Woodward Financial Advisors: Quarterly Newsletter

Greetings!

As summer winds down and cooler days arrive, we’re looking forward to the months ahead -- filled with fall traditions, the holidays, and moments of reflection with family and friends.

This year also marks a special milestone: Woodward Financial Advisors’ 30th anniversary. As we celebrate three decades of serving our clients and community, we’re especially excited to be settling into our new office at the Gwendolyn and looking ahead to all that’s still to come in this next chapter.

Below you will find a list of our features in this newsletter:

Celebrations continue with certifications and a huge milestone for Woodward Financial Advisors!

Courtney Cubbin, FPQP®, shares a fun glance at 30 years of growth and change!

Our annual "Summer Recap" is one of our favorite pieces to share each year! See what your team has been up to the past few months ...

In a special edition of "Security Corner", Derek Ellison, FPQP®, helps you plan ahead with end-of-year deadlines.

Lastly, our Business Operations Manager, Ashley Abdalla, FPQP®, wraps up our newsletter with ways to stay connected to WFA, including:

Quarter 3 blog posts
Quarter 3 "Your Money in 20" podcast episodes
WFA Social Media and Updates

Morgan Ball recently obtained her FQPQ® certification!

Congratulations to Morgan Ball, one of our Client Experience Specialists in our Operations department, for earning her FPQP® (Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional) designation! This certification required comprehensive coursework and a final exam covering core areas of financial planning, including investments, insurance, retirement, estate, and tax planning.

Morgan’s achievement reflects her commitment to professional development and to enhancing the client experience. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and lucky to have her on our team -- way to go, Morgan!

Woodward Financial Advisors celebrates 30 years!

Since opening our doors in 1995, Woodward Financial Advisors has grown from a small practice with a big vision into a trusted partner serving over 200 households across the country and far beyond. Over the years, we’ve expanded our team, deepened our expertise, and strengthened the relationships that are at the heart of what we do. As we reflect on the past three decades, we’re grateful for the clients, colleagues, and community who have shaped our journey.

As we commemorate three decades of service, we invite you to explore the journey that brought us here and see how far we’ve come.

This milestone is possible because of you -- our clients, colleagues, and community. Here’s to building the next 30 years together!

This year marks Woodward Financial Advisors’ 30^th anniversary! As we reflect on our journey from 1995 to 2025, we’re amazed at how much has changed, not only in the markets but also in everyday life!

Back in 1995:

· A gallon of gas: $1.15

· A movie ticket: $4.35

· A dozen eggs: $0.92

Now, in 2025, these items cost (on average):

· A gallon of gas: $3.15

· A movie ticket: $16.08 (or even up to $23 in New York City!)

· A dozen eggs: $5.12 (a crazy year of price fluctuation for eggs)

These prices have more than doubled (or even tripled), reminding us how powerful long-term financial planning can be. Inflation, market cycles, and life changes are inevitable, but with the right plan, you can adapt and take advantage of this growth!

When Woodward opened its doors in 1995, financial planning looked a little different. Statements came in the mail, trades were placed by phone, and all meetings were face-to-face at our office. Since then, we’ve embraced new technology, broadened our services and expertise, and grown our team, all to better serve our clients. Along the way, we’ve had the privilege of working with individuals and families through major life milestones, including retirements, new businesses, college graduations, and the passing of wealth to the next generation.

Through every cycle in the market and changes in interest rates, one principle has remained constant: staying disciplined and focusing on the long-term leads to success.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back – we’re excited for the next 30 years! Advances in technology, changes in tax laws, and new investment opportunities will continue to shape financial planning. However, our mission remains the same: to provide smart investing, thoughtful advice, and a steady hand through change to help you stress less about money.

Most of all, your trust and partnership over the past three decades have been the foundation of everything we do. We look forward to continuing this journey together, and we can't wait to see what the next 30 years will bring!

The summer of 2025 was full of milestones and neat moments with my (now young adult) children. My oldest, Ava, is a junior at Virginia Tech. She had an internship with a large financial services firm based in Raleigh, so it was nice to be able to still see her while she lived at home. One of my summer highlights was Ava spending time working at Woodward once her first internship ended and before heading back to Blacksburg for her junior year.

I moved my middle child, Mason, into college where he is a freshman at High Point University. He's studying biology with the hopes of becoming an orthodontist one day. He's enjoying his new home which makes me happy, but I'm also experiencing the parental sadness and feeling the void that comes along with your child leaving home for the first time.

Last but not least (I tell her that all the time!), is my youngest, Liza. She is a rising senior in high school and this summer she committed to play Division 1 college soccer at Middle Tennessee State. It has been special watching her chase her dream of playing soccer at the next level and while the road included overcoming plenty of adversity, she has landed at a very good program that will continue to challenge her.

In between all the activity with the kids there was a little room for some beach time and other relaxation, but it's a busy time of life!

