What's in store for you:

1. Photo From My Life
2. Financial Thought: Excess Cash Flow
3. Life Thought: Make Every Day Count
4. Good Sh*t: Bring the Neighborhood Together

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Photo From My Life:

Financial Thought:

Excess Cash Flow: I’m currently working with a family who, frankly, I’m a little jealous of. Both parents have stable jobs with pensions (yes, actual pensions still exist). On top of that, they’ve built two successful businesses on the side which are now distributing meaningful cash flow. A great problem to have.

The question we’re now working through: What should they do with that excess cash?

While there are plenty of tax-specific conversations happening in the background, I’ve found it helpful to zoom out and frame the conversation around the big picture. Here are the five main paths we’re discussing (spoiler: the “right” answer will likely be a blend of all five):

1. Expand Lifestyle: Many people hesitate here, feeling like spending more is somehow wrong. But money, when spent intentionally, can dramatically improve life. In their case, with growing kids, maybe that means more vacations together or experiences that create lifelong memories.
2. Donate More: Can the capital be used to support causes they're passionate about?
3. Reinvest in Existing Businesses: Does putting cash back into their current businesses offer meaningful ROI? Importantly, are they comfortable having more of their wealth tied up in illiquid assets?
4. Start or Buy Another Business: Given their entrepreneurial track record, should they start something new? I've found local entrepreneurs can more easily replicate their success than folks who specialize in global, more competitive businesses.
5. Invest in Liquid Securities: Maybe the best move is investing excess cash into diversified, liquid investments (stocks, bonds, etc). Potentially lower returns than investing in their business, but a lot more liquid. It's a heck of a lot easier too.

A lot of financial decisions seem tactical on the surface, but when you step back, they’re about life priorities. That’s the fun part of this work.

Life Thought:

Make Every Day Count: I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of not wasting your life. My dad passed away at 50. Too young. But when I look back at his life, I’m always struck by how much he did in those 50 years. The impact he made on our family, the lessons he taught, the ripples he left behind.

I’m not saying you should live every day assuming you’re going to die young. That’s not a healthy way to think. But I’ve found that if you can channel a little of that urgency in a positive way (without fear or panic) it actually leads to a better life. Waste too many days and you end up wasting your life.

It sounds easy, but there's a catch? Life is hard. When you're trying to maximize life, you're always pushing through tough things. I was recently going back and forth with a close friend and wrote the following that I thought was worth sharing with this broader group:

Life is really hard. It's even hard to actually think about all we're doing and dealing with. But, these hard days are what make for rewarding lives. Being there for family, being the best parent you can be, building an organization and team you're proud of. That's what will last for longer than the hard days.

I guess I share this as much for myself as for anyone else. It’s okay to admit life’s heavy. Just try not to let that be an excuse. The work we're doing now (even if it's invisible, tiring, and seemingly unrewarding) is what builds a life worth remembering.

Good Sh*t:

Bring the Neighborhood Together:

Want to be known as the "fun" house on your block? Every morning, put out a new riddle on a small whiteboard in your yard. This fun house in Charlevoix has been doing it for years. You’d be amazed at how many people slow down and even wander into the lawn trying to solve it. Before you know it, this isn't just that house with the riddle, it's the place where neighbors wave, stop to chat, and start to feel connected.

I feel like people often talk about building community like it’s some grand initiative. But the more I think about it, community gets built through small things like this. A daily riddle sign isn’t revolutionary, but it lowers the barrier for connection. It gives people a reason to engage.

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