It’s an amazing feeling to give to those in need through organizations you are passionate about. Many donors assume that giving to a charity automatically gets them a tax deduction, but this is not always the case. If you’re looking to give and feel the tax benefits, choose a tax-efficient way to give. This blog gives a brief outline of how much donors can deduct on their tax return and outlines three giving methods to achieve a tax reduction.
What should I expect from my investment returns? A very simple question, but one that has a very complicated answer. In order to earn a return on investments that exceeds inflation, an investor must take some risk. By taking risk to increase possible future returns, the investor is also taking on return variability.
When you receive paperwork to renew insurance policies every year, it can be tempting to check the box to renew without looking at your coverage. But renewing an old policy doesn’t mean that your previous coverage meets your current needs. Things may have changed since you purchased the policy – properties are renovated, driving habits change, the cost of parts go up. Here are four questions to ask your insurance agent to make sure you have enough coverage to protect your home and vehicles.
“As if the rising cost of gas and groceries wasn’t enough… my healthcare costs seem more expensive these days! After 15 years on Medicare I thought I would have it all figured out, but do you have any tips and tricks for using my benefits to the fullest capacity?”
Since a sound financial strategy includes an estate plan, FAI works alongside clients through the estate planning process. While discussing your estate plan, your financial advisor or attorney may suggest estate strategies that are new to you, such as a living trust. In this blog, we discuss why a living trust is a popular consideration in many estate planning conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives.
“A few weeks ago, my sister was contacted by a debt collections agency requesting payment for a credit card that she didn’t recognize. After some digging, she found out that a fraudster opened a credit card in her name and charged thousands of dollars! Now I’m scared something like this could happen to me. What can I do?” With fraud on the rise, there are steps you can take to protect your credit. Services like LifeLock provide credit monitoring for a monthly fee, but if you’re looking for a no-cost step to take, you can protect your reports proactively for free with a credit freeze.
Through the last two years, investors have seen social and geopolitical events send the stock market into historic highs and lows. Each time the market takes a turn, many clients ask, “How do I preserve my wealth in this volatile market?” FAI's answer always starts with our investment principle of diversification. Read more about the strong impact of diversifying investments in today's market here.
One of the most important decisions that must be made at some point is where your parents should live as they grow older. Each type of housing option has its advantages and disadvantages. Compare a few options here.
Tax deductions and tax credits lower the amount of taxes owed to the government. Understand the fundamental differences between these two terms here.
Nadine was overjoyed when she called to tell us the news: her daughter and son-in-law were expecting – she was going to be a grandma! While Nadine is most looking forward to spoiling her future grandson or granddaughter with playdates and lots of sweets, she also wants to make sure her grandchild can pay for college someday. Read our blog to learn about 4 strategies for college savings.
