Family game nights can do more than bring people together. They can build connections across generations, teach resilience, and create memorable moments that outlast the scoreboard.

In this episode of Living Beyond the Numbers, Jude Boudreaux and Caleb Arringdale are joined by Rob Baner, Tax Advisor, and Abney Fortino, Tax Analyst at The Planning Center, for a fun and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about why play still matters, especially for busy families.

Together, they discuss:

• How childhood board games influenced their competitive streaks and problem-solving styles
• Why games offer a meaningful way for families to connect across ages and personalities
• The rise of modern board gaming and how it brings people together in new ways
• Practical recommendations from avid gamers on the TPC tax team
• Lessons families can model through play, including sportsmanship, handling loss, and healthy competition
• And more!

Resources:

• Axis & Allies: 1941 (WWII strategy board game)
• Just One (cooperative party game)
• Codenames (spy word game)
• Diplomacy (Cooperative Board Game)
• Hickory Dickory (worker-placement clock game)
• Ticket to Ride (railway strategy game)
• Kingdomino (strategy tile game)
• Flamecraft (dragon-themed strategy game)
• CMYK Wavelength: The Mind Reading Party Game
• Root (asymmetric woodland strategy game)
• Risk (classic strategy board game)

Connect with Jude Boudreaux CFP®:

• The Planning Center
• LinkedIn: Jude Boudreaux
• jude@theplanningcenter.com
• Phone: (504) 717-4862

Connect with Caleb Arringdale:

• LinkedIn: Caleb Arringdale
• caleb@theplanningcenter.com
• Phone: (309) 797-4030

Connect with Rob Baner:

• LinkedIn: Rob Baner
• rob@theplanningcenter.com
• Phone: (309) 797-4030

Connect with Abney Fortino:

• LinkedIn: Abney Fortino
• abney@theplanningcenter.com
• Phone: (309) 797-4030

About our Guests:

As a CPA, Rob Baner’s responsibilities focus primarily on taxes and tax matters. Rob joined The Planning Center in 2015, after working with a full-service Quad Cities CPA firm from 2010 to 2015. Though his duties vary based upon the needs of our clients, Rob works collaboratively with our financial planners to provide integrated tax preparation and tax planning services to our clients. It’s important to remember that tax planning is a year-round job and April 15th is simply the culmination of our work. Nothing gives Rob greater satisfaction than knowing that we have helped our clients navigate the maze that is our tax system.

Abney Fortino joined The Planning Center in 2018. Abney’s responsibilities as a tax analyst include tax planning, preparation, and reviewing tax forms for individuals. In addition to those duties, Abney assists with accounting and operations within the company.