isn’t that a wonderful verse? I don’t know about you, but the gratitude I feel on Thanksgiving can quickly be overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of December. Business demands at the end of the year. Gifts to buy. Parties to attend. Traveling to see loved ones. Before we know it, the peaceful season of Christmas isn’t so peaceful. But the verse from Colossians brings it all back in focus. So this year, my prayer is that the gratitude you feel on Thanksgiving lingers through the Christmas season and into the New Year. That you are over-whelmed with peace as you reflect on the blessings of the past year, and that you feel inspired for the year ahead. And as for me, I’m overcome with gratitude. For our organi-zation. For our history. For you. Serving as your CEO this past year has been one of my greatest blessings. It’s a privilege to walk this journey with you—to help you make the most of all you’ve

been given. I can think of no greater purpose for a financial services organization. I’ll close with a heartfelt “thank you” for being a Thrivent member. May your holiday season be full of joy, hope and peace.

Merry Christmas!

Teresa J. RasmussenPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Thrivent (ISSN 1539-0128) is the official publication of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI 54919-0001/Minneapolis, MN

55415-1624, a fraternal benefit society. It is published quarterly by the society.

Periodical postage paid at Appleton, Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Thrivent magazine, Thrivent Financial for

Lutherans, 4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919-0001. Phone: 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836). Copyright 2019 by

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. All rights reserved.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBonnie E. Raquet

Chair Williamsburg, VA

N. Cornell Boggs

Ludington, MI

Kenneth A. Carow Greenwood, IN

Bradford N. Creswell Mercer Island, WA

Lynn Crump-Caine Sandy Springs, GA

Eric J. Draut

Arlington Heights, IL

Kirk D. Farney Hinsdale, IL

Rev. Mark A. Jeske

Milwaukee, WI

Frederick G. Kraegel Henrico, VA

Kathryn V. Marinello Bonita Springs, FL

Nichole B. Pechet San Francisco, CA

Teresa J. Rasmussen President and CEO

Orono, MN

Alice M. Richter Prior Lake, MN

THRIVENT® MAGAZINE STAFF

Callie Briese Executive Editor

Donna Hein

Editor

Jon Goodrich Editorial Assistant

CONTENT STRATEGY AND PUBLISHING

Anya BritziusSenior Content

Strategist

Bret RyanSenior Art Director

Rebecca Lubecki Associate Editor

Molly Bennett

Senior Content Director

Kristen Jondahl Senior Project

Manager

Jonathan Benson Production Manager

Welcome

“My prayer is that the gratitude you feel

on Thanksgiving lingers through the Christmas season and into the

New Year.”

THRIVENT.COM | 3

ThriveINSIGHTS AND INSPIRATIONS

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SLEEP SUPERHEROESVolunteers help kids get a good night’s sleep.By Kathleen Childers

(Continued on page 4)

S ome kids in the U.S. don’t have a proper bed to sleep on. They’re on the floor or a sofa, or share a bed with one or more siblings. That can make

it tough for them to sleep well, and lack of sleep can impact a child’s behavior and ability to learn.* The national nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace wants to solve the problem by building and donating single beds that also can be stacked as bunk beds. On June 15, Sleep in Heavenly Peace stepped up its effort with a nationwide goal across its 150 regional groups: Build 2,500 bunks (5,000 single beds) in one day. They actually surpassed the goal, building 2,600, including

Volunteers from the Kenosha/Racine group of the national nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace helped build beds.


51 ½ bunks built by 125 volunteers for the Kenosha/Racine group (see photo). The group was started in June 2018 by Thrivent member Mike Prudhom and his friend Wayne Pike. Prudhom enjoyed building things, and he knew he could build beds. Pike was an avid woodworker. Together with their spouses, Debbi Prudhom and Maryann Pike, they put out a call for volunteers and donations. Thrivent member Mark Niccolai was one of the people who responded. He and his wife, Cathleen, have led Thrivent Action Teams to support the group and now serve on its local management team with the Prudhoms, the Pikes and others. Kim Vogel, a Thrivent Financial professional in Kenosha, and his wife, Louise, also answered the call and made donations. Vogel and his daughter and business partner, Kelly Banner, helped organize events. Other Thrivent members have directed Thrivent Choice Dollars® to the group. Local companies responded, too. One provides warehouse space for the group to keep lumber, build beds and store them for delivery. Businesses, social groups, churches and individuals donate money for supplies. And church groups supply bedding, including handmade quilts. Every couple of months, when enough materials have accumulated, several dozen volunteers typically spend a day building about two dozen beds. With more than 300 beds built so far, you’d think they would be close to meeting the need in the area. Not so, says Niccolai. “It’s surprisingly great; the requests for beds just keep coming in.”

*Source: AASM, aasm.org/poor-sleep-can-negatively-affect-a-students-grades-increase-the-odds-of-emotional-and-behavioral-disturbance

(Sleep Superheroes continued from page 3)

TAKING A BROADER

ECONOMIC VIEWBy David Royal

MARKET OUTLOOK

I f you pay attention to headlines these days, it’s hard to miss the fluc-

tuation in the markets. And while it’s easy to focus on the day-to-day factors impacting market performance, it’s important to take a look at the econ-omy from a broader perspective. Our more than 100 investment professionals at Thrivent always are analyzing economic information. So, what are we seeing? This fall, U.S. manufacturing contracted by some measures, which indicates that the manufacturing portion of our economy has weakened. Now, manufacturing globally, especially in Europe, has been in recession for several quarters. So why isn’t the U.S. economy in recession? While manufacturing has struggled (likely due in part to trade tensions), it’s been offset by the service portion of the economy, which is composed

All information and representations herein are as of October 14, 2019, unless otherwise noted.

The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views expressed by other Thrivent Asset Management associates. Actual investment decisions made by Thrivent Asset Management will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or product.

Asset management services are provided by Thrivent Asset Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

of industries like healthcare and education. The service portion has been stronger, both domestically and internationally. And since manufac-turing makes up a smaller part of the economy in the United States than in Europe, it’s contributed to our econo-my’s relative outperformance. Employment in manufacturing is another important consideration. There are now nearly twice as many jobs in healthcare and education services than in manufacturing. As recently as the 1980s, that ratio was reversed. In short, the U.S. economy is now much less dependent on manu-facturing jobs than it used to be and less dependent than most of the world is today. A similar contraction in manufac-turing occurred in 2016. But consumer spending and the service economy remained strong and we didn’t go into recession. And then 2017 was a great year for stocks. At Thrivent, we’re watching closely to see whether the service sector and consumer spending can overcome weak manufacturing once again.

David Royal is chief investment officer at Thrivent.

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CONNECTING ART AND FAITHBy Joanna Reiling Lindell

Jules Chadel (French, 1870-1942)Nativité, 1920Color woodcutThrivent Collection of Religious Art

ReflectingHow are you remembering

God’s gift—the Savior— this Christmas?

Write your thoughts.

