I’ve been thinking about Christmas a little differently this year.

In some ways, I feel like I’ve already had mine. And I don’t mean the holiday itself. I mean the everyday version. Each day, we get to do work that matters for families we genuinely care about. We help people make better decisions, reduce anxiety, and create order where there was once noise. That’s a gift, and one I don’t take lightly.

This season naturally invites gratitude. Gratitude for trust. For relationships that deepen over time. For the privilege of being invited into important conversations about life, money, and meaning. That sense of gratitude runs through everything you’ll find in this month’s Journal.

It’s also a time of momentum. We’re finishing strong, learning constantly, and quietly building what comes next. I’ll simply say this: the ideas taking shape for 2026 have the potential to be deeply valuable. Not louder. Not flashier. Just more useful, more beneficial, and more aligned with what long-term thinkers actually need. Stay tuned.

As always, thank you for being part of this community. Whether you’re a client, a friend of the firm, or simply curious about how we think, you belong here if you value sound judgment, long-term thinking, and progress over perfection.

I hope you enjoy this month’s Journal, and I wish you clarity and steady momentum in 2026 and beyond.

Take the Long View,

When Rick Hill officially retired in 2023, our team wanted to continue celebrating his incredible legacy with the Rick Hill Award. As you may recall from an earlier post, I am the proud first recipient.

This annual award, paired with financial recognition, is presented to the team member who best exemplifies living our firm’s values (see below for the list) throughout the prior year. We’ve been paying close attention to those moments in 2025 when teammates have gone above and beyond, and we want to include our clients in the “voting” process. 

So, please consider taking the time to nominate someone you believe deserves this honor! If you’ve had a meaningful interaction with a team member that reflects Rick’s and our firm’s values, please email Matt Hall directly. Please include the individual’s name and one or two examples of why you are nominating this person. We value your insight and are grateful for your help in recognizing the teammates who make our firm extraordinary.

The nomination window closes soon, so don’t wait! 

We’ll share the news about this year’s winner right here in the February 2026 issue! If you need a refresher on the Hill Investment Group Values, revisit this article, otherwise nominate someone below. 

Nominate a Team Member

When Rick Hill officially retired in 2023, our team set out to celebrate his incredible legacy with the Rick Hill Award. As you may recall from an earlier post, I was honored to be the first recipient.

This annual award recognizes the team member who best embodies our firm’s values throughout the year. In 2025, we’ve been watching for the quiet, consistent moments when teammates go above and beyond, and we’d love your help in identifying those who deserve this honor.

If you’ve had a meaningful interaction with a member of our team that reflects Rick’s spirit and our firm’s values, please email Matt Hall directly. Just share their name and a brief example of why you’re nominating them. Your insight helps us recognize the teammates who make our firm extraordinary.

Nominations close January 31, 2026.
We’ll share this year’s winner in the February 2026 issue.

Nominate a Team Member

Corporate values are often empty statements on walls or stickers on laptops. Ours aren’t. We try to live them quietly and consistently, not plaster them everywhere. Below are the six values that guide our work every day.

EVIDENCE-BASED INVESTING EVANGELISTS
We don’t choose gunslingers and gurus to manage the real wealth of clients or our own. We favor evidence-based investment approaches that are designed to be disciplined, diversified, and repeatable over time.

MAKING FRIENDS IS OUR BUSINESS
Inspired by the old Anheuser-Busch mantra, relationships are at the heart of what we do. Sometimes, friends become clients, and often, clients develop genuine connections with our team. “There will be neither frustration nor failure where there is friendship.”

CHEERS AND THE FOUR SEASONS
Hill Investment Group is a place where we truly know our clients. We know what they like to drink and the preferences that make them who they are. We see clients and serve them in a manner befitting a familiar yet high-end experience. We value hospitality, reliability, and excellence.

PATIENCE AND DISCIPLINE
The rewards of the long view are only possible when we help our clients stay focused on what truly matters.

CANDOR
We value the truth (no spin) and commit to sharing it with one another and our clients, especially when it’s hard.

FUN GOES WITH BUSINESS
We take our work seriously and have fun in the process! We celebrate our wins and recognize life and work milestones at every chance.