Why I Share Financial Ideas for Free
Someone recently asked me why I keep sharing videos about charitable giving. My answer is simple: I want to help people. Most people I meet, clients and non-clients alike, want to pay the IRS exactly what they owe, and not a dime more. Thoughtful charitable giving can help with that. The charity receives the same gift. The strategy just makes it work better for the person giving.
Here's an example. I was recently talking with a friend about his giving, and I mentioned a simple idea: instead of writing a check, donate appreciated stock you've held for more than a year to a donor-advised fund. That lets you contribute the full value of the shares without realizing the capital gain yourself. He'd never heard of it, and that one conversation could make a meaningful difference in his taxes.
I know that only a few people who read this will ever reach out, and that's fine. If even a handful find a more tax-efficient way to support the causes they care about, I've done my job. Contributions to a donor-advised fund are irrevocable, and whether you receive a deduction depends on your tax situation. If giving is already part of your plan, try our free Charitable Giving Strategy Finder.
