^The  GAME Plan

January’s Reset—and Its Reality

by Jennifer Porter

January always seems to come wrapped in bright intentions. A new year, a clean slate, a fresh start. The podcasts tell us to declutter. The planners promise productivity. The social media posts urge us to “live our best lives.� And for a few weeks, it feels like anything’s possible.
But let’s be honest—it doesn’t always feel like a transformation.

In my house, January is less about big resolutions and more about jumping back into the deep end of life. One of my daughters plays club volleyball, which means weeknight practices and weekends quickly start filling up with tournaments. And this year, the “college chapter� begins in full force—my twins will be taking the SAT or ACT, touring schools, and deciding where to apply. That alone is enough to make any parent feel like time is sprinting forward.

continue reading

Estate Planning Tip:
When ‘Good Enough’ Isn’t Good Enough

by Stephanie Himel-Nelson

A client recently came in with what she called a “perfectly fine� will — one she’d drafted more than a decade ago. She just wanted a few quick edits: change a name, update an address, maybe swap an executor. But when we looked closer, it was clear the world around her plan had changed — and her documents hadn’t kept up. Tax laws had shifted, her family’s needs were different, and the language in her old will no longer reflected her real goals. So instead of patching the old plan, we built a new one that protected her assets under current law and actually matched her life today.

continue reading

Something to Smile About –
January’s Under-Known Celebrations

We all know January can feel a little… gray. But did you know it’s also packed with quirky, uplifting celebrations?

• Jan 2 – National Motivation & Inspiration Day: A good excuse to write that encouraging email or compliment a coworker.
• Jan 10 – Houseplant Appreciation Day: Talk to your plants. They deserve it.

continue reading