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Don and Tom take on Elon Musk's claim that AI will make retirement saving obsolete, pushing back hard on the idea that technology or billionaires will somehow fund everyone's future. They examine why universal basic income is politically and mathematically unrealistic, remind listeners that past tech revolutions didn't magically create widespread wealth, and reinforce the importance of steady, diversified investing. The episode also tackles listener questions on HSAs, 529 rollovers, taxable account strategy, and tax efficiency, while weaving in commentary on work, purpose, behavior, and—once again—the ongoing menace of gas-powered leaf blowers. 0:04 Fear of AI and its supposed impact on money and jobs 1:52 Elon Musk's claim that retirement saving will become irrelevant 2:59 Why billionaires don't like sharing wealth 4:29 Historical tax rates and wealth distribution 6:21 Business Insider survey: 94% still plan to save 8:45 Why tech revolutions don't eliminate financial risk 9:59 Work, purpose, and retirement psychology 10:33 Universal basic income math and tax reality 11:54 Luddites and historical job displacement 12:55 Listener questions segment begins 13:18 HSA invested in Fidelity target-date fund 17:38 Overfunded 529 plans and Roth rollover rules 20:45 Taxable account strategy and balanced funds 23:28 Asset location and tax efficiency 24:49 Finding fund returns on Morningstar 25:46 Tom's Scottsdale meetings 26:45 War on gas-powered leaf blowers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiera is joined by Alexis Gallati, founder and lead tax strategist at Cerebral Tax Advisors, to talk about tax strategy not just for 2025 success, but 2026 and beyond. They discuss asking your CPA the right questions, shifting income from your higher tax bracket down, the Augusta rule, and a ton more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today I am super jazzed. I have an incredible guest joining us on the podcast today ⁓ to talk about last minute tax strategies before April 15th. Like why not? I mean, hey, maybe you were like, you're not the early bird. You were like, shoot, I forgot. Like what things can I do? And so I'm super excited. Alexis Gallati, she reached out to us. ⁓ She is founder and lead tax strategist at Cerebral Tax Advisors.   Ansari Real Wealth Academy. And I was so excited about this topic because I know you guys know I love to geek out about this and I have it on my vision board of tax expert ahead. Like I hate taxes. I love taxes. I believe that taxes are such a beautiful way for us to pay to be in this incredible country. But you better believe I don't want to pay a penny more than I need to. So really figuring that out just a little bit about her is she is got a dual master's degree in business administration and taxation, which is super rad because   Let's be real, she gets the business side of it. She gets the taxation and we were chatting before and she was like, what people make like their top line revenue versus their take home pay are two different things. And I was like, amen sister, preach on. She's enrolled agent, NTPI fellow and certified tax strategist. She also is the author of advanced tax planning for medical professionals. She specializes in high level strategic tax planning and multi-state tax preparation for healthcare professionals and business owners. She's raised in a family of physicians and married to one.   She empathizes with the financial challenges medical professionals face. This personal connection inspired her to create accessible, unbiased tax solutions tailored to their busy lives. Driven by passion and guided by cerebral thinking, Alexis forms Cerebral to help professionals keep more of their hard earned money. Amen sister. That's what we want. That's why you're here. Their approach breaks the mold of traditional financial advice, offering a unique perspective for medical professionals and business owners. So while yes, she's not 1000 % dental guys were in the healthcare world and she's so brilliant. So Alexis, welcome to the show today. How are you?   Alexis Gallati (01:54) Thank you so much for having me. I'm doing very well. Hope you had a wonderful holiday season.   The Dental A Team (01:58) Yes, likewise. And I was so excited when I heard that you would be a guest on our podcast. I geek out about this, Alexis, I know it's like our first day meeting, but ⁓ I just think the world of tax is such the game of monopoly. And I'm like, if you would have just told me that rule, I could have played and won the game better. But I feel like it's always as ever changing, ever evolving. And I know there were some big things that happened in 2025 that are impacting like our our taxes. And so, yeah, definitely a timely and   exciting podcast to throw out there. So Alexis, I know I gave you a very welcomed ⁓ bio and intro, but yeah, tell us a little bit about who is Alexis. You're married to a physician. You're in this world of tag. How does one become obsessive about CPA? I'm truly just curious. How do you like, how does this happen? How did you become this?   Alexis Gallati (02:49) Yeah, so I love law and I love money. And so when I was in undergrad, I took a tax and accounting class and loved more the tax side than the accounting side, I do admit. And so after meeting my husband in college and us starting to go through that full medical journey, was about a year and a half out from him.   The Dental A Team (02:54) you   Alexis Gallati (03:18) from him finishing his residency. And I really saw the writing on the wall. Even at that time, with him being in residency, about four months of his salary was going towards taxes. And I was like, that's not right. That's not right. With   The Dental A Team (03:36) No.   Alexis Gallati (03:38) hard he works and how hard   medical community works in general. ⁓ my gosh, that's not right. So that's when I really dedicated myself to   finding out, why do the Warren Buffets and the Bill Gates of the world have this really low to sometimes non-existent tax bracket? And I really dove into that tax planning. ⁓ And so, you know, what's very unique about, ⁓ you know, the way that I work and my business is that my husband and I are in the same exact position as majority of our clients. And so, yes, I'm looking for   strategies for my clients, but I'm also looking for those strategies for myself.   The Dental A Team (04:19) You're like, hey,   it's me. I'm going to help myself out. I'm very motivated to do this.   Alexis Gallati (04:25) Very motivated. And I love it. I love it. It's like you said, it's ⁓ Congress keeps us on our toes, changing the laws consistently year after year. ⁓ it's like a puzzle. Like, hey, how can I just keep more of what I'm earning?   The Dental A Team (04:43) Yeah, and I, this is what I get obsessed about. what I learned, gosh, it's like, I was so naive when I started the company. was like, marketing is marketing. I just need to hire a marketer they can do everything. And then I was like, oh, there's a content marketer. There's a copywriter marketer. There's a strategist. There's a growth marketer. There's like an AEO marketer now. There's an SEO. Like you guys, this thing is like a web. They're a content marketer. And then I started realizing it's similar to CPAs and financial planners that like,   I thought you hire a CPA, Alexis. Like I'm so naive to business. I'm shocked that I've made it this far. Like truly I'm proud of like the journey we've been on, but like not all CPAs are created equal. And then I realized like CPAs play by different rules. Like it's the same rule, but there's shades of gray. They're how comfortable are you with this and how uncomfortable are you with it? Like there's one CPA that told me like, here, you can totally go skiing in Tahoe. Just like put your logo on your skis and you can totally ride it off and like put your logo on your boat and you can ride it off.   And then there's like the Alexis of the world was like, oh, hard pass. No, you're going to like totally get flagged. But I'm like, what rule is right? And so I realized that there are, like you said, tax strategy and for higher wealth earners. I do believe that there's a game, like you said, how did the Warren Buffett's, how did the Bill Gates, like they're not paying this. And then you get into the real estate game and you get into all these other things. You're like, how can we do this? And so Alexis, I'm just jazz. This is me being nerdy. And I'm going to ask you a bajillion questions and I can't wait.   to learn. So let's kind of talk about most of your clients, what's the size of take home net pay that they do. So that way we know like what brackets were in. So that way right clients come to you. I also learned not all financial advisors take all people. I was like, I make 30 grand. They're like, great. So we're going to help you out just a little bit. And then like, when you get to this level, we'll chat with you. ⁓ tell us kind of that. And then let's dig into how do we keep more money, Alexis, legally.   Alexis Gallati (06:10) I love it.   The Dental A Team (06:39) I'm here for legal advice. I'm willing to go gray, but not go to jail. So that's my line. So as long as we're on the same page, I think we are, I'm here for it.   Alexis Gallati (06:40) Yes.   Definitely, yeah. I am more than happy to play in the gray areas. We just have to feel comfortable defending it in an audit. And so that's our line in the sand. ⁓ But yeah.   The Dental A Team (06:55) Mm-hmm.   She's like, this is why I went to law guys. This is why I like the law side and the CPA.   I like it. I like your style. It's so unique and I just am excited. So, okay, I'm ready.   Alexis Gallati (07:07) Yeah.   Yeah. at Cerebral, we work with those that earn at minimum $400,000 per year in taxable income. So we have lots of businesses, which by the way, 99.9 % of our clients are medical professionals. I think we have like maybe two clients that have zero ties to the medical industry. And so the practices we work with, you know,   generally range from anywhere from maybe about $700,000 in gross revenue all the way up to eight figures. So we tend to not work with those that are larger practices, that usually over 50 employees. And that's just because once you get above 50 employees, yeah, it changes quite a bit. So we're definitely in there with those smaller to medium sized practices.   The Dental A Team (07:56) Tax co-changes. Yep.   Amazing. No, that's super helpful. And I know we were talking before, like the average of your clients, about 700,000 like net pay is typical where you guys are at. You have some that are higher, but that minimum of 400,000, which is great because I do think that there are thresholds. ⁓ And I did learn through going through business that who Kiera needed as a tax support and advisor when I was in that 30,000 range compare and as a business owner, I thought it was so funny.   Gosh, taxes, like they hurt so bad sometimes. Like, whoa, easy come, easy go. Like I've never, I've always been a W-2. So that was such a fascinating world for me. But yeah, let's dig into some of the things you've seen for the medical world. Cause I know I have friends that were physicians and they're really big on real estate. And like I took the real estate Kool-Aid and I'm just like, is this really real? There's gotta be easier ways than doing this. And so I'm just jazzed to kind of go through what are some of the things we can do now before April 15th.   What are things that we can do even past April 15th to set us up for great success for 2026? So Alexis, this is your show. I'm just excited, kind of riffed us through it. Of course, I'm gonna geek out and ask probably about way more questions than you care to even be asked, but I'm really excited to learn more today.   Alexis Gallati (09:20) Yeah, great. Well, yeah, I hate to be a little bit of a Debbie Downer in the beginning and that when your past December 31st, ⁓ the number of tax strategies that are available to you are before you actually go to file your tax return are limited. It's just the nature of the code.   The Dental A Team (09:37) I agree. was super, when you were   like, what are the tech? I was like, I want to know because most of the times like when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, it's like game over and we start again. But yes, which is why I want to know what are like the small ones, but then also Alexis like, let's set our listeners up for like, what things can they do this year to be better prepared for it in conjunction? So yes, before April 15th, but selfishly I want to know what else can I do this year that maybe I haven't thought of.   Alexis Gallati (09:52) Yeah.   you   The Dental A Team (10:06) because the clock hasn't struck midnight in 2026. So like we've got time. So yeah, for 2025 filing, but also for 2026 as well.   Alexis Gallati (10:09) Yeah.   Yeah, so let's talk about 2025 filing first. Especially if you're a business owner, there are actually a number of things that you could still put together for yourself that can impact your 2025 financials. ⁓ So even basic things like if you haven't been taking advantage of your home office deduction or ⁓ vehicle expenses ⁓ and unreimbursed business expenses. So those are expenses that you paid   personally, but our business expenses. So all of those items, you can still go and report on your 2025 return. So if you haven't taken the time to sit down and say, how much should I pay in my home utilities or insurance, repairs, et cetera, and take the percentage. So let's say your home office is 7%.   of your total square footage of your home. Well, then you can write off 7 % of your home expenses on your taxes. the treatment's a little bit different depending upon if you're a sole proprietorship or an S corporation. But in general, you still have that time to take advantage of that. And a lot of you might be like, oh, Alexis, it's such a little amount. I don't even know if it's worth it. Believe me.   All these little things can really add up together. And easily, I usually see between $10,000 to $20,000 of really ⁓ easy to grab savings for yourself if you just take even a few hours to gather all the information. ⁓ And you can even use ⁓ personal financial apps like Monarch Money or You Need a Budget, things like that to help.   organize that information for you throughout the year so it's a little more automated.   The Dental A Team (12:10) Yeah, that's amazing. I do love the YNAB. You're throwing me back to like pharmacy school days of you need a budget. I was like, oh my gosh, got to answer this every time. They have updated so much, but I love that you said like 10 to 20 grand, I think is worthwhile, but more than it being pennies or dollars, I think it's the discipline of having it prepared for next year too. So that way we don't, I think it's like, well, it might not be enough this year, but I'm like, you take that this year and we compound over the next year and the next year and the next year. I think these little things to me at least,   Alexis Gallati (12:15) Ha ha ha.   The Dental A Team (12:41) Like I said, it's their game of monopoly. And I'm like, okay, maybe I didn't get it that time, but I'm going to take that rule and I'm going to apply it this year and the next year and the next year. So I'm even taking notes over here, guys. So Alexis, if you see me, I'm writing it like, okay, I'm going to check in on that, check in on that. So make sure, make sure that they're being taken into consideration because I don't prep my own taxes. I don't even know half the stuff. Like they just tell me. So I also think being a good steward as well and always double checking your CPA to make sure like, are we maximizing every deduction we can?   Alexis Gallati (12:53) Good, I like it.   Of course.   Yeah. And being proactive is like you said, the number one thing because the IRS can deny deduction if you don't have that itemized receipt or you don't have the proper documentation. And 99 % of any fight with the IRS is that documentation. And I did a three year fellowship in IRS representation. So I'm obviously very focused on that tax savings, but also very focused on making sure   that everything's set up properly. So if the IRS were to challenge it or even the state, you're in good hands. then that way, you can just give them the stuff and say, go away.   The Dental A Team (13:51) Exactly. And I heard somebody once tell me, they're like, Kiera, it's not a matter of if I'll be audited, it's when. Like every business will most likely be audited at some point. I hope and pray like we're not. I think about that a lot of like cross my T's, dot my I's, make sure that I'm constantly trying to be compliant with things. But your wealth of knowledge on that Alexis of what things and how to become, I mean, shoot three years of IRS. Girl, you got my vote. That's impressive. And like love the love the authority piece that you're bringing to our podcast today.   Alexis Gallati (14:20) Thank you. Thank you. So some other things that you're able to do before you file that tax return, and this is a big one, is retirement. So you actually have until the filing of a tax return, and that includes extensions. So for example, if you're an S corporation or a partnership, have the original due date, which is March 15th, or the extended due date, which is September 15th, to go and   open and fund that retirement plan. So if you have employees, it can get obviously a little bit more complicated, but you still are able to do it and ⁓ do that employer contribution. And that's obviously really one of the lower hanging fruits when it comes to not only tax savings, but also wealth generation.   The Dental A Team (15:12) Yeah, no, I love that. That's a great idea. And I think a lot of people miss that. And again, CPAs, tax strategists, wealth advisors, they're all playing in their own lanes, but how can we make sure all of them are maximizing together? Because you as a human are trying to build that wealth. So I love that.   Alexis Gallati (15:30) Yeah. And don't forget as well, you know, kind of in the same vein as retirement is that health savings account. So if you had a high deductible plan throughout the year, but maybe your employer didn't actually provide a ⁓ health savings account, like so if you're a W-2, for example, or even if you're self-employed, you can still go open up your   own Health Savings account through, I think Fidelity has some, ⁓ Optum Bank, HSA Bank. So there's a whole bunch of different providers out there. can just Google and find the provider that works best for you.   The Dental A Team (16:07) Interesting. And I know like I just wrote that down because a lot of dentists don't have HSA. Like we are the providers for it. But hearing that that might even be a resource to attract people into your business if you were able to like, don't necessarily provide it, but these are some companies that we could help our employees get if they wanted to have an HSA because I know that that's something that my husband works at a hospital. So there's an HSA there, but as sole proprietors and S-Corps, a lot of times they aren't provided. That's actually really like, I think just a great tool and resource to   possibly provide to our employees, depending upon what it looks like for your business.   Alexis Gallati (16:40) Yeah, definitely. And then one other thing that you ⁓ may be able to do, depending upon your state, ⁓ to help with state taxes, is go and contribute to a 529 plan, which is for education for yourself or other dependent. And some states like Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, there's a number of them. They allow you to make that contribution all the way up to the   filing of the tax return.   The Dental A Team (17:13) Interesting. I did not know that I wrote that down. That's fascinating. I love this. This is like so fun. Keep going.   Alexis Gallati (17:20) Yeah. Yeah. So that, you know, is, a good, especially for, you know, higher earners. ⁓ that's kind of a good summary of what you can be doing before this, ⁓ April 15th or even the extended due date as well. ⁓ but when you start looking into 2026, who, that book, that book opens up, there is.   The Dental A Team (17:39) It does, right? It's like the   monopoly Bible. Like it's so big. Like how do I play the game of taxes? So I truly, and I think like for all the listeners, like the home office, the HSA, ⁓ retirement, the 529 plan, like there's still time. So go look at those things. And even if you can't contribute or do those things now, having that set up for next year, like, Alexis, truly, I'm like, I'm getting the popcorn. I'm getting my notepad. Like,   I am so excited because half these things I haven't heard of. And so it's very fun to just hear different perspectives. And I do love that you've got a legal background too. I love that you're in IRS. I love that you're in medicine and healthcare and like for your own personal savings too. It's like you're the Nancy Drew of like, how can I do the most amount through all of this? It's a very fascinating perspective you bring today.   Alexis Gallati (18:27) thank you. I appreciate that. yeah, when obviously when you are a W-2 employee still that your options are not as open for those that have a business. But ⁓ besides obviously retirement HSA that you can do all year, one thing that a lot of W-2 employees forget is to actually check with your employer to see what their reimbursement policy looks like.   The Dental A Team (18:29) course.   Alexis Gallati (18:55) because if you're maybe in a private practice with a large group, and I mean, these could even be groups that have sometimes hundreds of physicians in it, or even if it's just a hospital system, they'll have actually pretty generous reimbursement policies for things like your CME, your new loops, or going and   doing your mileage in between different hospitals or clinics, things like that. So making sure that you are keeping track of those things. Obviously, if you're a business owner, you definitely want to keep track of those. But some of my favorite for those that own their own practices, my absolute favorite is hiring your kids.   The Dental A Team (19:36) Of course, yeah.   Alexis Gallati (19:48) It seems so basic, but believe me, there are definitely steps in place that have to be done in order to make sure they ⁓ qualify. for me, the ⁓ court tested age is seven. So I usually don't recommend my clients going and hiring their kids until they're at least that age. You can do it younger, but the old my kids are models strategy is kind of ⁓ antiquated now just because ⁓   everybody has these great cameras now on their phones. And so it's kind of devalued, being a model ⁓ for those that aren't professionals basically. ⁓ But that's a really great way to shift income from your higher tax bracket down to their non-existent tax bracket.   The Dental A Team (20:21) Totally.   Right?   Alexis Gallati (20:40) and you can then put that money into a Roth IRA for them. And if you do that, let's say over like a 10 year period in 2026, that amount is 7,500 is the max you can put in. They're easily, by the time they're age 65, gonna have at least 2 million plus dollars in savings. So it's a really great way to create a legacy for your kids and give them a little headstart.   The Dental A Team (20:48) Mm-hmm.   Yeah, that's amazing. And I think so many people are like, I don't know how to help my kids with college or different things like that. And it's like, these are great ways to prepare them for the future for when they retire for things like that. I mean, how awesome I know a couple of ⁓ doctors because   The bulk of our audience, Alexis, are not W-2 earners. They are self-employed, like dental practice owners. ⁓ But I know that there were several that didn't tell their kids that they had done this for them. And then the surprise when they graduated college of, we've been putting this into place for you. I mean, shoot, that money's going to go to the government or to your kids. Why not invest in your children? You're going to pay that money regardless. So ⁓ definitely think that that's such a brilliant idea. And I've heard people, they're like,   their real job, like they have to have a real job. They're like a paper shredder. Like they like literally shred the paper or they open the mail or they like pick out the cards or they pick out the toys for the prize boxes, like actual legit jobs that they employ them for. But I think what an amazing gift and legacy to give your kids as well.   Alexis Gallati (21:51) they   Yeah, exactly. All four of my children are, obviously cerebral isn't a dental practice, but they're hired through cerebral. So that way they are earning enough to put that money into their Roth IRA. ⁓ And a lot of ⁓ my clients are like, man, I don't know what my kids can do. And like you said, there's a lot of admin work that they can do. Even a seven-year-old can.   like you said, shred paper, stamp envelopes. They can help with doing their ABCs and filing things away if you're an older ⁓ practice owner and they have ⁓ still the paper file system. ⁓ yeah, it really is a wonderful way to not only teach responsibility, but also to save. ⁓ I highly recommend ⁓ doing that. And even if you have parents that you financially support, you could even   The Dental A Team (22:45) Yeah.   Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (23:02) go and hire your parents through your practice ⁓ and write off their support. Of course, again, they need to also have a legitimate job in the business. with parents, you have to be careful if they have any benefits like social security or Medicare. Then you just want to make sure that you're not pushing them out of those benefits because of their income ⁓ or making any part of their social security taxable. So that takes a little bit more. ⁓   finesse than hiring a child.   The Dental A Team (23:36) No, that's great. That's a really good idea too, because I hadn't thought about parents. I have heard about children, but you're right, parents are retired. And if there's ways that you can support and give back rather than like, again, I love the government. I am happy to pay taxes, but if there's ways that I can support my own family, ⁓ I think it's great because I'm going to pay that money anyway, but paying it to people that I love and care about is really a great idea.   Alexis Gallati (24:00) Yeah. Another popular one I'm sure that you've seen on TikTok or other social media is the Augusta rule. ⁓ and this is where you're renting your home to your business. ⁓ and this is perfect example where documentation is absolutely critical. ⁓ but basically what happens is you rent your home to your business for 14 days or less. Those days do not have to be consecutive and your business gets to   The Dental A Team (24:07) Mm-hmm.   Alexis Gallati (24:28) right off the cost of that rent. So obviously lowers your taxes. But then you as the individual do not have to pay tax on that rental income. Now, if you do it for 15 days and you've ruined the strategy and you have to pay tax on all 15 days. So that's really important you do 14 days or less. But this is again a really great way if you have monthly board meetings, that's 12 days right there.   Or if you have employee parties, if you have colleagues over in discussing business, though, as long as you have a rental agreement in place between yourself and your business, and you document through meeting minutes everything that occurred during that event, then that is the documentation that the IRS would need in order to substantiate that.   strategy. And obviously a reasonable rental rate as well.   The Dental A Team (25:27) Yeah, no, didn't realize,   I did not realize that you needed a rental agreement. Can you expand more on that? like we check all the Airbnb's and the VRBO's in the area to see what does our house actually go for and like keep that documented every single year and then have an actual agenda and like have it in the calendar. So it's in our Google calendar. It's got an agenda. It's got a PDF didn't attach. But how does the rental agreement work? like, yeah, how do you, I didn't realize that that was a necessary piece to it.   Alexis Gallati (25:57) Yeah, so you can even just use ChatGPT to create it. ⁓ But essentially what you do is it's just that agreement between the business and personal. So ⁓ you just want to think about it like any other rental that you would do. If you were to go to a conference room in a hotel, for example, or go rent that Airbnb, you're going to be signing some sort of agreement saying that this can happen.   that this event can happen on this date. ⁓ you can either do one agreement for the entire year, spelling out like, here are the days that we're going to be doing these things, ⁓ or you can have an agreement for each time that it happens.   The Dental A Team (26:43) Very cool. That's super helpful. Yeah, I do love the addresses for all anything people. And I mean, I've had CPAs and like, don't go crazy. Like that's where I say like check Airbnb, check VRBO like what you think your house is worth versus what market value says your house is worth. Like, let's make sure that we are accurate on that. But yeah, that's definitely an amazing one that I think is great for offices to surely do.   Alexis Gallati (26:51) Yes.   Yep. Go and get two to three comps. So then that way can just take an average. I feel like that's a very safe way to, ⁓ show reasonableness. You're not just like, Hey, I'm taking the highest one on the block. You know, it's taking a few of them.   The Dental A Team (27:21) Totally. No, definitely agree. I love that. Okay, Alexis, what other ideas? know we're, I'm like just like sitting here. I'm like, I love this writing it down. Great ideas. What are some of the ones that like, yeah, anything else that's going to save us? Um, because like taxes are taxes and we are going to pay them, but like, what else can we do to, like you said, Bill Gates or, um, like Warren Buffett, what are the things that you found for like these higher net worth earners? Like, do they need to get into real estate and like use the big, beautiful tax bill or like,   Alexis Gallati (27:23) Yeah.   Okay.   The Dental A Team (27:50) anything else that you've seen that like really moves the noodles or is like, no, just the small consistent things are really going to help them out.   Alexis Gallati (27:57) Yes, well, they all help out. ⁓ But if you are looking for more of that, hey, Alexis, what's like Hail Mary that I can be doing to act to really save? ⁓ You can look at real estate. ⁓ That could be a whole podcast by itself. ⁓ But in general, you you tend to ⁓ get into real estate when you're not talking about like reets or things I can do through the stock market.   The Dental A Team (28:14) Right.   Alexis Gallati (28:26) ⁓ You're either doing like real estate syndications, ⁓ direct ownership, like long-term rentals or short-term rentals. And ⁓ each of those are treated differently and have different ways of making that ⁓ a tax deduction for yourself. So when it comes to, in general, ⁓ real estate syndications, this is where you're   The Dental A Team (28:49) Mm-hmm.   Alexis Gallati (28:54) buying into a partnership that maybe owns an office building. And you go in with other partners and ⁓ it's syndicated. So it's very passive. There's no way for you to write off any losses in that current year. ⁓ When it comes to direct ownership, the IRS basically says, hey, that real estate is considered passive unless you have real estate professional status or you do that short-term rental   deduction or excuse me, short-term rental exclusion. And so what ⁓ happens if you can qualify for the short-term rental exclusion or real estate professional status is that those what would have been passive losses that you can't use against your current income will be considered active losses. And then you can use it against your   active income, when I say active income, things like your W-2 or your business. So you're getting a current year deduction from that. And you can do cost segregation study to help accelerate depreciation. ⁓ So this is very, very much in the nutshell sort of explanation. ⁓ But it can really be a great way to lower your taxes if   The Dental A Team (29:57) Mm-hmm.   Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (30:16) you essentially want a second job. Just know that real estate is not as passive as the social media gurus go and ⁓ try to glamorize. It really does take a lot of extra work. You want to make sure that you are following the rules properly so that you can get that tax benefit in the current year. ⁓ But if you   The Dental A Team (30:19) Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (30:41) do have that prerogative and you want to learn and get do things properly, then it can really save you quite a bit of money.   The Dental A Team (30:48) Yeah. Are there any other things, Alexis, that are like real estate that save that much but don't require that much work? I'm asking you for the weight loss drug of taxes, please. What's our easiest way with the most amount of bang for buck that you've seen? These are the big hits that if you want, because agreed, real estate's great. If you do that short-term thing, but it is a lot of work. With the big, beautiful tax bill that came through, that 100 % depreciation is pretty fantastic. But like you said,   Alexis Gallati (30:54) Yes.   Mm-hmm.   The Dental A Team (31:17) got to have it rented out, you got to have the pieces, you got to like reno it like there are and you have to have it done by the end of the year and like it's a stressful zone. ⁓ So are there other things that you've seen that might be like 50 or 100 or 200,000 off taxes that aren't necessary real estate? The Augustus one, yes. Like paying people, there's things but is there anything else you've found that are like some of those bigger chunks that maybe people don't think about they don't recognize? Yes of course they're going to take a little bit more work but...   Alexis Gallati (31:17) You gotta work for it.   The Dental A Team (31:45) that you found that could be benefits to our audience.   Alexis Gallati (31:48) OK, so let's talk about my Hail Mary for tax savings. I   love this one towards the end of the year because you're going to want to know, have a good idea of where your tax situation is going to end up. So I use this a lot for year end planning. And this is oil and gas. When you ⁓ invest in oil and gas, again, just like with real estate, there's a lot of different options.   But my favorite is our drilling funds and this is where you invest in a partnership that owns oil and gas wells and these this allows you in that first year to Essentially write off usually somewhere between 80 to 95 percent of the investment that you've put in So let's say you invest a hundred thousand dollars Then you're getting about and let's say conservatively an eighty thousand dollar deduction that can go a   against your ordinary income. So if you're W2 or your business. usually, a good rule of thumb is that, let's say, if you're putting in $100,000, you're saving $30,000 in tax. You're putting in $200,000, you're saving $60,000 in tax. And then after year one, you're earning overall, during the life of the investment, about a 2x   The Dental A Team (33:10) Bye.   Alexis Gallati (33:11) you put   100,000, you're getting about 200,000 back. And so it's considered a very conservative investment. And just because the length of the investment, and this is one of the cons of it, is that it's usually about a 10 to 12 year period. So it's generally only about a 7 % return on investment over the life of the investment. the great thing about it is that   you let's say if you did put in that hundred thousand, you're getting that 30,000 in savings, and then you can go put that into something else that will earn you even more money. So then this is something that you can do every single year. And, you know, just depends on how much money you want to save and so that how much you put in for that investment.   The Dental A Team (33:57) Gosh, that's such a good one. And these are things of like just fun, like tips and topics. Like I said, it's the rules of monopoly. I caught like, how do we play tax strategy better? Alexis, what are any like resources? I feel like you guys have some resources. Like I feel the world of tax is so daunting. And so it's like, we hear from podcasts and we hear snippets and we see TikTok and it's like real estate games. like, where do people go if they like want to dig a little bit deeper and really become like more tax expert and more tax savvy and.   like tax strategy, like what are any resources you found or ways for people just to become a little bit more literate in the tax world.   Alexis Gallati (34:33) Yes, so ⁓ of course I'm to do a little shameful plug. My book, The ⁓ Advanced Tax Strategies for Medical Professionals, it's really just that it's a brain dump of all different types of strategies, whether it's for your business or W-2 only, charitable, these alternative investments. And so it's really a space.   The Dental A Team (34:36) as you should.   Alexis Gallati (34:58) for readers to learn more about their options. So then that was the way they can go online and do more research or bring it to their current advisor. So, you know, it's just about opening those possibilities. Otherwise, you know, one resource that is really great for especially medical professionals is the White Coat Investor that Dr. Dali, he has a wonderful, wonderful site and he puts out really good material.   The Dental A Team (35:11) Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (35:25) when it comes to not only taxes, but also for ⁓ just finances in general. And then, of course, on ⁓ CerebralTaxAdvisors.com, our website has wonderful ⁓ material that I put out all the time. There's lots of goodies there, as well as ⁓ different resources and worksheets and stuff like that.   The Dental A Team (35:52) Yeah, no, that's super helpful.   But Alexis, what do you find ⁓ as you go through this? Like one, how often are you meeting with your clients? Because I feel like so many CPAs and tax strategists meet with them in like December 1st and they're like, hey, you owe this much money. Is that how you guys plan? Like how should tax planning actually work?   or is that normal? Like I'm just trying to find a vibe of how this should work in the industry.   Alexis Gallati (36:15) Yeah.   Yeah. So when a medical professional first starts working with us, I design a tax plan for them. And that's really critical because right then and there, OK, what can we be doing to dramatically lower your taxes, legally, of course, and set you up for success? And then we meet with our clients at minimum twice a year. So we do a mid-year tax projection and a year-end tax projection.   The Dental A Team (36:34) course.   Alexis Gallati (36:45) And especially with medical professionals, your income is so variable throughout the year, depending upon insurance reimbursements or seasonality and things like that. And so we really want to make sure that we have a good, clear understanding, good six plus months in advance. Hey, what are you going to be owing tax wise? What does cash flow look like? What quarterly estimated payments do you need to make?   All of these things should not be a surprise. So that's why when I built Cerebral in the packages we have, I was really focused around how do we eliminate those surprises.   The Dental A Team (37:23) Yeah, no, I love that. that's super helpful because I feel like so many just wait till December and it's like, no, like there's things I could have been doing and if I would have known. So that's super helpful. And then I think the other question is like, okay, you guys are tax strategy. Are you CPA? Are you bookkeeping? Like kind of differentiate. Are you in the financial advisor world? Like what specifically would we say I need you for XYZ, but I'm going to need these people again, like marketing, right? Like what facet of my wealth management are you?   and who do I need paired with you?   Alexis Gallati (37:54) Yep, so we are your tax compliance, tax planning, your bookkeeping, and CFO services, and also business advising as well. So we're able to set up entities for you ⁓ as well as provide ⁓ just a lot of the years and years of experience that we have in running businesses and seeing different types of practices, et cetera. ⁓ We are not investment advisors, so we won't   say, buy Coca-Cola versus Pepsi. But we will introduce you to different investments that have tax benefits. And one very unique quality of Cerebral that's very different from other firms is that we do not take any commissions or kickbacks on any strategies we recommend or vendors we recommend. And we don't sell any products. So we're very education-based. I'm very focused on   you understanding your options so you can make a educated decision on what you want to move forward with. And then we are a white glove done for you firm that will implement those strategies on your behalf and make sure they're reported properly on your tax returns. Because that's what we've found being in this industry, especially specializing in medical professionals, is there's a lot of people out there that know about these strategies.   but they do not know how to implement them properly. And that honestly is 80 % of the fight when it comes to doing any of these strategies.   The Dental A Team (39:26) Yeah, no, that's incredible. So, and again, this is just like naiveness on my side. Do I need a CPA or are you guys the replacement of a CPA?   Alexis Gallati (39:35) Yeah, we're the replacement of CPA. We are CPAs. We are EAs. So we are taking care of your tax preparation, so personal and business. We do it all. I try to keep these packages as comprehensive as possible because I hate being nickel and dined. communication's a top priority for us. And so we don't want our clients to hesitate whatsoever to connect with us. And so that's why we don't.   The Dental A Team (39:56) Totally.   Amazing.   Alexis Gallati (40:05) shot like I, my gosh, I just got like a bill from my attorney the other day and it was for stuff that I talked to him about like in August. I'm like, I hate those pop-up bills. So that's yeah, that's, why I try to make it as comprehensive as possible.   The Dental A Team (40:10) Yep.   Right.   Awesome.   No, that's fantastic. That's really helpful. And I know a lot of people are very nervous to switch from their CPA. CPAs, feel like we're so embedded and we trust them with our souls. Truly, I see this. ⁓ So is there complementary calls we have with you? how do we start with that? Because I know, honestly, untangling from a CPA is such a pain. It is so annoying. so ⁓ how does that process work if people want to work with you, Alexis?   Alexis Gallati (40:46) So the best thing you can do is go to our website and go to the contact page. And you will ⁓ go through a very quick questionnaire to make sure that you're a good fit for us, because we also want to make sure we're a good fit for you. And we will ⁓ have a tax discovery session. And during that session, we will. We'll talk about what your needs are and what it's like to work with us. ⁓ I'm very focused on that return on investment. We actually have a guarantee.   with the design of our plans that I will save you at least two times what you pay us in ⁓ tax savings or you get the plan for free. And on average, our clients actually achieve 4.5 multiple with the design of our plans. So again, it doesn't make sense for us to work together if I can't save you more than what you're paying us.   The Dental A Team (41:39) That's amazing. No, that's incredible. And that's a great guarantee. And ⁓ then let's say hypothetical, we do get audited. How often do you guys go through audits and like success rate? Like I'm imagining if you were three years in IRS, you're probably pretty fantastic at that. But these are always things that I'm just curious. Like how does that work? And how often are your clients audited? And like, how is your success rate on that? And if you don't want to share this, I hope you do. We're just going to go for it. Like, yeah, I'm just going to ask the weird questions. Why not?   Alexis Gallati (42:01) Yeah.   I love the weird questions. They're the best. So yeah, that's one thing I can never guarantee that you won't be audited because of course there are always random audits that happen. We've only had three audits since I started Cerebral over 10 years ago. In 2014, I started Cerebral. ⁓ And ⁓ one of them was for the mortgage interest deduction. there's a limitation in that.   The Dental A Team (42:18) It's incredible.   Alexis Gallati (42:28) Um, and that was just, unfortunately, a client had not provided the correct information. And so we were easily able to just change it and be on our way. Um, and then another two were regarding actually real estate professional status. And that was just New York state saying, Hey, like we don't, we don't think that you're actually qualified for this. we're like, Oh, yeah, we do. Here's the paperwork. And they're like, Oh, okay. See you later. So yeah.   The Dental A Team (42:50) Yeah.   That's amazing.   That's a huge thing. And I'm so glad I asked the question because I think for me, that's something I'm curious on of like, I get it. Like you said, you can't guarantee that, but as long as you back in, do you guys charge extra for those audits or is that part of the plan? Like, nope, we stand behind it. Like, how does that work? Cause I know there's some firms that I have chatted with and if we do get audited, it's like 375 an hour for the audit. And I'm like, okay, like I'll just plan for that. But how does that work for you guys?   Alexis Gallati (43:18) Yep, so we back up all of our work and all of our packages. If you do receive a notice for anything that we prepare, you send it to us and we help you take care of it. So yeah, we 100 % back up our work. If you come start working with us and you have some a notice from a year that we didn't handle, like we didn't prepare, we'll still help you handle it. But that would be just.   at our hourly rate, depending upon the extensiveness of the notice. But to go back to your original question about making that change, I 100 % get it, especially if you've been with somebody for so long. And so you just have to look at that cost benefit and see, hey, staying with this person, how much is that costing me in tax savings versus   The Dental A Team (44:01) Right.   Alexis Gallati (44:12) going with somebody like cerebral and we try to go and make that process as seamless as possible when it comes to getting ⁓ up to date in your history and then ⁓ getting access to your bookkeeping and getting your tax returns. ⁓ And so, because I completely understand it can be daunting, but. ⁓   Happy to have a conversation around it when we meet about the discovery session and to see if it's something you'd want to move forward with.   The Dental A Team (44:43) Amazing. Alexis, has been such a great podcast and I just love meeting great individuals. I love how much you have a passion for the law and for the tax wealth and it's your own life and your own livelihood. So if people want to reach out, I know you said it before, how do they connect with you? So yeah, they can get started if they're interested.   Alexis Gallati (45:01) Yeah. So you can Google us or just go to CerebralTaxAdvisors.com. And which by the way, the reason why I have cerebral is because my husband is a private practice neurosurgeon and my dad's a retired private practice neurologist. hence cerebral in the brain. So if y'all can remember. But yeah, so CerebralTaxAdvisors.com is the best way to get a hold of us.   The Dental A Team (45:14) There you go.   I love it. Yeah.   Alexis Gallati (45:27) ⁓ And I look forward to potentially talking with y'all.   The Dental A Team (45:32) Well, Alexis, thank you so much for this. And for all of you listening, I hope you take advantage between now and April 15th. I hope you just like have a conversation. I'm always pro. I love CPAs. My CPA listens to this podcast and I'm always interested in meeting new people like Alexis, chatting with them. Are there different ways that they can benefit me? Because yes, I love my CPA, but I love more than that saving money and learning new strategies that maybe I didn't know about. So Alexis, I really hope a lot of them reach out to you, connect with you and for   All of you listening, thank you for listening. I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