This summer was a season of firsts for our growing family. Our daughter Mia proudly conquered potty training and her fear of the pool, while baby Nicco began crawling and took in his first views of the beach. Perhaps the biggest milestone of all: my wife, Lizzy, was officially “Hooded” after completing her PhD last summer—a moment of well-earned celebration for our whole family.

Beyond those milestones, a few highlights stand out: we took our first camping trip as a family of four, soaked up as much time outdoors as possible, and enjoyed beach days with both sides of our extended family.

A number of friends—and a few seasoned parents—reminded us that the era of "relaxing vacations" may be on hold for now, replaced by the very real (and often chaotic) joys of “family travel.” And while that certainly rings true, we’re embracing every bit of the adventure and laughter this season of life brings.

This summer brought a big and exciting change for our family! My husband's relatives moved from New Jersey down to Pittsboro. It’s been such a joy having them close by! Our son, Hudson, now gets to spend time with his cousin, Potter, which has been so fun to watch. From spontaneous playdates to more family dinners, we've enjoyed a ton of family time together.

Our little herpetologist had the biggest highlight of his summer at Sun Star Camp in Apex, where he participated in the “Reptile and Critters” program. He came home every day covered in dirt and absolutely thrilled, sharing stories about snakes, lizards, and all sorts of creepy crawlies (that mom won't let him bring in the house).

As summer came to a close, we hit a huge milestone: Hudson started Kindergarten! After working in education for fifteen years, it’s been a surreal experience transitioning into this new chapter. It's been exciting to watch him thrive so far (and I only cried a few tears dropping him off on the first day!) He comes home tired, excited, and full of stories. Watching him grow into this next stage has been both emotional and incredibly rewarding.

While technically not part of summer, it would be remiss of me to not highlight my wedding on May 10th. Annie and I got married close to home at the beautiful North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, then set off immediately on a honeymoon through Washington, D.C. and Shenandoah National Park.

August brought two unforgettable trips. Early in the month, we traveled to Maine with Annie’s side of the family. This was my first trip to Maine. We stayed in a charming home built in the 1820s, still owned by descendants of the original family. Over the course of a week, we truly settled into a routine of swimming in nearby lakes, diving into our books (I read The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England), getting schooled in dance by my niece, wrestling with two high-energy nephews, biking along the historic carriage roads, and sharing amazing meals with even better company.

Later that month, Annie and I enjoyed a long weekend in Kill Devil Hills, continuing our annual Outer Banks tradition for the 3rd year in a row. We always look forward to the slower pace and quiet beauty there. This year, we arrived just after Tropical Storm Chantal passed through, adding a bit of excitement to our planning.

I should have quite the trip to talk about next year! My husband, Ben, and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in May. While we had hoped to mark the occasion with a special getaway, most of our recent travel plans have revolved around college visits. So, we’ve decided to postpone our big trip until things settle down a bit. Our daughter, Bridget, is a high school senior this year and has chosen to pursue a degree in Architecture. After months of research and campus tours, we’ve narrowed her college choices down to three schools.

In June, she attended a one-week Design Camp at the University of Arkansas, which gave her a chance to experience dorm life and get a real taste of college. Since the campus is more than six hours from our home in Tyler, Texas, the rest of the family turned it into a mini vacation and rented a house on a nearby lake. We explored the beauty of Northwest Arkansas—visiting the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (founded by Alice Walton), going jet-skiing for the first time with my 13-year-old, Jamie, and even taking our dog, Liberty Bell, to see the underground waterfalls at War Eagle Cavern.

And in a surprising twist—I became a grandmother… sort of. Bridget’s boyfriend, Marty, rescued a baby raccoon that had been separated from its family. While my suggestion to take it to a wildlife rehabilitation center was gently ignored, I also politely declined Marty’s mom’s idea of “joint custody.” Bridget has completely fallen in love with this little creature, and it’s become the star of countless stories, pictures, and videos this summer. At this rate, we just might end up on America’s Funniest Home Videos!

My summer kicked off with a pretty unique project - helping my mom move into her new home on wheels for a vanlife adventure! Downsizing, organizing, and watching her excitement was a fun way to start the season. Little did I know, my own summer adventure was just around the corner.

July started off a little too exciting for my taste. Over the July 4th weekend, my house decided to double as a shallow swimming pool, and shortly after that I landed in the UNC Hospital with eight shiny new stitches in my left wrist. Let’s just say I was not exactly winning the “best summer kickoff” award this year.

Thankfully, August delivered the comeback I so desperately needed! I moved into a lovely, bright new townhouse that already feels like home. I even snuck in a couple nights of live music seeing Modest Mouse at Red Hat Amphitheater and The Brian Jonestown Massacre at Cat’s Cradle. The biggest highlight, though, was finally buying a Honda Rebel motorcycle. After years of dabbling with riding, I finally committed, and it has quickly become my favorite way to unwind. One of my favorite rides was heading out to Franklinville, where I parked the bike and went for a hike—a simple day but one that captured the spirit of the season.

