Money On Tap

Nearly every major index is at a record high — and everyone's asking the same question: is this the beginning of something great, or the end of something that's gone too far?This week on Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon take that question apart with 75 years of market history, a few statistics that genuinely surprised them, and a clear look at what a record high means for you — whether you're decades from retirement or already drawing income.What you'll learn:The Fidelity data showing investing at an all-time high beats investing on a random dayWhy a record high is usually a signal of a healthy economy, not a topA walk through 1982, 1987, 1995–1999, 2000, 2009, and 2020Why today's AI market looks more like 1995 than the 2000 dot-com bubbleWhy timing the market is a loser's game — and why taking profits isn't fearSequence-of-returns risk — why the first years of retirement decide everythingBuffered ETFs — staying in the market with downside guardrailsAnnuities with lifetime income and long-term-care ridersPlus Money In The News:American financial literacy hits a 10-year low — U.S. adults answered just 47% of the TIAA Institute's 2026 questions correctly (Yahoo Finance, Kerry Hannon)America's data-center build-out falls behind schedule — Google's $80B equity raise and what it signals about AI's real cost (WSJ, Katherine Blunt)Exxon chief warns oil could spike to $160–$170 a barrel as strategic reserves run thin (Fox Business, Robert McGreevy)Mentioned on air: Our short sequence-of-returns risk video — watch it at brayshawfinancial.com.Read the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhat is the retirement red zone, and why does it matter? The retirement red zone is the roughly ten-year window covering the five years before and the five years after your retirement date. It matters more than almost any other period because of sequence-of-returns risk: a major market downturn while you're beginning to withdraw income can permanently damage the plan, even if the market later recovers. Two people who invest identically but retire a few years apart can end up with opposite outcomes based solely on timing. Navigating the red zone means shifting from maximizing gains to mitigating losses — stress-testing the plan, building a cash runway, rebalancing, diversifying, and adding guardrails like buffered ETFs and guaranteed income.

61% of Americans now fear running out of money in retirement more than they fear death itself. Half of all U.S. households approaching retirement are at risk of falling short of their current standard of living.This week on Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon sit with the topic that shows up in the conference room more than any other these days: retirement anxiety — and why so many Americans feel unprepared.What you'll learn:The five fears inside retirement anxiety — and which one most plans don't addressWhy retirement is structurally more anxious today than a generation agoThe Honeymoon, the Shock, and the Reframe — the three phases of every retirementWhy men, executives, military, and first responders are hit hardest by the identity lossThe new 100% income rule (the old 60–70% rule of thumb is dead)The six-part income plan that actually reduces anxietySequence-of-returns risk — and why the first five years of retirement determine everythingSocial Security in 2026: 77% benefit, $1.5T bipartisan proposal, what it means for youWhy phased / consulting retirement is the underrated soft landingThe emotional plan nobody writes down — hobbies, friendships, purpose, marriagePlus Money In The News:Can the stock market save Social Security? A $1.5T bipartisan proposal from Cassidy and KaineFord stock surges on a $2B (becoming $10B) pivot to stationary energy storage with CATLStudent loan changes hit July 1 — payments rising $300–$350/month under IBR and RAP plansFree resource: Email us with "Retirement Anxiety white paper" in the subject and we'll send the companion document.Read the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhy do Americans fear running out of money more than death? A recent Allianz survey found that 61% of Americans fear running out of money in retirement more than they fear death itself. The shift reflects structural changes: pensions have largely disappeared, 401(k)s placed the risk of retirement success on individuals, life expectancy has stretched, inflation has accelerated, healthcare costs are rising, and Social Security is on track for a benefit cut. The fear is rational — and the planning response is to build a multi-source income plan rather than to hope a portfolio alone is enough.

Two retirees with the same balance can take wildly different incomes home — it's not about returns, it's about taxes.This week on Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon unpack The Science of Retirement Income — How to Create Income Alpha: the practice of beating the market not by picking better stocks, but by keeping more of what you already have through tax-aware planning.What you'll learn:What "Income Alpha" actually means — and why it's worth 15–30% more retirement income, year after yearHow Social Security gets taxed at 0%, 50%, or 85% — and how to control which one applies to youThe Roth IRA conversion ladder: filling the 22% bracket today to avoid the 30%+ bracket laterThe lesser-known after-tax account strategy — converting future ordinary-income tax into capital-gains taxQualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) — the single highest-leverage move for charitable retireesDonor-Advised Funds and Charitable Trusts — stacking giving with Roth conversion yearsThe hidden IRMAA Medicare tax — and the income thresholds that can cost you $1,000–$3,000 a yearThe Widow Tax Trap — the most damaging tax in retirement and how to plan around itWhy the year of a spouse's passing is the last big planning window — and what to do with itWhat 1–2 years of tax returns will tell a good planner that your investment statement never willPlus Money In The News:Weight-loss drug developers line up to tap a $150B market (Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, the pill-vs-shot race)Nike stock tumbles 13% to an 11-year low on China weaknessAverage tax refund up 11% from a year ago — IRS data and what it means for inflationFree resource: Email us with "Charitable Giving Booklet" in the subject and we'll send our charitable giving guide.Read the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhy do Americans fear running out of money more than death? A recent Allianz survey found that 61% of Americans fear running out of money in retirement more than they fear death itself. The shift reflects structural changes: pensions have largely disappeared, 401(k)s placed the risk of retirement success on individuals, life expectancy has stretched, inflation has accelerated, healthcare costs are rising, and Social Security is on track for a benefit cut. The fear is rational — and the planning response is to build a multi-source income plan rather than to hope a portfolio alone is enough.

