Monthly Insider – August, 2026

*Coby was absent for picture day, but we wanted to make sure to include him!

Thank you for all your recent referrals and reviews! We are so appreciative of your continued support and trust in us as a company. We read your reviews out loud at our Monday staff meetings, and sometimes we even get teary-eyed as we hear how our work has brought confidence, financial freedom, clarity, and peace of mind to you. We now have 247 reviews on Google! And, our last 3 new clients were from your referrals! We truly love that you recommend us to your friends and family, as it really does mean so much to our team.

Tax Planning

One of the most overlooked tax planning opportunities isn’t whether you give to charity; it’s how you give. The right giving strategy depends on several factors, including your age, whether you’re subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), how much you give, and even the types of assets you own. Under the current tax law, many taxpayers claim the standard deduction, but beginning this year, married couples filing jointly may also deduct up to $2,000 of qualifying cash charitable contributions even if they don’t itemize. For others, it may make sense to “bunch” several years’ planned charitable gifts into a single tax year to maximize itemized deductions.

If you’re age 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) may be one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. If a QCD isn’t the right fit and you own appreciated investments, donating those securities using a donor-advised fund (DAF) can often be more tax-efficient than writing a check, especially in years when you expect to itemize. Every family’s situation is different, which is why we’ve included the attached decision tree to help you think through your options. As always, if you’d like help determining the most tax-efficient charitable giving strategy for your family, we’re here to help.

*Pictured above is Steve Hyland, Director of Cherokee FCA, when he was a guest on the Money PIG Podcast.

Cherokee Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) serves coaches and athletes throughout Cherokee County through faith-based encouragement, mentorship, leadership development, and community.

With our support, coaches and mentors can have a lasting impact on students, families, and future leaders.

If you want to give to Cherokee FCA, we will match your donation up to $2,000. You can email the receipt to Christy Peacock at cpeacock@goodwininvestment.com by Sept 30.

Blog: Retire Earlier

Are you wondering if you could retire sooner than you thought?

Does no longer having to work and getting to spend time with the people you love sound attractive to you? What about having the time to travel while you are healthy enough to enjoy it, and time to finally do the things you have been saving for “one day”? At the same time, work may feel heavier than it used to, and you may be wondering whether you really have to keep moving at the same pace for years to come.

Podcast: Serving on Non-Profit Boards with Buster Wright

In this inspiring episode of The Money Pig Podcast, Tim and Joe welcome special guest Buster Wright to unpack the real value of serving on nonprofit boards—and why it might be one of the most meaningful ways to give back. Drawing from decades of leadership and volunteer experience, Buster explains how board service is about far more than meetings and donations. It is about using your time, talent, and treasure to support causes you care about, build stronger communities, and stay connected to something bigger than yourself. For anyone wondering how to make a difference beyond writing a check, this episode is packed with practical and powerful insight.

Nourish to Flourish

by Tara Bruce

What If You Don’t Need to Be Right?

Most of us know the feeling: a conversation becomes a debate and suddenly, we are no longer listening – we are preparing our next point. We want the other person to understand us, agree with us, or admit that we are right. Yet proving a point does not always bring the connection, peace, or understanding we hoped it would. Sometimes, winning the argument costs more than it gives.

When we approach every disagreement as “us versus them,” we create division. Curiosity offers another way. It allows us to remain grounded in what we believe without needing to make someone else wrong. We can listen to understand rather than listen to respond. We may even discover that two people can see the same situation differently and that neither person has to be the enemy.

The next time you feel the need to prove your point, pause and try asking:

• “Can you help me understand how you arrived at that perspective?”
• “What experience shaped the way you see this?”
• “Is there anything I might be missing?”
• “What part of what you’re saying can I understand or agree with?”
• “Is being right more important to me in this moment than preserving the relationship?”

Letting go of the need to win does not mean abandoning your values, ignoring harmful behavior, or pretending that truth does not matter. It means choosing humility over defensiveness and connection over unnecessary conflict. You can disagree, hold a boundary, and remain curious at the same time.

This month, consider entering one difficult conversation with a different goal: not to win, correct, or convince, but to understand and be understood. You may not leave in complete agreement, but you might leave with something even more life-giving: greater compassion, a stronger relationship, and a little more peace.

Tara’s Favorite Italian Frittata Recipe

Italian Frittata – Plus, the word is so fun to say, and you can make this for breakfast, brunch, or dinner!

Delicious Italian Frittata recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Prep Time – 5 minutes
Cook Time – 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup pancetta (diced into 1/4-inch cubes)
• 1/2 onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 potato (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks) – I like to use the little golden ones, though, and slice them thin, and I use about 2 cups of potatoes.
• salt
• pepper
• If you like mushrooms, add a cup of sliced mushrooms
• If you like sundried tomatoes, you can add these as well. Just 5-6 chopped.

For the egg mixture

• 10 eggs
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese (I like Sartori for a nutty flavor)
• salt
• pepper

For serving

• fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary (finely chopped for better distribution)

Instructions

• Dice the pancetta into 1/4-inch cubes, peel and cut the potato into 1/2-inch chunks, dice the onion into small pieces, mince the garlic, and finely chop the fresh rosemary. This prep work ensures you’re ready to move quickly once cooking begins. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large 10-12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
• Add the diced pancetta to the hot oil and cook for 2-3 minutes until it releases its fat and begins to crisp slightly. Add the diced onion and cook for another 2 minutes until softened. Then add the potato chunks, stirring occasionally, and cook for 6-8 minutes until the potatoes are nearly tender and beginning to golden at the edges. In the final minute, add the minced garlic and chopped rosemary, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning. The potatoes should be just cooked through but still hold their shape.
• While the vegetables finish cooking, crack the 10 eggs into a bowl and whisk them together until well combined. Stir in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. I like to let the egg mixture sit for a moment after mixing so the cheese can start absorbing some of the egg liquid, which distributes it more evenly throughout the frittata.
• If you’re using a cast-iron pan, you can pour the egg mixture over the top and bake it in the oven. If you are using a round glass pan, I suggest you butter the pan, add the vegetables and meat, then pour the egg mixture over the top.
• Bake the Frittata in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, watching for the center to set.
• Sprinkle the top with fresh parsley.
• Cut the frittata into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature. The frittata is perfect on its own but also delicious alongside crusty bread and a simple green salad.

Disclosure – All investment carries risk, and we cannot guarantee performance or results. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The comments regarding taxes and tax planning, market insights, podcast, blogs, guides, self improvement thoughts, activities and food & drink ideas are based on our perspectives and experience, and may not apply to your unique situation or be appropriate for your wellness. You should consult with your tax and legal professionals and your investment advisor to determine what is applicable in your specific situation. GIA’s CEO, Tim Goodwin, is a volunteer board member of Cherokee FCA, and GIA supports FCA financially, but neither Tim Goodwin nor GIA derives any financial benefit from this.

Please contact us for any questions relating to the content above, or to discuss how we can support you in your specific situation and help you to reach your financial and personal goals.