a16z general partner Erik Torenberg speaks with Justin Mares, founder and CEO of TrueMed. They discuss why American health outcomes are so poor compared to the rest of the developed world, how crop subsidies created a food system that "systematically outputs unhealthy people," and what it would take to treat the chronic disease crisis as a national security issue. Mares explains how TrueMed allows people to spend tax-free HSA and FSA dollars on lifestyle interventions like gym memberships, sleep aids, and healthier food—and why he believes this could redirect hundreds of billions of dollars toward prevention. They also explore the case for psychedelics as mental health therapy and why peptides could disrupt the pharmaceutical industry. Resources:Follow Justin Mares on X: https://x.com/jwmaresFollow TrueMed on X: https://x.com/truemed Stay Updated:If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends!Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zListen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYXListen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenbergPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures. Stay Updated:Find a16z on XFind a16z on LinkedInListen to the a16z Show on SpotifyListen to the a16z Show on Apple PodcastsFollow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When should you pay yourself? Paying yourself on the wrong payroll schedule can create IRS red flags, cash flow crunches, and painful cleanup later.In this episode, we break down monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll for S Corp owners. You'll learn what the IRS actually expects, how reasonable salary works, why quarterly “true-ups” can create cash flow problems, and how to structure payroll to stay compliant without overpaying in taxes.We also cover catch-ups, slowdowns, bonuses, zero payroll returns, and a critical but often-missed strategy involving self-employed health insurance and HSA contributions that can reduce FICA taxes.If you're an S Corp owner trying to pay yourself the right way and avoid IRS attention, this episode walks you through exactly how to do it. 

