Monthly Tips
July 2025
TIP 1 4th of July
Independence Day is almost upon us, and if you’re still looking for something to do, NJ.Com has compiled a list of some fun 4th of July celebrations going on in each county. Whether you’re looking for a spectacular fireworks display or a summer concert, there is no shortage of celebrations going on around NJ. https://www.nj.com/news/2025/06/fourth-of-july-2025-fireworks-festivals-parades-events-in-nj-see-the-full-list.html Whatever you decide to do, from all of us here at Garden State Trust Company, we hope you have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
https://gstrustco.com/about-us/our-founders/
TIP 2 Where’s George?
Have you ever wondered about the journey of a dollar bill in your wallet? How many hands has it passed through before it ended up with you? Or where has it been? There is a website called https://www.wheresgeorge.com that specifically answers those questions. Users enter the serial number of one dollar bills and can see where those bills have been logged before by other users. Some bills have few hits, others have traveled across the country or even ended up in international hands.
https://gstrustco.com/lebanon/
TIP 3 Passwords or Passkeys?
The world changes fast, even when it comes to certainties such as death and taxes. When it comes to the transition of assets, consider digital assets, an entirely new asset class. One might share passwords to pass digital assets along, but passwords may be going out the way of the VCR and Blockbuster. Passkeys and biometric locks may be the future of digital access. However, biometric locks are hard to use when a person is six feet underground, so careful consideration should be given to what locks are used to protect digital assets. Read more in our latest blogpost: Passwords or Passkeys?
https://gstrustco.com/solutions-services/your-digital-estate/
TIP 4 Fred Smith
Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx, passed away last month. We were struck by the quote he gave to the Associated Press in 2023 in regard to doing public good: “America is the most generous country in the world. It’s amazing the charitable contributions that Americans make every year. Everything from the smallest things to these massive health care initiatives and the Gates Foundation and everything in between.” Fred Smith may not have publicized all his giving or done it for the name recognition, but his charitable gifts will continue to change the world. At Garden State Trust Company, one of the most exciting and fulfilling things we do is helping clients achieve their philanthropic goals (usually through charitable trusts or RMD charitable rollovers). Our clients, and stories like Fred Smith’s, inspire us. Should you be considering large charitable gifts and wondering how they fit into your families’ wealth plan, please let us know, we’d be pleased to provide a consultation.