119 Old State Rd., Ellisville, MO 63021 CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com THE WEALTH ZONE A SEASON OF GRATITUDE NOV 2019
November brings some important messages to the forefront. Not only do we celebrate Thanksgiving, but Veterans Day is also this month. Both days recognize important aspects of life and the many reasons we have to give thanks. There are so many things to feel grateful for: the people who’ve sacrificed life and limb to protect our country, the beautiful state we live in, and the fact that we get to do the work we love. In the day-to-day hustle and bustle, it’s so easy to forget the simple joys of having food on the table, a home to come to at the end of the day, and the people in our lives we get to spend holidays and special occasions with. Of course, there’s someone very important we haven’t mentioned yet: You. As a family-run business, your support is huge for us. Your trust in us to do good work for you and your family is not overlooked. We are so grateful you’re part of our community. If this season inspires you to share what you have with others, there are many ways to do it. Whether you choose to give your time to local food banks and serve Thanksgiving meals, donate food to those who don’t any, or make monetary donations to causes you believe in, these contributions can help you feel like a part of something bigger than yourself. One of the local causes doing so much good in our community is Joachim &
Ann Care Service, a local nonprofit that provides case management and support to individuals in crisis, including those experiencing homelessness. Another is a national nonprofit, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), with a local chapter that provides advocacy for children who’ve been through abuse or neglect. CASA is one of only three organizations in Missouri that qualifies for Champion for Children tax credits, and donations of $100 or more are eligible for a 50% tax credit on Missouri income tax, in addition to other deductions. Many similar types of donations are also tax-deductible. It’s pretty wonderful when giving back also helps you make the most of your taxes, right? As we near the end of the year, consider where you want to make your last contributions. Make sure you hang onto receipts so you can use them for your tax-deductible contributions.
When it comes to charitable donations, you can maximize what you give with a little planning, knowing that you’re giving back and making a strategic move for yourself and your family.This will be important when it comes time to determine whether you should take the standardized deduction or opt for itemized deductions. As always, being diligent about tax documentation will pay off come next spring. Inside the newsletter, we have more details about charitable contributions and how they fit into your overall tax strategy. As always, if you have any questions or want to get things in order, we’re happy to talk to you. Have a wonderful month and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones as you reflect on everything you are grateful for.
-Jeff and John Zufall
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The Real Magic Kingdom CARCASSONNE
November is usually all about Thanksgiving, but it isn’t the only holiday that encourages generosity. Giving Tuesday is a phenomenal celebration in which millions of people from across the globe are inspired to spend 24 hours giving back to the Supporting the People You Believe In CELEBRATING GIVING TUESDAY Giving Tuesday is celebrated every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and this year, the holiday lands on Dec. 3! It was established in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation and New York’s 92nd Street Y as a response to consumer-driven holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The purpose of the holiday was to spread the spirit of giving, not only for the people in our nation but individuals across the world. The goal is “to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day and touches every person on the planet.” TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST Through the use of social media and technology, the organization hopes to encourage and spread generosity on a global scale using the hashtag #GivingTuesday.The website states that “... technology and social media could be used to make generosity go viral; that people fundamentally want to give and talk about giving.”Through massive social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, the individuals and companies participating in Giving Tuesday can spread their missions and messages all over the world, encouraging others to do the same. HOWYOU CAN CELEBRATE Now is the perfect opportunity to support your community and the causes you believe in.The best part of this holiday is that “giving” doesn’t just refer to donating money. People can give back by volunteering their time to help a nonprofit business, donating goods and food, or just buying a stranger some lunch. Even the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. If you’re interested in participating in Giving Tuesday, get together with your friends, family, sports team members, or neighbors to brainstorm on how you can give back. To learn more about how you can participate, visit GivingTuesday.org. communities they love. ORIGIN AND GOAL
Every year, tourists flock to Disney’s “Magic Kingdom” and marvel at Cinderella’s iconic castle. As fun as it is to see this Florida-based attraction, it would be even more magical to step back in time and visit a real medieval citadel. What if you could walk the same ramparts as Roman legionnaires and climb the same towers as French kings? If this idea gives you goosebumps, pack your bags for Carcassonne, France. A four-hour train ride from Paris, towering above the rolling vineyards of southern France, you’ll find one of the most intact, accessible castles in Europe. With sweeping, concentric walls and 53 elegant towers, the Cité de Carcassonne is a breathtaking sight. Once an impenetrable border fortress between the kingdoms of France and Aragon, the gates now stand open to anyone curious enough to walk its cobblestone streets. In fact, you can stay in the ancient city yourself.The five-star Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne occupies a former bishop’s palace and overlooks the inner ramparts of the fortress. With medieval tapestries and gorgeous woodwork in the hotel’s interior, you’ll feel like you’re living among French royalty. Of course, if you’d prefer lodging with the commoners, plenty of quaint bed-and-breakfasts exist just across the Aude river. With rustic cafes, fresh crepes, and bustling crowds making their way down the twisting cobblestone streets, the surface- level experience of Carcassonne would be enticing to anyone wanting to explore the French countryside. But for those who want to delve into the history of this storied castle, grand narratives await you. Just walking the walls of Carcassonne paints a picture of the past. While the outer fortifications were built by Louis IX and Phillip III, a section of the inner wall is far older.The red brick used in this part of the construction dates back to before the existence of France itself. Roman troops first fortified the hillside town around 100 BCE, giving every stone of this site a story to tell. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing medieval life for yourself, your adventure awaits in Carcassonne.
