Financial Partners, Inc.

07/17/2026

Blake Explains How Trump Accounts Work

https://www.financialpartnersinc.net 1.641.684.0368 Intellig...

07/14/2026

Life is Messy!
So… Cleanliness is next to Godliness, they say, but let me be the Devil’s advocate for a moment. Please bear with me down the winding path.

One of the factors leading to my “cool grandma” status, is allowing the grandchildren to get dirty, do messy stuff, and use my tools. There are days you would be horrified to see the mess left in the wake of grandkid projects, but they are so happy when they’ve successfully created something. Small and large. My oldest grandson built an island for my kitchen when he was in school! He was pretty proud and rightfully so.

We have all been taught that cleanliness is next to Godliness; however, God is also a Master Creator, and I have never worked with a creative person whose work area was “clean.”

If you are a painter, there are always paint spatters, dirty paint brushes, messy clothes, messy floor, your hair, and whatever else you touch. Spots, dots, and more… If you do crafting, it’s always the glue, tiny scraps of whatever you are working with, stuff that fell to the floor and stuck to your shoe, leftover pieces that need to be cleaned up, and then dealing with everything the vacuum sweeper refuses to collect. If its woodworking it’s the sawdust, stain, splinters… Heck, I can’t even draw on the sidewalk without being covered in chalk dust. You absolutely cannot bring something new into this world without some mess. Just ask an OB nurse if you need confirmation of that!

So, what is my point?

If you hold on too tightly to the admonishment that cleanliness is next to Godliness, you may expect life to be simple and easy. Everything in its place, nothing to worry or complain about, living on “easy street.” However, as I said, creation is messy. That’s why our lives seem so complicated at times. Things change. Problems have to be dealt with. Things – good and bad – are put in our path that we never expected. “Stuff” changes all the time. We must learn how to be the engineers and architects of our own growth, the explorers that carve out the path when we can’t see what lies ahead, and most importantly, mentors to support those brave (or foolish) enough to follow us.

The point is – Get messy. Get dirty. Get involved! Life ain’t easy, so share what you know, support who you can, and work together to creatively follow the path to happiness.

~contributed by Melody Lowe

07/09/2026

“Don’t Talk to Strangers”

It’s something we’ve all been taught since we were small – don’t talk to strangers… However, there are strangers, and then there are strangers, and then there are strangers.

Yeah, I know, but the world keeps changing so the rule needs to change with it to keep us safe. Here’s how I see it.

First, there are strangers. These are just people we don’t know. We stand next to them in the cashier’s line at the grocery store, we stand next to them at the gas pump, we stand next to them at the coffee shop. They are strangers. We don’t know them. Yet. I recently listened to an article about how it’s good for us to share some small talk with these people. It’s good for our mental health. So, stick your phone in your pocket for just a few minutes and have a real human conversation. You’re not committing to anything by having a brief conversation, although you might find something in common with this stranger and it could grow into a true friendship. What a blessing that could be.

And the thing that absolutely amazes me is that people avoid eye contact and don’t speak to that person they are standing next to at their local shop, however, they will “friend” anybody and everybody on social media. I receive friend requests all the time from people I don’t know. I don’t just blindly accept them as some do. I look at that person’s information. Do they know somebody I know? Do they work somewhere I go to frequently? Do they have specific interests in some of the same things I have an interest in? Is there a community or a commonality I should consider, or are they just sending friend requests to everyone to “get their numbers up?” And we all know there are strangers on social media that are looking to prey on us. They are not always easy to recognize, however most of us are cognizant they are there and we take note when something seems “off.” Always listen to that little voice… And teach your children how to do that, too. Keep them safe on the internet.

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE the internet. I embraced it from inception and like to think of myself as an internet gypsy. I love exploring various sites and learning new things. I can do a lot of scrolling and sometimes I must curb myself (nobody is watching over my shoulder, so I have to be my own police.) But through this, I have learned how to do my research to know who or what is viable or not. And yes, I have made some very good friends through the internet.

Then, of course, there are strangers. Yes. The ones your parents warned you about, the ones you warn your children about. Don’t talk to those strangers! You know the rules – stay safe so that maybe one day we can meet.

Contributed by Melody Lowe

07/09/2026

Complacency, Curriculum, Curiosity (and the Cat)

I may have mentioned in previous writings how much I enjoy surfing the internet and learning new things. Fun things, odd things, serious things, useful things, and dumb things. Everything. There is always something that catches my interest as I explore.

That leads me to start my thoughts off today with “complacency.” I understand that there is an absolute comfort in our routines, to sticking to what we know, to avoiding change. However, the world just doesn’t work like that, or it shouldn’t. If you are complacent and living the “status quo” you must be bored to death. I can’t even imagine. Change will happen whether you want it to or not, so be ready for it. Embrace it. I’m not telling you to go out there and do something crazy, or completely against your nature. I’m just asking you to try something different once in a while. Maybe a new restaurant. Perhaps reading a book you wouldn’t have considered previously. Maybe adding one new thing to your weekly routine. Trying a new app. Start small and add something else when that becomes comfortable for you. I want you to grow with the world, not be left behind.

Trying new things leads me to thoughts on “curriculum.” Curriculum is a “have to” item most of the time. You have a course you need to complete; you have continuing education that is required, there’s just something you have to learn or reinforce that may be work or school related. There’s no getting around it. Most of us look at it as a requirement. Sometimes it is, but it doesn’t have to be. Curriculum can also fall into the “Curiosity” category. It does for me. Perhaps it’s because I enjoy learning new things. I also grew up in a previous work environment where the path was “see one – do one – teach one – move on to the next one.” This was good for me because I was always learning something new. I’ve joked with people that I’m never bored – if I’m bored it’s because I am dead. And I’m ALWAYS surprised at people that tell me they are bored. If you are bored, it’s because you chose that state of mind.

Don’t be bored. Be like the curious cat (but be safe!) Explore your world, learn new things, interact with family and friends. Keep growing!

~ contributed by Melody Lowe

07/05/2026

In case you missed it! Check out this recent Kiplinger article we’re featured in. Blake discusses the importance of having a properly funded “bucket plan” and emphasizes tax management prior to and during retirement.

If you're planning to retire in five years, it's critical to get your portfolio in order. These five rules will ensure you're on the right financial track.

07/04/2026

Celebrate Independence Day - 250 years as a nation! This holiday celebrates the Second Continental Congress' unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a document announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. Let's all (unanimously) have a great and safe holiday celebration with our families and friends.

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. We hope you have an enjoyable day doing something you enjoy. Celebrate!

06/16/2026

https://www.financialpartnersinc.net 1.641.684.0368 Intelligent C...