Topic: How To Invest

What is Pat’s commentary for the week of April 21, 2015

Article Excerpt

When you complete your income tax return, take a moment to consider the charitable donations you made in 2014. How carefully did you choose the charities you supported? How much time did you spend to investigate how they’ll spend your money? Many people find it uncomfortable to inquire into the goodwill or efficiency of any charity. However, there are limited funds available in the world for charitable purposes. The cause or people you want to help are in no position to demand an accounting or take their business elsewhere. The more that goes to waste, the less is available for those you want to help. But the quality of charities varies as widely as the quality of stocks you can buy for your portfolio. Unfortunately, all too many charitable donors pick charities the way beginning investors pick stocks. They get seduced by an appealing concept. They make snap judgments in response to a photo or sound bite, or the recommendation of…