Liz Hall
Marketing, Specialist
The Hall family loves spending time at Lake Powell! Thom and I went on a trip there with single friends before we got married, and it has been part of our lives ever since.
Lake Powell is a beautiful reservoir that has provided more than 30 special trips for our family and friends. Over the years, we have been part of a co-op on three different houseboats, giving us at least one week each year, and sometimes more, to take the boat up the lake and find the perfect spot to play and relax.
For many years, there were little kids running around with chins rubbed raw from life jackets that had to be worn all day, red cheeks from the sun, and big smiles (usually) from all the fun. Now we let them manage their own life jackets, but the red cheeks and smiles are still the same.
This past week, we had the opportunity to take a “couples trip” with three other couples who are close friends. Since it was early enough in the year that the kids were still in school, we wondered if the weather might be questionable, but we decided to give it a try.
In the end, it was one of the best weeks we have ever spent at Lake Powell. I’m not exactly sure what made it so perfect, but part of the beauty may have been sharing the responsibilities of food and work with seven other responsible adults and never having to remind anyone to pick up their towels or clean up their crumbs.
Maybe it was the great conversations and laughing so hard your stomach ached. It could have been the perfect temperatures in the 80s and low 90s, hardly seeing another boat on the perfectly still water, or watching a Red-tailed Hawk soar along the tops of the cliffs.
Whatever it was that made the week so perfect, it was one to remember.
“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
— Mark Twain
Father’s Day is June 21st!
Happy Father’s Day to all our dads out there. Here are some of the things our team said about our own fathers:
“Something I love about my dad is his focus on goals and role models.—these are essential for growth. I also learned generosity and facing fears from working to fill the shoes of my dear dad.”
“My dad loves a good laugh and has a decent sense of humor. It helped our family develop a love of wit and light-hearted banter.”
“I love talking sports with my Dad. We talk in person, over text, and sometimes Marco Polo. We know about the same things and keep tabs on the same sports, so it’s easy and fun to share that common interest.”
“When the seven children in our family were little, we would visit the home my dad grew up in, in Star Valley, Wyoming. He spent hours walking a favorite horse from his teen years, Foursquare, while letting all the kids have a turn riding on its back.”
“I have never heard or witnessed my dad become angry. He is a gentle giant. Standing at 6’4” with a broad frame and a railroad beard, most would be intimated by him upon sight. But with a kind smile and a friendly hello, he puts whoever he is interacting with at ease.”
And the Winner is…
Our own Emeri Gibson won an award in her Personal Financial Planning program last month!
Here is what some of her advisors and fellow students said about her:
“This award is given to Emeri Gibson for her desire to help women achieve financial success. She sets a powerful example to women within the workforce and shows desire to achieve excellence in financial planning.”
“She is the most supportive and kind woman I’ve ever met. She represents the program so well and paves the way for women to grow.”
“She embodies how great women can be for the financial planning profession.”
“She listens and understands those she meets. She is kind and caring. She is amazing!”
“She is such a great example to me of taking initiative and getting involved!”
“I don’t think an explanation is needed for this. She hits all of these 10 times over.”
We could not agree more. She is amazing—congrats, Emeri!
Landon DeCoursey
Associate Wealth Advisor
Healthy Harvey Learns About His HSA
Harvey had always been pretty healthy. Outside of routine check-ups and the occasional sports injury from weekend hikes with his family, he rarely needed medical care.
During open enrollment, Harvey noticed his employer offered a high-deductible health plan paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). After reviewing the details with his advisor, he realized an HSA could be more than just a way to pay medical bills. It could also become a helpful long-term savings tool.
Because Harvey and his family generally did not have frequent medical expenses, the HSA seemed like a good fit. He liked that the account offered tax advantages, stayed with him if he changed jobs, and allowed unused funds to continue growing year after year.
Harvey also learned there were a few important things to consider before opening an HSA:
- Do you qualify for an HSA?
- Can you comfortably handle the higher deductible if a medical emergency happens?
- Do you have enough cash flow or savings outside the HSA for current medical costs?
- Are you keeping receipts and good records?
With a little planning, Healthy Harvey felt more confident that an HSA could help him prepare for future healthcare expenses while also fitting into his broader financial plan.
For more details about HSAs, contribution limits, qualifications, and common mistakes to avoid, click on the link below.
