If you’ve spent any time around Debi Edwards, you’ve probably noticed she always finds a way to make room for one more. One more friend, one more neighbor, one more story. (And if there’s music playing, one more dance.)
That instinct to widen the circle is a big part of who we are at CEC Financial Group, and it feels especially right in November. Between Thanksgiving tables, parish food drives, and the season of giving that follows, this is the time of year when many of us start asking how we can make room for others.
After more than 60 years of serving families here in the Metro East, we’ve learned something about generosity: it goes further when it’s planned. Not less heartfelt, just more intentional.
Start With What Matters to You
Before thinking about dollar amounts or deadlines, start with a simpler question: what would you be proud to support?
For Kevin and Debi, the answer has always been close to home. Their parish, the Diocese of Belleville, and the teen retreat programs they’ve volunteered with over the years all hold a special place in their hearts. For you, it might be your kids’ school, a local food pantry, an animal shelter, or the youth league that keeps your Saturdays busy.
When your giving reflects your values, it stops being a December scramble and becomes a meaningful part of your financial life.
Give Your Generosity a Game Plan
A lot of giving happens on the spot: a mailer arrives, a coworker shares a fundraiser, a year-end appeal shows up in your inbox. Those gifts matter. But deciding ahead of time how much you’d like to give, and where, helps you give confidently without second-guessing whether it fits alongside saving for the kids, retirement, or that next family trip.
A plan also makes it easier to say yes to the causes you care about most.
Don’t Let the Calendar Sneak Up on You
To count toward this tax year, charitable gifts generally need to be completed by December 31. And how much of a tax benefit you see depends on your full picture: your income, how you file, and any other year-end moves you’re making. The rules around charitable giving have also shifted recently, so what worked for you in past years may look a little different now.
There may be more tax-smart ways to give than simply writing a check. This is where having your CPA and financial advisor working side by side really pays off, because your giving, your taxes, and your long-term plan should all be pulling in the same direction.
Make It a Family Tradition
If you have little ones at home, the season is a great opportunity to show them what generosity looks like. Let them pick a cause, help pack a box for a local drive, or drop off a donation together. Those small moments often stick with kids far longer than any lesson we could put on paper.
A Note for Business Owners
Year-end is a natural time to look at how your business shows up in the community, whether that’s sponsoring a local team, supporting a hometown event, or rallying your employees around a cause. Thinking about it now, before the books close, gives you more room to be thoughtful about it.
There’s Always Room for One More
November is one of our favorite times of year to sit down with clients and talk through what’s ahead. If you’d like to make your giving more intentional before the year wraps up, we’d love to help you build a plan that reflects what matters most to you.
There’s always room for one more at our table. Give us a call at 618-233-1001 or reach out at info@ceccpas.com.