A n adoring community gathers around a newborn child in this woodcut by Jules Chadel. This is God bursting into the world in quite an unexpected

manner. A humble stall, not a private room, becomes the place for revealing Christ to the world! The artist uses color to spotlight the infant Christ, emphasizing Jesus’ importance in both the image and the Nativity story. The warm glow surrounding the baby and mother radiates onto the onlookers, suggesting that Jesus is creating light that literally shines outward. It’s a reminder this Christmas season of our Lord’s love for and ministry to all of humanity.

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Joanna Reiling Lindell is the director and curator of the Thrivent Collection of Religious Art (Thriventcollection.com).


‘TAKE UP AND READ’ OUR REDESIGNED MAGAZINE

By Karen Himle

I had an “Augustinian moment” when thinking about writing this welcome

note for our refreshed Thrivent maga-zine. The words that popped into my head were those heard by Augustine in a fourth-century garden: “Take up and read!” We encourage you to take up and read Thrivent magazine. We want it to be:�A place for education and inspiration

for you. Our articles are written to help you make wise money decisions that reflect your values, leading to more confident, content and generous lives.

�A space for thoughtful reflection. We’re providing respites through-out the publication where you can journal your thoughts on a topic or a question we pose. In addition, you’ll find beautiful photography that provides a breathing space for reflection.

�An opportunity to hear from Thrivent professionals and fellow Thrivent members. There are pages to tear out, so you easily can keep new ideas and tips for later.

Karen Himle is senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at Thrivent.

Thrive

Let your guests

customize their mugs of cocoa with their favorite toppings.

Our new Thrive section at the beginning of the magazine provides bite-sized pieces of information on topics ranging from faith and finances to generosity. Our features are written to inspire members through engaging storytelling and guidance from Thrivent. In addition to financial topics, you’ll find lifestyle stories that tie back to contentment, confidence and generosity. The newly redesigned magazine also provides a page of activities for kids and kids at heart (see page 32)! Augustine’s life was changed for-ever when he read Romans 13:13-14. Our modest hope is that Thrivent magazine might change your life in some way, whether it be from a new idea, helpful advice, an inspiring story or a moment of reflection!

THRIVENT.COM | 7

CREATING HOLIDAY MEMORIESBy Anya Britzius | Photo by Terry Brennan

BRIGHT IDEAS

O ne of the most cherished parts of the Christmas season

is spending time with family and friends. Looking for a few new traditions? Here are some festive activities to do with loved ones.

1. HOST AN EVENING OF CAROLING AND HOT COCOA Gather a crew to go caroling in the neighborhood or find a local assisted living facility. Afterward, treat the carolers to a hot cocoa bar. Set out toppings they can choose from—whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed peppermint, chocolate chips, sprinkles and caramels. Cheers!

2. MAKE A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTSpend time with your family and make a special ornament for the year. In the years to come, you can reminisce when hanging it on the tree.

3. VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Get creative in making a difference this season. Volunteer to bring homebound church members to holiday services or shopping. Deliver a meal to someone, get involved with a Thrivent Action Team or collect presents for those in need.

4. MAKE A BLESSINGS JAR Start by decorating a jar, and each day have family members write down a blessing. Then pick a day (such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve) to read all of the blessings and reflect as a family.


H ealth savings accounts (HSAs) are a handy way to save for

medical expenses and reduce your taxable income. They work just like your other personal bank accounts in many ways. One big advantage of opening an HSA versus tapping your regular bank accounts to pay medical bills: “Triple tax savings,”1 says Betsy Whisler, senior vice president of con-sumer banking at Thrivent Federal Credit Union. “You make contribu-tions that are tax-deductible, and you have tax-free earnings and tax-free withdrawals when the money is used for qualified health care costs.”

WHO CAN HAVE AN HSA?Anyone who has a high-deductible health care plan. “High deductible” is defined by the IRS. Your health insurance provider can tell you if you have a qualifying high-deductible plan. To be eligible, you cannot have

any other health insurance coverage (including Medicare), and you cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else’s tax return.

HOW DO I OPEN AN ACCOUNT?You can do this on your own, just as you would open other bank accounts. Many financial institutions offer HSAs. If you have high-deductible health insurance through your employer, you might be able to set up

an HSA through your employer, too. But remember, the account belongs to you, not to your employer.

HOW MUCH CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO MY HSA?The maximum allowable contribution is subject to change each year. In 2019, it was $3,500 for an individual and $7,000 for a family. People over age 55 were allowed to make a catch-up contribu-tion of an additional $1,000 annually. If you don’t use the contributions, the money rolls over to the next year.

HOW DO I PAY HEALTH CARE BILLS FROM AN HSA?Depending on the financial institution where you have your HSA, you might have any or all of these options: writ-ing a check, paying by debit card, or paying from your regular checking or savings account and then transferring funds from your HSA to replace what you spent. You also can schedule an online payment using a mobile app or online banking.

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1All tax references are at the federal level. State taxes may vary. The information above is not intended and should not be construed as legal, tax or investment advice. For such advice, including advice on how this information applies to your individual circumstances, please contact your attorney, tax advisor or other appropriate professional.

Deposit and lending services are offered by Thrivent Federal Credit Union, a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative that is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and doing business in accordance with the Federal Fair Lending Laws. Insurance, securities, investment advisory and trust and investment management accounts and services offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, or its affiliates are not deposits or obligations of Thrivent Federal Credit Union, are not guaranteed by Thrivent Federal Credit Union or any bank, are not insured by the NCUA, FDIC or any other federal government agency, and involve investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Must qualify for membership with Thrivent Federal Credit Union.

Thrive

HOW DO _______ WORK?By Denise Logeland

HSAs

Want to learn more about HSAs? Go to Thriventcu.com/HSA.

!

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CHURCH COOKS UP WAYS TO FEED NEIGHBORSHUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

All Saints Lutheran Church has 75 active members, yet its kitchen ministry provides hundreds of meals each month to local residents. How do they do it? Lots of volunteers and a commercially equipped kitchen. Tim and Paige Vaughn, co-chairs of All Saints’ outreach committee, started the program. It’s managed by Dave Knowles, a former food service administrator, and Jeff Anderson, a chef. With a core of about 35 volunteers, they make 300 meals each month using fresh ingredients. The meals go to seniors who attend a fitness class at the church, another local church that serves people who are homeless, a county program that feeds seniors and people who are homebound, and All Saints members or others who may need a meal. Anderson teaches the volunteers food preparation and safety skills. To support the ministry, many church members have led Thrivent Action Teams. But All Saints wants to do more. “We’d like to work with other churches to prepare meals that they could keep in their freezers and use as needed,” Knowles says. “And we’re also interested in serving veterans and other community groups.”

GENEROSITY IN ACTION

Good question: WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF FINANCIAL

WISDOM YOU’D GIVE?

