What's in store for you:

1. Photo From My Life
2. Financial Thought: Ask the Tax Question
3. Life Thought: Happiness is Best Shared With Others
4. Good Sh*t: Mediterranean Feta Meatballs

Photo From My Life:

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Working Together

As I build my boutique wealth management firm, I'm looking to partner with the right people and families. If you've ever wondered whether it might be a fit, or you just want a second opinion on your current setup, feel free to reach out. Always happy to talk.

Just reply to this email.

Financial Thought:

Ask the Tax Question: I've got a pretty obvious/boring one for you this week. But, my guess is that very few people actually do this so I figured I'd still share.

Almost every financial decision you make has a tax consequence. Most people think about taxes exactly once a year. They talk with their CPA, sign some documents, feel a bit of pain, and move on. Out of sight, out of mind.

We can be better. Before any meaningful money decision, ask yourself one question:

What's the tax implication of this?

You don't need to become a tax expert. You just need to build the reflex of asking. That single habit, applied consistently, will save you real money over your lifetime.

Just a few examples where this could come up:

1. Selling investments
2. Job offers and equity comp
3. Retirement contribution timing
4. Charitable giving
5. Education funding
6. Timing of income as a business owner
7. Selling a business
8. Residence

I believe the goal in life isn't to optimize every decision or organize your life around tax efficiency. We just need to be cognizant of the tax impact so we can make thoughtful decisions.

As my mom says, "ATFQ." Ask the f*cking question.

Life Thought:

Happiness is Best Shared With Others: As a warning, this is a piece where I'm writing about golf. But, to be VERY clear, this isn't about golf. Don't be turned off if you absolutely hate golf.

The Fitzpatrick brothers won the Zurich Classic this weekend. Quick context on the format. The Zurich is the only team event on the PGA Tour. You enter as a pair and rotate formats all week. Unlike most golf tournaments, you're not just playing your own game. You're relying on your partner.

Matt Fitzpatrick is a top 5 player in the world. He's already a major champion. But, this win may have been more important.

Their first place finish pushed his brother Alex over the line for full PGA Tour status. Alex went from chasing starts in the European tour to a guaranteed seat at the highest level of professional golf.

Probably fair to say that this win changed his life. And Matt is the reason it happened.

I have to think that feels better than a regular win. Helping your brother earn a ticket he's been chasing his whole career is the kind of thing you only get to do once. I'm guessing you can't replicate that feeling.

Christopher McCandless is famous for writing "happiness is only real when shared" in the final days before he died alone in the Alaskan wilderness. This quote has always made me a bit depressed, but I know it's true.

One of the most rewarding experiences of my life was building and eventually selling WeHero. The best part of that whole experience? Doing it with Ben. We worked hard for years together before having a great outcome.

But the part I think about now isn't the outcome. It's everything before the outcome. The good times. The bad times. The random Tuesday calls trying to figure out what we were even doing.

I'm sure I would have been proud if I'd built and sold something on my own. But I don't think it would feel anything close to what that experience felt like with Ben.

I'm not saying you can't do big things alone. People do it all the time. But doing them next to someone is more rewarding.

Good Sh*t:

Mediterranean Feta Meatballs: We like Mediterranean food and one of our friends Becca, has an incredible recipe for Mediterranean feta meatballs. Highly recommend making them and pairing them with rice, hummus, roasted veggies, and some tzatziki.

Buen Appetit!

Disclaimer: VDB Wealth is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

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