The start of a new year offers a fresh opportunity to reflect on where you've been and chart a course for where you want to go. Whether you're focused on building better habits, pursuing big dreams, or creating more balance in your life, having a clear plan makes all the difference. The same holds true for your finances!

Over the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion will pass from older generations to their heirs. This "Great Wealth Transfer" brings both tremendous opportunity and significant challenges. So, whether you're preparing to pass on wealth or expecting to receive it, thoughtful planning is essential. 

Willow Creek has long been a supporter of Ceres Community Project. So we were thrilled to spend an afternoon volunteering in their Sebastopol Kitchen last month!

Join Camille Matson from Sonoma Land Trust and wealth advisor Jake Weber, CFP® from Willow Creek Wealth Management, for an informative session covering strategic charitable giving strategies that maximize both impact and tax benefits.

The Best Places to Work awards are based on employee surveys that measure workplace satisfaction and well-being. This means the recognition comes directly from our team members, making it all the more meaningful. It validates that our efforts to foster a positive, supportive, and growth-oriented workplace culture are making a real difference.

This past quarter brought plenty of ups and downs – and ultimately, higher than expected returns. It also serves as a powerful reminder of two core investment principles: (1) markets can change direction quickly, making it hard to time them, and (2) maintaining diversification remains one of the best ways to weather uncertainty. While these ideas are often repeated, they can be easy to overlook in the heat of short-term market swings, when emotion tempts investors to make decisions that could be harmful in the long run. 

While applying to college may be the most stressful part for students, figuring out how to pay for it is often just as overwhelming for parents. The financial burden of higher education can often feel like taking on a second mortgage. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and planning, families can make more informed and manageable choices.

A famous 20th century investor and fund manager, Sir John Templeton, once called the phrase, “This time it’s different,” the four most dangerous words in investing. The idea that the present is somehow “different” often arises from our natural tendency to magnify the present. The challenges we face today tend to feel monumental because they’re immediate and personal. And yet, history has shown that patience and perspective are powerful tools, especially in uncertain times. 

Today’s financial media is a constant stream of opinions, predictions, and product promotions – all presented as “advice”. Unfortunately, this so-called advice often sounds so convincing that it can tempt even disciplined investors to take impulsive action. But reacting impulsively can lead to costly mistakes. Instead, let’s take a look at a few tips to help you stay focused and keep your investment plan on track.

"It's just incredible to have a partner who you trust, who you know has values that are aligned with yours, and who's competent...the reassurance just right there, a phone call away.”