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¡The old joke is, “Do you know how to eat a whale?” The answer: “One bite at a time.” You build savings one “bite” at a time. Depending on so many circumstances, your bites (contributions to your savings) may be larger or smaller, but “one bite at a time” is the tried-and-true way to get it done!Matt Mattingly, Rochester, Minnesota

¡Put God first in your life, and not material possessions. Live below your means! Invest your money with people you know and trust. Give of your financial resources generously and watch how God will bless your life! Tom Mueller, Bay City, Michigan

¡Each time I got a raise in pay, I would either increase my donation to church or increase my savings or retirement savings via direct deposit. If you don’t get it in your hand, you don’t miss it.Patricia Siemek, Pasadena, Maryland

¡Upon paying off a vehicle, my father always advised: Continue saving the monthly amount as if still paying it off.David Kuech, Homewood, Illinois

What’s one financial goal you have for 2020?Tell us in 50 words or less at Thrivent.com/share or email [email protected]

What's your best piece of financial wisdom?

Reflecting

Question for next issue:


What have been your guiding principles around money decisions?Florence: It’s always been based on our values and priorities. Our main priority is God, and second is each other and our family. We knew what our needs and wants were, and we lived within our means. It wasn’t always easy, but we also didn’t feel we needed as many things as people do today. We made do with what we had, and we still do.

How did you prepare for retirement? [Don was vice president of a mutual

insurance company; Florence was an accountant]Don: We had 401(k)s. Each year, they’d [my employer] ask how much I’d like to contribute. If they told me 5% was the high, I’d do it. If they said 7%, I’d do it. My thought was that I will do without now so I can retire comfort-ably. And we made good investments.

How did you balance saving for retirement and making memories with your children when they were young? Don: We took weekend automobile trips. We’d go down to the Gulf of

LOOKING BACKMembers Don and Florence Ahrens reflect on their financial journey and the principles that guided them.

By Donna Hein | Photo by Nathan Lindstrom

Thrive

D on and Florence Ahrens’ commitment to being wise

with money and living generously impressed their Thrivent Financial professional, Ray Weiss. So Thrivent magazine talked with the Brenham, Texas, couple on how they navi-gated their finances over the years, especially as they planned for retirement. Married nearly 60 years, Don and Florence have been retired since 2005. Both worked full time. They raised two children, and they have three grandkids and one great grandchild.

Don and Florence Ahrens let faith guide their money decisions.

THRIVENT.COM | 11

“OUR MAIN PRIORITY IS GOD, AND SECOND IS EACH OTHER

AND OUR FAMILY.”—FLORENCE AHRENS

Mexico, or there were a number of caves in Texas we’d visit. We’d pack some sandwiches and get in the car, sometimes with friends. We’d stop at a roadside park and sometimes a hotel at night.

When it comes to letting your values and priorities guide your finances, did the two of you have disagreements?Don: We’ve been married for almost 60 years; we’ve had lots of disagreements. We always tried to sit down and talk about them and come to an agreement. Oftentimes, one gave in one time and the other gave in the next. We still disagree. But they all get solved.

Was it hard to go from a mindset of saving to spending when you retired? Don: It probably was, but we also had planned for it. We recently took a trip with friends from church to the Grand Canyon. This was our 40th trip together. We’ve traveled to Italy, Germany and all but one state in the United States. We’re actually doing today what we saved for.

What advice would you give to someone facing tough money decisions?Florence: You have to set your priorities. Don: It’s easy for us to say, but don’t spend beyond your means. Even though you may love to have a high-valued auto, you may have to drive a cheaper vehicle because payments are going to be less. There will come a time, if you save and save correctly, you’ll be able to enjoy those things.

How have health issues over the years affected your money decisions?Florence: Our wants have changed. Cancer makes you realize and appreciate what you do have. Things that were important are just not as important when facing a life and death situation.

How have you given back to your community?Don: For more than 50 years, I auctioneered for different organiza-tions, hospitals, galas, fire depart-ments, heritage societies and school art shows. This past March was my last one. I always wanted to raise as much money as I could for organi-zations. I also was involved with the Washington County Fair, the local hospital foundation board, the Texas Association of Fairs and Events, Goodfellows, the Jaycees and the Washington County Chamber. Florence: I’m a member of the Fortnightly Club. We collect books for an annual used book sale of 75,000 books. I’ve served as host for Helping One Child to Succeed. And we’ve both served in many roles at our church, St. Paul’s Lutheran.

What fuels your passion to give back?Florence: When you have wonderful things happening to you, you want to give back.

GROUP HELPS TOWN STAY VIBRANTTRIPP, SOUTH DAKOTAFrom hosting Christmas celebrations and kickball tournaments to making snack packs for kids, members of the Tripp Action Group work hard to make their beloved town a good place to live. That includes tackling home improvements. Last summer, 30 volunteers painted the exterior of a home. Samantha Ziegler led a Thrivent Action Team that provided food and supplies.

COUPLE COMBINES EFFORTS FOR BIGGER IMPACTCLEVELAND, OHIOHearing a plea on the news to help homeless veterans, Erica Fleischer and her fiancé, Mike Ivancic, felt called to action: They each would lead a Thrivent Action Team. Fleischer collected socks and Ivancic rounded up underwear, both greatly needed. Fleischer’s and Ivancic’s teams then packed blessing bags to be donated. The items were distributed at the Homeless Stand Down event held last January.


The members’ experiences may not be the sameas other members and does not indicate futureperformance or success.


1. REMEMBER YOUR FAMILY’S GOALSDon’t forget the bigger picture when holiday shopping. It’s nice to treat loved ones, but there are other ways to do so that don’t involve an expensive gift. Keep in mind other upcoming financial goals, so you remain on track.

2. MAKE A LISTBefore setting out to buy gifts for family and friends, write down what you want to give each person. Once you’ve found their gift, cross them off the list, and leave the store before finding something that could tempt another purchase.

5. REMEMBER WHAT YOU (OR THEY) ALREADY OWNYou come across sweaters on sale and remember your child loves the color blue. At 50% off, it makes sense to buy one as a gift. However, you remember they already own several tops in that color and move on. Apply that mentality when shopping for yourself and others.

3. DON’T FOCUS ON A SALEMany impulse buys are prompted by seeing items on sale. Getting a great deal may feel justified, but it all adds up. Don’t lose sight of what you are spending. Even with a lower price, it’s still more expensive than not purchasing the item altogether.

4. SHOP WHEN YOU ARE RELAXEDShopping while stressed can lead to indulgent purchases. Feeling relaxed as possible while buying gifts will help you stay on track and enjoy the experience.

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Thrive

Hint: It's easier than you thinkBy Rebecca Lubecki

5 WAYS TO _________________________________Avoid Impulse Sp ending During the Holidays

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&

NEW THRIVENT T-SHIRTS

T hrivent’s popular Live Generously T-shirts have a new sunny color

for 2020: Sunkissed Scarlet. You can get one of the shirts by leading or participating on a Thrivent Action Team. Starting January 1, any Thrivent Action Team that’s applied for and approved will receive the new shirts in Thrivent Action Kits. Members voted for the new color last summer. Out of three options, Sunkissed Scarlet won by a landslide! Total votes: 15,722 1. Sunkissed Scarlet: 52%2. Saltwater Blue: 30%3. Clear Sky Cobalt: 18%

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FAMILY’S CHRISTMAS FOCUSES ON SERVICEMINNEAPOLISThe Kiewel family does service projects during the year instead of exchanging Christmas gifts. This summer, they met at a park to fill backpacks with supplies for students in need and create care bags for teens in foster care. A list of needed items was shared beforehand so they could track what people were bringing. Brenda Dittrich led a Thrivent Action Team to help.

