As we work our way through the second quarter of the year, many people are reassessing their financial strategies—especially in light of a market that has felt anything but stable. If you’ve been feeling uncertain, you’re not alone. Market volatility can make anyone feel like they’re standing on shifting sand. But here’s the good news: this is exactly why having a plan rooted in your values can make all the difference.

A Plan with Purpose Endures Uncertainty

While no one can predict the markets, you can prepare for them. When your financial plan is built around what truly matters to you—whether that’s faith, family, stability, or community—it gives you a solid foundation. Instead of reacting to every market dip or economic headline, you’re guided by a bigger-picture strategy that helps you stay the course.

Having a long-term vision that reflects your personal values can:

• Keep you grounded when the market gets noisy
• Help you make decisions with clarity and confidence
• Provide financial confidence, knowing your plan is rooted in what matters most

Let’s talk about how to get there.

Step One: Identify Your Core Values

The first step in aligning your financial goals with your personal values is determining what those values even are. For some people, it may be something they have always known and just are not sure how to mesh with their finances. Others might not even be sure what their core values are. If you fall under the latter category, here is how you can determine what your personal values are.

• Self-reflect by asking yourself questions such as: What is the driving force between my choices and desires? What matters to me most in difficult situations? What accomplishments have brought me the most joy?
• Make a list of your values and decide which ones rank the highest. A person’s typical top values include family, faith, health, community work, financial stability, friendships, and work/life balance.
• Talk about the list with someone close to you, including partners and family members, to figure out if there is anything glaring that you missed as well as how these values fit into your life.

Now that you have determined what your personal values are, you can now determine how to tie these values into your financial goals.

Step Two: Apply Your Values to Your Financial Life

Everyone’s financial path looks different—but your values can act as a compass.

• Family & Financial Security for Your Loved Ones

  According to Thrivent’s 2023 Financial Crossroads Survey, 76% of Americans value family the most. When family is a core value, it is important to protect the financial future of your loved ones. Typically, this is done via estate planning. Aside from estate planning, it is also worthwhile to look into a solid life insurance policy as well as saving up for the larger goals such as houses and vehicles.

• Financial Stability

  If financial stability is a top value of yours, you should prioritize an emergency fund that provides a safety net for you and your family. Disability insurance is also something you could look into. Disability insurance pays some of your paycheck in situations where you are sick and injured and cannot work. Lastly, a solid investment strategy can be a solid way to strive for financial security in your future.

• Faith & Community Involvement

  If you are someone who values your faith and getting involved in your community, you should set aside a monthly budget for tithing or charitable donations. There are also funds called donor-advised funds. A donor-advised fund is an account that is designed specifically for charitable giving. It makes your giving much simpler while also providing you with a flexibility to support the causes you care for most.

Step Three: Stay Accountable—Even When Life (or the Market) Throws Curveballs

This is where values-based planning really shines. Life is unpredictable. So is the market. But your values don’t change with the stock ticker. The easy part is determining what is important to you and tying that into your financial strategy; they help you keep perspective and make thoughtful decisions when it would be easy to panic or drift off course. The challenging part is actually keeping yourself accountable. Just remember to keep your goals realistic and be prepared for emergencies as much as possible. 

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Working with a values-based advisor means you have someone to help you filter through the noise, stay aligned with your vision, and build a plan that reflects your definition of success—not just what the headlines say.

If you’re ready to build a financial strategy that weathers uncertainty and reflects your personal values, we’d love to help. 

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