Howard Hook recently spoke at Temple Emeth in Teaneck as part of the 2025 Life Hacks lecture series, sharing practical retirement planning strategies and strategic approaches to charitable giving that help families preserve independence while making a meaningful impact.
December is the most charitable month of the year—and for good reason. The holidays inspire gratitude, community, and a natural desire to give back. In this article, we explore why this season drives generosity, how charities maximize year-end giving, common scams to watch for, and ways to make your contributions more strategic and tax-smart.
Fee-only financial planner, Howard Hook, recently spoke at a Hadassah Southern New Jersey virtual event on “Taxes and Giving Strategies with Your IRA.” He shared practical ways to use IRA distributions to support charities while reducing taxes, offering members valuable insight into aligning giving with personal values and financial goals.
What if you could lower your retirement tax bill and make a lasting difference at the same time? For retirees over age 70½, that’s exactly what a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) offers. By directing required withdrawals from your IRA straight to charity, you can reduce taxable income and put your money to work for the causes you care about most.
The cries for charitable gifts are swinging into high gear. Most people do the majority of their giving in the final 6 weeks of the year. Cybercriminals know this, and are adept at crafting false solicitations designed to capture your donations.
How much does it take to make a difference in someone’s life? How much money do you need to make a “transformational” impact? Every gift, no matter how big or small, can have a great multiplier effect. Keep reading. It may inspire you to see how you too can make a difference.
Did you make a Qualified Charitable Distribution in 2022? Keep reading, because how you report it matters.
#GivingTuesday is about giving back in whatever way you can. Here are some ideas that go beyond writing a check, helping you to decide how you can make a difference.
The rules around deducting charitable donations keeps changing. Here’s what you need to know now.
For individuals who would like to donate some of their IRA to charity, making a Qualified Charitable Distribution could be a good strategy.
The CARES Act is an economic stimulus package designed to help small businesses and individuals during the Coronavirus pandemic. Here are the main points that impact individuals.
Making Qualified Charitable Distributions can be a great way to maximize your charitable giving. But this strategy must be reported properly at tax time. Learn how to avoid a tax trap.