Red Tower Advisors

10/24/2026

Giving to charity in 2026? There’s a new number to know: 0.5%.
If you itemize, charitable contributions are now subject to a floor equal to 0.5% of your AGI.

👉 $500,000 AGI = $2,500 floor
👉 Only giving above the floor is potentially deductible
👉 The floor applies each year

So how can you plan around it?

Consider bunching multiple years of giving into one year through a Donor-Advised Fund.

Even better, investors with long-term appreciated stock should consider contributing those shares directly rather than selling them and donating cash.

The potential benefits:
✓ Clear the charitable deduction floor just once every few years by bunching contributions.
✓ Maintain flexibility to support charities over time
✓ Potentially avoid capital gains on appreciated investments
✓ Put more of your assets toward the causes you care about

A small change in the tax code can make the timing of your giving much more important.

Talk with your financial and tax professionals to determine what's appropriate for your situation.

10/22/2026

More Than a Number: The Four Risks That Shape Your Retirement

Many people can tell you their portfolio balance. Far fewer can tell you what else determines whether their retirement actually works.That's understandable. The balance is the number on the statement. It's concrete, and it feels like a score. But judging retirement readiness by that one figure is a....

10/20/2026

Six Estate Planning Assumptions Worth a Second Look

It's easy to set estate planning aside once you've done a version of it. You sign the paperwork. You name a beneficiary. You mentally close the file.The only thing is, the file keeps changing. Accounts get opened. Families grow. Laws shift. And in the space between signing and revisiting, a handful....

10/08/2026

Some firsts mean more when they’re unexpected.

This was Adora Lee's first NFL game, and we were glad to be part of it.

After years of working together, we’ve gotten to know her family beyond the numbers. So when we had tickets to share, we were excited to surprise them with a day at the game.

One unexpected gift. One brand-new experience.

06/25/2026

Last week I attended LPL Financial Business Leaders Forum hosted at The Wharton School in Philadelphia.

It was a great few days of learning from Wharton faculty on business strategy, AI, innovation, scaling, leadership, and the future of financial advice.

It was also a great reminder that Philadelphia has contributed a lot to America: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and sandwiches that require a nap afterward.

A few takeaways I’m bringing home:
Growth and scaling are not the same thing. Growth means doing more. Scaling means building a better business so we can serve clients with more clarity, consistency, and care.

AI is going to change how a lot of work gets done, including in financial services. But technology does not replace trust, judgment, or a deep understanding of someone’s life.

I also did some important local research at Tommy DiNic's and Sonny's Famous Cheesesteaks. I’m not ready to publish a formal white paper on roast pork vs. cheesesteak, but I can confirm both deserve further study. Do you prefer a roast pork or cheesesteak sandwich?

Coming back grateful, energized, and focused on how we keep improving the advice and experience we provide to the families we serve.

05/22/2026

My college-aged son made a Spotify playlist called “Mom and Dad.”

At first, I was amused because I realized these songs are a mix of what my wife and I listened to in the car during his childhood. Then he explained the meaning behind it: he started listening to songs that reminded him of us when he began missing home.

For any parent with a child in college, you know that season is full of mixed emotions. You spend years preparing them to be independent — and then, when they actually are, you realize how much your family rhythm has changed.

College planning is often talked about in terms of tuition, housing, scholarships, student loans, and 529 plans. All of that matters, but there’s also an emotional side to planning. A playlist called “Mom and Dad” was a sweet reminder that even as our kids grow, the foundation we build at home still goes with them.

As your kids come home from college this spring, I hope your time with them is cherished and full of laughter.

Because in the end, planning is never just about money. It’s about the people and moments we’re planning for.

P.S. Apparently, he inherited my need to make mixtapes.

05/15/2026

We returned last week from an unforgettable LPL Financial conference in London!
I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time with LPL executives, connect with other top financial advisors from around the country, and learn from some of the best in the business.
We also had some time to enjoy London — the history, the sights and the experience of being in such an incredible city.
Feeling thankful, inspired, and excited to bring new ideas and energy back home to the clients and families we serve. Wimbledon, Tower of London, Kensington Palace Natural, Fortnum & Mason

05/13/2026

How far will your savings actually go? Enter your numbers to see how long your money could last depending on how much you withdraw each year.

See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.

05/01/2026

Honored and grateful to be named to the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2026.

This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the trust our clients place in us every day. Helping individuals and families navigate important financial decisions and plan for the future is a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

Thank you to our clients and team for being part of this journey. Your confidence and collaboration make achievements like this possible.

Looking forward to continuing to serve with the same commitment, discipline, and client-first focus in the years ahead.

https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/

04/29/2026

If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles, and online accounts?

If you died, what would happen to your email archives, social profiles and online accounts?