VOLUNTEERS BUILD TABLES BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOISWhen Larry Turilli learned that Marcfirst needed some accessible picnic tables at its residences for people with developmental disabilities, he organized a Thrivent Action Team. He and his coworkers at AMBUCS (a nonprofit that builds wheelchair ramps and provides other mobility services) built two tables for the homes. Then the group led two more Thrivent Action Teams, building accessible tables for a park and raised garden beds for Marcfirst.


Visit Thrivent.com/actionteam to learn more about leading a Thrivent Action Team and ordering a kit.!

InFaith Community Foundation is a public charity that serves individuals, organizations and the community through charitable planning, donor advised funds and endowments. InFaith works collaboratively with Thrivent and its financial professionals.

INFAITH DONORS GIVE RECORD GRANTS

Churches34%

HumanServices

19%

Faith-BasedNonprofits

15%

Education14%Disaster Relief

EnvironmentArts & Culture

Other12%

Health Services

6%

GRANTS BY TYPE OF

CHARITYin 2018

InFaith Community Foundation, a national, faith-based charity with a mission to serve donors, spread joy and change lives, helped facilitate a record num-ber of grants—8,625—through its donors’ charitable funds in 2018. Churches and faith-based non-profits represented nearly half of these grant recipients. Grants to charities through InFaith totaled $28.2 million in 2018, and $211.8 million since its inception in 1995.


Vanessa and Timothy Russell with their children David and Natasha photographed at Santa’s Tree Farm and Village near San Francisco.

THRIVENT.COM | 15

ith the holiday season here, your mind already may be spinning with thoughts of Christmas shopping, baking and decorating to do. And then there are the multiple gatherings to plan and attend.

When you combine all of that with a stressful job or maybe even feelings of loneliness from losing a loved one or struggling with a relationship, you easily can find yourself wishing the season were over. Instead of having a sense of contentment during this season of joy, you’re stuck in a state of discontent. Vanessa Russell can relate. As a mom, wife and founder of a nonprofit, she has every reason to feel stress this time of year. But instead, the Dublin,

How to keep your focus on what’s important during Christmas.

By Donna Hein • Photos by Yiqian Barba

FindingContentment

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California, Thrivent member is focusing on her faith. She’s letting that guide how she spends her time and her money, and she’s loving people more than gifts and gatherings. Oh, that doesn’t mean there won’t be gifts under the tree and gatherings with family and friends. They’re just not going to be the focal point. Russell wasn’t always this content over the holidays. “I grew up with very little,” Russell recalls. “So when I had kids, I wanted to give them everything. At Christmas, I was focused on buying the most

expensive gifts, getting to all the stores.” That changed about nine years ago when one of Russell’s dance students, a teenage girl, disappeared and became a victim of human trafficking. Russell’s outrage and concern led her to found Love Never Fails, a nonprofit committed to restoring, educating and protecting those involved or at risk of being involved in human trafficking. “It’s humbling to do the work we’re doing,” says Russell, who retired from Cisco Systems earlier this year to lead Love Never Fails full time. “Being with children who are elated at the gift of a bouncy ball, or a young woman who

is elated at the gift of a bottle of nail polish, changes you.” It becomes less about the gift and more about the act of giving and receiving. Russell and her husband, Pastor Timothy Russell, have seven children, ages 11 to 30. They don’t spend as much on gifts as they used to, and they find that their younger children seem to appreciate their gifts more than the older ones did at that age.

And that, Russell says, brings contentment. “I don’t have a guilty conscience like I used to. My kids aren’t going to have all the latest electronic devices. But this is how we’ve decided to instill in them something much greater—humility, a level of gratitude and awareness that they are not the center of the universe. They know they are loved deeply, but they also know they are not the only people important to God.” Nancy Ray, blogger and author of the Contentment Challenge, describes contentment as looking at what you have and being satisfied with it, being grateful. “Instead of looking out at all the things we could have, it’s looking in at what we have in our own hands,” Ray says. “The Lord calls us to contentment. Paul learned to be content in all circumstances—whether in a season of much or a season of little.” (Philippians 4:11–12) To help you find contentment this Christmas season, take these five steps.

1. Be IntentionalEveryone approaches gift-giving at the holidays in a different way. Whether you give extravagantly to mirror the extravagance of God’s gift of Jesus to the world, or if you focus on creating meaningful experiences or other ways of giving to others, it’s important to set your boundaries so you can make intentional decisions that fit your budget and expectations. Everywhere we turn, we see messages to buy more, do more and go more places. “Marketing today creates a false need in us,” Ray says. “I didn’t even know I needed this item, and all of a sudden I have to have it. It’s stirring up discontent in our lives.” Thrivent Financial Professional Josh Jones encourages people to be intentional about remembering what—and whom—we’re celebrating.

“Instead of looking out at all the things we could have, it's looking in at what we have in our own hands. The Lord calls us to contentment.”—NANCY RAY

THRIVENT.COM | 17

Does the thought of creating a budget, even for Christmas shopping, make you a little nervous?

Thrivent offers a workshop—Values-Based Budgeting—that can help you learn to manage

your money within a budget that reflects your values and goals. Learn more about the workshop at MoreThanMoneyMatters.com.

Or contact your Thrivent Financial professional for more information.

How to Budget Based

on Values

“Sometimes we simply need to pull back from the obligations we put on ourselves,” says Jones, of Ridgeland, Mississippi. “We have to have that party; we have to buy these gifts. We financially strap ourselves by our own expectations. It’s helpful to remember that celebrating doesn’t always mean spending. Maybe even ask yourself before you make a purchase: Will spending this amount cause financial stress and hurt my ability to celebrate the holiday?” Whatever you choose to give, Jones suggests you look at your budget before you begin shopping. “There’s simply no substitute for planning,” he says. Most effective planning starts with asking yourself probing questions such as: What can I spend this year? Where can I put the guardrails on the holiday experience, so I don’t go into debt? “Be intentional and make a plan for shopping that allows you to live within your means,” Jones says. “Come up with a set amount that you will not go over when it comes to spending.” And then turn off the media and limit trips to the store, Ray adds. “Go with a list and don’t allow yourself to be subjected to all the marketing you know will be prevalent.”

2. Seek ExperiencesFocusing on memories rather than material things helps you reach contentment, Ray says. Get the family together and brainstorm ideas of what you’d like to do. Then choose two or three experiences to do as a family. And put them on your calendar. “Commit to that before the shopping list,” she says. “The experiences can be

simple, like making hot chocolate and driving around to look at Christmas lights, or wrapping presents together for other family members.” The cost is minimal, and the experience is memorable. Ray recalls when she was little, her family read the Christmas story out of a children’s book. Each of the children had a part to play. Her dad had the flashlight to represent the star, and her mom read the story. They brought out a birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. “Looking back, I remember that’s what Christmas was all about,” she says.

