Opinion Holiday Gift Guide Financial Gifts with a Lasting Impact

The holiday season is quickly approaching and for many that means time with family and loved ones as well as pressure to find a perfect and meaningful gift. If it is important to you to give presents that provide lasting impact and never go out of season, consider a financial gift. Here are a few ideas you can feel good about giving.

Start a savings account. Help instill the importance of saving with the gift of a partially funded savings account. Consider opening a high-yield savings account or Roth IRA for someone you love to help them establish a relationship with a financial institution and learn the importance of a growing investment.

Contribute to charity. Donating to charity on behalf of a loved one can be a powerful way to give back while sharing your values with a future generation. Spread the holiday spirit by planning a day to volunteer together or contribute to a nonprofit organization that supports causes important to the person receiving the gift.

Provide education funds. If someone you know is likely to have educational expenses in their future, consider gifting money to help offset the cost. Consider opening a 529 plan for a beneficiary, which allows the funds to be withdrawn tax-free to pay for eligible education expenses down the road. You may open different accounts for each beneficiary and reassign them as needed. Communicate your intentions with the beneficiaries so they can plan how to best utilize the fund to further their education, keeping your intentions and wishes in mind.

Help chip away at debt. Many young adults are burdened by debt as they work to establish themselves financially. Whether balancing student loans or car payments, juggling work and loan repayments can be challenging. Helping your loved one chip away at loan repayments can relieve stress and allow them to better focus on their future financial goals.

Gifting stock. Gifting stock is a great way to introduce a loved one to the world of investing. If you’d like to give stock you already own, the shares need to be retitled in the beneficiary’s name. You can also purchase new shares titled in your beneficiary’s name. If you are gifting stock to a minor, you can retain some control by placing it in a trust.

Gift an appointment with a financial advisor. Help your loved ones establish a financial plan with the assistance of an advisor you know and trust. This thoughtful gesture has lasting value by helping lay the foundation for future financial security.
 
As you consider how to gift your wealth to those you care about, ensure your giving strategy is aligned with your financial plan. A financial advisor working with your tax professional can help you evaluate tax-efficient financial strategies to help maximize your gift this year – and into the future.

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Michael D. Lanuto, CRPC®, AWMA® is a Financial Advisor with S.M. Miller & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Albany, NY.  He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 9 years. To contact him: 518-949-2039; 4 Atrium Drive, Ste 200, Albany, NY, 12205; Michael.Lanuto@ampf.com; https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.lanuto/lp/request-contact/3/. 

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