Why Impact Investing? with Stella Tai

Faith & Finance

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:4

We tend to think of that verse as a prescription for giving to help the poor and needy and that’s good. But is there an application that involves investing? Stella Tai joins us today to talk about how your investing can have a positive impact in the world.
Stella Tai is Manager of Stewardship Investing Impact and Analysis for Praxis Mutual Funds®, an underwriter of Faith & Finance.

Why Should People of Faith Focus on Impact Investing?

Impact investing is an investment approach that goes beyond the traditional goal of making a profit. It’s a way to use investment dollars to promote social and environmental good in the world through carefully selected investment portfolios.

Impact investing holds particular significance for people of faith because it aligns with the scriptural mandate to use our gifts, talents, and possessions for good. Faith provides a moral compass, guiding investors to avoid investments that harm society while promoting strategies that address pressing global issues, such as healthcare, education, and environmental stewardship.

People of faith have a rich history of pioneering this type of investing, drawing inspiration from groups like the Quakers and Catholic orders that have been practicing values-aligned investing for decades.

Integrating Faith-Based Impact into Investment Portfolios

For individuals or institutions looking to incorporate faith-based impact into their investment portfolios, here is some practical advice to get started:

1. Articulate Values: Clearly define the values that will guide your investments.
2. Align Current Portfolios: Assess existing portfolios to ensure they align with these values.
3. Utilize Available Tools: Explore funds and financial advisors experienced in impact investing.

These steps help investors begin the journey of integrating impact into their investments, whether in traditional markets or philanthropy.

If you’d like to learn more information about Praxis Mutual Funds, you can visit praxismutualfunds.com.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I have a rental property with a $50,000 mortgage at 5.5-5.6% interest. I have the ability to pay off the mortgage, but I'm unsure if I should let the renter continue paying it off while I invest the money elsewhere or if I should pay it off myself. What would be the better financial decision?
• I have a 5-acre property that includes my current home. I want to do a lot split to build a smaller retirement home on part of the land. What are the best financing options for building the new home while I continue living in my current home? Should I sell my current home first and rent it back, or try to stay in it during construction? And what tax or capital gains implications do I need to consider with the lot split and home sale?
• I made about four times what my wife made on average during our working careers. Our plan was for my wife to start taking her Social Security at age 62, and then when I started taking mine at age 67, she would switch over to spousal Social Security. However, we recently attended a seminar where the presenter said that even if my wife switches to my spousal benefit at 67, she will still suffer a 25% penalty. Is that true? I want to ensure I understand the implications before deciding when to start our Social Security benefits.
• I'm 63, and my wife is 60. We both still work. We have $200,000 in savings, earning only 1.5%, and my wife has $200,000 in her 401(k). I declined a 401(k) at my job since they didn't match. Should I invest the $200,000 in savings instead of leaving it in the low-yield account? I plan to keep working as long as I'm able.

Resources Mentioned:

• Praxis Mutual Funds
• Bankrate.com
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at [phone]. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.