3. Be GenerousOne of the greatest gifts you can give your family is to model generosity, Ray says. Her family would get the names of families in need, go shopping for gifts and then deliver them. “In one of the homes, one of the adults had never learned to read, so we gave her the Bible on cassette,” Ray says. “That was such a remarkable experience.” Jones suggests that you can be generous with your time, not just money, working at a soup kitchen or raising funds for your church or favorite nonprofit. “Look for resources available to you, such as Thrivent Action Teams. If your time and resources are tight, take a look around your house. You may have something to donate to a thrift shop. That one item could very well be the gift that someone else is looking for,” he says.PH

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Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Advent calendar as well as several 60-second holiday-themed Thrivent radio features at Thrivent.com/holidays.


You also can involve your family in making gifts for people—for your loved ones but also for others, Russell suggests. Make cards, put together gift boxes, create a basket of goodies. (See page 19 for a soup kit gift you can make together.) “Being generous and creative is some of the most fun you can have in your life,” Ray says. And using your talents generously and creatively is a great way to feel contentment.

4. Take Time for Reflection“The Bible tells us to be content at all times, but as humans, we’re not wired like that,” says Russell. “Spending time in reflection and prayer gives us a sense of peace. Being more connected to the people around us gives us a sense of humility and centering. It puts life in perspective.” And then, Russell says, we can be prepared to act: to do the budget, to be generous. “But it’s hard to do when we don’t have that peace and perspective.” Ray suggests starting a gratitude journal. “If you commit to writing down three things a day for a month,

it can open your eyes to all the things around you that you take for granted.”

5. Look AheadIt’s also important to think about what you want life to look like after Christmas, Ray says. “You don’t want Christmas following you around with lots of debt in January and February. Nor do you want to add clutter to your house with items you don’t need.” Create wish lists and make sure

they’re the items you really want. Also, consider creating next year’s “ideal” Christmas right after Jan. 1. “Reflect on what you spent your time and money on and put together a plan for Christmas 2020 that may include traditions, monthly budgets or experiences you’d like to have,” Jones says. We often think that for Christmas to be special, it has to be extravagant, Rays says. “Yet we often remember only a handful of the gifts we got as children. It’s the family memories and the traditions that mean the most.” Christmas is about the best gift—Jesus—and the hope he brings to the world, Ray concludes. “It doesn’t matter what you have, what you’re lacking or the season of life you’re in, you always can find Jesus.” ◾

Donna Hein is editor of Thrivent magazine.

“Being more connected to the people around us gives us a

sense of humility and centering. It puts life in perspective.”

—VANESSA RUSSELL

&

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Mixed Bean and Barley Soup MixServes 6

§Ingredients¹⁄³ cup dried red kidney beans¹⁄³ cup barley¹⁄³ cup green split peas ¼ cup red lentils¼ cup dried black beans¹⁄³ cup dried cannellini or Great Northern beans¼ cup green or brown lentils1 bay leaf2 Tbsp. dried onion flakes1 Tbsp. granulated vegetable or chicken bouillon1 Tbsp. parsley flakes2 tsp. Italian seasoning1 tsp. garlic powder

§DirectionsIn a 1-pint jar, layer red kidney beans, barley, green split peas, red lentils, black beans, cannellini beans and lentils. Place bay leaf against side of jar. In a small plastic bag, place onion flakes, bouillon, parsley flakes, Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Seal bag and place on top of layered ingredients in the jar. Close lid and label if desired.

To prepare soup: Empty jar and bag contents into a large soup pot. Add 13 cups of water. Bring mixture to boil; reduce heat to simmer. Cook covered 1¾ to 2¼ hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender. Add more water if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

&Make It Your Own!

Chopped carrots, celery or a can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes can be added to the soup after beans are tender during last 15 minutes of cooking, if desired.

The best gifts are homemade—and edible! Gather in the kitchen with family and friends for an afternoon of assembling food gifts, such as a soup mix. With a few simple steps, you can make a “batch” of presents for everyone on your list. Remember to include the directions for preparing the soup with your gift.

Recipe by Karen Linden Photo by Terry Brennan

Made With Love


THRIVENT.COM | 21

here’s plenty to think about financially at the start of a new year, especially as you strive to put your

values and commitment to making wise financial decisions into practical action. Maybe you want to save more, contribute more to charities, put more money into retirement or make a new budget. Here are several strategies that may help you in the process.

RE-EVALUATE YOUR RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS Looking at your retirement accounts is vital to keeping your retirement strategy on track. If you believe that when you retire you’ll be in a lower tax bracket than you are today,

you should consider a traditional IRA, says Ron Lutes, Product and Advice Sales for Thrivent. “If not, then a Roth makes more sense.” The main differences between them: A traditional IRA typically is funded with pre-tax dollars and is taxed when you begin withdrawals. A Roth, on the other hand, is funded with after-tax dollars and is not taxed again when the money is taken as a “qualified distribution.”1

An often-overlooked option, adds Tom Hussian, also in Product and Advice Sales for Thrivent, is a spousal IRA contribution for a non-working spouse. If one person is still working and the other is retired, you may be able to make a traditional or Roth

IRA contribution on your own behalf as well as on your spouse’s behalf. It’s a good way of saving money for retirement and lowering your tax bill.

TAKE A NEW APPROACH TO BUDGETING Betsy Whisler, senior vice president of consumer banking at Thrivent Federal Credit Union, suggests shifting how you organize your money in order to help shift your mindset and see the bigger picture about your budget. “We all know the basics: Spend less than you make; pay down debt; have both short- and long-term financial goals; and make sure to pay yourself,” she says. However, Whisler says there is another tactic to employ by using

NEW YEAR, NEW STRATEGIESBy Stacey Freed • Illustration by Alessandro Gottardo

T

Hello, 2020! Work toward your financial goals with these smart money moves.


the banking system to simplify your money plan. “By directing your monthly income into one account to pay for your commitments–your bills, debts, savings goals and giving commitments–and keeping a separate account to use for your spending money, you can minimize your daily decision making by just having one account balance to keep in mind.” This also allows you to take a step back and look at a summary of annual or semi-annual expenses and get a sense of your annual commitments, and not just your monthly budget. As you monitor your own spending behavior over time, you can change your mindset from budget management to wealth management and understand your overall bigger financial picture. For example, she says, if you spend $5 on coffee every day, at the end of the year, that’s $1,825; in five years, that’s $9,125. “You may be able to adjust your habits and save money, and it also may contribute to having a better-informed budget and healthy relationship with money. Instead of feeling like money is slipping through your fingers, you’re better able to keep track of it.”

USE IRAS AND MUTUAL FUNDS TO MAKE CHARITABLE GIFTSIf you want to increase your charitable giving, there are ways to do so that also can benefit your bottom line.

