Summertime and the Livin’ is Easy

Summer has always been my favorite time of year, with warmer weather and a more relaxed pace of life. I can vividly remember the countdown to summer during my school days with some of my favorite childhood memories including endless hours at the ocean, long bike rides, ice cream multiple nights in a row, and in my adolescent years, receiving my first paycheck from a job at the beach.

I also distinctly remember the moment I realized I would no longer have a summer break after graduating from college. And while I certainly miss the 10-week summer break from school, I have also come to appreciate the joys of this season in my adult life through watching my children experience the magic of summer and finding ways to weave bits of summer joy into my professional life.

At Princeton Global, summer is in full swing. I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of our recent summer traditions – hosting interns, a team outing to the Phillies game, and summer Fridays.

Summer Interns

While a formal internship program is still on our wish list, we have been fortunate to host a handful of college students for a few weeks each summer. Our aim is to provide an overview of the core aspects of an RIA firm, from financial planning to investing and operations. While we do not offer a paid program (yet), lunch is on the house, which allows for a tour of local Princeton eating spots during their time with us.  This year’s interns also helped us with several projects, including enhancements to our website and materials to help us communicate the different services we provide.

I can still remember the positive impact that my own internships had on my career and the pride I felt in having the opportunity to experience different roles. Now that I am on the other side, I can see first-hand the positive energy interns bring to the office. We continue to be so impressed with the perspective, ambition, and technological expertise each individual brings. I love that we now can give young people some of the same exposure and encouragement that meant so much to me early in my career.

Team Outing to Citizens Bank Park

Despite having a mixed fan base on the Princeton Global team, our annual trip to Citizens Bank Park to see the Phillies play, is a favorite team event. This year, it was the Phillies vs. the Dodgers, and although the away team got the win, plenty of cheesesteaks, cold beverages, and ice cream were enjoyed.  As a bonus, one of our team members (and devoted Philly fan) taught some of the youngest fans the art of getting a game ball.

For me, the highlight of the night was watching my kids experience the game alongside my colleagues and their children.  I love having opportunities for our team to get to know one another – and our families – outside of the office. Building the next generation of baseball fans, snack aficionados, and if we’re lucky, office interns!

Summer Fridays

This year, the operations team brought back Summer Fridays, with team members rotating Fridays off throughout the summer. While the office remains open, this extra day off allows everyone to sneak in a little extra time away and come back feeling refreshed.  Whether it is catching up on errands, spending time with grandchildren, or carving out time for self-care, the time is well spent and reflects something we encourage for both our team and our clients.

As someone who has juggled personal and professional obligations for over two decades, I have come to appreciate what a gift time can be. I’m grateful that we’re able to give our team a little more of it during the summer

Maybe that’s what I love most about summer. It reminds me to slow down a little and appreciate how valuable our time really is. Whether it’s giving a college student an opportunity, spending an evening at the ballpark with our families, or simply having an extra Friday to do something that matters to us, these are the moments that make life meaningful

At Princeton Global, that’s something we think about often with our clients, too. We believe time is one of our greatest assets and that money should serve our lives, not the other way around.

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into our summer. We’d love to hear how you’re making the most of yours!