If you've got a cell phone that you don't use, it can have a second life and you can help out a good cause. Once you factory reset your phone, your data and accounts should no longer be linked to that device. So now you can throw it out in the regular trash, right.Absolutely not. Phones contain lots of dangerous chemicals like arsenic, lead, and mercury. If thrown into a landfill, those chemicals could get into the groundwater, which would be a bad thing.A number of charities also accept phones. I'll highli ...

Berkshire Hathaway - Berkshire Hathaway's investment portfolio continues to generate gains, but the company is facing challenges in finding significant investment opportunities for its growing cash reserves, as it sells more equities than it purchases each quarter [1] - The insurance business has shown solid results in 2025, with third-quarter underwriting earnings rising to $3.2 billion from $1 billion in Q3 2024, offsetting earlier declines in earnings [2] - Shares of Berkshire Hathaway are currently trading at about 1.55 times book value, which is above the historical average but lower than early 2025 highs, reflecting a more balanced valuation following Buffett's retirement announcement [7] Gates Foundation - The Gates Foundation has shifted its investment strategy, with approximately 60% of its $37 billion portfolio now invested in non-tech companies, following the sale of about two-thirds of its Microsoft shares [4][22] - Bill Gates plans to donate 99% of his remaining wealth over the next 20 years, with a current net worth of about $100 billion [5] Waste Management - Waste Management is a long-held security in the Gates Foundation trust, benefiting from its recession-resistant business model and competitive advantages, including a significant number of active landfills [8][9] - The company reported a 32% adjusted operating margin last quarter, indicating strong pricing power and operational efficiency [10] - Waste Management has expanded into medical waste disposal through its acquisition of Stericycle, which is expected to grow significantly due to the aging U.S. population [11] Canadian National Railway - Canadian National Railway connects key regions in Canada and the U.S., benefiting from economies of scale and significant barriers to entry in the railroad industry [14][15] - The company has been able to steadily raise prices and grow contract volume, achieving an operating margin of 38.6% last quarter [15] - Despite slow revenue growth, free cash flow increased by 14% in the first nine months of the year, with expectations for further improvements in 2026 [17][18]

Philanthropy & Impact - Donating money to appear virtuous is easier than using it effectively to create real-world change [1]

Save the Children's new Bitcoin Fund seeks to maximize donation value with up to four-year holding strategy https://t.co/7auJb6085z ...

Michael and Susan Dell’s donation made news for a lot of reasons. Here’s what you need to know about private foundations, government gifts and the tax consequences. https://t.co/MsMkHsHZpC ...

Michael and Susan Dell’s donation made news for a lot of reasons–including that it was targeted to a government program, not a public charity.Here’s what you need to know about private foundations, government gifts and the tax consequences: https://t.co/HGYWUKUR0H📸: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images ...

Nigel Farage's Reform UK has received a record donation. With the establishment of Reform-allied think tanks, policy groups and the rallying of donors, the party seems to be gaining altitude. Get The Readout with @h_chandlerwilde https://t.co/s1PW5EmkVP ...

Charitable Giving - Recommends charitable donations as holiday gifts to reduce wasteful spending [2][3] - Suggests Tis Best and Donor's Choose as platforms for charitable giving [3] - Highlights the ease and positive impact of donating to charities in the recipient's name [3] Wasteful Spending - Points out the problem of giving unwanted gifts during the holiday season [1] - Compares holiday candy spending to the combined annual budgets of major charities, implying significant waste [4]

This is incredible.Michael and Susan Dell just announced they are donating $6.25 billion to help 25 million children in America."The Dells have committed to seed Trump Accounts with $250 for children who are 10 or under who were born before Jan. 1, 2025. According to Invest America, the pledged funds will cover 25 million children age 10 and under in ZIP codes with a median income of $150,000 or less."Very inspiring to see one of our country's best entrepreneurs do this.(h/t @HCuccinello) ...

Political Fundraising Strategy - Donald Trump's donation emails employ a narrative of triumph and constant peril [1] - The fundraising appeals are highly emotional and often presented in all-caps [1] Content Style - The emails are described as melodramatic [1]