Gilbert Wealth Articles

Things Most People Don’t Know About Social Security

For most Americans, Social Security is the foundation of retirement income. Yet despite how common it is, many people don’t fully understand how it works. The system has layers of rules, exceptions, and hidden opportunities that can make a big difference in retirement planning. Here are some of the things most people don’t know about Social Security: Social Security Isn't Just a Retirement Program Most people think of Social Security only as a retirement benefit, but it also provides disability benefits, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and even benefits for children in some cases. In fact, nearly one-third of beneficiaries are…
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Where Stock Returns Really Come From: Payouts, Valuations, and Growth

When investors look to the future, one of the hardest questions to answer is: What kind of returns can we expect from the stock market? In the short run, predicting equity performance is notoriously difficult. Market sentiment shifts quickly, economic data can surprise, and headlines often drive prices in ways that defy logic.But over longer periods, the fog begins to lift. Equity returns can be broken down into three clear and measurable components: shareholder payouts, valuation changes, and long-term earnings growth. While we can’t forecast next month or even next year with much accuracy, these building blocks provide a framework…
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What Is a Charitable Remainder Trust? Learn the Basics

A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is a special type of trust that provides income to individuals for a period of time, with the remaining assets ultimately going to charity. At its core, it’s a way to support both personal financial needs and charitable intentions in a single structure. While many people use CRTs to generate income during retirement or provide for family members, they also offer significant flexibility for more advanced tax and estate planning strategies—such as deferring capital gains taxes, reducing estate tax exposure, or managing the sale of highly appreciated assets.This article will focus on the core features of…
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What Is a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)?

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a tool that blends philanthropy with retirement income. It allows you to make a meaningful gift to a nonprofit organization while also creating a reliable stream of income for yourself or a loved one. How a Charitable Gift Annuity Works Unlike some charitable planning strategies that require complicated trust documents, a CGA is straightforward: it’s a contract between you and the charity.You make a gift.You contribute cash, stocks, or other assets to a qualified nonprofit organization. Minimums vary by charity, but often start around $10,000You receive fixed income for life.In exchange, the charity agrees to…
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The Dangerous Game of Financial Scorekeeping

Imagine you’re given a choice:Option A: You’ll earn $60,000 a year, while everyone around you earns $50,000.Option B: You’ll earn $100,000 a year, but everyone else earns $150,000.Which would you choose? On paper, Option B is the obvious winner—you’d have more money to spend, save, and invest. But when real people were asked this exact question in a Harvard survey popularized by economist Robert H. Frank, many chose Option A. They preferred making less overall, as long as it meant making more than the people around them. The Comparison Trap It’s easy to see how comparison sneaks into everyday life. At first,…
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How to Start a Scholarship Fund

Creating a scholarship fund can be one of the most rewarding ways to invest in the future. Whether you want to honor a loved one, support students in a particular field, or give back to your community, the process involves more than just setting aside money. You’ll need to choose the right setup, work with key partners, and establish a plan for ongoing management. Step 1: Decide on the Scholarship’s Purpose and Scope Before getting into the legal and financial details, spend time defining the heart of your scholarship.Ask yourself:Who do you want to help? First-generation college students? STEM majors?…
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What to Do If You’re Burned Out

Whether you’ve been running on fumes at work, juggling too many responsibilities at home, or simply ignoring your own needs for too long, burnout is a signal that something must change.Here are some tips on how to recover from burnout — and build safeguards so it doesn’t happen again. Recognize the Signs You can’t fix burnout if you don’t acknowledge it. Symptoms can include:Constant fatigue and low energyIrritability or cynicismFeeling detached or unmotivatedTrouble concentrating or making decisionsPhysical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or digestive issuesIf you’re nodding “yes” to most of these, you’re not just stressed — you may be burned…
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How to Avoid Burnout and Keep Your Fire Alive

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight.It’s the slow leak in your enthusiasm, the creeping heaviness in your mornings, the quiet shift from “I love this” to “I can’t do this anymore.” It’s more than fatigue — it’s the depletion of your emotional, physical, and mental reserves.But here’s the good news: burnout can be stopped before it takes hold. With the right habits, you can protect your energy, sharpen your focus, and keep your work — and your life — feeling purposeful.Here are 8 strategies to protect yourself from burnout: 1. Draw the Line (and Keep It) Your time is your most valuable…
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The Price of Pushing Too Hard: Burnout’s Toll on Your Health and Career

You might think burnout is just about feeling tired or needing a vacation.It’s not.Burnout is the slow leak in your energy, motivation, and health that—if left unchecked—can quietly drain your paycheck, stall your career, and increase your healthcare bills. For companies, it’s a billion-dollar problem; for individuals, it can mean missed promotions, job changes with pay cuts, and medical expenses that pile up fast.Whether you’re a nurse on your third double shift this week, a teacher grading papers at midnight, or a manager answering emails on Sunday, burnout is more than a bad week—it’s a warning sign that your work–life…
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How to Assess if You’re Close to Burnout

Burnout doesn’t usually arrive in one dramatic moment—it creeps in gradually, often disguised as “just being busy” or “having a lot going on.” By the time you recognize it, you may already be running on fumes. That’s why regularly assessing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being is so important.See The Price of Pushing Too Hard: Burnout’s Toll on Your Health and Career – Gilbert WealthHere’s how to tell if you’re nearing burnout and what to look for before it takes a serious toll. Check Your Energy Levels One of the earliest and most telling indicators of burnout is persistent exhaustion. This…
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