In this episode of Talking Real Money, Don and Tom take aim at “magical” high-yield investments, focusing on why junk bond funds often behave more like risky stocks than stable bonds. Drawing on research from Larry Swedroe, they explain how high fees, high turnover, and economic sensitivity undermine the appeal of high-yield funds—especially during recessions. They reinforce the core principle that higher returns always mean higher risk and argue that investors are usually better served taking risk in equities and safety in high-quality bonds. Listener questions cover HSAs in retirement, Roth IRAs for young investors, backdoor Roth conversions, and the Vanguard Star Fund. The episode closes with discussion of RetireMeet 2026 and the importance of long-term, disciplined investing. 0:04 Opening: Wanting high returns with no risk 1:02 Introduction to “magical” high-yield investments 1:10 Larry Swedroe's research on junk bond funds 2:20 Investment-grade vs. high-yield bonds explained 4:29 Bankruptcy risk and bondholder losses 5:49 Returns, volatility, and stock-like behavior 6:36 Risk-adjusted returns and Sharpe ratios 7:47 Why passive beats active in junk bonds 8:35 2008 losses in high-yield funds 9:36 “Yield is for farmers” and risk perspective 10:42 Why higher yield always means higher risk 11:08 Bonds as portfolio ballast 12:17 Why equities are better for risk-taking 12:27 HSA investing for medical expenses 13:56 Roth IRA for grandson with long time horizon 15:18 Backdoor Roth conversion tax question 17:57 Vanguard Star Fund discussion 19:03 Active vs. index fund comparisons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security timing for HSA contributions, investing in a SPIA vs buffered ETFs, and using SEPP 72(t) income to manage ACA credits.(7:00) A listener describes delaying a Social Security filing to avoid Medicare Part A backdating that would have reduced prior-year HSA contributions, while still receiving full retroactive benefits.(28:00) Georgette asks what to do with money originally set aside for a condo purchase, weighing ETFs against buying a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA), given an existing fixed indexed annuity (FIA), and pension income that cover living expenses.(55:45) The guys address whether a SPIA purchased inside a rollover IRA can be used to satisfy SEPP 72(t) rules while keeping income low enough to preserve max ACA credits. The post Social Security, SPIAs, SEPP 72(t): Q&A #2605 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

