Americans are well known for their generosity. In fact, in 2024, charitable contributions across the country totaled an extraordinary $592.50 billion, according to Giving USA. If giving is already part of your financial plan, now is an ideal time to revisit your approach. Beginning January 1, 2026, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will make permanent changes to the tax treatment of charitable giving, with the biggest impact on those who itemize deductions.

By understanding the upcoming rules and making thoughtful adjustments before the end of the year, you may be able to capture today’s more favorable tax advantages while they remain in effect.

Continue reading

On July 4, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law, a comprehensive tax and spending package totaling nearly 900 pages. This landmark legislation introduces approximately $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, shifts federal spending priorities, and directs substantial resources toward border security and national defense.

The bill’s broad scope means it will likely impact a wide range of Americans, including business owners, retirees, and high-income earners. If you're aiming to minimize your tax liability or fine-tune your financial approach, understanding the core elements of the OBBBA will be key to navigating what’s ahead.

Here's a breakdown of the most important updates.

Continue reading

Markets have been anything but steady lately. Rising geopolitical tensions, stubborn inflation pressures, and renewed conversations around tariffs linked to President Trump’s economic policies have all fueled a surge in volatility. In periods like this, feeling unsettled is only human. But it’s also when the value of diversification becomes especially clear. A thoughtfully diversified portfolio won’t eliminate all risk, but it can help soften the blow of market turbulence and provide a stronger, more resilient base for long-term growth—no matter what the news cycle brings.

Continue reading

Key Takeaway: Turning income into wealth requires a strategic approach that transforms what you earn today into lasting financial security for the future.

Earning a high income is often seen as the hallmark of financial success, but income alone doesn’t guarantee wealth. In fact, a recent Bank of America study found that nearly one in five U.S. households earning more than $150,000 a year are still living paycheck to paycheck.

Meanwhile, someone with a modest salary can quietly build significant wealth through discipline, patience, and smart financial decisions. Consider the now-famous story of Theodore Johnson, the UPS employee who never earned more than $14,000 a year but amassed a fortune of over $70 million by the time he passed away.

These examples make one thing clear: income and wealth are not the same. Income is what you earn. Wealth is what you keep—and grow.

If you're making good money but feel like you're constantly treading water, you're not alone. The good news is with the right strategy, you can turn your income into lasting wealth that supports both your life today and your goals for tomorrow.

Continue reading

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing many aspects of our lives.  However, as technology evolves, so do the threats associated with it. One area where AI is becoming increasingly problematic is in the financial industry, where fraudsters are leveraging sophisticated deception tactics to target individuals and institutions alike.

We want to take a moment to remind you of the steps you can take to safeguard your accounts and personal details from cybercriminals. In order to best protect yourself, it is important to be aware of the latest fraud tactics, how to recognize potential scams, and how to stay vigilant in the face of these ever-evolving threats.

Continue reading

Uncertainty is a constant in the financial world — but your goals don’t have to get lost in the noise. Whether markets are volatile, interest rates are shifting, or policy winds are changing, a well-built financial plan should bend without breaking. For individuals and families with significant wealth, staying on track means revisiting assumptions, adjusting tactics, and reaffirming priorities. The key is knowing how to adapt without overreacting.

Continue reading

As we welcome 2025, it's natural to reflect on the significance of the year ahead. We’re nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century—an interesting milestone, to be sure. But why do we find meaning in such markers? It turns out this is an example of a cognitive bias known as apophenia—our tendency to see patterns and assign meaning to dates, numbers, or events, even if they are arbitrary (think about how many people choose their birthday as a lottery number). While this bias might not always be logical, we can use it to our advantage!

"Significant" dates like the start of a new year offer us a moment to pause, reflect, and reset. While you may assign your own significance to 2025, this is an ideal time to take stock of your financial past and future. Have you been putting off any important financial tasks that deserve your attention? Here are a few to consider:

Continue reading

 

Disclaimers

Tillman Hartley is an SEC-registered investment adviser.

PLEASE NOTE: The information above is strictly provided as a courtesy. In preparing these materials, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all information available from public and internal sources. Tillman Hartley shall not be liable for claims and make no expressed or implied representations or warranties regarding their accuracy or completeness or for statements or errors contained in or omissions.

The material provided is meant for general illustration and informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary; therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.

This information is not an offer to buy or sell securities. No investment process is free of risk, and there is no guarantee that the investment process described herein will be profitable. Investors may lose all of their investments. Past performance is not indicative of current or future performance and is not a guarantee.

THIRD-PARTY LINKS: When you access one of the third-party sites provided, you leave the Tillman Hartley page and assume total responsibility and risk for using the sites you are linking. Our company does not represent the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these sites. Tillman Hartley is not liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or consequences arising from your access to or using third-party technologies, sites, information, and programs made available through this site.