Posts Tagged ‘2019’
Hard Conversations Are Worth Having
Wise will planning is much more than just dividing assets after you die or thinking about charitable bequests. The type of assets you have, your values, the needs of your loved ones and the type of relationship you have with them must all be considered in your planning. That is part of what makes conversations…
Read MoreStarting the Conversation
Advice on how to talk about your will and values with your children Part One of a Two-Part series It is time to update our wills. When we last made them our kids were in junior high and elementary school; now, they both have University degrees and their own careers. But our kids aren’t the…
Read MorePay It Forward: An Oldie But a Goodie
It was the fall of 1992. Our 15-month old daughter’s cry echoed in the church basement. My wife and I did our best to comfort her, smiling as we greeted the men and women of the congregation. As I shook hand after hand I glanced at my daughter’s anxious face and thought to myself, ‘I…
Read MoreSimple Gifts
Some years ago, my wife’s great uncle and his wife were visiting from Germany and my family travelled to my in-law’s home to see them. Our kids were quite young at the time, and prone to wake up very early. Luckily, so was my mother-in-law, who often spent the wee hours with her grandchildren. Despite…
Read MoreLandscaping Your Generosity
The light streaming through a crack in the shades woke me earlier than I would have liked. I padded downstairs and brewed some coffee. The bright sun was already heating the house, so I took my cup to the backyard in search of some shade and a bit of breeze. The best I could find…
Read MoreI’ve Got No Strings
Building Healthy Relationships Between Donors and Charities No matter why a person gives to charity, the organization they support is certain to be grateful. Financial contributions are what enable charities and nonprofits to do the good work they do. When I work with people giving to charity, they often know which charities they want to…
Read MoreStart Building Your Legacy Today
Within the charitable sector, there is an understanding that legacy is all about what you do with your money after you die. However, I think that definition can leave out an important part of the story. Legacy is more than just a gift from your estate – it is built up over a lifetime of…
Read MoreSpring Forward Your Giving
Despite our very snowy and cold weather of late, turning my clock forward on Saturday was a nice reminder that Spring is actually on the way. That means it’s almost time to tackle those jobs around the house I often put off. Cleaning out the garage. Painting the living room. Organizing the digital photos we’ve…
Read MoreSometimes Love is Half a Sandwich
I never would have thought it, but one of the best lessons of love I ever learned was taught by a man with half a sandwich. More than thirty years ago, I spent a few summers on a construction crew. The work was hard, and the days were long. The pay was okay, but like…
Read More