House vs Home

By Mark Bertrang, The Creator of the Financialoscopy® on Thursday, January 16th 2025

 

House vs. Home: A Reflection

Let’s take a moment to talk about the difference between a house and a home.

When I speak with young couples, middle-aged couples, or retired couples about their homes, they tell me stories about their families, their struggles, and their celebrations. They share their hopes for the future, their dreams, and their aspirations—not just for themselves, but also for the people they love. There’s an old saying: Home is where the heart is.

On the other hand, when I ask someone about their house, the conversation takes a different turn. They talk about the shingles that need replacing on the roof, or appliances like washers, air conditioners, and furnaces. They mention the changes they’d like to make—the upgrades and improvements they have in mind.

Most people will move from one house to another about every seven years, sometimes several times in their lives. But a home? That’s something they carry deep within their hearts. A home is not defined by walls and roofs—it’s about connection, love, and shared experiences.

The Covenant Conversation

This year, we’re diving deeper into conversations about homes. We’re introducing a concept we’ve trademarked as “The Covenant Conversation.” This idea is rooted in the bonds that exist between spouses, parents and children, and across generations.

The Covenant Conversation asks two essential questions:

  • What is the life you wish to leave for those you love?
  • What is the life you wish to live with those you love?

These questions go beyond financial planning. While 401(k)s, IRAs, wills, trusts, life insurance, and disability or homeowners’ insurance are vital, they’re like the appliances in a house. They’re functional and necessary but don’t capture the essence of a home. The real conversation is about the heart of your family—the home you’re building with and for your loved ones.

Building Homes, Not Just Houses

In our office, we’ve been reflecting on the type of clients we want to work with in 2025. While we understand the importance of a house and can certainly help with those “house items,” our true passion lies in helping people build a home.

If you are someone who is home-focused—who values the relationships and connections that turn a house into a home—but also recognizes the importance of addressing house-related matters to create a foundation for your home, then perhaps it’s time for you to schedule your Financialoscopy®.

Together, we can build more than a financial plan. We can build a home—a legacy for your family, rooted in love and care for generations to come.


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Securities offered by Fortune Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered by Interactive Financial Advisors, Inc. Financialoscopy Inc. offers non-securities based insurance as an independent business. Financialoscopy Inc., Fortune Financial Services, Inc. and Interactive Financial Advisors, Inc. are separate entities. © Financialoscopy Inc. 2025
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