From the Editor James

If you’ve ever felt the weight of the world on your shoulders, then this issue’s imaginative cover—designed by August Schwartz—could offer a touch of comic relief. Money, indeed, moves us—hopefully for better, not worse— and with sound financial planning this year, providing life’s staples and luxuries won’t weigh us down…could even be fun. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to feel uplifted and inspired to get creative with our culinary, career, home, and health pursuits. That’s the take I’m offering for the cover design—your interpretation may vary.

In a more direct sense, the cover refers to our article “Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best,” which offers fiduciary advice for the year ahead—how to navigate emerging economic pressures and opportunities to buffer and build your portfolio, to hit short- and long-term financial goals. What are your fiscal ambitions for 2022? This article could help steer some decisions.

February, by our editorial design, has traditionally leaned on a financial/business theme and this year isn’t overly different. But we do have much more inside. Articles that also inspire daydreaming of vacation escapes, perseverance and success, planning for summer adventures, building community, and even some romance. And there’s a reason for this—quite simply, this is a perfect month for planning the year ahead.

I’m writing down these thoughts as our region experiences this winter’s first blast of snow. Looking out my home’s back frame of windows, I see inches upon inches of powder rise on the deck, the Leyland cypresses bending heavily in thick white blankets, and wisps of flakes dancing in the morning sunlight. I think I’ll hunker down for a bit, pour another cup of coffee, open a few tabs in the browser, and start making plans for the warmer and brighter days ahead.

I may be snowed in for a spell under the weight of winter, but my head is in the clouds hoping that the best days are yet to come.

editor From the

Cheers to planning the year ahead!

James Houck, Editorial Director