4.3 million industrial robots are already deployed globally. Robot costs have dropped 50% in 30 years. Payback periods are now 1 to 3 years. The reshoring of American manufacturing isn't a forecast — it's a buy order.This week on Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon continue the series with The Railroads of Robotics — the picks-and-shovels playbook for physical AI and the next great industrial build-out.What you'll learn:Why three forces — reshoring, labor shortage, and 1–3 year robot payback — make automation inevitableThe four investable layers: robots · AI systems · software · hardwareA walk-through of the public names: Rockwell Automation, Teradyne, Emerson Electric, NVIDIA, Tesla (Optimus), AeroVironment, Applied Materials, AutodeskHow cobots are reshaping skilled-trades work — and what the NVIDIA CEO's "three-day work week" prediction really meansFive robotics-themed ETFs walked through: ROBO, BOTZ, IBOT, ARKQ, ROBTWhat to tell the kids and grandkids about which jobs will actually exist in 10 yearsThe geopolitical risk that could shelve this entire build-out overnightPlus Money In The News:United Airlines hikes fares up to 20% — CEO admits passing 100% of jet-fuel cost to consumersMusk vs. Altman: a $134B suit heading to court while SpaceX ($1.25T) and OpenAI ($850B) IPOs loomAdobe announces a $25B buyback (25% of market cap) while Big Tech keeps laying off — and the buyback nuance most investors missRead the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhat is "physical AI" and why does it matter for investors? Physical AI is the application of artificial intelligence to machines that operate in the real world — industrial robots, cobots, autonomous vehicles, drones, and humanoid robots. Unlike AI software that lives only on a screen, physical AI directly performs labor: assembling products, moving materials, inspecting quality, and operating equipment. For investors, it converts the AI thesis into measurable productivity gains and physical reshored capacity.

Space just became an asset class. Q1 2026 alone saw $36 billion deployed — and the SpaceX IPO could be the first trillion-dollar offering in history.This week on Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon walk through what they're calling the railroads of space — the picks-and-shovels companies quietly building the rails that everything else will ride on.What you'll learn:Why the SpaceX IPO is the single biggest catalyst hanging over the entire sectorThe three investable layers: access · infrastructure · application & dataA walk-through of the public names already in motion — RKLB, ASTS, IRDM, PL, RDWWhere robotics fits — and why Honeybee Robotics and Redwire matter more than people thinkThe four real risks: capital intensity, government dependence, boom-bust speculation, and SpaceX disruptionWhy an actively managed space-themed ETF may be the most prudent way for retail investors to participatePlus Money In The News:Active ETFs cross $1 trillion — and why the cost trade-off is worth it for many investorsRound Hill's DRAM ETF pulls $1B in 10 days, giving U.S. investors backdoor access to Samsung and SK Hynix$4 gas drives consumer confidence to a record-low 47.6% — lower than 2008 — and inflation expectations climb toward 4.8%Read the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhat is the "picks and shovels" approach to space investing? The picks-and-shovels approach focuses on the suppliers, infrastructure providers, and service companies that support a fast-growing industry — rather than betting on a single headline name. In space, that means owning the makers of satellites, components, ground networks, robotics, and data services that profit no matter which rocket company ultimately wins.