In this candid solo episode, Jesse walks through a series of financial decisions that look "wrong" on paper but make complete sense when viewed through the lens of real life, values, and tradeoffs. Using personal examples, he challenges the idea that optimal spreadsheets should always dictate behavior, arguing instead that financial planning exists to support a life well lived—not to win theoretical efficiency contests. Jesse explains why holding excess cash even when expected returns favor investing, and prioritizing flexibility and simplicity over marginal tax optimization. Throughout the episode, he dismantles the myth that good planning means eliminating all inefficiency, emphasizing that peace of mind, optionality, and behavioral alignment often outweigh incremental gains. By reframing "dumb" financial moves as intentional choices made with eyes wide open, Jesse encourages listeners to separate true financial mistakes from decisions that are simply mismatched to someone else's values or risk tolerance—and to give themselves permission to choose what actually works for their lives. Key Takeaways: • Not all financially "inefficient" decisions are mistakes. Optimization often ignores behavioral and emotional realities. • Taking care of a low interest loan can offer peace of mind—despit better returns often being found in investments. • Leasing a car or renting a home may be the right move—depending on the situation. • Using an HSA early may seem like a bad idea, but it could help reduce stress elsewhere in our financial lives. • Being a "lazy investor" is often better than being a complicated investor. • Spreadsheets cannot fully capture human behavior. A "good" decision can look bad to outsiders and still be right. Key Timestamps: (00:46) – Sandbox Investing Accounts (04:48) – Paying Off Low-Interest Loans (09:37) – Leasing a Car: Pros and Cons (13:05) – Emergency Funds and Cash Allocation (19:56) – Balancing Emotions and Math in Social Security Decisions (22:17) – Owning Company Stock: Risks and Rewards (23:33) – Taxable Brokerage Accounts vs. Qualified Retirement Accounts (27:55) – Using HSA Accounts for Medical Expenses (29:51) – Renting vs. Buying: A Balanced Perspective (34:52) – The Concept of Lazy Investing (39:59) – Continuous Learning in Personal Finance Key Topics Discussed:The Best Interest, Jesse Cramer, Wealth Management Rochester NY, Financial Planning for Families, Fiduciary Financial Advisor, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Retirement Planning Advice, Tax-Efficient Investing, Risk Management for Investors, Generational Wealth Transfer Planning, Financial Strategies for High Earners, Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs, Behavioral Finance Insights, Asset Allocation Strategies, Advanced Estate Planning Techniques More of The Best Interest: Check out the Best Interest Blog at https://bestinterest.blog/ Contact me at jesse@bestinterest.blog Consider working with me at https://bestinterest.blog/work/ Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.