HOW THRIVENT CAN HELPThrivent has many resources to help you with your 2020 financial goals. Here are a few to get your started:

Talk to a Thrivent Financial ProfessionalThey can help you create a financial strategy that’s best for your situation. While Thrivent does not provide specific legal or tax advice, we can partner with you and your tax professional or attorney.

Use the What-If CalculatorCheck out Thrivent’s What-If calculator with your Thrivent Financial professional. The proprietary software takes your income from a previous year and demonstrates what may have happened with your taxes if you were to have done X, such as donating to charity $20,000 from your IRA Mutual Fund via a Qualified Charitable Distribution, converting a traditional IRA into a Roth or taking a distribution out of your IRA to fund a new legacy strategy.

Attend or Lead a Thrivent WorkshopDo One Thing Different is a Thrivent workshop that teaches how you can improve your financial life, whether you want to start simply or take a big first step. Get more information about how you can attend or lead this and many other workshops Thrivent offers at MoreThanMoneyMatters.com.

Check out Thrivent Federal Credit UnionGet information on services and programs that can help you take a new approach to budgeting and take charge of your savings. Visit Thriventcu.com.

¡QCD: If you’re 70½ or older, you can direct up to $100,000 from your IRA to charity with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), and the distribution counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year. As long as the money goes directly to a charitable organization without making a pit stop in your bank account, it won’t be recognized as taxable income. People in this age group can create a QCD from an inherited IRA, too.¡Mutual funds: Another way to boost

charitable giving, at any age, is through mutual funds. Let’s say one of your mutual funds is doing well and has appreciated in value. “You can gift some or all of that fund to charity and get a tax deduction for doing so,” Hussian says.

LOOK AT DEPRECIATED MUTUAL FUNDSUse the loss from a poorly performing non-qualified mutual fund to offset the gain from one that’s doing well, says Hussian. For example, if you have a mutual fund that’s lost $2,000 from the original purchase price and another that’s up $2,000 from its original price, you can sell both funds back for their current value. “The $2,000 loss is effectively offset by the gains, and you don’t have to pay capital gains tax,” he says. This gives you options. You can re-invest the money in a new fund, or you could do something different with it: Use it to pay your mortgage or purchase life insurance, for example.

THRIVENT.COM | 23

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR SAVINGSSetting up multiple savings accounts can help you divvy up money for particular goals. Perhaps you’re saving for a wedding, a vacation, a child’s education or your emergency fund. Some goals can be fast-tracked over others by using targeted savings accounts. Rather than lumping your savings into one account, dividing up the money can help you see how much you are putting toward each goal. Direct deposit is a convenient way to send funds to your bank account. If your employer is already paying you electronically, ask if it’s possible to split your payment. Have a portion deposited into your checking account for immediate needs and a portion deposited into your savings account, or even sent directly to a creditor to pay a bill. “Another way to automate your savings plan is to set up regular transfers from checking into savings,” says Whisler. “Using your online banking website or mobile banking app, you can schedule an amount of money to be transferred each month or even each week. This allows you to set it and forget it.” ◾

Stacey Freed is a freelance writer in Pittsford, New York.

Rather than lumping your savings into one account, dividing up the money can help you see how much

you are putting toward each goal.

FIVE FINANCIAL TO-DOSPut these tasks on your January 2020 calendar so you don’t forget about them.

l Look over your will. Check it to make sure that it still accurately reflects your wishes. You might need to make changes due to recent life events.

l Update beneficiaries. In addition to doing this after big life events, such as a marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, or death, it’s a good idea to review your beneficiaries each year.

l Check credit reports. At least once a year, make sure your personal and financial information is accurate.

l Review insurance coverage. Insurance only can do its job if everything is up to date. Ensure your strategy still works for your life stage.

l Change passwords. Though it may be a tedious task, change your passwords regularly to help prevent your information from being stolen by computer hackers or compromised by viruses.

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1A Roth IRA distribution is considered a “qualified distribution” when the first contribution or conversion to a Roth IRA occurred at least five years prior and one of these conditions is met: The individual is at least 59½ years old, the person is disabled, the person is a first-time home buyer ($10,000 limit) or the payment is to a beneficiary. Withdrawals made prior to the age of 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent federal tax penalty.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The product and summary prospectus contains information on investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Read carefully before investing. Available at Thrivent.com.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Concepts in this article are intended for educational purposes only. This information should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or product.

THRIVENT IS THE MARKETING NAME FOR THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS. Insurance products issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Deposit and lending services are offered by Thrivent Federal Credit Union, a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative that is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and doing business in accordance with the Federal Fair Lending Laws. Insurance, securities, investment advisory and

trust and investment management accounts and services offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, or its affiliates are not deposits or obligations of Thrivent Federal Credit Union, are not guaranteed by Thrivent Federal Credit Union or any bank, are not insured by the NCUA, FDIC or any other federal government agency, and involve investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.


“we’re planning to retire by age 50,” says Rebecca Jackson, 40, from Fort Collins, Colorado. “But it’s not that we wouldn’t work; we just might not do the same thing.” Rebecca and her husband, Greg Feldpausch, 39, are both doctors. She’s a geriatric physician, and he works in adult medicine at Northern Colorado Hospitalists after spending the first season of his career in the Air Force. As they juggle work and raising their two boys, Clayton, 4, and Jackson, 7, they’re also looking to the future. The end goal for them is to be able to fully walk away from their jobs and be retired for life. How will they do that? They’ve created a strategy to pay down their student loan debt and save for the future. Clint Jasperson, their brother-in-law (married to Rebecca's

A New View of RetirementHow two couples reflect a growing movement

to see retirement not as an end but as a transition. By Jeff Haanen • Photos by Erin Lassahn

THRIVENT.COM | 25

Greg Feldpausch and Rebecca Jackson prioritize spending time with their two sons.


How Thrivent Can HelpThrivent offers workshops that you, others or a financial professional can lead to help you create a strategy for retirement:

Finding Ways to Save: Tips and tactics on ways to increase income, reduce expenses and recognize spending leaks.

5 Keys to Retiring FearlesslyDiscover five keys to unlocking a retirement where you can have more confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. (Led by a Thrivent Financial professional.)

Learn more about the workshops at MoreThanMoneyMatters.com. Or contact your Thrivent Financial professional to discuss your specific situation.

sister) and a Thrivent Financial professional in Timnath, Colorado, has helped them. “They’re very, very committed to paying off their debt,” says Jasperson. “So many people end up in what feels like indentured servitude by having ‘lifestyle creep,’ by buying a larger house or car than they need. But Becca and Greg have their priorities straight.” Even though both now make good salaries, Rebecca and Greg essentially live on one salary, as they are aggressively paying off loans and cars, and are saving for their children’s college education. Jasperson has been a crucial guide in Rebecca and Greg’s financial journey, helping them use their finances to live out their faith. “If we believe everything we have is a gift, then that puts us into a position of stewardship,” Jasperson says. Their view of retirement reflects a growing movement to see retirement not as an end but as a

transition. They’re looking forward to retirement giving them more flexibility when it comes to their family and pursuing other passions. “There’s a high burnout rate in medicine,” says Rebecca, explaining why they want to retire early. “And we’d just like to have options. Time with our family is really a priority.” They’ve also considered retiring in Oregon, and Greg has thought about spending more time working with his hands—possibly learning a new trade. Jasperson helps Thrivent members save and plan for the future, especially for unexpected circumstances like a death in the family. But he doesn’t believe most people “want to just sit there and idly twiddle their thumbs all day. Retirement is really about transitioning to your next calling. You’ve got to find that next calling.” Retirement is not always about a complete cessation from work, but often a new season of service that’s enabled by being wise with money.