Tax filing reports what already happened. Tax planning is what puts you back in control.If you just finished paying your 2025 taxes and you're wondering how the bill got that big, this week's Money On Tap is for you.Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon walk through the year-round tax strategies most investors — and most financial advisors — are quietly missing. From bracket management and income engineering to real estate depreciation, solo 401(k) contributions, charitable trusts, and the often-overlooked Augusta Rule, this is a working playbook for keeping more of what you earn.What you'll learn:Why tax planning beats tax filing every year — and what most advisors skipHow to engineer your income to stay in a lower bracket without changing your lifestyleThe difference between one-off Roth conversions and a real 10-year Roth strategyReal estate deductions, cost segregation, and the Augusta Rule explainedSolo 401(k) vs SEP IRA — and why business owners routinely leave $30K+ on the tableCharitable remainder trusts: the tax strategy almost nobody talks aboutWhy today's 37% top federal bracket is historically low — and what that means for your retirement planPlus Money In The News:Google's $10M commitment to train American manufacturing workers on AIThe cost to raise a child in the US now tops $300,000South Hadley, MA rejects a 50% property tax hike by a 2-to-1 voteRead the companion blog: brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaFull Money On Tap episode library: brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhat is the "picks and shovels" approach to space investing? The picks-and-shovels approach focuses on the suppliers, infrastructure providers, and service companies that support a fast-growing industry — rather than betting on a single headline name. In space, that means owning the makers of satellites, components, ground networks, robotics, and data services that profit no matter which rocket company ultimately wins.

If you missed just the 10 best days in the market over the last 25 years, you would have cut your returns nearly in half. Miss the best 30 days, and you might as well have left the money in a money market. Miss the best 50 days, and you are actually losing money. That is the cost of a market myth. In this week's Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon break down the most common — and most expensive — market myths that quietly erode investor wealth: "Sell in May and go away," "now is the wrong time to invest," "cash is safer than stocks," "investing is just legalized gambling," "more holdings means better diversification," "gold is a safe haven," "bonds are risk free," and more. With hard numbers, clear analogies, and three decades of planning experience between them, Ben and Dan sort fact from folklore — and lay out a disciplined, statistics-backed approach to growing and protecting your money. You will learn:Why missing the market's best 10 days can cut your long-term returns in halfWhy lump-sum investing beats dollar-cost averaging 67-75% of the timeHow a $100,000 in cash since 1992 compares to the same $100,000 in the S&P 500Why 2,900 holdings may actually be less diversified than 500The truth about gold, bonds, and "safe" investmentsHow a $50-per-month investor can still build real wealthPlus "Money In The News":NAHB home builder sentiment drops to a 7-month low amid material, labor, and oil pressuresTrump Accounts sign up 5 million kids — with community sponsorship changing the gameMarch CPI surges 0.9% as the Iran conflict reshapes the inflation outlookResources & LinksWebsite: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/Money On Tap podcast hub: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapFull Money On Tap episode library: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tap-podcast-contentRead the companion blog: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/blogOur planning process: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/our-processSchedule a free consultation: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/contactRelated Episodes:Retirement distribution strategy: how to keep more of your income → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapThe difference between accumulation and distribution → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapTax-smart investing and why most investors overpay → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapHow to vet a financial advisor (the questions that matter) → https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comWhat is the difference between tax filing and tax planning? Tax filing is reporting last year's income and paying the tax you owe. Tax planning is a year-round strategy that uses the tax code intentionally — through bracket management, deductions, retirement contributions, and income engineering — to legally reduce future tax liability and protect long-term wealth.

Are today's tax rates the lowest you'll ever see in your lifetime?In this episode of Money on Tap, we introduce the concept of “Generation Roth”—a powerful shift in retirement planning focused on building tax-free income in a world where taxes are likely to rise.For decades, traditional retirement planning has relied on tax-deferred strategies like 401(k)s and IRAs. But with growing national debt, changing tax policy, and increasing retirement complexity, that approach may no longer be enough.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why today's tax environment may be historically low  • How rising national debt could impact future tax rates  • The truth about being in a “lower tax bracket” in retirement  • What a Roth IRA is and why it matters now more than ever  • How Roth strategies create tax-free income  • Options for high-income earners who can't contribute directly to a Roth  • The role of Roth conversions and advanced planning strategies  • The concept of “tax diversification” in retirement planning  • How to think about retirement as an income system—not just a savings goal  This episode is designed for anyone who wants to take greater control over their financial future and build a more tax-efficient retirement strategy.Because retirement isn't just about how much you have—it's about how much you keep.

Are you unknowingly losing thousands of dollars in retirement taxes?In this episode of Money on Tap, we break down the science of retirement income and how to create “income alpha”—keeping more of what you've already earned.Many retirees focus on growing their portfolio, but the real opportunity lies in tax efficiency, withdrawal strategy, and income planning.In this episode, you'll learn:• How retirement income is taxed (and why most people overpay)• The hidden impact of RMDs and Social Security taxation• What “income alpha” means and how to create it• Roth IRA strategies and tax-free income planning• The truth about the widow's tax trap and how to prepare• How charitable strategies can reduce your tax burden• Why tax planning can increase retirement income by 20–30%Retirement is not about how much you have—it's about how efficiently you use it.

This episode includes AI-generated content.