On this episode of Simply Money presented by Allworth Financial, Bob and Brian break down the latest tariff threats and why Greenland is suddenly the geopolitical flashpoint the markets didn’t ask for—but got anyway. They dive into whether a volatile global backdrop is reason enough to adjust your investment outlook. Then, they shift to a breakdown of today’s ETF landscape: from classic index funds to sector-specific plays, thematic bets, and buffered strategies—do you actually know what you own? They also explore whether new rules allowing 401(k) withdrawals for home down payments make financial sense and why mutual fund capital gains can mess with your cash flow planning. Plus, real estate expert Michelle Sloan joins the show to answer a common question: renovate or relocate? And as always, Bob and Brian take listener questions, offering Allworth insights on tax-efficient withdrawals, HSA strategy, and how to think smartly about Roth conversions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a controversial topic, fasting, especially for women. Dr. Mindy Pelz was teaching women to fast primarily because they wanted to lose weight, but what she was witnessing was women saying things like, "I lost weight, but my hair's falling out. I don't have a period anymore. I sat down with Dr. Mindy Pelz, New York Times bestselling author of Age Like a Girl, hormone expert, and the voice redefining fasting for women - because doing it wrong can wreck your health. We explore why fasting affects women differently, how ketones can restore brain function during menopause, and why understanding your hormonal cycle is critical for metabolic health, cognitive performance, and longevity. Reduce your risk of Alzheimer's with my science-backed protocol for women 30+: https://go.neuroathletics.com.au/youtube-sales-page Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for evidence-based conversations at the intersection of brain science, longevity, and performance. _____ TOPICS DISCUSSED 00:00 Intro 01:50 What put Dr. Mindy Pelz on the map 03:14 The truth about fasting vs intermittent fasting 05:13 How the brain uses glucose vs ketones 07:25 Why the brain "eats itself" during menopause 10:14 What is mitophagy and cellular autophagy 13:11 Why autophagy is the body's repair system 15:24 The 12-hour vs 17-hour vs 72-hour fast 17:23 Why women's cycles are disrupted by fasting 19:59 The fasting cycle for women 21:05 Lactate as a fuel source for the brain 23:01 Hemoglobin A1C and insulin resistance 27:36 Understanding CGM data correctly 30:13 Where women should start at 48 32:01 HRT: personal decision or necessity? 34:15 The nervous system shift during perimenopause 38:48 The grandmother hypothesis and evolutionary sensitivity 41:09 The "menopause divorce" phenomenon 44:18 Dementia, Alzheimer's, and women46:17 Dopamine, novelty, and neuroplasticity47:23 Cold water immersion and trauma rewiring51:19 Cold water and cortisol for women53:51 Exercise, BDNF, and brain health55:21 Serotonin, light exposure, and sleep58:00 Glycine, bone broth, and longevity01:02:26 Preparing for perimenopause and menopause 01:04:24 Acetylcholine, storytelling, and memory 01:08:38 Why eggs and cholesterol matter for the brain _______ A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts: Ketone-IQ: Mental clarity that lasts - without the crash. Visit https://ketone.com/NEURO for 30% OFF your subscription order - PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment or find Ketone-IQ at Target stores nationwide and get your first shot free! IQBAR: The New Year gives us all a chance to reset. Maximize your brain and body's potential with IQBAR's protein bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Text NEURO to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/neuro10 or use code neuro10 at checkout to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Caraway. Non-Toxic cookware made modern. Cure Hydration: For The Neuro Experience listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/NEURO with code NEURO. Cure is FSA/HSA approved, so you can use your FSA or HSA funds to stay hydrated the smart way. Jones Road Beauty: Use code NEURO at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Cool Gloss with your first purchase! _______ I'm Louisa Nicola - clinical neurophysiologist - Alzheimer's prevention specialist - founder of Neuro Athletics. My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention. If you're committed to optimizing your brain- reducing Alzheimer's risk - and staying mentally sharp for life, you're in the right place. Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans have finally arrived! When this podcast first started approximately 8 years ago, a paradigm shift of this magnitude seemed like a nice but impossible dream. In this episode we discuss the content, creation, and future impacts of our new national guidelines. In this episode, Drs. Brian and Tro talk about… (00:00) Intro (01:25) The top people involved in bringing about the recent changes to our dietary guidelines (05:39) The content of the new dietary guidelines (09:27) How the big food companies have been reacting to these guidelines (12:20) The incredible success that common sense and real science have had in medicine/nutrition in recent years (17:01) The new food pyramid (18:40) Developments in HHS (21:22) The microbiome as it relates to mental health, structural health, and metabolic health (23:30) GMOs, pesticides, and the insane value of buying food from your local producers (29:25) The mental health benefits of eating real, whole foods (39:08) New recommendations for vegans (41:16) The new vaccine schedule for kids (43:27) New DPC and HSA policies (44:43) The Low Carb MD Podcast is FREE because we don't take money from ANYONE. Please, consider supporting us on Patreon if you believe in what we are doing (link below

