Monthly Tips
November 2025
TIP 1 Film Institute/Film Rescue
Have you ever come across an old canister of undeveloped film in your home with no idea what is on it or where to develop it? That was the case for a friend of ours, who found a company online called “The Darkroom” to develop the film and send it back to him. It was a great experience and a reminder of wonderful memories over a decade old. An even older canister he sent in at the same time could not be developed, but the folks at The Darkroom included a letter recommending a company called “Film Rescue” that they thought might be able to help develop that roll of film.
These memories are precious and may even spark stories that can be told to younger generations who may be curious about older relatives in the pictures. The holidays are an especially great time to share family pictures and stories, so if you have any undeveloped rolls of film laying around, now would be a great time to get them developed.
https://gstrustco.com/solutions-services/the-sandwich-generation/
TIP 2 Veterans Day
We may consider our freedom to be a fundamental right, but protecting it requires constant effort and sacrifice. One can show appreciation for those making sacrifices for our freedoms by asking for their stories. Sometimes, really great stories are not told unless they are requested. One such story was told to us by an associate, and we published it a few years ago here. Another way to support the veterans who support our freedoms could be to contribute to a charity that supports them, such as the VFW or the Wounded Warrior Project.
This Veterans Day, all of us at Garden State Trust Company want to thank all our veterans for their service and sacrifice. We are forever grateful!
https://gstrustco.com/trusts-estates/charitable-trusts/
TIP 3 Financial Implications of Marriage
Weddings are happy and momentous occasions, turning points on the path of life. In the exciting preparations for the celebration, sometimes the financial implications of the new marital partnership can be overlooked. These will affect the newlyweds, of course, but there are also considerations for the extended family. Read more in our latest blog: Marriage and Personal Finance
https://gstrustco.com/assets/GST-What-If-brochure.pdf
TIP 4 Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving you may hear the new hot phrase being thrown around about “practicing gratitude,” and wonder if that is the same as the older phrase of showing appreciation. The answer is not a simple yes or no, but instead sometimes. The largest difference is that one can practice gratitude internally without demonstrating that gratitude externally through action or words. Showing appreciation always involves expressing something externally. When people say they are practicing gratitude, they are generally referring to feeling personally thankful for the positive things in the world and appreciating them.
It is a worthwhile practice to become habitually grateful, whether through family rituals such as a prayer before meals or self-developed rituals such as taking a long moment to appreciate nature during golfing, hikes, or gardening. It is also helpful to let the people you care about and that care about you know how you appreciate their efforts and presence in your life. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to show that appreciation through words.
At Garden State Trust Company, we are thankful and appreciative of our clients and employees who allow us to achieve our goals. We look forward to another year of service. Happy Thanksgiving!
