On Money & More – December 2025 / January 2026

ON MOST THURSDAYS for the past decade, Scout Troop 17 has met on the Bigham Knoll Campus. Cutler has a long history with this troop—both Matt and Erich Patten achieved their ranks of Eagle from Troop 17 in the 1990’s; Matt’s two sons earned Eagles from Troop 17, and Mel Ashland and Matt were longstanding Scoutmasters. Troop 17 is a part of Jacksonville’s DNA. The Scouts hang the garlands around California Street for Christmastime—and the less glamourous work of taking them down! They pick up Christmas trees for residents. You will see evidence of Eagle Scout projects all around town, from Wilderness Trail maintenance, to gaga pit construction. Just this fall, 15 Scouts assisted with Nathan Kemmling’s Eagle project: The restoration of the City’s iconic Engine No. 1. Thank you, Troop 17, for all that you do for Jacksonville! We can all learn a lot from these outstanding citizens.

Let’s test that idea. What can we learn about our finances from these Scouts? Let’s take a look at some of the lessons from Scouting and see how they might apply to our finances.

Lesson #1: Be Prepared—This famous motto of Scouting doesn’t just apply to camping. Being prepared can encompass all aspects of our lives, and our finances are no exception. As you consider your retirement plan, it’s important to think about contingencies that may arise; job instability, living longer than expected, and market volatility are just three that come to mind. Are you prepared for unexpected outcomes?

Lesson #2: Do a good turn daily—The Scout slogan. As you consider your finances at year-end, charitable donations are a great way to make an impact. They can also help your own pocketbook by reducing your tax burden. Consider gifting appreciated stock to charities (or relatives who may have a lower tax rate). Think about using a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA instead of taking an RMD (Required Minimum Distribution).

Lesson #3. A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent—There’s a lot to unpack from the Scout Law, which is why each Scout is required to recite this regularly. Thrifty is the obvious financial lesson here, as spending beyond our means is the quickest way to financial hardship. But, this December, we’d encourage you to focus instead on another point instead—Friendly. Each year, the holidays remind us that helping a neighbor in need is an important lesson for us all. Now is a great time to reflect on how we can help others, whether that is financially or just being friendly to those that could use a helping hand.

Thank you for reading this past year, and from all of us at Cutler Investment Group—Merry Christmas.

All opinions and data included in this commentary are as of November 10, 2025 and are subject to change without notice. The opinions and views expressed herein are of Cutler Investment Counsel, LLC and are not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or individual investment advice including the asset allocation provided. Nothing herein should be construed as tax advice. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell securities. This information should not be used as the sole basis to make any investment decision. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principle.

Featured image: Troop 17 Scouts taking a break from restoring Engine No. 1 during an Eagle Scout project.