Third Quarter 2026 Newsletter

As the days grow shorter and the air finally turns crisp, we’re trading iced coffee for something warmer and swapping patio dinners for cozy nights in. Fall has a way of nudging us all toward a slower, more intentional pace. That applies to your financial plan, too.

As we move into the fourth quarter, our focus turns to year-end planning: reviewing goals, tying loose ends, and making sure everything is in good shape before the calendar turns. We’re also excited to share some team news this quarter, a practical risk-management tip worth adding to your fall to-do list, and a recipe that’s become a favorite around our own dinner tables.

Welcome to the Team – New Advisor – Derek Cheshire, CFP®, MBA, EA

We’re pleased to announce our newest team member, who joined this past quarter as an Advisor. Derek brings more than 13 years of industry experience to the team. He holds an MBA and is both a CFP® professional (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®) and an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS. Most recently, Derek served as an Associate Financial Advisor at Scholar Financial Advising LLC.

Outside the office, Derek is a husband and a proud father to two wonderful boys.

We know you’ll enjoy getting to know Derek in upcoming calls and meetings. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome!

Take a video recording of your home and all its contents, just in case you ever need it.

Doing an annual home inventory video is a smart practice, and most private client insurers recommend it. Here’s why it matters and how to do it well.

Risk Management Pro Tip: Fall 2026

Why It’s Worth Doing Annually

• Proof of ownership and condition. If you have a total loss (fire, flood, major theft), a video is far more persuasive to an adjuster than a memory-based list. It shows you actually owned the items and gives a sense of their condition and quantity.
• Capture changes. Homes accumulate new furniture, electronics, art, jewelry, and remodel upgrades every year. An outdated inventory from five years ago won’t reflect what you’d actually need to replace today.
• Speed up claims significantly. Adjusters process claims faster when you can hand over clear documentation instead of reconstructing everything from memory during a stressful time.
• Confirm you have he right coverage limits. This is also a good check-in moment. If you’ve acquired high-value items (art, watches, jewelry), you may need scheduled/itemized coverage rather than relying on standard contents limits.

How to Do It Well

1. Walk room to room slowly, narrating as you go. Mention brand names and approximate purchase dates/prices, and open closets, cabinets, and drawers.
2. Zoom in on serial numbers for electronics and appliances, and on maker’s marks or hallmarks for jewelry or art.
3. Include receipts or appraisals for high-value items (art, watches, wine collections) as photos within the same video or a linked folder.
4. Don’t forget storage areas: attic, basement, garage, and any offsite storage units.
5. Store it somewhere safe and separate from the house: cloud storage, or a copy sent to your insurance advisor. If it only lives on a device inside your home, it won’t survive a fire or theft.
6. Date-stamp it each year, so you (and your carrier) know how current it is.

A few extra tips: when comparing private client carriers, ask whether they offer or require a valuable articles schedule for jewelry, art, or collectibles. A video alone often isn’t sufficient for a single high-value item, which usually needs its own appraisal. And if you own a second home with short-term renters, consider a separate inventory video for that property, since contents and wear differ from your primary residence. Some clients redo this every year; others do a thorough pass every two to three years and simply film new major purchases as they happen. Either approach works, as long as it’s genuinely current when you need it.

A Taste of Fall

Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 6 hours (slow cooker) | Serves: 6

A team favorite: Five Stars!

A savory and warming soup with almost no hands-on effort. It’s the kind of soup that makes the whole house smell like the season. Best served with hot sourdough bread!

Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
• 2 sweet apples, peeled and chopped
• 1 small shallot onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
• Toasted pepitas and a drizzle of cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Add the squash, apples, onion, garlic, broth, and spices to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the squash is fork-tender.
3. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the slow cooker until smooth. (Or carefully transfer in batches to a stand blender.)
4. Stir in the cream, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Ladle into bowls and top with toasted pepitas and an extra drizzle of cream. Serve with crusty bread!

Team Member Spotlight – Erin Hadary

This past quarter kept me busy professionally. I led a discussion with my peers on the outlook for global markets and how to position portfolios in an uncertain macro environment, in addition to leading the hiring process for our new advisor, Derek. Somehow, I also found time for a short three-day getaway with my husband to Oregon wine country, where I bought so much wine that I now must host parties to share it!

I’m grateful to each of you for your partnership, and I hope you find a moment to enjoy the fall with friends and family.

Team Member Spotlight – Derek Cheshire

Outside of work, I try to make the most of the outdoors Colorado and the Southwest have to offer. Recently, I pretended I wasn’t scared while canyoneering in Moab, geared up and ready to rappel down the red rock. I also love spending time at Lake Granby, one of my favorite spots in Colorado, where my dog and I were treated to a rainbow right on cue.

Team Member Spotlight – Shannon Nolder

Paco, Ollie, and I spent the summer soaking up the outdoors, and we’re ready for cooler days ahead. We’re looking forward to Fall and Winter adventures that don’t require a sunrise wake-up call to beat the heat.

Team Member Spotlight – Tina Rogers

Our family is excited to visit our younger son’s college campus twice this fall to attend his senior seminar and see him perform in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

Watching him grow as an actor is especially rewarding. We’re also looking forward to cooler evening walks with our older son’s Poochon.

Closing Statement

As the leaves turn and the year begins to wind down, we hope you’re finding moments to slow down and savor the season with a soup simmering on the stove, a weekend hike, or simply more time at the table with the people who matter most. As always, we’re here to help you close out 2026 with confidence, whether that means a year-end planning conversation or a quick chat about your insurance coverage. We’d love to hear what fall has in store for you.

© 2026 Advisory services offered by Moneta Group Investment Advisors, LLC, (“MGIA”) an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). MGIA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Moneta Group, LLC. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only, is not intended to be comprehensive or exclusive, and is based on materials deemed reliable, but the accuracy of which has not been verified. Trademarks and copyrights of materials referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Index returns reflect total return, assuming reinvestment of dividends and interest. The returns do not reflect the effect of taxes and/or fees that an investor would incur. Examples contained herein are for illustrative purposes only based on generic assumptions. Given the dynamic nature of the subject matter and the environment in which this communication was written, the information contained herein is subject to change. This is not an offer to sell or buy securities, nor does it represent any specific recommendation. You should consult with an appropriately credentialed professional before making any financial, investment, tax or legal decision. An index is an unmanaged portfolio of specified securities and does not reflect any initial or ongoing expenses nor can it be invested in directly. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. All investments are subject to a risk of loss. Diversification and strategic asset allocation do not assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets. These materials do not take into consideration your personal circumstances, financial or otherwise.