John Ausley - Thrivent

04/05/2026

He is risen!

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving Day, let us pause and reflect on the countless blessings we have, both big and small. It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, but today is a reminder to give thanks for the gifts we’ve been given.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV), we are reminded: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." No matter the circumstances, God's goodness surrounds us, and even in difficult times, we are called to give thanks. This perspective helps us see the bigger picture, knowing that He works all things for good in our lives.

We also find encouragement in Psalm 136:1 (KJV): "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever." God’s goodness and mercy are constants in our lives, and His love never changes. As we sit around the table today, let us be mindful of His provision and grace.

As Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) teaches us: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Let this be a day to experience His peace, knowing that He is in control and that we have so much to be grateful for.

From our family to yours, we wish you a Thanksgiving filled with peace, joy, and a heart full of gratitude for God's unending blessings. 🦃🍁

11/24/2025

💡 What Is the Mega Backdoor Roth (And How Does It Work)?

Every now and then someone asks me about the Mega Backdoor Roth because it sounds… well, mega. 😅
Here’s what it actually is — minus the hype.

The Mega Backdoor Roth is a strategy inside certain employer retirement plans that allows high earners to get extra money into a Roth account beyond the normal contribution limits.

Here’s the simple version 👇

1️⃣ You need a 401(k) that allows after-tax contributions

Not Roth contributions — after-tax contributions above the normal employee deferral limit ($23,500 for 2025 if under 50).

Some plans allow you to put in additional after-tax dollars up to the overall 401(k) limit (employee + employer + after-tax).
That total limit in 2025 is $70,000.

2️⃣ Then the plan must allow in-plan Roth conversions OR in-service withdrawals

This is the key.
You take those after-tax contributions and convert them to Roth — either inside the plan or by rolling them to a Roth IRA.

3️⃣ Why some people like it

Once converted, the money grows tax-free just like normal Roth dollars.

4️⃣ Why it’s not for everyone

Not all plans allow it

It involves strict IRS rules

Mistakes can create big tax issues

Requires careful coordination with payroll/HR

It only makes sense for certain income, tax, and savings situations

It’s a powerful tool in the right scenario — but it’s definitely not a DIY, “everyone should do this” type of strategy.

If you want to understand how the rules apply to your specific situation, we can walk through it together.
📅 https://bit.ly/4paeb4M

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures
Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Take control of your financial future. Book a meeting with a Thrivent Financial Advisor for personalized advice to help you get on a path that's right for you.

11/21/2025

I get asked this almost every single day:
“Where do I compare with other people my age? Am I ahead? Behind? Average?”

Comparison is one of the fastest ways to feel like you’re losing… even when you’re actually winning.

Because you’re not comparing your life to someone else’s life.
You’re comparing your reality to their highlight reel:

Their vacation post

Their new house

Their big promotion

Their “we’re debt-free!!” announcement

What you don’t see are the private things that affect financial progress:

Supporting aging parents

Medical bills

Kids with special needs

Career changes

Business failures

Unexpected life events

Two people the same age can be in completely different chapters.

Your financial plan shouldn’t look like anyone else’s—because your life doesn’t.

👉 Focus on your goals, your progress, and your next right step.
That’s the game you can actually win.

If you want to know whether you’re where you should be (not where someone else is), let’s talk:
📅 https://bit.ly/4a2DVLS

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures

Take control of your financial future. Book a meeting with a Thrivent Financial Advisor for personalized advice to help you get on a path that's right for you.

11/19/2025

💭 “I Already Have a Financial Advisor.” Do You Really?

A lot of people say they have a financial advisor, but let’s take a second and ask: Do you actually have one, or do you just have someone’s name on a statement?

🔹 If your “financial advisor” is just the default name listed on your 401(k) at work… that’s not a financial advisor. That’s a plan administrator.

🔹 If your “financial advisor” manages your portfolio but has never given you real, practical financial advice—no tax planning, no retirement strategy, no discussions about risk management or estate planning—then you don’t have a financial advisor. You have an expensive account manager.

A real financial advisor should be proactive, strategic, and engaged in your entire financial life. If the only time you hear from yours is when they send an annual statement, you’re paying for a service you’re not getting.

So, do you actually have a financial advisor? Or just someone collecting a fee?

If you’re not sure, let’s talk. https://bit.ly/3LNTz3N

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

10/20/2025

Ever tried to ignore a home repair, hoping it’ll magically fix itself? I have. One time, I spotted a crack in my ceiling and figured it was nothing to worry about. Well, fast forward a few months, and that "small" crack turned into a much bigger issue. A costly one at that.

The lesson? Ignoring a problem never makes it disappear—it only makes it worse. And the same goes for your financial situation.

Not sure how you're invested? That uncertainty can lead to massive issues when you finally need those funds.

Are you saving enough? Or are you investing blindly, hoping it’ll be "enough" without a clear goal in sight?