Planning to Retire—But Not Completely “I don’t know that we’ll ever actually retire,” says Mike Fornataro, executive director of Buckeye Lake Region Corporation in Buckeye Lake, Ohio. “But because of investing, we’re now in a position to do things we’d like to do rather than chase the dollar.” Mike, 60, and his wife, Ann, 56, didn’t start investing until their late 40s, when they met Thrivent Financial Professional Jeff Ritter from Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Ann is a senior IT training consultant for Genesis Healthcare Systems. “Our time frame was shorter,” Mike says, “but we’ve been fortunate. Jeff gauged our comfort level, and we now have stable growth.”1

Ritter helped the Fornataros fast-track their retirement savings. “I share the five principles to live by with my clients,” he says. “Spend less than you make, have a short- and long-term strategy, be wise with debt, protect

What Not to Do What to Do

Assume more is always better Define your “enough,” avoid “lifestyle creep”

Spend more than you make Spend less than you make

Be unclear about your giving Make a giving goal with your family

View retirement as a never-ending vacation

Define the right combination of family, volunteering, leisure or a new line of

work in retirement

Accumulate debt Pay off debt

Ignore a budget Make and keep a budget that reflects your values

Have no written planWork with a Thrivent Financial

professional on a short-term and long-term financial strategy

Financial Wisdom for Retirement

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yourselves against setbacks and give back.” In setting and achieving goals, it’s important to understand that you might need to make some trade-offs as you consider your needs and wants. Ritter also coached the Fornataros to make a clear budget and ask questions about the values they tie to money. “Are you tracking—literally—the money you’ve spent in the last 90 days. Do you write it down?” he asks them. “And when I first meet a couple, I ask, ‘How were you raised with money? How did your parents define success?’” Clarity on inherited values about money can help explain why budgets either work well for people or are ignored. He also uses one of several money models when he counsels clients to make a 10-10-80 plan: Save 10%, give 10% and spend 80%.

Starting the ConversationPreparing for retirement requires more than saving and investing. It brings up new questions about your calling, work, family and community involvement. Have you prepared for the non-financial aspects of retirement?

Here are some questions to consider and discuss with your financial professional:

¡What do you believe God is calling you to do in retirement?

¡Who are some people you know who’ve lived well in retirement?

¡Have you considered taking some time off after you retire to reconsider your calling in this new season of life? What might that look like?

¡What would your 90-year-old self say about the decisions you’re making today?

¡What unique skills, networks, platforms or talents do you have that you’d like to keep using in retirement? Which new skills would you like to learn?

¡How do you think about work in retirement? What will be different from your career? What will be similar?

¡Do you want to mentor younger people in your congregation or community? What might this look like?

¡What will be your financial responsibility for ailing parents as they age, or adult children?

¡Have you talked about retirement with your spouse?

¡What fears do you have about retirement that need to be confronted?

Mike and Ann Fornataro fast-tracked their retirement savings with the help of their Thrivent Financial professional.

“When I first met Mike and Ann,” Ritter remembers, “they didn’t have a retirement strategy.” So they developed a clear financial roadmap for retirement. The Fornataros have adopted new habits of saving and investing, but like Rebecca and Greg, they don’t envision completely retiring. “Hopefully we’ll be able to work at lower-stress jobs because we have a cushion. It’s not the traditional, ‘I’m done. I’m out,’ type of retirement,” says Mike. “[We want] the freedom to choose what we do for a living that may not be as lucrative but is more fulfilling. That’s our view of retirement.” PH

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1Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

2Glenn Kessler, “Do 10,000 baby boomers retire every day?” Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2014

The members’ experiences may not be the same as other members and does not indicate future performance or success.

Jeff Haanen and the Denver Institute for Faith & Work are not affiliated with or endorsed by Thrivent or its affiliates.

THRIVENT IS THE MARKETING NAME FOR THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS. Insurance products issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

According to the Wall Street Journal, an estimated 10,000 baby boomers retire per day in the U.S.2 Yet couples like Mike and Ann are questioning that idea of retirement as a complete cessation from work. Mike says, “I hope to continue working in a capacity similar to what I’m doing now. A job with real community benefit.” “What I see going forward,” says Ritter, “is how we can help people get repositioned in retirement to still give back. Maybe it’s volunteering or doing a hybrid retirement, working part time, either for pay or not for pay. What I work through with clients is, ‘What does your picture of retirement look like? Paint it for me so you, your spouse and I are on the same page.’ “I ask people, ‘Have you and your spouse sat down and talked about what you both want to accomplish for retirement? What is your game plan? What are you going to be doing? Is it travel? Write a book? Are you going to work part-time? What are you going to do for yourself, and what are you going to do for others?’” Finances are just one piece of a

fruitful retirement. Ritter guides Thrivent members to think through the stewardship not just of their wealth, but the entirety of their lives as a gift from God.

Prioritizing What’s Important“Time with family. That really is the priority,” says Rebecca about both her present and future plans. That philosophy was inspired by the early death of her father. “My dad worked really hard, retired early and then passed away two years later, at age 65.” In working with older patients, Rebecca is constantly reminded by the fragility of life and how unexpected events can drastically change our lives. So she takes off Mondays to take her children to swim practice. Greg recently opted for fewer shifts at the hospital. They enjoy family vacations in Michigan, Colorado and Oregon. They’re living not just for the future, but they recognize each day as a gift. They imagine that one day they’ll perhaps have a saner balance of work and rest. “I don’t know if we’d completely retire. We may one day

work at a nursery or take up a trade. But we want to be able to spend time together. That’s our hope.” ◾

Jeff Haanen is the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God’s Purpose for the Next Season of Life and the executive director of Denver Institute for Faith & Work.

Rebecca and Greg taking in the view at

Horsetooth Reservoir in Colorado.

THRIVENT.COM | 29

S amaritan’s Feet and Thrivent have partnered to provide athletic shoes to kids in need. Having good shoes not only keeps children’s feet healthy, but it

helps them be confident and engaged, according to Samaritan’s Feet. In a yearlong program that started in June, Thrivent members have already donated 1,731* pairs of shoes and $7,695* in monetary support. Some of the shoes were distributed in September at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota (see photos), where volunteers washed children’s feet and then fit them with shoes. The event was organized by the Thrivent Member Network—Northland Region. Learn more about how you can help by contacting your Thrivent Financial professional or going to Thrivent.com/samaritans-feet. * Through Sept. 30, 2019

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What’s HappeningAT THRIVENT

Thrivent volunteers partnered with

Samaritan’s Feet to fit children with

new shoes.