Think you have to wait for Open Season to make meaningful financial decisions as a federal employee? This episode breaks that myth wide open. John, Ben, and Tommy walk through the most impactful moves federal employees can make any time of year, from optimizing your TSP and HSA to updating insurance, beneficiaries, and retirement strategies. Whether you're early in your federal career, nearing retirement, or already retired, this episode gives you a practical checklist to help you avoid costly mistakes, spot overlooked opportunities, and make more confident decisions year-round. Access the full show notes at Mason & Associates, LLC Resources Mentioned: Mason & Associates: LinkedIn Tommy Blackburn:  LinkedIn John Mason: LinkedIn Ben Raikes: LinkedIn Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) FEGLI (Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance) FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits Program) Blue Cross Blue Shield prescription drug tool Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) FEFP: Medicare Masterclass on Enrollment and the Inflation Reduction Act (EP87)

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security survivor benefits and divorce rules, a listener PSA on spousal benefits, HSA contribution limits, and whether annuities make sense versus Treasury bonds. (8:45) A listener asks whether someone who is newly widowed can claim survivor Social Security now, keep working part time, and later switch to their own benefit, and also asks whether you still offer a “coffee and second opinion” or an a la carte Social Security review. (23:00) The guys field a question from someone with two ex-spouses asking if it's possible to combine their own Social Security with part of either (or both) ex-spouses' benefits. (33:30) George shares a PSA on how filing for Social Security online triggered a spousal-benefit eligibility notice for their spouse, and how the follow-up phone appointment worked without needing an in-person visit or marriage certificate. (45:15) Jim and Chris answer a question about 2026 HSA contribution limits for two spouses on an ACA family plan who each opened their own HSA and want to avoid overfunding. (54:45) One writer asks why they should consider annuities given fees and insurer risk when they can buy 20-year Treasury bonds, and adds a quick note about simplifying word choice from a prior email discussion. The post Social Security, HSA, and Annuities: Q&A #2603 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

This Friday Q&A covers real-world money decisions with real consequences, including how to invest life-insurance proceeds after a spouse's death, why dividend-and-leverage strategies promoted online are fundamentally dangerous, and how inherited IRA rules actually work under the IRS's 10-year framework. Don also tackles long-term HSA investing, explains why the 4% rule isn't a one-size-fits-all solution (especially when advisor fees are involved), and even demonstrates an AI-generated version of himself to explore whether good advice can outlive the human delivering it. Equal parts practical guidance, hard math, and skeptical humor. 0:04 Friday Q&A returns, holiday illness, and how to submit questions 1:04 Investing life-insurance proceeds after a spouse's death 1:45 Why portfolio allocation depends on income need, taxes, and risk tolerance 3:05 Why a fee-only fiduciary is essential for survivor planning 3:49 Living off dividends using leverage and margin 5:03 Why “paycheck into brokerage + leverage” strategies are dangerous 7:43 Dividend cuts, margin risk, and downturn math reality 9:29 Inherited IRA rules when the original owner had begun RMDs 11:32 The 10-year rule, annual RMDs, and IRS life-expectancy tables 12:48 Listener appreciation and the value of taking money seriously 14:01 How to invest an HSA that won't be used for years 15:09 Adjusting the 4% rule when paying an advisor 15:54 AI voice demo, advisor value, and Vanguard's Advisor Alpha Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because we have so many new listeners, we decided to get back to the basics of long term care and LTC insurance. The best starting point is to learn current and future costs of home care, assisted living, and nursing home care. Use the cost of care website to find costs where you live at https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care Once we understand the risk we're up against if we suffer from dementia, a stroke or a severe car accident (for example), we need to decide where we would want to live when help is needed to get through our days. We need to consider who we want to have helping us, and we need to decide how we're going to pay for this care. Listen and learn how different types of insurance plans decide when and how claims are approved or declined. Learn which kinds of plans can be tax deductible and which can be paid using HSA funds. Get your current policies and proposals out and schedule time with me to evaluate them and learn if they best meet your needs. Schedule a phone or Zoom meeting here

Questions? Thoughts? Send a Text to The Optometry Money Podcast! We'll answer your question on the show.Even though we're already into 2026, tax planning for 2025 isn't over. While most tax planning happens before December 31st, there are still several impactful levers you can pull before filing your return.In this episode, Evon breaks down four specific tax planning opportunities still available to optometrists in early 2026, including strategies for individual ODs, practice owners, and real estate investors. Whether you're looking to maximize retirement contributions, reduce your 2025 tax burden, or accelerate depreciation on investment properties, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for what's still possible.Key TakeawaysIRA and HSA contributions can be made until April 15th and still count toward your 2025 tax yearThe "backdoor Roth IRA" remains available regardless of income, but requires careful execution to avoid the pro-rata rulePractice owners can make profit-sharing contributions up until their business tax filing deadline (including extensions)Cost segregation studies can accelerate depreciation for real estate investors, and why January 19, 2025 is a key dateNot every strategy makes sense for every situation - tax bracket, liquidity needs, and long-term plans all matter when deciding which levers to pullEpisode Chapters00:00 - Welcome and Listener Question01:00 - Tax Planning Lever #1: IRA and HSA Contributions by April 15th03:00 - Watch Out for Tax Filing Quirks and the Pro-Rata Rule with "Backdoor" Roth IRA Contributions07:00 - Tax Planning Lever #2: 529 Contributions If Your State Provides a Tax Benefit08:00 - Tax Planning Lever #3: 401(k) Profit Sharing Contributions10:00 - Do Profit Sharing Contributions Make Sense for Your Optometry Practice?13:00 - Don't Forget About Cash Balance Plans for Mature Optometry Practices13:00 - Tax Planning Lever #4: Cost Segregation Studies for Investment Real Estate16:00 - Final Thoughts for Optometrists Before Tax Season

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans have finally arrived! When Tro and Brian first started podcasting together approximately 8 years ago, a paradigm shift of this magnitude seemed like a nice but impossible dream. In this episode we discuss the content, creation, and future impacts of our new national guidelines.   In this episode, Drs. Brian and Tro talk about… (00:00) Intro (01:25) The top people involved in bringing about the recent changes to our dietary guidelines (05:39) The content of the new dietary guidelines (09:27) How the big food companies have been reacting to these guidelines (12:20) The incredible success that common sense and real science have had in medicine/nutrition in recent years (17:01) The new food pyramid (18:40) Developments in HHS (21:22) The microbiome as it relates to mental health, structural health, and metabolic health (23:30) GMOs, pesticides, and the insane value of buying food from your local producers (29:25) The mental health benefits of eating real, whole foods (39:08) New recommendations for vegans (41:16) The new vaccine schedule for kids (43:27) New DPC and HSA policies (50:41) Corruption and conflicts of interest in medicine (01:00:04) Outro   For more information, please see the links below. Thank you for listening!   Links:   Resources Mentioned in this Episode: The New Guidelines: https://realfood.gov/   Dr. Brian Lenzkes:  Arizona Metabolic Health: https://arizonametabolichealth.com/ Low Carb MD Podcast: https://www.lowcarbmd.com/   HLTH Code: HLTH Code Promo Code: METHEALTH • • HLTH Code Website: https://gethlth.com

