Laural Jeppson
Director, Operations
Family Auction Equals Family Fun
Every August our immediate family and some extended relatives spend a week in McCall Idaho on Payette Lake. It is our favorite place, and we really plan around it, including how to pay for such a trip.
Years ago, the previous generation began the tradition of having a family auction to help support the big family vacation. The idea is that those who can bring items or services to “auction” off at the event, do so. Then on the night of the big event, those who can afford to spend might go crazy, while others who are counting pennies more carefully, spend what they can. All the money goes into the family fund, monitored by an accountant. Most of this money is then put towards next year’s vacation to McCall. It’s a way to slide the scale of expenses so that those who can afford voluntarily spend more than those who need to be frugal. My family has spent time at both ends of this spectrum.
Some of the items auctioned are homemade crafts, pottery, or food, family heirlooms and keepsakes, and services like legal aid or time-shares. But the big event every auction is when the quilts come out.
These amazing works of art represent hours & hours of skill and love. Knowing that our mother or grandmother made the quilt makes them extremely valuable, but their beauty is not based solely on the family connection. These quilts literally are stunners. Every year I study all the options and some years I have jumped in on bidding. Eventually someone spends hundreds or even thousands of dollars to be able to take home a handmade treasure… and the money goes towards helping everyone attend family reunion.
Talk to me in 3 weeks to see if I score another family keepsake in the making.
“A family stitched together with love, seldom unravels.“
— A short blessing
A Wonderful Morning at our Women’s Event
our recent Women’s Wealth & Wellness event was a tremendous success! we were delighted to bring together women of all ages for a morning focused on a few this that deserved care.
The morning began with a light, healthy brunch, followed by simple stretches that served as a reminder that caring for our bodies is just as important as caring for our wealth. Both require intention, planning, and consistent attention.
Thom Hall, Managing Parter, Wealth Advisor then shared insights on the “Great Wealth Transfer” and the growing role women play in making financial decisions for their households. We also welcomed two outstanding guest speakers, a tax specialist and an estate planning attorney who provided valuable guidance on navigating taxes, protecting loved ones and yourself, and planning for the future.
The feedback was positive, and we’re excited to make Women’s Wealth & Wellness an annual tradition. As you look ahead to next year, start thinking about the women in your life—a daughter, sister, or neighbor—who would benefit from this empowerment event. We’d love to have them join us!
Matt Johnson
Wealth Advisor
Every Great Surfer Starts Here
When MJ (Matt Johnson, Wealth Advisor) first decided to learn to surf, he imagined himself effortlessly gliding across the top of a perfect wave. The reality was a little different.
The first few attempts were mostly spend tumbling into the water, swallowing a little too much saltwater, and wondering how something that looked so graceful could feel so chaotic. Every wave seemed different. Some were small and manageable. Others arrived unexpectedly, knocking him off balance before he even had a chance to stand.
Frustrated, MJ asked his instructor what he was doing wrong.
“You keep trying to control the ocean,” the instructor smiled. “You can’t. You learn to read the conditions, stay balanced, and ride the wave that’s in front of you.”
That advice changed everything.
Instead of fearing every larger swell, MJ learned to respect it. He discovered that successful surfers don’t paddle back to shore every time the water gets rough. They stay patient, adjust to changing conditions, and trust the skills they’ve developed over time.
Investing often works the same way.
The economic landscape is constantly changing. Some days the water is calm, while other days headlines about inflation, interest rates, or geopolitical events can make the markets feel much rougher. Yet history has shown that investors who remain disciplined, diversified, and focused on the long term are often the ones who reach the shore.
As we head into the second half of the year, the waves are still rolling. The economy continues to grow, businesses continue to innovate, and opportunities remain. While the conditions may require a little more attention than they did earlier in the year, the principles of successful investing haven’t changed.
In this edition of our Market Outlook, we’ll explore why we believe the best approach is much like MJ discovered in the surf: stay balanced, stay patient, and keep riding the way.
Click the link below to read the full Midyear Outlook “Riding the Wave”.