Looking back, my summer went from flooded floors to open roads, and while I wouldn’t recommend my exact path to anyone, I have to admit - it made for one memorable ride into fall.

I went to Hawaii with my fiancé's extended family for a week in June! I had never been to Hawaii before, and it was beautiful! We had the best weather and even got to do a helicopter ride over the island. We enjoyed the beach, pool, and the other activities the hotel had to offer - including snorkeling. It was a large group of us, including my fiancé's two young nieces, who were fun to play with in the pool!

My sister, who I asked to be my maid of honor in May, came to visit in July! She got to see my wedding dress and our venue in person finally, which was fun to share some of the wedding activities with her! She also got to visit our new office and meet some of the lovely faces of WFA :)

Finally, my mom came to visit while my dog was recovering from her ACL surgery at the end of the summer. My dog is recovering well, and it was nice to spend some extra quality time with my mom, who still lives in Pennsylvania! We had good meals, went for walks, and just hung out together, which is always extra special since I've moved away from home. I'm looking forward to going back up to Pennsylvania in October for my cousins wedding and spending more time with my whole family, including my dad and brother who weren't able to come down to visit in August.

It’s been an exciting and full summer for the Reid family! We kicked things off with a wonderful week at Disney World in Orlando, where we made plenty of memories (and took plenty of photos!). This is our annual family tradition and hope to go back soon.

Shortly after returning home, we closed on a new house and recently settled into the Briar Chapel community. The move has been a whirlwind, but we’re loving our new space and getting to know the neighborhood. From evening walks, to meeting new neighbors, it’s already starting to feel like home. Most importantly, we have a garden for our Golden Retriever to run laps in!

And the best news of all—we’re thrilled to share that we’re expecting our first child in January 2026! We couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter. It’s been a summer of big changes and beautiful beginnings, and we’re feeling incredibly grateful for all the joy that’s come our way.

This summer marked my first in North Carolina, and I made it a point to embrace my new surroundings by discovering all the beautiful things the state has to offer. To soak up the last of the cooler days at the beginning of the season, my boyfriend, Jaxson, and I spent most of our time outdoors—hiking scenic trails at Bass Lake and Eno River, kayaking at Lake Johnson, and taking many evening strolls through our neighborhood.

As the weather warmed up, our adventures shifted to the evenings. We explored downtown Raleigh, discovered new restaurants, and caught live jazz—one of my favorite pastimes. Another Triangle classic we enjoyed was attending Durham Bulls games. It was a fun surprise to learn the Bulls are direct affiliates of the Tampa Bay Rays, a team I grew up watching in Florida. Thursday’s dollar dog nights were just the cherry on top!

At home, I took on the challenge of starting my first garden right on my small apartment patio. Though my harvests were modest and the learning curve steep, it’s been incredibly fun to pick up a new and useful skill.

I am looking forward to an equally beautiful and exciting fall!

This summer started off with an amazing golf trip to Myrtle Beach. The beautiful weather, challenging courses, and great company made for a perfect getaway and some unforgettable rounds on the green.

We also enjoyed a relaxing family vacation to Maine, taking in the scenic coastal views, fresh seafood, and peaceful atmosphere. It was the perfect opportunity to slow down and spend quality time together.

To wrap up the season, I took a golf trip to Greensboro for a Wyndham event. The courses were in top shape, and it was a great way to end a summer full of travel, golf, and great memories.

We kicked off the summer with an unforgettable family cruise, spending quality time together and making memories that will last a lifetime. The trip was the perfect way to relax, explore, and enjoy the sunshine as a family.

This summer was also extra special because we celebrated two big birthdays—Jasmine turned 3 and Mia turned 1! Watching them grow and reach new milestones has been such a joy, and we loved celebrating their special days surrounded by friends and family.

Another exciting highlight was Jasmine starting her very first year of dance and acro! She absolutely loved every minute of it, so we’ve decided to enroll her for the full year. We can’t wait to see how much she grows and learns in her new adventure!

Want to share YOUR summer highlights? We'd love to hear stories and/or see photos!

Click here to share with your WFA team!

As we approach year-end, we’re proactively reviewing client strategies to ensure all essential, time-sensitive priorities are addressed with care. Our custodians have set firm deadlines for processing service requests such as gifting, retirement contributions, and other planning actions. To help avoid last-minute bottlenecks and ensure everything is executed smoothly, we encourage early coordination.

Please see below for a summary of key custodial deadlines:

The dates listed above represent best-effort deadlines based on custodian processing timelines. Requests submitted after these dates will continue to be worked on as they come in; however, completion before December 31, 2025, cannot be guaranteed. That said, the Woodward team will make every effort to ensure all year-end requests are handled as efficiently and thoroughly as possible.

As always, we’re here to guide each step—thoughtfully and thoroughly.

At Woodward Financial Advisors, our team members are always brainstorming interesting blogs and podcasts to share with our clients. If you missed any this quarter, use the links below to catch up!

If you have an idea for a future blog or podcast, please email us!