If you're 50 years old, how do you decide whether to max out your 401(k), Roth IRA, or HSA? The right answer depends on more than just tax benefits; it requires looking at all six areas of your financial life. In this bonus episode, we break down the risks, trade-offs, and planning considerations to help you make the wisest move for your retirement and tax strategy. Download our FREE 5-Factor Retirement guide: https://wisemoneyguides.com/    Schedule a meeting with one of our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™: https://www.korhorn.com/contact-korhorn-financial-advisors/ or call 574-247-5898.   Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/WiseMoneyShow Listen on podcast: https://pod.link/1040619718   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0J-nm3kljI4  Submit a question for the show: https://www.korhorn.com/ask-a-question/   Read the Wise Money Blog: https://www.korhorn.com/wise-money-blog/    Connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WiseMoneyShow  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wisemoneyshow/    Kevin Korhorn, CFP® offers securities through Silver Oak Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Kevin offers advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group and Silver Oak Securities, Inc. are not affiliated. Mike Bernard, CFP® and Joshua Gregory, CFP® offer advisory services through KFG Wealth Management, LLC dba Korhorn Financial Group. This information is for general financial education and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations. All investing and investment strategies involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Asset allocation & diversification do not ensure a profit or prevent a loss in a declining market. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

You're in your 50s, $50,000 in debt, and retirement at 65 feels impossible. We made this episode for you. Today, Mindy and Scott spell out the exact step-by-step plan to go from $50K in debt to a million-dollar retirement—even if you're starting over in your fifties. Meet Nancy: a recently divorced stay-at-home mom reentering the workforce with significant debt and zero savings. Her story represents millions of people starting over financially in their fifties due to divorce, job loss, or never having saved for retirement. But Nancy's situation isn't hopeless—and neither is yours. This Episode Covers: Nancy's starting point: $50K in debt, no savings, reentering the workforce in her 50s The debt payoff strategy for people who are catching up to FI and how to prioritize which debts to tackle first Income optimization tactics for your 50s: negotiating salary, side hustles, and career pivots Smart expense cuts that don't feel like deprivation Which retirement accounts to prioritize when you're behind (401k, IRA, HSA strategy) Balancing debt payoff with retirement savings: when to do both simultaneously The real numbers: how much Nancy needs to save monthly to hit $1 million by 65 Investment strategy for people with a shorter timeline to retirement Why it's never too late—and the mindset shifts that make comeback possible Don't give up on retirement—let's show you how to catch up! Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here: https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/contact/ Get 50% Off Your First Year of Monarch by using code ‘Pockets': https://www.monarchmoney.com/ Connect with Scott and Mindy: Scott: https://www.instagram.com/scott_trench/ Mindy: https://www.instagram.com/_mindyatbp/ Follow BiggerPockets Money on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpocketsmoney/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                    GOVERNMENT PLANS AGGRESSIVE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AUDITS!  NYC employee health insurance fund is mysteriously insolvent! You don't think there has been any fraudulent activity there, do you? One of my favorite client/listeners shared a list of 15 health systems that are dropping some or all Medicare Advantage plans.  Tax breaks coming to Medicare premiums? Rand Paul has proposed that the USA establish HSA for all! Finally, I located a cartoon nurse spewing a big fat lie. She spews: Until 1973, all health insurance companies were non-profit. Evil Republicans changed the law!* * The word "evil" is just my little joke. Whoever wrote that lying caption needs to take a chill-pill!                                                                                                            Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2026; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: ENROLLMENT GUIDE!" (coming soon) For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

What if the biggest breakthrough in weight management is not a new diet, but finally seeing how your body responds in real time? That question sat at the center of my conversation with Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer, CEO and co-founder of Signos, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and AI-powered health platform built to help people manage weight by understanding their metabolism. January is when motivation is high and the wellness noise is loud, but it is also when a lot of people realize how hard it is to stick with generic advice that does not fit real life. This episode is about why personalization matters, how metabolic signals can change the way you think about food and exercise, and what happens when health technology shifts from reporting the past to guiding the next decision. Sharam explained how Signos pairs a CGM with an AI-driven experience that turns glucose data into practical actions. The point is not to force people into rigid rules or extreme restrictions. Instead, it is about learning how your body reacts to everyday choices, then using that feedback to reduce spikes, improve consistency, and build habits you can actually live with. We talked about simple interventions, like changing the order of foods in a meal, timing movement more intelligently, and spotting patterns that would otherwise stay invisible. Two personal stories brought the conversation to life. Sharam shared how he lost 25 pounds while increasing his calorie intake, which challenges a lot of assumptions people carry into weight loss. He also shared a story from his family life, where his wife's deep sleep increased from roughly 20 minutes a night to around 60 minutes after focusing on glucose stability, even while total sleep time remained limited during the intense period of raising young kids. It is the kind of detail that hits home for anyone who has ever tried to make healthier choices while exhausted and stretched thin. We also explored why FDA clearance matters for Signos and what that could mean for mainstream access. Over-the-counter availability reduces friction, can lower cost, and opens the door to broader adoption, including potential FSA and HSA eligibility. Looking ahead, Sharam shared a vision that goes beyond weight management, connecting metabolic health to the long arc of prevention and chronic conditions where insulin resistance plays a role. If you have ever felt like you are doing all the "right" things and still not seeing results, this episode will make you rethink what "right" even means. And if you could finally see your metabolism in real time, would it change how you approach food, sleep, exercise, and the habits you want to keep this year? Useful Links Connect with Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer Learn more about Signos Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.  

Back in 2024 with Calley Means at South by Southwest, we sat down and talked about his mission to flip the old American food pyramid upside down for the greater good. Well guess what, the pressure is finally working! This rerun is the ultimate receipt that focus, repetition, and smart lobbying for human health can still move the needle! Host Dave Asprey sits down with Calley Means, entrepreneur, policy advocate, and co-author of Good Energy. Together, they break down how the U.S. healthcare system became a sick-care system, why ultra-processed food dominates public policy, and how individuals can reclaim autonomy over their biology. From CGMs and metabolic health to food subsidies, lobbying, and free speech, this episode challenges deeply held assumptions about medicine, nutrition, and personal responsibility.You'll Learn: • Why chronic disease is the most profitable business model in modern history • How metabolic dysfunction drives obesity, diabetes, depression, and infertility • Why ultra-processed food sits at the root of America's health collapse • How CGMs and metabolic data threaten entrenched healthcare incentives • What “food is medicine” really means and where it gets weaponized • How HSA and FSA dollars can legally support food, exercise, and prevention • Why fixing incentives matters more than blaming individuals • How reclaiming health autonomy is tied to free speech and human resilience Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade is the top podcast for people who want to take control of their biology, extend their longevity, and optimize every system in the body and mind. Each episode features cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, hacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. Episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (audio-only) where Dave asks the questions no one else dares, and brings you real tools to become more resilient, aware, and high performing. Keywords: Calley Means Good Energy, Calley Means interview, Good Energy metabolic health, metabolic dysfunction America, ultra processed food policy, food is medicine debate, healthcare incentives crisis, chronic disease economics, insulin resistance epidemic, CGM health data access, metabolic health lobbying, seed oils sugar inflammation, glyphosate food system, HSA food exercise eligibility, health autonomy biohacking, metabolic freedom podcast, american food pyramid, rfk food pyramid, 2026 food pyramid Thank you to our sponsors! Essentia | Go to https://myessentia.com/dave and use code DAVE for $100 off The Dave Asprey Upgrade. Resources: • Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/ • Join My Low-Oxalate 30-Day Challenge: https://daveasprey.com/2026-low-ox-reset/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com • 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction 2:11 – Mom's Cancer Story 4:24 – Healthcare System Incentives 10:14 – TruMed and Food as Medicine 15:51 – FDA and IRS Pushback 17:25 – Political Solutions and RFK 19:49 – Childhood Obesity Crisis 21:49 – The Chronic Disease Industry 26:54 – State of Emergency Proposal 29:07 – Healthcare Industry Mindset 31:30 – COVID and Metabolic Health 32:28 – Taking Back Health Autonomy 34:16 – Medical System Collusion 35:56 – Research Corruption 37:21 – Pharma Bribes and Conflicts 40:17 – Ozempic and Civil Rights Groups 42:35 – Personal Mission and Mom's Legacy 50:16 – Media Power and Free Speech 54:00 – Weaponizing Social Justice 55:16 – Systemic Poisoning of the Population 57:37 – Technology as a Health Solution 1:03:20 – Regenerative Farming and Robotics 1:06:34 – Controlling the Food Supply 1:10:18 – Closing Thoughts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth In this episode of Retire Smarter, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, walks through a practical Retirement Planning Checklist for 2026, focused on the financial moves that matter most in the first few weeks of the year. From front-loading 401(k) and HSA contributions to planning Roth conversions, setting up Qualified Charitable Distributions, and rebalancing after a strong 2025, we break down what to do—and what mistakes to avoid. If you want to start 2026 with confidence—and avoid scrambling at tax time—this checklist is your roadmap. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ✅ January is the ideal time to reassess contributions, withdrawals & tax strategies

