The holidays are a popular time for charitable donations. With so many charities to choose from, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your donation is well spent. Here are six tips that can help you make smart and effective charitable donations. 1.  Choose your charities wisely Choosing worthy organizations that support the causes

Generally, you can join any state’s 529 savings plan. Why might you want to shop around?  Some plans may be more appealing, for a variety of reasons. Here’s one way to approach this question. First, find out if your state offers any state tax benefits for 529 contributions or withdrawals, and whether those benefits are

Answer: Your gross estate for federal estate tax purposes includes: All property that you own at death (e.g., real estate, investments, business interests, personal property, mortgages held by you) Property you have given away while retaining a lifetime interest in the income from the property, the use and enjoyment of the property, or the right

You may have heard that IRAs and employer-sponsored plans (e.g., 401(k)s) are the best ways to invest for retirement. That’s true for many people, but what if you’ve maxed out your contributions to those accounts and want to save more? An annuity may be a good investment to look into. Get the lay of the