What's Happening at Thrivent

S tarting in 2020, you can log onto your com-

puter or other device for a national Thrivent webinar featuring a different financial topic each month. Planned webinars for the first quarter include:¡ Jan. 9: Swipe2Save: Saving

Money in a Cash-free Age¡Feb. 6: Economic Update¡March 5: Identity Theft—

What You Need to Know

There is no cost to attend and no products will be sold. You’re welcome to invite family and friends to join you. To sign up for events hosted locally, go to Thrivent.com/TMN and click on your region on the map. You’ll be taken to your Thrivent Member Network page. Upcoming events are listed on the home page or you can click the Events tab to learn more.

THRIVENT RADIO FEATURE HITS THE AIRWAVES

Stations across the country are playing the messages

A t Thrivent, we want to inspire our members to think differently

about money—to think of it as a tool, not a goal. To thoughtfully consider all the ways money affects your life. Our hope is that you’ll find your finances are more closely aligned with your faith and values. To help further this mission, Thrivent recently launched a new daily 60-second radio feature. Airing on radio stations across the U.S., the “Be Wise and Thrive” program is dif-ferent from an advertisement. Instead of selling a product or service, these features educate and inspire listeners who are seeking financial wisdom from a faith perspective. And the topic is new each day. “Thrivent is in a unique position to talk about wise with money topics in the context of Christian stewardship,” says Callie Briese, director of External Affairs at Thrivent and the voice of

the radio spots. “And we know that people who listen to Christian radio stations are interested in being wise stewards of all God has given them.” “We use everyday experiences to make the topics engaging and fun, whether it’s stewardship or financial guidance,” Briese says. Currently, about 160 radio stations are airing the feature. “The stations value these spots because the content is lighthearted and inspirational, which is what their listeners want to hear,” Briese says. ◾

Listen up!Want to hear a sample? Check out

Thrivent.com/radio to listen to a few radio features. If you like what you hear,

let your local Christian radio station know about these spots.

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What's Happening at Thrivent

WATCH FOR YOUR 2019 TAX STATEMENTS

N ot long after the New Year celebrations end, you’ll need to start gathering documents for tax returns. Here’s when you can expect tax statements from Thrivent:

�All annuity and insurance tax statements, and most mutual fund statements, will be mailed to members by Jan. 31, 2020. Please allow five to seven business days for them to arrive.�Typically, statements for mutual funds with holdings in real estate investment trusts (REITs) are

delivered to members in late February.�Tax statements for most brokerage accounts will be available online by mid-February. To access

them, go to Thrivent.com, log in and select an account. On the next screen, in Wealthscape Investor, select “accounts” in the upper left. Then select an account and click on the Documents tab. Statements will be mailed unless you have previously selected eDelivery.

R andy Boushek, senior vice president, chief financial

officer (CFO) and treasurer at Thrivent, plans to retire in 2020 after a 39-year career with the organization. Boushek’s retirement will be effective mid-2020, and until that time he will serve as special advisor to Thrivent President and CEO Teresa Rasmussen. “Thrivent has benefitted from Randy’s leadership, diligence and steadfast dedication to managing Thrivent’s finances to serve the needs of our membership,” Rasmussen says. “Thrivent’s financial strength and stability are a testament to Randy’s skill, integrity and stewardship. Boushek joined Thrivent’s predecessor organization Lutheran Brotherhood in 1981 as an actuary. He was named senior vice president and chief investment officer in 1999. He was named treasurer in 2002 and CFO in 2004. Among his accomplishments: ¡ Boushek co-led the financial integration of Aid

Association for Lutherans and Lutheran Brotherhood, which merged in 2002 to form Thrivent.

¡ His thoughtful stewardship enabled Thrivent to success-fully weather the global financial crisis of 2008.

¡ Under Boushek’s leadership, at the end of 2018, Thrivent held a record-high $10.7 billion in total adjusted surplus and $134 billion in assets under man-agement and advisement. (As of Dec. 31, 2018)

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER RANDY BOUSHEK PLANS

TO RETIRE

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VIBHU SHARMA JOINS THRIVENT AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

V ibhu Sharma succeeds Randy

Boushek as senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Sharma joined Thrivent in September after most recently serving as executive vice president, CFO and treasurer at Mutual of Omaha. “We’re fortunate to have found in Vibhu a successor who possesses the knowledge, skills and leadership experience that will enable us to build on Randy’s legacy to transform our business model to better serve our members today and attract a new generation of members tomorrow,” says Thrivent President and CEO Teresa Rasmussen. Sharma joined Mutual of Omaha in 2017. Prior to that, he spent eight years with Zurich Insurance Group, where he served in multiple global leadership roles. Before join-ing Zurich, Sharma worked for reinsurance firm Collins Associates, where he served as CFO and chief operating officer. At the beginning of his career, Sharma spent 17 years in public accounting at KPMG in Minneapolis, Dallas and Kansas City. He rose to partner while serving insurance companies in the U.S. and globally. Sharma and his wife, Julia, live in Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota. They have three adult children: Adrienne, Hayley and Hayden.


Just for Fun

THE THREE WISE MENThey followed a star to visit baby Jesus in Bethlehem and brought

gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Color them below.

WINTER WORD SEARCH

Read the words in the list below, then find and circle them in the puzzle. They could

be diagonal and backward, too!

SZGCKSCHLM

NHNSUALCLO

ELIBOMWONS

TSDUATDGIU

TNDVBSNAGA

IOETLIMTJO

MWLXIRMNJO

RRSKBHCAGU

ZRSPRCASYM

FTFLFUDJDH

MITTENSCHRISTMASSLEDDING

SNOW

SKIINGSNOWMOBILE

SANTACLAUS

What does Christmas mean to you?

Write or draw below.

Reflecting

ILLU

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BY S

HUTT

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OCK

THRIVENT.COM

It takes courage to take action and achieve your goals. What goals are

you working toward in your life?

BEFORE YOU GO

PHOT

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AGES

/IM

AGE

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4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919-0001

Winter 2019 | Volume 117 | No. 693 | 21839 R11-19

Connect With UsWe want to hear from you!

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facebook.com/thrivent800-847-4836

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Thrivent Magazine 4321 N. Ballard RoadAppleton, WI 54919-0001

[email protected]

THRIVENT MAGAZINE THRIVENT

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ThriventMagazine

“I’M PART OF A TEAM THAT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.”

Be Part of Our StoryIf you have a heart for service and a passion for helping Christians make values-based financial decisions, we invite you to grow with us as a Thrivent Financial advisor.

We’ll provide the compensation, benefits and support you’ll need to succeed in a meaningful career.

Learn more about this opportunity at ThriventFinancial.com/MeaningfulCareer.

34935 N10-19

— Jennifer Miller Thrivent Financial Professional

Know someone with the qualities to be a great Thrivent Financial advisor? Refer them today!

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