Hilltop Wealth Advisors

Whenever we express an opinion on our government, whenever we enter a house of worship, whenever we read a newspaper, whenever we have cause to defend ourselves or our homes, whenever we sit in judgment over a fellow citizen or are judged in turn, we are exercising and benefiting from the Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights Day falls on December 15th every year, because on that day back in 1791, Virginia became the last state needed to ratify the first ten amendments of the Constitution, thereby passing them into law. The Bill of Rights guarantees many of the basic liberties and freedoms we rely on to ensure a peaceful, just, and democratic society. Today, we have a challenge for you in honor of Bill of Rights Day. We propose we all take just a few minutes to re-read the first ten amendments. A few minutes to ponder and understand them. To discuss them with our friends. To share them with our loved ones. A few minutes to be thankful for them. Maybe, if we do that, we can strengthen an even older tradition: the tradition of being knowledgeable, engaged, and active citizens. We can better fulfill the promise of the Constitution itself. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." *Bonus points if you can recite this preamble without singing along to Schoolhouse Rock's tune. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a happy December, a happy holiday season … and a happy Bill of Rights Day!

While generosity knows no season, it seems to shine especially bright during the holidays. If you're looking for ways to give back this season, here are some tips to donate safely and effectively: 1. Remember that donating money doesn’t have to mean donating cash. Are you familiar with the items you can donate? From stocks, to properties or bitcoin, or even charity-specific items, check with the charity you want to help and see if there are items they're requesting. 2. Charitable contributions can often be tax deductible. To claim a tax deduction, you need to ensure that your gift is to a qualified organization. Ask your tax preparer or financial advisor for help! 3. Do your full research. Before you donate to any charity or organization, make sure you have researched them. You don’t want to end up giving your money to a scammer instead of someone in need. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends always doing the following: a. Avoid organizations that refuse to provide detailed information about their identity, mission, costs, and especially how the donation will be used. b. Avoid organizations that won’t provide proof that a contribution is tax deductible. c. Avoid organizations that use high-pressure tactics. 4. Write this number down: 1040. It is mandatory to file this form with the IRS in order to deduct your contributions. Whoever or however you decide to help, Hilltop wishes you a happy holiday season!

Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. —Charles Dickens Thanksgiving gives us all a chance to reflect on the people we know, the things we have, and the great experiences and richness that life brings. Taking time out of our busy schedules to remember the good things is important. This holiday, so synonymous with gratitude, is the perfect time to count our blessings. We know that gratitude has long been viewed as a key element to happiness, well-being, and wholeness by both the religious and philosophical communities. Our hope is that as we remember the good in our lives this Thanksgiving, we will keep in mind the value of sheer gratitude and how it creates happiness in ourselves and in those around us. Hilltop wishes you and your family a happy Thanksgiving Day!

November is a month for turkey, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. For crisp mornings, cold nights, and football. It’s also a month for shopping, especially on “Black Friday.” Most people who shop on Black Friday do so in the hope of securing the best deals before the shelves and warehouses are stripped clean. But the ironic thing is that many people actually end up losing money on Black Friday instead of saving it. So, to keep your wallet “in the black” this Black Friday, here are a few things to remember: 1. Be careful driving to the store. If you’ve ever driven on Black Friday, you know that the roads can be chaotic. Speeding, reckless turns, and bumper-to-bumper traffic can lead to accidents. Accidents, of course, lead to costly repairs and higher insurance premiums…surely erasing whatever savings people otherwise hoped to gain. 2. The deals may be great, but the quality may not. This is especially true of electronics. While items on sale may be discounted, the top-of-the-line, brand-name products might not be. Retailers know that consumers are usually willing to pay top-dollar for these, so they have little incentive to provide lower prices. 3. Use cash, not credit cards. Cash is handy on Black Friday, because it can help limit impulse shopping. If you only have enough cash to buy the items on your list, you’ll be immune to temptation. Furthermore, while credit cards make shopping convenient, they can be a huge drag on your finances, especially with interest rates still being near 40-year highs. 4. Be wary when shopping online. You can’t beat the convenience of online shopping, and sometimes there are even better deals to be found on the web. But scammers and cyberthieves know this, too, and cyberfraud is always rampant around the holidays. So, when shopping online, resist the urge to make a purchase quickly, especially if the deal feels “too good to be true.” This is when people often leave themselves open to scams. Also, try to avoid blind-buying large or expensive items like TVs, furniture, gaming systems, or smartphones unless you know you are shopping from a reputable source. Buying from a third-party or private seller may seem tempting because of lower prices, but you must be able to verify the item actually exists! Finally, be especially careful responding to email promotions. These can be phishing scams. No matter where, how, or if you shop, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season!

We’re breaking down Hilltop’s Year-End Tax Planning Checklist! David shares 4 ideas from the Miscellaneous strategies section. Get your free copy of the full checklist here: https://lnkd.in/ey6jF5gG

November Tuesday Trivia: Stock Market Trends: The economy usually moves in predictable cycles, and some industries can thrive or decline depending on the cycle. Investors who anticipate the next stage of the economic cycle will often move money from one industry to another. What is this strategy called? • A) Index Rebalancing • B) Sector Rotation • C) Principal Re-Investing • D)The Black Swan Strategy The correct answer is B) Sector Rotation. This strategy is commonly employed by investors as they prepare for the end of an economic cycle; for example, moving out of growth-oriented sectors into more stable or defensive sectors like utilities, healthcare, or consumer staples. The end of the year often marks the beginning of this shift in anticipation of holiday market behavior and potential tax strategies.

Wishing a happy birthday to Muhammad, one of our client service associates! Here are some fun facts about Mo: 🎂 favorite birthday treat: Red Velvet cake ✈️farthest you’ve been from home: Durham, NC (home is Dubai, UAE!) 👎something you’re really bad at: Playing the guitar 🥰 proudest accomplishment: Doing volunteer work in Nakuru, Kenya

We’re breaking down Hilltop’s Year-End Tax Planning Checklist! Chris provides 3 potentially tax-saving ideas from the Charitable Giving section. Get your free copy of the full checklist here: https://lnkd.in/ey6jF5gG

Hilltop presents our fourth quarterly Economic and Market Update of 2024. Ben and Brittany share Hilltop’s latest investment views: a strong economic year with cooling inflation, a broadening market rally, and likely impacts from the US election. If you would like to discuss anything, please contact us! #hilltopviews #hilltopwa https://lnkd.in/eJeuSkQe

We’re breaking down Hilltop’s Year-End Tax Planning Checklist! Rusty provides 4 tax strategy ideas from the Retirement section of our checklist. Get your free copy of the full checklist here: https://lnkd.in/ey6jF5gG