Insights

Estate planning is often viewed as a legal task. Documents are drafted, beneficiaries are listed, and powers of attorney are signed. Once completed, the file is placed in a drawer and assumed to be finished. It can feel like a box has been checked and a responsibility has been fulfilled.

Generosity often begins simply. It may start with a faithful percentage set aside, a check written to a church, or support for a mission that resonates deeply. These acts reflect obedience and gratitude, formed in seasons when financial life feels straightforward and giving is woven naturally into daily rhythms.

Liquidity events are often celebrated after they occur. A business is sold, a company goes public, equity compensation vests, or a major asset is transferred. Headlines tend to focus on valuation and proceeds. What receives far less attention is the planning that happens beforehand.

For many investors, faith-based investing begins with screening mutual funds. Certain industries are excluded. Certain companies are avoided. It is a meaningful starting point. As portfolios grow and financial goals become more layered, screening alone may not fully reflect one’s convictions or opportunities. At Stonecrop, we believe that faith-based investing is not just about avoiding what conflicts with your values. It may also involve thoughtfully pursuing what alig

Success brings opportunity. It may also bring complexity. What once felt straightforward may now require deeper coordination. A single brokerage account may have expanded into multiple custodians. A primary residence may now sit alongside investment property. Business income may fluctuate from year to year. Compensation may include equity, deferred bonuses, or partnership distributions. Growth is a blessing, but unmanaged complexity may quietly introduce risk.

There comes a point when financial decisions extend beyond personal comfort or retirement timelines. For some, that shift happens gradually. For others, it arrives suddenly through growth, inheritance, or business success. Either way, the impact widens. Decisions begin to influence family members, future generations, charitable initiatives, and even communities. When that happens, planning must evolve.

March 1, 2026 GEOPOLITICAL EVENTS: Last week, I briefly discussed geopolitical events, and the possibility of fighting in the Middle East. As I sit and write this, the information is fairly sparse, but the U.S. has attacked Iran. Events will continue to unfold as the weekend rolls on (I write this on Saturday morning generally), and investors will be figuring out what to do on Monday morning. The short-term effect is often a decrease in market prices as some investors jus

February 22, 2026 TARIFF TURMOILS REDUX: Late in the week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. Immediately thereafter, the Trump administration announced new global tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 which authorizes the president to address "large and serious" trade imbalances with up to a 15% tariff on imports. The short-term impact of this activity

February 15, 2026 INFLATION RATE DECREASES: In welcome news, the January Consumer Price index came in at 0.2% higher than the previous month, and only 2.4% higher than one year ago. "Core" CPI (which strips out energy and food) rose by 2.5% over the past twelve months. Both CPI and core CPI twelve-month numbers now sit at or near their lowest level since inflation began to rise five years ago. And yet it remains above the Federal Reserve's target of 2.0%. Energy prices i