Fully Financial

In just a few weeks, Fully co-founder and financial planner Ben Jacobs, MS, CFP?, EA is presenting on family planning strategies for the LGBTQ+ community at the NAPFA - National Association of Personal Financial Advisors South Region Symposium. We’re honored and proud to share our insights and experience with other financial advisors from across the country for the benefit of their clients. #financialadvice #financialplanning #financialadvisor #lgbtq #family

In addition to serving our clients, Fully’s co-founder and financial planner Ben Jacobs, MS, CFP?, EA teaches students as a part-time instructor of financial planning at The University of Georgia. ???? Some of the courses he’s taught include: Capstone in Financial Planning Computer Applications in Financial Planning Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Intro to Personal Finance We are grateful to have a small role in preparing the next generation of financial planners. We’re wishing all students, faculty, and staff a smooth and productive Spring 2025 semester. Go Dawgs!

Sometimes, the days and weeks seem to go slow; but the years, they go by fast. We’ve reached the last day of 2024. What a year it has been. One thing I’ve had to work hard at this year is focusing on what I can control and worrying less about what I can’t. But as I look back over the past 12 months, I am grateful. Personally, I’m grateful for the time. The time I’ve been able to share with the people who matter most to me. The time I’ve been able to spend in my community. The time I’ve been able to invest in meaningful friendships and relationships — new, old, and strengthened. Professionally, I could not be more thankful or more proud of what Ben and I have been able to do. We’ve never aspired to grow Fully Financial into the largest financial planning firm. Quite the opposite, we’ve always prioritized an intentional boutique structure that allows us — as the founders — to really know every person who places their trust in us, and to treat them like family. We’ve been fortunate to surpass our own expectations in terms of growth. Of course, more clients means a more sustainable business. But more importantly, it means the opportunity to know and to help more people. That’s why we created this place. Fully has been open for less than two years, and we’re beyond where we thought we’d be in three to five. It has taken a lot of hard work and late nights to get where we are. But more than that, it has taken a lot of incredible clients trusting us, choosing us, and recommending us to people in their lives who they care about. That’s not something that is lost on us. We think about it every day. We get the treasured opportunity to talk with people about their goals, their dreams, their aspirations, their passions. And we have the responsibility to talk with them about loss, legacy, worries, and concerns. It can be challenging, to be sure; but it is so rewarding. What a gift we’ve been given by so many. To our clients, community partners, and support system — thank you for a remarkable year. I know that 2025 is going to be another big one — personally and professionally; and I’m thankful for more time doing the things we love with the people we love. I could not ask for more. Happy New Year, friends. And Go Dawgs.

Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas! We hope your holiday is filled to the brim with love, gratitude, and joy.

?? 2025 Financial Rule Changes: What You Need to Know In just a few weeks, changes are coming to tax policies, retirement contributions, and estate planning for 2025. ?? Stay ahead of the curve by understanding how these updates might impact your financial plan. ?? Higher Contribution Limits: For 401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, and more — providing the ability to save more to tax-advantaged accounts. ?? Income Tax Bracket Increases: A chance to reduce your tax burden — now and in the future. ?? Roth IRA Eligibility: New income limits could open up tax-free growth opportunities. ?? Estate Planning: Lifetime estate tax exemption increases, presenting opportunities to preserve more of your wealth for future generations (as *big* changes loom for 2026). Is your financial plan ready for 2025? ?? Read the full breakdown of key changes and action steps in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/eB-jYv9x

On this #GivingTuesday, we're thinking of how thankful we are for the many organizations in Athens and beyond doing such impactful work to make our communities better. ?? If you are able and inclined, we encourage you to consider making a contribution to an organization of your choice today. So many nonprofits rely on individual contributions made on Giving Tuesday and during year-end giving to sustain their year-round mission. Not sure where to give? Here are a few local organizations we are proud to work with and support: Athens Pride + Queer Collective: A 100% volunteer-led and operated organization dedicated to the advancement of equity, affirmation, diversity, and wellness of the LGBTQ+ community in the greater Athens area. ?? Donate to APQC here: https://lnkd.in/ekT-XpKx Athens Area Habitat: Run by a team of local staff, board members, and community volunteers, Athens Habitat is dedicated to providing strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter to our neighbors in need in Clarke, Oconee, and Oglethorpe counties. ?? Donate to Athens Area Habitat for Humanity here: https://lnkd.in/euVnwZky Books for Keeps: With the mission of inspiring joyful experiences through literacy and a belief that literacy is a human right, Athens-based nonprofit Books for Keeps seeks to create open, expanded, and equal access to books for readers of all ages. ?? Donate to Books for Keeps here: https://lnkd.in/efgSPZ5Z We are deeply grateful to these and so many other organizations for their critical work.

“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi We are deeply grateful for our incredible clients, who we have the privilege to treat like family and know as friends. Thank you for your support and the trust you place in us. We will never take it for granted, and we will continue to earn it every day. May your day be filled with warmth, joy, and so much gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving! ????

We had a great time taking a behind-the-scenes tour and preview of the all-new arena at The Classic Center — the soon-to-be home of the Athens Rock Lobsters and Georgia Ice Dawgs, plus many more entertaining performances. There's no doubt the new arena will bolster Athens's local economic engine and bring joyful experiences in our hometown for many years to come. We're excited to see it all unfold. Claws up, Athens! ????

Our co-founder and financial planner Ben Jacobs, MS, CFP?, EA is proud to serve on NAPFA’s national board of directors — and excited to continue working to advance the financial planning profession for the betterment of our clients, all consumers, and the next generation of advisors.

What are the benefits of working with a financial planner? We wrote client success stories to help illustrate the real outcomes of working with our firm. Check them out: https://lnkd.in/gJTScUk7 We know that the specific advice and benefits are going to be different for every client we serve based on their personal goals, values, needs, and priorities. Ready to start writing your financial success story? We're here to help.