Wisdom for Your
Financial Journey

Written by Bethany Frymire, Financial Advisor in Blue Trust's Everyday Steward Division. For parents, grandparents, and mentors, teaching children how to handle money wisely is not just about math or budgeting. It is about shaping character and perspective. Children begin learning about money long before they receive their first allowance or open their first savings account.

Financial markets have a long history of brushing off geopolitical events. Wars, elections, and diplomatic flare‑ups often dominate headlines, drive short‑term volatility, and then fade into the background as investors refocus on fundamentals. The question today is whether that pattern still holds as tensions with Iran push energy prices higher. So far, the answer appears to be yes.

Written by Zack Fulmer, Managing Director of Blue Trust's Orlando, Florida office Have you ever heard the term materiality threshold? A common term in accounting and risk management, it describes the point at which something becomes significant enough to influence a decision. In a personal context, it's a way of describing what you consider to be “a lot” when it comes to money.

A simple idea can shape an entire financial future. A few years ago, while spending time with leaders at Focus on the Family, Blue Trust chief mission officer and author Russ Crosson was asked a straightforward question: If you could share one piece of financial advice with a young couple, what would it be? His answer was immediate and clear: Live on one income and save the other.

Q1 2026 brought geopolitical tension and market volatility from Middle East escalation, trade policy shifts, and concerns about AI disruption and private credit risks. Despite headlines around Venezuela, Fed leadership changes, and labor market uncertainties, underlying economic fundamentals remained stable with resilient financial markets.

There is a moment in the Garden of Gethsemane that most of us have read many times—and perhaps never fully absorbed. Jesus, knowing what lay ahead, prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42b NIV). The One who could have called down legions of angels chose to surrender. Not out of weakness, but out of trust so complete it looked like foolishness to those watching.

Executive Summary Private credit faces real risks, including credit losses, limited liquidity, and less transparency than public markets. Those risks should not be dismissed. But they also should not be evaluated based on headlines alone. In our view, a better approach is to assess private credit through the lens of underwriting discipline, portfolio construction, manager quality, fund structure, and investor time horizon.

What stirs your heart when you think about values? Perhaps it's the timeless truths passed down through generations, the guiding light of Scripture, or the convictions shaped by living out your faith. The dictionary defines values as your principles—the standards that shape how you live and what you hold sacred.

Written by Bethany Frymire, Financial Advisor in Blue Trust's Everyday Steward Division. Ten years ago, if someone had told me I would one day write a book about financial confidence, I would have quietly dismissed the idea. For a long time, I was the woman who felt like an imposter in her own life. On paper, I was working toward becoming a financial professional.

This spring newsletter explores how wealth and financial success can subtly become measures of personal worth, particularly for women navigating career, caregiving, and financial decisions. The issue examines the cultural pressure of comparison through a Christian lens, offering biblical perspective on stewardship and identity, along with practical strategies like interrupting comparison cycles.

Home ownership is often seen as a key piece of the American Dream. Beyond helping homeowners build equity for their own financial well-being, homeownership also delivers meaningful benefits to the broader community. Homeowners tend to move less often than renters, which helps create more stable neighborhoods. They are also more likely to be engaged in their communities, fostering stronger social ties and a greater sense of connection.

Women of Worth is about discovering the tools and confidence to say yes to whatever God has planned for you—in your finances and beyond.