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<\/p>\nWhether\u00a0it’s\u00a0a recent college\u00a0grad\u00a0who\u00a0hasn’t\u00a0started saving yet, or someone in their 50s wondering if\u00a0they’ve\u00a0already missed their window, it’s never too late to have the conversation about financial planning.<\/p>\n
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Caleb J.\u00a0Chupp is a Financial Consultant serving the Harrisonburg office. In his work, Caleb works alongside individuals, families, and businesses as they integrate their finances and values\u00a0in order to\u00a0achieve their goals.\u00a0
\u201cI am proud to be able to help build lasting community impact and create more sustainable futures for people of all backgrounds,\u201d he said. \u201cThrough my work, I\u2019m able to pursue my passion of connecting with people and creating holistic, meaningful relationships.\u201d\u00a0
Caleb graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, where he received a bachelor\u2019s degree in business administration. He attends Zion Mennonite Church. When\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0not working with clients, Caleb enjoys hiking and backpacking throughout the Shenandoah Valley, playing games and sports with family and friends, and trying new foods.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the most common things people say when they sit down with a financial consultant for the first time is some version of:\u00a0\u201cI feel like I should already know this.\u201d\u00a0Whether\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a recent college\u00a0grad\u00a0who\u00a0hasn\u2019t\u00a0started saving yet, or someone in their 50s wondering if\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0already missed their window, the feeling is the same \u2014 uncertainty, a little guilt, and honestly, some relief that the conversation is finally happening.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s\u00a0what every person should hear, no matter where they are in life: it is never too early to start, and it is never too late to have a conversation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Young Adults: Time Is the Greatest Asset\u00a0<\/p>\n
For those in their 20s or just entering the workforce, one of the most common myths worth challenging is the idea that there\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0enough money to start saving. It comes up constantly \u2014 \u201cI\u2019ll start when I make more,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019ll get serious about it after my loans are paid off.\u201d Those feelings are understandable, especially in those first years out of school when every dollar seems already spoken for.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the truth is this: $10 or $20 a month, starting today, can do more for a financial future than $200 a month starting ten years from now.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0not an exaggeration \u2014 that\u2019s simply how compound growth works\u00a0over time. More money can always be earned, and the amount being saved can always be increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The practical approach for someone in their 20s is straightforward: think about one meal out each month and redirect that $15 or $20 instead. Build it into the budget like a non-negotiable bill \u2014 because in a real sense, it is one. Paying your future\u00a0self-first\u00a0is the habit that changes everything. Once it becomes automatic and consistent, it\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0even be noticeable. And ten, twenty, thirty years from now, starting early will be one of the best financial decisions ever made.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Growing Families: Intentional Planning in a Season of Change\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starting a family, buying a first home, changing jobs \u2014 these seasons of life are exciting, but\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0also overwhelming. There\u2019s so much demanding attention at once that financial planning can easily become one of those things that keeps getting pushed back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But this is\u00a0actually one\u00a0of the most critical times to slow down and look at the full picture.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s\u00a0not just about\u00a0the immediate\u00a0numbers.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0about building habits and patterns that carry a family forward. The financial behaviors modeled for children \u2014 how money is talked about, how decisions are made around it, whether\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0treated as a tool or a source of stress \u2014\u00a0all of\u00a0that shapes how the next generation will think about money for the rest of their lives. Building good habits now\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0just an investment in retirement.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0an investment in the whole household.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For new and growing families, the recommendation is to map out a clear, intentional strategy \u2014 one that accounts for current expenses, short-term goals like building an emergency fund or buying a home, and long-term goals like retirement and education planning. Having a plan\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean everything goes perfectly. It means when things change,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0a foundation to come back to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Those Nearing Retirement: Steady Wins the Race\u00a0<\/p>\n
The closer retirement gets, the louder the questions become: Did I save enough? Is it too late? What if the market drops? These concerns are valid, but they\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have to lead to panic-driven decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The key reminder here is that financial planning\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0about hitting home runs. The goal is singles \u2014 consistent, steady, intentional growth over time. Trying to\u00a0time\u00a0the market or make bold moves to \u201ccatch up\u201d is typically where people get into trouble. Some of the most successful long-term savers rarely check their accounts \u2014 not because\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0careless, but because they have a\u00a0plan,\u00a0and they trust it. Decisions based on emotion or a bad week on Wall Street rarely serve anyone well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is the marathon mentality. There will be stretches where the numbers\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0look great.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0normal \u2014\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0investing. What matters is\u00a0staying\u00a0the course, continuing to make intentional decisions, and resisting the urge to react out of fear. Even for those who feel behind, the years leading up to retirement still hold real opportunity. The more proactive the approach right now, the more security can be built before that finish line arrives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A Plan Built Around What Matters Most\u00a0<\/p>\n
Good financial planning\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0one-size-fits-all. At\u00a0Everence\u00a0Financial<\/a>, the process starts with understanding what matters most \u2014 values, goals, and the life someone is working toward \u2014 and building a personalized strategy from there.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whatever stage of life\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0in, the most\u00a0important step\u00a0is the same: start the conversation.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0no need to have all the\u00a0answers first.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0what a financial consultant is there for.\u00a0<\/p>\n To\u00a0connect with Caleb\u00a0Chupp<\/a>\u00a0and the team at\u00a0Everence\u00a0Financial, reach out to the Harrisonburg office or visit\u00a0Everence\u00a0Financial online<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n