With over 25 years in wealth management, I’ve observed various approaches to charitable giving. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) consistently prove to be one of the most effective tools, especially for those seeking the benefits of a private foundation without the associated complexities and costs.

Setting up a trust can be a powerful estate planning tool, but it’s important to consider both its advantages and drawbacks. Additionally, Transfer on Death (TOD) designations offer an alternative method to achieve some similar goals.

Investors seeking to generate income from their portfolios have two primary strategies to consider: income-focused investing and total return investing. Each approach has its own benefits and drawbacks, and the choice between them depends on the investor’s goals, risk tolerance, and need for sustainable income that keeps pace with inflation.

Few people enjoy a budget and for many the goal of building wealth is so to get to the point that one isn’t needed. We’ve worked with clients at all ends of the wealth spectrum to help them evaluate their spending. Sometimes those with relatively smaller incomes are excellent savers and for some, the more they have, the easier it is to overspend.