The holidays have a way of bringing what matters most into focus. We gather with family, think about the year behind us, and look for ways to support the people and causes we care about. Those conversations often lead to bigger questions: What do I want my money to make possible? How much can I comfortably give? What do I want to pass along to the next generation?

For women, those questions deserve a place in the financial plan. Whether you’re building wealth, managing it with a partner, or making decisions on your own, your priorities should help shape how that money is used. Year-end giving is a good opportunity to connect those priorities with a thoughtful plan for both the people you love and your own future.

Give With Intention

Most charitable giving starts from the heart. You may want to support a school, your church, or an organization whose work has touched your life. Once you know where you want to give, a little planning can help you choose the best way to do it.

Giving appreciated investments instead of cash. Donating publicly traded stock held for more than a year directly to a qualified charity can let you avoid realizing capital gains on its growth. The charity receives the full value, and you may qualify for a charitable deduction, subject to applicable limits.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). If you’re 70½ or older, you can give directly from your IRA to an eligible charity. A qualifying QCD can count toward your required minimum distribution without adding to your taxable income. For many retirees, this is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give.

Donor-advised funds. If you’d like to make a larger contribution in one year but recommend gifts to charities over time, a donor-advised fund can help you do both. This can be a strategic decision in a year when a larger charitable deduction would help offset higher income.

Federal rules for charitable deductions changed starting in 2026. Some taxpayers who don’t itemize can now deduct a portion of their qualifying cash gifts, while those who do itemize face new limits. A strategy that worked well in past years deserves a second look.

Make Room for Your Own Future

Helping children and grandchildren can be deeply rewarding, whether that means contributing to college savings, helping with a first home, or sharing what you have while you’re here to see it make a difference. In 2026, the annual federal gift tax exclusion is $19,000 per recipient. Outright cash gifts within that amount generally don’t require a federal gift tax return, and Washington doesn’t impose a gift tax of its own.

Before deciding how much to give, though, make sure your plan leaves room for your own needs. Retirement income, future care, and a comfortable financial cushion belong in that conversation, too. For a woman balancing support for children or aging parents with her own goals, this can be an especially helpful place to pause. You can care deeply about your family and still set thoughtful boundaries around financial help.

Pass Along Financial Confidence

Legacy is about more than an account balance. It includes the values we model and the conversations we make room for. A gift to a daughter or granddaughter can open the door to talking about saving, investing, or why a particular cause matters to you. Sharing how you make financial decisions can be a meaningful part of what you pass along.

That same openness matters within your household. If you manage finances with a spouse or partner, you should both understand the plan and have a voice in it. You don’t need to handle every financial task yourself, but you should know what you own, where to find it, and whom to call with questions.

If family will be together this season, consider a few gentle conversations:

• Do the people closest to you know where to find your important documents?
• Are the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts and insurance policies still current?
• If something happened to either of you, would the other know where everything stands

We work with clients who are learning their family’s finances for the first time after losing a spouse or parent. Taking time to get organized now can make an already difficult season a little easier. One of our favorite tools is a Legacy Binder, which keeps important financial information and contacts together. Keeping estate planning documents up to date is just as important.

Give With Confidence

At Cordell, Neher & Company, giving back to the Wenatchee Valley matters to us, both as a firm and as neighbors. We enjoy helping clients support the people and organizations they care about while keeping their own goals in view.

This season, consider what you want your generosity to accomplish and whether your financial plan reflects it. Our team of advisors and CPAs is happy to help you work through those decisions. We’d love to help you give with confidence and feel confident about the future you’re building for yourself, too.