Insights

Expand Your Charitable Reach

As a kid, Zachary Conway’s financial advisor father tried to instill good savings and charitable habits. Conway, founder and CEO of Seeds Investor, recently told the Framework podcast team about how that worked. When he got his monthly allowance, he divided it up among several containers: one for savings, one for spending and and one for charity.

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Market Commentary: Retail Sales Rise as Supply Chain Issues Ease Ahead of Christmas Season

U.S. retail sales surprised economists, rising 1.7% in October (Figure 1). Rising prices contributed 1% to the growth, and increased purchases generated the remaining 0.7%. Both the top-line and after-inflation rates were higher than pre-pandemic levels. Supply chain risks may have prompted consumers to kick off Christmas shopping early at internet retailers and stores selling electronics and appliances. Those two segments contributed to the strong results.

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The Philosophy of Giving and Tax-Loss Harvesting

Watch this webinar hosted by Carson’s Managing Partner, Wealth Solutions, Jamie Hopkins, and Vice President, Trust Services, Sarah Duey, to learn more about the philosophy of giving and tax-loss harvesting.

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Yes, You Can Make a Solid Long-Term Care Plan. Here’s How and Why It’s Important

In today’s world it’s fair to say that most reasonable people believe that they are going to live a long life, and, when you live a long life, it’s also fair to say that sooner or later at some point, we’re going to need some form of care.

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Market Commentary: Inflation Surges in October, and a Record 3% of Workforce Voluntarily Quitting

An inflation surprise created a challenge for investors. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.9% last month. The monthly increase was the largest reached in 2021, and the yearly increase of 6.2% was the largest since 1990, when the Gulf War contributed to a surge in oil prices (Figure 1).

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Market Commentary: Strong Earnings and Employment Report Bring Good News for the U.S. Economy

After a couple weak monthly reports, U.S. employment roared back in October. The U.S. created 531,000 new jobs, beating expectations for 412,500. August and September were both revised higher by more than 100,000 jobs. Private payroll increased 604,000 while government payrolls shrank 73,000. Unemployment dipped from 4.8% to 4.6%.

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When to Use a Donor-Advised Fund for Charitable Giving

Philanthropist and oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller famously said: “Think of giving not only as a duty, but a privilege.”

If you are of the same charitable mindset as John Rockefeller, you might consider a donor-advised fund (DAF).

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a tool to which you make an irrevocable, tax-deductible contribution, which is then donated to some of your favorite charities. You work with a sponsor (a 501(c)(3) non-profit), which manages the account.

This worksheet will help you figure out whether a DAF can play a role in your giving strategies and offers tips to keep in mind when using a DAF.

Download the worksheet to get started.

Tools for the Charitably Minded: Donor-Advised Funds and Charitable Remainder Trusts

Each person’s relationship with charitable giving has an origin story. Maybe it was when your grandmother would cook dinner for people in your community who were less fortunate. Or you were required by parental contract to give up a certain percentage of your allowance to the church collection basket.

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Market Commentary: Supply Issues and Delta Variant Slow Economic Growth to 2%

 U.S. GDP grew at an annualized pace of just 2% last quarter, a marked slowdown from last quarter’s 6.7% (Figure 1). Contracted auto production sliced around 2% off growth, and concerns over the Delta variant slowed demand and the return of workers to the labor force. Third quarter growth disappointed many. Final estimates were for 2.8%, and those had been much higher earlier in the quarter.

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Most Changes to Personal Taxes, Retirement Plans Dropped from Build Back Better Act

By Jamie Hopkins In September, I covered the proposed tax plan released by Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, which would help pay for the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act through changes to corporate, personal and other taxes, as well as retirement plans.

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