February 2026 Blog Newsletter

Captain’s Log

What Does Your Money Need to Do for You in the Next 12 Months?

At Anchor Wealth, we believe money is not the goal. It is a tool. A tool that provides security. A tool that creates freedom from worry. A tool that gives you options when life presents opportunities—or challenges.

As we look ahead to the next 12 months, the most important financial question is not about the market, interest rates, or headlines. It is much simpler and far more powerful:

Start With Clarity, Not Complexity
For many families, money represents peace of mind. It means being able to handle unexpected expenses, travel when opportunities arise, support children and grandchildren, and confidently say “yes” to what matters most.

When we begin planning with clients, we don’t start with products or predictions. We start with purpose.

If we are clear on what money needs to accomplish, the strategy becomes clearer, the decisions become easier, and the noise becomes less distracting.

Step One: Secure the Next 12 Months
One of our foundational planning principles is having a 3-to-6-month emergency fund and liquidity in place for larger purchases or projects intended over the next 12 months.

When the next year is already funded, uncertainty loses its power. You are not forced into emotional decisions during market volatility. You are not worrying about whether you can cover expenses if something unexpected happens.

You simply have confidence knowing the next 12 months are taken care of. From that position of strength, every other financial decision becomes more intentional and less reactive.

Step Two: Align Spending With What Matters Most
After the next year is secure, the conversation shifts from “Can we afford it?” to “Is this important to us?”

Over thousands of client conversations, the purpose of money is rarely just accumulation. Instead, it is about experiences, generosity, and flexibility:

• Traveling with family
• Supporting children and grandchildren
• Giving generously
• Enjoying meaningful experiences without guilt
• Never having to hear the word “no” when something truly matters

When money is aligned with these priorities, it becomes a source of joy rather than a source of stress.

Step Three: Stay Disciplined for the Long Term
While the next 12 months deserve clarity, your long-term future still matters just as much. Markets will fluctuate. Headlines will change. Predictions will always sound urgent. Yet history consistently shows that long-term success is driven less by reacting to short-term noise and more by staying committed to a well-designed plan.

Our role is to help you balance both realities:

• Confidence about the next 12 months
• Discipline for the next 10, 20, and 30 years

When those two work together, financial independence becomes far more achievable—and far more enjoyable along the way.

Enjoy the Journey Along the Way
One of the most important lessons we’ve learned over nearly two decades is this: if you never allow yourself to enjoy the money you create along the way, it becomes difficult to suddenly start enjoying it in retirement.

Intentional enjoyment is not reckless spending. It is purposeful spending on the things that truly matter—travel, family experiences, and creating memories today while still honoring your long-term plan.

The goal is balance: discipline paired with joy.

A Simple Exercise
As you think about the year ahead, consider these three questions:

1. What would give me the greatest peace of mind financially this year?
2. What opportunities or experiences matter most to my family and me?
3. What decisions will help me stay disciplined for the long term?

Your answers will reveal what your money needs to do for you in the next 12 months. At Anchor Wealth, our commitment is to help you use your money in a way that reduces worry, creates options, and supports the life you want to live—both now and in the future.

Adam

CEO/Wealth Advisor

Philanthropic Giving Strategies: How to Give with Purpose and Impact

For many individuals and families, philanthropy is about more than generosity; it’s about making a meaningful, lasting impact. But effective charitable giving doesn’t happen by accident. Like any financial goal, it benefits from a thoughtful strategy that aligns with your values, tax situation, and long-term legacy plans.

CLICK HERE to finish reading Chris Perry’s Blog for February

A Royal Milestone, Senior Celebration, and a Regional Championship

It was a night of celebration, legacy, and high-stakes hoops at Rockford Christian, as the community gathered on January 17th to witness a historic milestone. Shea Ludwig, a standout senior for the Royal Lions, officially cemented her name in the school’s record books by scoring her 1,000th career point.

The achievement came during a season of emotional highs. On Senior Night, Shea was joined by her parents, Katie and Adam Ludwig, to celebrate a decorated high school career defined by leadership and consistency. Shea has been a force on the court throughout her tenure, leading the team in scoring.

A Family Affair in the Postseason
The celebration didn’t stop at individual accolades. Shea and her sister, Reese Ludwig, proved to be a formidable duo as they helped Rockford Christian win a Class IA Regional Basketball Championship.

For the Ludwig family, the win was a special “full-circle” moment, seeing both daughters contribute to a major team title in Shea’s final season.

Looking Ahead
With the Regional title secured, Shea, Reese, and the rest of the Royal Lions advance to the Class IA Sectional in Shabbona on their journey to Normal, IL.

Adam’s Nightstand

This month, I’m reading Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence, and Fuel Success by Shade Zahrai. Big Trust is based on a framework developed by Dr. Shade Zahrai of the four A’s: Acceptance, Agency, Autonomy, and Adaptability.

What stood out to me is how the four A’s apply not only to personal growth, but also to the way we make financial decisions. Acceptance reminds us that we cannot control markets or headlines. Agency reinforces that we can control our savings, spending, and long-term habits. Autonomy encourages aligning money with what truly matters to us, not what others expect. And adaptability speaks to adjusting the plan as life evolves, without losing confidence in the overall
direction.

This framework closely mirrors the work we do with clients at Anchor Wealth. Confidence does not come from predicting the future perfectly; it comes from having a thoughtful plan and trusting the process even when uncertainty arises. When we reduce self-doubt around financial decisions and stay focused on what we can control, we are far more likely to make consistent, disciplined choices that lead to long-term success and peace of mind.

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