Wisdom for Your
Financial Journey

Do you enjoy charitable giving? Do you have an IRA (Individual Retirement Account)? Do you like paying less income taxes? Now that you have hopefully completed your 2023 income tax return, it's time to begin thinking about how to save on your 2024 income tax bill.

Written by Jeff Chinery, Sr. Partner and Managing Director of Blue Trust's Everyday Steward Division Baskets, egg hunts, and chocolate bunnies are some of the things people often associate with Easter. But we know that none of those things has anything to do with Easter's true meaning. In fact, Easter would not be worth celebrating at all if we remained hopelessly separated from God with only temporal joys.

Last year, Blue Trust hosted Part I of financial planning tips for women. We are excited to share with you Part II as we discuss some of the priorities that women should consider for their finances. This episode features a panel of Blue Trust advisors, including senior private wealth advisors Sherri White and Suzanne Miller, and family office advisor Anehita Chie.

While election season often stirs political emotions, historical data shows that stock market performance and economic outcomes have been consistent regardless of which party controls the White House. Investors benefit from staying focused on long-term fundamentals like innovation and growth rather than short-term political noise.

This winter newsletter covers essential estate planning topics including selecting the right trustee, managing debt decisions, and preparing for tax season. Readers will learn key questions to ask when choosing between family members and professional trustees, understand the fiduciary responsibilities involved, and gain perspective on positioning assets for optimal tax and succession outcomes.

Observed every February, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society. In addition to remembering the activists and civil rights pioneers who bravely fought for equality, we also appreciate the opportunity to recognize  leaders and organizations that work tirelessly to help our local communities.

Bitcoin, the world's most popular cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has been making headlines lately with its soaring prices in anticipation of a spot bitcoin ETF approval. [1] Spot bitcoin ETFs are investment products that directly own bitcoin and trade on conventional stock exchanges, making them accessible to a broader range of investors.

Many of us will celebrate Valentine's Day with our spouses, partners, and friends this week. At Blue Trust, we want to join the celebration by providing you with some critical, often overlooked, counsel on money and relationships derived from the many conversations we've had with our clients on the topic. This article includes relational questions to help you explore and discuss your motivations around money and gain a better understanding of your unique money personality.

Holding Money with an Open Hand How much is enough? At Blue Trust, we encourage clients to consider this question as they follow their unique path to financial freedom. Often, people discover that accumulating money isn't nearly as fulfilling as using their money to help others. On a recent Wisdom for Wealth. For Life.

Today, we pause and remember the legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Confronted with often violent opposition, he fully embraced a peaceful approach, nonviolent resistance, and quiet strength when advocating for his belief in a more just society. In the face of violent opposition, constant threats, and social upheaval, what do gentleness and compassion look like?

The first quarter 2024 economic outlook examines conflicting signals heading into the new year: while the S&P 500 achieved exceptional returns driven largely by technology stocks and unemployment remains low, traditional recession indicators including the inverted yield curve and declining Leading Economic Index suggest economic headwinds ahead.

A Resilient Economy At the beginning of last year, most economists and strategists were confident that the U.S. would enter into a recession in 2023. Many traditional indicators of a recession, such as the inversion of the yield curve, supported this conviction. Multiple interest rate cuts were expected but did not materialize as the Federal Reserve (Fed) continued its hiking campaign throughout the year, even as the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank threatened a broader crisis.