There are many ways to get rich. The easiest - and hardest - is to give generously. The economic principles of giving do not come naturally. They take just as much work as saving but are equally important to many of our clients. We are sympathetic to the desire of many to give and enjoy sharing with our clients several tax savings ideas to help them accomplish their giving goals.

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1. Best Christmas Presents (2009-11-30)
   Understanding the economics of gift giving may help you decide when and what to buy for Christmas.
   
   
2. There's Still Time for Charitable Giving (2009-12-21)
   The markets are up, and yet most nonprofits are still struggling financially. If you are charitably inclined, there's still time for end-of-year giving.
   
   
3. Raising Money Savvy Kids - Teen Budgeting (2007-03-19)
   Many parents are concerned about raising their children to be financially savvy. If you want to raise kids who can create and manage wealth, there are a handful of key life skills every child should practice. Every kid should practice living within a budget before leaving home, not after. One way to provide opportunities for real world lessons at home is to give your children some oversight of the family budget.
   
   
4. Give Generously During Hard Times (2008-11-10)
   As a response to the recent market correction, consider giving more generously to charities.
   
   
5. Donor Advised Funds (2007-02-12)
   Donor Advised Funds offer the charitably inclined new flexibility for managing gifts to charity. By funding an account, donors receive an immediate tax deduction for their contribution and gain the flexibility to direct payouts to charity on their own timetable. However, donor advised accounts are not for everyone. Before funding an account of your own, consider the cost. Using a donor advised fund to manage your charitable donations may actually diminish the tax benefits of giving.
   
   
6. Be Choosey When Giving to Charity (2007-02-26)
   Do you ever wonder if your gifts to charity are being used as well as they could be? If so, you're not alone. A 2002 study by the Brookings Institution found four out of five Americans doubt that charities are stewarding donations well. And although 83% of U.S. adults report giving to charity in 2006, according to a Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive poll, the charitably inclined are doing more homework before opening their wallets. Maybe it is time you checked up on your favorite charities before making your next gift.
   
   
7. Conservation Easements (2006-11-06)
   Recent amendments to our tax laws provide conservationists with additional incentives to protect the natural beauty of their land. Landowners who relinquish their land development rights by donating a conservation easement can ensure that the natural beauty of their land is preserved in perpetuity. Currently, donors also receive tax breaks at the federal and state levels. For those who have already achieved their financial goals, donating their land development rights can bring additional the tax benefits.
   
   
8. Taxes Matter 4 - Private Charity vs. Government Entitlement Programs (2004-08-16)
   Government entitlement programs lack several important characteristics that make charity a virtue.
   
   
9. Careful records can result in capital gains (2004-02-16)
   Keeping a careful accounting of your investment's cost basis isn't glamorous, but it can help you save time and money when it comes time to sell.
   
   
10. Money can't buy you happiness (2003-12-22)
    Financial planning is primarily about living life and using money to further values that transcend the things that money can buy. Reviewing your values may not result in a dramatic career change, but it will help you to see ways to align your actions to your goals.
    
    
11. Gifting Your Gains Can Save You Money (2003-10-06)
    Americans are a generous people, and this is the time of year when most people do their charitable giving.
    
    

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