Your Money, Your Values - You can use your financial portfolio to help others—while you help yourself.

by Heidi Pearson

Carrying credit card debt, under-funding retirement, not having a safety net—these are serious financial missteps. But some people are making another mistake that also impacts their big financial picture, even if it doesn’t deal an obvious blow to their bank balances.

“Too many people make the mistake of not intentionally thinking about how their money can help others,” says Alan O’Donnell, senior advisory process specialist at Thrivent Financial. “If helping others is important to you, your finances should reflect that. You need to make sure your money reflects your values.”

It’s a message that has particular meaning for members of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a faith-based fraternal benefit society. Unlike clients of typical for-profit financial services companies, Thrivent Financial members are given opportunities to “become involved and give back to the community,” O’Donnell says. It’s a charitable mindset that’s evident in the way a lot of members choose to invest their assets. 

Is your money in line with your values? Your financial representative can help you make sure your goal of helping others is reflected in your financial portfolio. “There are many different ways of incorporating a charitable component into a person’s financial strategy,” says Hans Van Dyke, a Thrivent Financial representative in Kerrville, Texas. “The strategy can outline funding retirement and other future needs, while also supporting your church or any other charity that is near to your heart.”

Thrivent Financial also has access to mutual funds that allow people to invest with their social conscience as well as their wallet. For example, if protecting the environment is important to you, you can round out your portfolio with a fund that includes investments in alternative energy sources.