Productivity expert Stephen Covey describes a family mission statement as “a combined, unified expression from all family members of what your family is all about — what it is you really want to do and be — and the principles you choose to govern your family life.” Writing this statement can be a family activity that aligns everyone to shared values and goals while also teaching younger children what improving Return on Life really means. Work through these four steps with your family to create a mission statement that will inspire and endure.

What would God want you to do with what He has given you? What will your mission-driven retirement look like? If you don’t know yet, it’s probably because you haven’t dug deep enough.

There’s no simple way to tackle all the logistical and emotional challenges associated with caring for an aging parent. But these five steps will help you get the help you’ll need to make sure your parent is safe, cared for, and financially secure.

A large part of being a parent is making our children’s lives easier which often comes in the form of committing financial support to those adult children. But before writing a check or making a deposit through Venmo to your children, ask yourself these four key questions:

If supporting charities meaningful to you is part of your long-term financial plan, creating a strategy around your giving can help you maximize the gifts you give. It can also be tax-efficient across several dimensions of your overall plan.