Clayton Wealth Partners’ Blog
Financial Tips
2026 Tax Update: Charitable Deductions for Non-Itemizers
If you’ve donated to your church, supported a local food pantry, or helped a favorite charity over the years, you have likely done so because you care about the cause and not for the tax deduction. In recent years, many taxpayers who claimed the standard deduction...
Smart Strategies for Planning a Budget-Friendly Summer Vacation
Spring is here, and you may be at that time in your kids’ school year when you realize that summer is quickly approaching. You may also be thinking back to past summers and memorable vacation moments you have had as a family. As you pause and reflect, you may be like me and have that…
How to Handle Feeling “Stuck”
As I write this in February, this is the time when many ambitious and well-intentioned people have given up on their New Year’s resolutions. I know I’ve certainly fallen into that cycle, so if that’s you, you aren’t alone. When pursuing any goal, whether it’s a financial, fitness, relational, or any other goal, it is…
The Year of the “Largest Tax Refunds Ever”?
Many of you have begun filing your taxes or will be filing in the near future. In 2026, “Americans are expected to receive the largest tax refunds in U.S history this filing season,” stated by the current administration. Fact or fiction? I will make the case that it is generally true for one main reason:…
The Backdoor Roth: What Is It and How Does It Work?
For many high-income earners, saving for retirement in the most tax-efficient way can feel frustratingly limited. Roth IRAs are especially desirable retirement account vehicles because they allow your investments to grow tax-free, and your qualified withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free. However, Roth IRAs come with phase-out income limits, and if your income is above…
Understanding the FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) and What It Means for Your Education Savings
With college costs continuing to rise, many families are doing the right thing and saving early, often through vehicles such as 529 plans or UTMAs. If you’re unfamiliar with either of these, our article “Education or Flexibility? Comparing 529 Plans and UTMAs for Parents” explains them in more detail. But how does saving early affect…
Step-Up in Basis: A Key Tax Benefit Every Family Should Know
When a loved one passes away and leaves you an asset—such as a house, investments, land, or other property—it’s understandable to be focused on the personal side of the experience. From a financial perspective, though, one of the most valuable tax rules to know about inherited property is the “step-up in basis.” This rule can…
Trump Accounts: A New Savings Vehicle for Families to Consider
As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the Trump administration has launched a new type of investment account designed to help American families save and invest for their children’s life milestones. These milestones include buying a home or farm, starting a business, and paying for college. The new account is called a…
Education or Flexibility? Comparing 529 Plans and UTMAs for Parents
Like most young families, our days lately have consisted of applying sunscreen, helping coach tee-ball (which resembles herding kittens), reapplying sunscreen, going swimming, and doing a final application of sunscreen, followed by slip ‘n’ slides and water balloons. The day turns to evening, and then we get to watch Kansas thunderstorms roll in from across…
Episode 15: Dr. Christina Castellano of Topeka Zoo
By Clint Patty, J.D. Clint Patty: Well, hello there. Welcome to Investing in Good, a podcast that shines a spotlight on those making a profound impact within Northeast Kansas. This podcast is proudly presented by Clayton Wealth Partners, your partner in philanthropic financial planning for individual donors and investment management for endowments, foundations, and…
Helping Your Child Build Credit Early in Life
It may seem early to think about credit for your child when they are in their teens, but there are steps you can take now that will help them build good credit (and good habits) to give them an advantage when they venture out into the world on their own. If you have good credit,…
Ready to Buy? A First-Time Homebuyer’s Guide
Buying a home might feel out of reach, but with the right plan, it can be more possible than you think. Whether working with a tight budget or exploring homeownership for the first time, understanding the basics can help you feel confident and prepared. How Much Can I Spend? The first step in deciding if…