Welcome to the reimagined TradeWinds Money Courage, a monthly blend of TradeWinds culture, financial education, and real-world advice delivered to your inbox on the last Wednesday of every month.
We hope you enjoy our first edition.
January: Looking Ahead
January isn’t about perfection; it’s about direction. As we kick off 2026, this is a great time to pause, reflect, and intentionally set the tone for the year ahead.
A few ideas to get started:
- Revisit the “why” before the “what.” What are you really working toward this year – flexibility, security, experiences, peace of mind?
- Pick 1–3 financial priorities, not a long to-do list. Progress beats pressure every time.
- Focus on habits, not just outcomes. Small, consistent actions often matter more than big, one-time decisions.
- Check alignment. Do your goals reflect your current life, or last year’s assumptions?
Helpful Tools to Get You Started
👉 Budget Tool
Monarch: The modern way to manage money. Budget, track your progress, and plan for the future—all in one app. Monarch simplifies finances by bringing all your accounts together into one clear view.
👉 2-Minute Reflection Exercise
Three short questions to help you reset mentally and financially for the year ahead.
Quick reflection (take 2 minutes):
- What’s one financial win you want to repeat in 2026?
- What’s one thing you’d like to simplify or let go of this year?
- If December 2026 goes really well, what does that look like?
The most meaningful financial plans don’t start with spreadsheets; they start with clarity and courage. And January is the perfect moment to begin.
From the Studio
Beyond the Balance goes deeper than dollars and cents, exploring how our financial choices shape our lives, relationships, and happiness. Each episode features real conversations with guests from all walks of life: advisors, entrepreneurs, parents, and everyday people who talk about what balance really means in money and in life.
Newest Episodes:
Episode 3 with Matthew Snider: Matthew shares his journey into Bitcoin and Web3, explains why understanding blockchain technology matters beyond the headlines, and breaks down how digital assets fit into a broader financial ecosystem.
Episode 4 with Shannon Thomas: Shannon shares her journey from international finance and Wall Street to IT tech sales at Red Hat and Pure Storage—all while launching a family-owned deli rooted in community, tradition, and great food.
Pocket-Sized Advice is a short-form video series delivering clear, practical financial guidance, one bite-sized idea at a time. Each episode breaks down real-world money topics into simple, actionable insights you can actually use.
Newest Videos:
Miller “Is Cash King?: Miller Hoffman breaks down the real meaning behind the phrase “Cash is King” and why relying too heavily on cash may not be the best long-term investment strategy.
Miller “Timing the Market”: Miller Hoffman breaks down why market timing is so difficult, how emotional decision-making can hurt long-term returns, and why a disciplined, consistent investment strategy often leads to better outcomes over time.
Inside TradeWinds
Welcome, Ralston Turner!
We’re excited to announce that Ralston Turner has joined TradeWinds as a Financial Advisor. Ralston brings a strong foundation in financial planning, a client-first mindset, and a competitive drive shaped by his lifelong passion for basketball.
Just like on the court, Ralston understands the importance of preparation, discipline, and teamwork, and we believe that combination of finance expertise and professional sports mindset will help him truly shine as he supports clients and grows his practice.
Annual Planning Meeting
The team had their annual planning meeting in early January.
Our annual planning meetings are a chance to step back, review where you are today, and align your money with what matters most, looking ahead to 2026.
This year’s conversations will focus on clarity, confidence, and adaptability, helping you navigate change, stay disciplined through uncertainty, and make thoughtful decisions for the years ahead.
As always, the goal is to turn planning into action and ensure your strategy continues to support your life, not just your finances.
TradeWinds Recommends
Tracey
Tracey is our go-to expert on what’s worth watching, and she’s been especially hooked on the new season of The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix.
Mike
Mike is heading back to school, enrolling in UCLA’s AI Technologies in Marketing course, and we’re excited to see how he puts those insights to work across our marketing strategy this year.
Grayson
Grayson has picked up a new hobby—needlepointing, which has become a relaxing new way for our resident puzzler to unwind. She recommends S&J Needleworks as a great local spot for supplies and inspiration.
Stephanie
Stephanie, our bookworm on the team, is reading Brené Brown’s Strong Ground.
It helped her better understand the importance of vulnerability, clarity, and courage, not as soft skills, but as essential tools for navigating ambiguity and change.
Brown’s insights challenge her to lead with greater empathy and grounded confidence, create trust and resilience not only in herself, but within our team as well.
Question of the Month
“Did the stock market do well in 2025? What is considered a ‘good’ return?”
Across the globe, the stock market performed very well in 2025 by historical standards. American markets ended up around 17% while international markets enjoyed an approximate 32% return. Those returns exceeded the rough 100-year average of markets which comes in around 10%. This continues the high-performing years of 2023 and 2024, too.
*Disclaimer: returns figures are based on the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index and Vanguard Total International Stock Market Index, 100-year average comes from Dimensional Fund Advisors research
What’s Next?
Everyone’s favorite season, Tax Season!
Here’s your updated 2025 mailing schedule for tax documents.
Have questions about your taxes?
Reach out anytime, we’re here to help.
Onward with Optimism,
The TradeWinds Team
Disclosure: Tradewinds, LLC is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information presented in the material is general in nature and is not designed to address your investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs. Prior to making any investment decision, you should assess, or seek advice from a professional, regarding whether any particular transaction is relevant or appropriate to your individual circumstances. Although taken from reliable sources, Tradewinds cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information received from third parties. The opinions expressed herein are those of Tradewinds and may not actually come to pass.