Are your investments aligned with your future plans—or are you just crossing your fingers, hoping that it'll all work out?

These questions are too important to leave unanswered. Waiting and hoping isn’t a strategy. Knowing is. And we can help you get that clarity.

📅 Click the link to schedule a free consultation and fix that thing that you've been ignoring. https://bit.ly/3WKSImv

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

10/17/2025

The Pumpkin 🎃

Back in college, my (now wife) and I carved pumpkins for Halloween. After we were done, I did what any logical person would do with a carved pumpkin—I put it under the bathroom sink. Well, fast-forward three months, and my roommate made the terrifying discovery of what happens when you leave a pumpkin in a dark, forgotten place.

So many people treat their financial lives the same way. They tuck them away, out of sight, and hope everything will just work itself out. Then, months—or years—later, they're left dealing with a mess they never intended to create.

Avoid the financial equivalent of finding "The Pumpkin." Don’t put your finances under the sink and forget about them—let’s tackle them together.

📅 Click the link to schedule a free consultation and figure out what to do with your figurative 🎃
https://bit.ly/4opDYp0

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

10/15/2025

🏛️ You Have a Pension — But That Doesn’t Mean You’re Set for Retirement

If you participate in LGERS or TSERS, chances are your pension feels like the backbone of your retirement plan. And it should be — it’s a valuable benefit that most private-sector workers no longer have.

But there’s a catch 👇

Pensions are typically fixed or only partially indexed for inflation. So, while the cost of living keeps rising, your pension check may not be able to keep up. Over 20–30 years in retirement, that gap can become sizeable.

That’s why it’s critical to also build assets that can grow — accounts that can help combat inflation over time. Whether it’s:

A Roth IRA for tax-free growth,

A 403(b), 457(b), or 401(k) invested for long-term growth, or

A brokerage account with flexible access to funds—

These vehicles may help ensure that your income keeps pace with life’s rising costs.

Inflation quietly eats away at purchasing power. Your pension gives you stability—but investments can give you momentum.

💬 Want to explore how to balance guaranteed income with growth potential? Let’s talk: https://bit.ly/478vICD

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures

09/29/2025

🧩 Are You Getting a Financial Strategy—Or Just a Sales Pitch?

Some financial professionals sell products. Others build plans. The difference? Everything.

🚗 A product salesman is like a car dealer handing you a steering wheel and saying, “Good luck!”
📍 A comprehensive financial advisor gives you the whole vehicle—GPS included—so you actually reach your destination.

💰 A product salesman pitches a single investment, annuity, or insurance policy and calls it a “strategy.”
📊 A comprehensive financial advisor connects every piece—investments, taxes, retirement income, estate planning—so your money works as one.

🧩 A product salesman gives you a random puzzle piece and says, “This is the missing link!”
🏆 A real plan is the full picture—designed around your life, not just the commission structure.

Want to see what a complete financial strategy looks like? Let’s build one together. 📅 https://bit.ly/46qLE4g

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

09/26/2025

I Learned This the Hard Way at 16. Don’t Make the Same Financial Mistake

When I was a teenager, I ran a small landscaping business. During the summers, I worked full-time, so after clocking out, I’d rush home, grab my equipment, and head out to mow lawns.

And without fail, the same thing always happened.

About 20 minutes into a one-hour job, I’d realize something—I couldn’t see anymore. The sun had set, and I was out there, half a lawn cut, wishing that I had started sooner.

Fast forward to today, and I hear the exact same phrase from people about their finances.

❌ “I wish I had started saving earlier.”
❌ “I wish I had thought about retirement sooner.”
❌ “I wish I had planned before things got complicated.”

The truth? The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is today.

If you don’t want to find yourself in the dark, wondering where the time went, let’s get started. Because financial planning is a whole lot easier when you can still see what’s ahead.

📅 https://bit.ly/4mERbc5

Visit Thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

09/24/2025

🌴 Most People Spend More Time Planning a Vacation Than Their Retirement
Let that sink in.

They’ll research flights for hours.
Compare beach resorts until 2 a.m.
Build the perfect 7-day itinerary.

But their 30-year retirement?
📌 “We’ve got a 401(k)... somewhere.”
📌 “I think we’re good?”
📌 “My advisor says we’re on track.”

Retirement isn’t a vacation.
It’s every day, without a paycheck.
And hoping it works out isn’t a plan.

✅ Do you know when you can retire?
✅ How much you can safely withdraw?
✅ What your tax bill might look like in 10 years?
✅ What happens if one of you needs long-term care?

If you can’t answer those, it’s time to stop guessing.

You wouldn’t pack for your trip without checking the weather. So why wing it on a 30-year retirement? Let’s get your plan in place: 📅 https://bit.ly/4nP7Fj3

Visit Thrivvent.com/social for important disclosures. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.