Coming back from maternity leave after welcoming our daughter this spring has reminded me of what our work at Hill is really about: helping clients use their money as a tool to build lives rich in meaning, not just numbers.

Whether you’re navigating new parenthood, approaching retirement, or somewhere in between, the core questions often remain the same: What matters most? And how can your money support that?

Here are a few reflections that have stayed with me through this milestone.

Time Is Our Most Limited Asset

This season has made it clear: time is precious. As the saying goes, the days are long, but the weeks are short. At Hill, we encourage clients to think of time like any other resource, i.e., something to be used intentionally.

Having a baby sharpened my awareness of how valuable time with all generations can be. We’ve prioritized visits and calls with our parents and grandparents, including Merrill. One visual we often share is Tim Urban’s “Your Life in Weeks,” which maps the average lifespan as a grid of boxes, each one a week. Sam Harris captures the feeling well: “It always is later than you think.”

Experiences That Leave a Lasting Impact

One book that’s prompted meaningful reflection is Die With Zero, which invites readers to think intentionally about how they use time, money, and attention. One key idea is the “memory dividend,” that experiences created now continue to bring joy over time.

During our first family trip with Merrill, we bought matching tracksuits for three generations (thankfully not pictured on the cover of this post!). The laughter that moment created has become part of our family story, which is something we’ll carry forward.

When you “eventize” small moments, making them playful, meaningful, or tradition-worthy, you create experiences that stay with you long after the money is spent.

Freedom Through Planning

Taking the Long View isn’t about deferring joy. It’s about aligning today’s choices with your long-term values. For our family, that included investing in a high-quality caregiver–not only to support our daughter’s development, but to give both Walter and me the capacity to continue doing meaningful work. This single decision had ripple effects across our financial plan and peace of mind.

In our experience, thoughtful planning doesn’t restrict you. Instead it creates more space for the things that matter.

The Time to Act Is Now

Watching our daughter grow has been a reminder that certain windows of opportunity are fleeting. Whether it’s a trip you’ve been considering, a gift you’ve meant to give, or simply time with someone you care about, the moment to act may be now.

At Hill, we aim to help you simplify, clarify, and align your financial life so it supports the life you want to live. With a new rhythm, a deeper commitment to this work, and a fresh perspective, I’m more convinced than ever: the best investments are the ones that help us be present, generous, and fully alive.

Long before the Wall Street Journal picked it up, we were already tuned in.

A year and a half ago, we hosted a private screening of Tune Out the Noise—a thoughtful, visually arresting short film that captures the essence of what we’ve been saying for years: successful investing isn’t about reacting to the news—it’s about rising above it.

The film, directed by Academy Award-winner Errol Morris and centered on the story of Dimensional Fund Advisors’ David Booth, is now getting the national spotlight. The WSJ recently featured the film and its message, which reinforces what we’ve long believed—and shared with our clients:

Ignore the noise. Focus on what matters. Stick to the plan.

We’re proud to have brought this film to our clients and friends well before it was newsworthy. That’s part of what we do—curate ideas, tools, and insights that help you stay the course, often before the rest of the world catches on.

Read the Wall Street Journal article:

Investing Documentary by Errol Morris Tells You to Do Nothing

At Hill Investment Group, we’ve found that when a few clients ask similar questions, many more likely share the same curiosity. To better serve you, we’ll periodically feature this “Hey Hill” segment in our newsletter, addressing common client questions and explaining our perspective. To submit questions for future newsletters, email us at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Hey Hill, should my Social Security income change how I invest?

Many investors underestimate how significantly Social Security can impact their financial plans. Rather than viewing it merely as a government benefit, think of Social Security as what it truly is—a guaranteed, inflation-adjusted income stream, similar to a bond within your portfolio.

This means your actual fixed-income allocation may be higher than you’ve realized. As a result, incorporating Social Security into your planning can allow you to take on more investment risk than initially assumed, potentially enhancing your portfolio’s long-term growth.

Clients often ask us:
– Should I reduce my stock exposure as I near retirement?
– How much investment risk is appropriate?
– How should I factor Social Security into my overall investment strategy?

Reframing Social Security as a reliable income source can help you feel more confident maintaining a higher equity allocation, improving your portfolio’s potential for growth over time.

Want to discuss how this concept applies specifically to you?

We’re here to help. Reach out at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.