August 2019

13 Experts Weigh In on Elizabeth Warren’s 50/30/20 Spending Rule

Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to make fixing the U.S. economy a priority if she becomes president, and she has a plan to do it. But long before she was running for president, Warren was a personal finance expert hoping to help the average American take control of their finances. She even co-authored two books on the subject. Her 2005 New York Times bestseller, “All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan,” includes her popular budgeting rule, the 50/30/20 budget. According to the 50/30/20 rule, 50% of your income should be dedicated to monthly expenses that are needed, such as housing, transportation and groceries; 30% can go toward wants or discretionary spending; and 20% should be dedicated to savings.

8 Ways to Minimize Taxes in a Taxable Account

“With a charitable trust, the consumer donates appreciated securities including stocks, bonds and funds, without paying any capital gains tax,” says Carlos Dias Jr., a wealth advisor at MVP Wealth in Orlando, Florida. If an investor sells $100,000 worth of appreciated stock that was originally worth $25,000, that person would owe capital gains tax on $75,000. If someone donated the appreciated stock to a charitable trust, the $100,000 would go to a charity that would sell the stock, while the investor incurs no capital gains tax liability. Depending upon the type of trust, the investor receives income from the trust and a tax deduction during the next five years after the gift is bequeathed, Dias says.