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INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING DAY
your wallet, simple for your bookkeeping, and a fantastic way to get involved with a meaningful cause. Just remember to keep all your donation receipts to make the process that much easier on yourself. As always, Capital Advisory Group is here to lend a hand. Just give our office a call with any questions you might have. We wish you and all our fellow accountants out there a very happy International Accounting Day. Let’s make it count! (Please forgive us for the bad pun.)
Nov. 10 is International Accounting Day, a humble holiday dedicated to remembering the birth of accounting and appreciating all the purposes it has served.
like to use it as another reminder to all of you to keep prepping for tax season next year. You have less than two precious months to make the holiday season of giving count. Making a charitable donation to an organization that helps those in need is a wonderful way to get in the spirit and give back to the community. And because these donations are often tax-deductible, giving back is easy on
In 1494, Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli invented the double-entry bookkeeping system in Europe, a moment since deemed to be the establishment of modern accounting. Since then, accountants have crunched numbers for schools, banks, governments, and practically any other institutions you can think of.They’ve had their share of fun history, as well: Did you know that an accountant invented bubblegum? Or that accountants handle the annual Oscar votes? It’s become an indispensable branch of business, and we want to take a moment to say thank you to our wonderful staff and clients for keeping us going. While we’re thrilled to have a day dedicated to the business we do, we’d also
Ingredients TAKE A BREAK BURNISHED POTATO NUGGETS
• 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces • Kosher salt • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil • 8 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 sprigs rosemary
Directions
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a large pot, pour water over potatoes to cover by 2 inches. Salt water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. 3. Thoroughly drain potatoes and let stand uncovered a few minutes to allow steam to escape and potatoes to dry slightly. Toss gently and season with salt.
4. Meanwhile, combine both oils in a large pan and heat in oven for 10 minutes. 5. Remove pan from oven and add potatoes, turning to coat thoroughly. Return to oven and cook for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. 6. Toss in garlic and rosemary and cook 8-10 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown. 7. Drain and serve.
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(636) 394-5524
Inspired by Bon Appétit
119 Old State Rd. Ellisville, MO 63021 CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com
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November Holidays
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The Gift of Giving
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Stay in a Real Castle
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International Accounting Day
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Burnished Potato Nuggets
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Go to an Art Museum Day
BECOME A CONNOISSEUR
Visit a St. Louis Art Museum
Nov. 9 is Go to an Art Museum Day, and lucky for art lovers, it falls on a Saturday this year. So get out there and spend the day exploring the fantastic options St. Louis has to offer. Here are some of our favorites that are all free! SAINT LOUIS ARTMUSEUM Only a few of the original buildings from the famous 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis still stand today, and one of them is the Saint Louis Art Museum. Formerly known as the Palace of Fine Arts, this museum has works spanning five millennia and six continents. With a collection of over 34,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, there’s something for everyone to appreciate. But you’ll likely need more than one day to see it all!
PULITZER ARTS FOUNDATION Presenting a collection of both contemporary and historic art, the Pulitzer aims to inspire new perspectives and bring art and people together.The artwork is installed without the addition of any wall text in order to encourage viewers to focus on the art itself. The Pulitzer also has outdoor spaces with their own exhibitions that you won’t want to miss, and the building’s architecture has garnered international acclaim.The entire museum is one giant art installation from the inside out. CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM ST. LOUIS With a mission to create meaningful engagement with the most relevant and innovative art created today, CAM displays art that connects viewers to the most pertinent issues of our time.
They don’t have permanent collections; instead, they rotate exhibitions on a more rapid schedule than most museums in order to showcase growing creative minds from around the city and internationally. It’s a hot spot for discovery and education that will have something new to see every time you go.
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