Today's episode is all about real estate, straight from the questions you asked during our recent live webinar. We dig into Real Estate Professional Status, short term rental rules, and how the tax benefits actually work across direct properties, syndications, and private funds. We also tackle REITs, including whether target date funds are enough, other Vanguard options beyond VNQ, and where REITs belong in your portfolio from a tax perspective. We also discuss if you really need real estate at all, and how do syndications, funds, and real estate debt compare in the real world. Questions from the Real Estate Webinar: -What does due diligence actually mean? -For the short term rental REP loophole can you still spend more than 100 hours doing a different job, any qualify? -Please go in more detail about short term and opportunity tax loopholes. Any specific resources? -Can the tax benefits of REPs apply to your whole portfolio? ie. direct real estate and private investments? -If you become a real estate professional, for rentals, do you still have to be picked up by a brokerage or can you be the brokerage? -Can you benefit from bonus depreciation to offset your w-2 income in syndications and private real estate funds and does this require REPS? -Are there other REITs with vanguard other than VNQ that may not only include large commercial properties? -If you are going to invest in REITs, where is the best place to purchase those funds? 401? Taxable account? Roth? HSA? -Am I leaving money on the table if I don't invest in real estate in some way? -What are pros & cons of investing in RE Syndication vs Fund vs RE Debt Locumstory.com is a free, unbiased educational resource about locum tenens – it's not a staffing agency. They help answer your questions about the how-to's of locum tenens work on their website, podcast, webinars, videos, and they even have a locums 101 crash course. Locumstory.com is where you should go to find out if locums makes sense for you and your career goals. Locumstory is unique because it's more of a peer-to-peer platform, with real physicians sharing their experiences and stories – both the good and bad – about working locum tenens – hence the name, "Locum-story." See for yourself on their self-service platform with no obligation. The White Coat Investor Podcast launched in January 2017, and since then, millions have downloaded it. Join your fellow physicians and other high income professionals and subscribe today! Host, Dr. Jim Dahle, is a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor blog. Like the blog, The White Coat Investor Podcast is dedicated to educating medical students, residents, physicians, dentists, and similar high-income professionals about personal finance and building wealth, so they can ultimately be their own financial advisor-or at least know enough to not get ripped off by a financial advisor. We tackle the hard topics like the best ways to pay off student loans, how to create your own personal financial plan, retirement planning, how to save money, investing in real estate, side hustles, and how everyone can be a millionaire by living WCI principles. Main Website: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com  YouTube: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube  Student Loan Advice: https://studentloanadvice.com  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhitecoatinvestor  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor  Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com  Newsletter: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter  00:00 WCI Podcast #453 09:27 Due Diligence in Real Estate 14:12 Goodman Capital Interview 24:35 REPS - Real Estate Professional Status 34:26 REITs - Real Estate Investment Trusts 42:06 Should I Invest in Real Estate? 47:22 Real Estate Syndication vs. Equity Fund vs. Debt Fund

Andy and Cody Garrett from Measure Twice Financial share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about: Affordable Care Act ("ACA") tax credits and income "cliffs" in tax planning ( 08:13 )Doing Roth conversions vs tax gain harvesting ( 22:30 )Paying taxes in retirement; estimated payments vs withholdings ( 31:33 )Rushing into Roth conversions ( 38:50 )When to start doing HSA distributions ( 51:31 )Should you be worried about tech stocks ( 58:23 )Timing Required Minimum Distributions ("RMDs"); when in the year to take them ( 1:08:26 )Retirement spending anxiety ( 1:17:37 )Links in this episode:Cody's website - https://www.measuretwicemoney.com/To send Andy questions to be addressed on future Q&A episodes, email andy@andypanko.comMy company newsletter - Retirement Planning InsightsFacebook group - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Taxes in Retirement)YouTube channel - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Retirement Planning Demystified)Retirement Planning Education website - www.RetirementPlanningEducation.com

Have you ever wondered if your HSA contributions could cause unexpected issues as you approach retirement? In this episode, I highlight potential risks and mistakes that individuals near or in retirement might encounter with their HSAs. Specifically around scenarios such as switching into an HSA plan mid-year, transitioning out of an HSA plan mid-year, and moving from an HSA plan to Medicare. 

Every year, Wall Street rolls out confident forecasts for where the S&P 500 will end the year—and every year those projections are treated as actionable insight. For 2026, analyst expectations cluster around modestly positive returns, even as valuations sit near historical extremes and macro risks continue to build. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explain why year-ahead market forecasts are largely an exercise in false precision. Instead of offering a price target with zero confidence, we walk through the key forces that are likely to shape markets in 2026—including stretched valuations, liquidity injections disguised as “reserve management,” the Federal Reserve leadership transition, midterm elections, fiscal uncertainty, AI-driven capital spending, tariffs, geopolitics, and rising sovereign debt risks. We also examine historical market behavior to provide perspective on drawdowns, winning streaks, and why valuations are a poor short-term timing tool but an excellent long-term risk signal. Finally, we discuss why flexibility, discipline, and risk management matter far more than guessing an index level twelve months in advance. If you are an investor trying to navigate uncertainty without relying on headlines or optimistic forecasts, this discussion provides the framework you need to think more clearly about markets in 2026. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Betting on Anything, Healthcare Subsidies, HSA's, & Housing Bans 8:15 - Roll-of in Markets 12:42 - Guessing at 2026 Markets 20:35 - Think About the Known; Consider the Unknown 22:59 - Quantitative Easing & Chart Crime 25:09 - The Powell Exit & Midterm Elections 28:21 - Will Europe Keep Dumping Money into US Markets? 29:55 - AI Infrastructure Boom & New Technologies 32:02 - Our Process for Managing Market Rotations 35:14 - SCOTUS' Tariff Ruling & Trump's Plan-B 37:10 - Return of the Yen Carry Trade 38:50 - Smart Money Has Already Considered the Risks 42:08 - Don't Get Too Comfortable with Narratives Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Portfolio Manger, Michael Lebowitz, CFA Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQA10SrDk3s&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "2026 Forecast: Tis The Season For Wild Guesses" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/2026-forecast-tis-the-season-for-wild-guesses/ -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Sector Rotation Quietly Begins," is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zc2wXLn5o&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:" https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator ------- Watch our previous show, "Open Chat Q&A: Markets, Earnings, Taxes & Portfolio Strategy," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGgxAtaZIOI&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 -------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MarketUpdate #SectorRotation #StockMarketNews #EconomicData #MarketVolatility #MarketOutlook2026 #StockMarketRisk #InvestorDiscipline #FedPolicy #ValuationsMatter

Every year, Wall Street rolls out confident forecasts for where the S&P 500 will end the year—and every year those projections are treated as actionable insight. For 2026, analyst expectations cluster around modestly positive returns, even as valuations sit near historical extremes and macro risks continue to build. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explain why year-ahead market forecasts are largely an exercise in false precision. Instead of offering a price target with zero confidence, we walk through the key forces that are likely to shape markets in 2026—including stretched valuations, liquidity injections disguised as "reserve management," the Federal Reserve leadership transition, midterm elections, fiscal uncertainty, AI-driven capital spending, tariffs, geopolitics, and rising sovereign debt risks. We also examine historical market behavior to provide perspective on drawdowns, winning streaks, and why valuations are a poor short-term timing tool but an excellent long-term risk signal. Finally, we discuss why flexibility, discipline, and risk management matter far more than guessing an index level twelve months in advance. If you are an investor trying to navigate uncertainty without relying on headlines or optimistic forecasts, this discussion provides the framework you need to think more clearly about markets in 2026. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Betting on Anything, Healthcare Subsidies, HSA's, & Housing Bans 8:15 - Roll-of in Markets 12:42 - Guessing at 2026 Markets 20:35 - Think About the Known; Consider the Unknown 22:59 - Quantitative Easing & Chart Crime 25:09 - The Powell Exit & Midterm Elections 28:21 - Will Europe Keep Dumping Money into US Markets? 29:55 - AI Infrastructure Boom & New Technologies 32:02 - Our Process for Managing Market Rotations 35:14 - SCOTUS' Tariff Ruling & Trump's Plan-B 37:10 - Return of the Yen Carry Trade 38:50 - Smart Money Has Already Considered the Risks 42:08 - Don't Get Too Comfortable with Narratives Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Portfolio Manger, Michael Lebowitz, CFA Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQA10SrDk3s&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "2026 Forecast: Tis The Season For Wild Guesses" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/2026-forecast-tis-the-season-for-wild-guesses/ -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Sector Rotation Quietly Begins," is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zc2wXLn5o&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:" https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator ------- Watch our previous show, "Open Chat Q&A: Markets, Earnings, Taxes & Portfolio Strategy," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGgxAtaZIOI&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 -------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MarketUpdate #SectorRotation #StockMarketNews #EconomicData #MarketVolatility #MarketOutlook2026 #StockMarketRisk #InvestorDiscipline #FedPolicy #ValuationsMatter

What if you're doing FIRE in the wrong order? Most people chasing financial independence are following steps that actually slow them down—and it could be costing you years of freedom. In this episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench break down the exact step by step order for achieving FIRE as fast as possible. Whether you're just starting with your first emergency fund or you're already maxing out retirement accounts and wondering what's next, this episode gives you the complete roadmap. You'll learn which financial moves to prioritize, which to skip, and how to avoid the "middle-class trap" that kills most early retirement dreams before they happen. This Episode Covers: The correct financial order of operations for FIRE (step-by-step from $0 to early retirement) Which retirement accounts to fund first (401k, IRA, Roth, HSA strategy) High-interest debt payoff strategy that accelerates FIRE When to start investing in taxable brokerage accounts How to add real estate and cash-flowing investments to your FIRE plan Mistakes that cost people years on their path to FIRE If you're confused about what to do next on your FIRE journey, this is your complete checklist. No more guessing—just the fastest, most efficient path to financial independence. Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com Want to be a guest on the show? Apply here: www.biggerpocketsmoney.com/contact/ Follow BiggerPockets Money on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biggerpocketsmoney/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people fail at their goals, not because they lack discipline, but because they're working against their own neurobiology. I spent over a decade studying the brain, and what I've learned is this: your brain doesn't change based on what you want. It changes based on the conditions you create for it. This episode isn't about motivation. It's about understanding how your brain actually learns, adapts, and transforms at a structural level, so you can make 2025 the year things permanently shift. Reduce your risk of Alzheimer's with my science-backed protocol for women 30+: https://go.neuroathletics.com.au/brain-health Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey. Topics discussed: 00:00 Intro 02:38 Why Most People Fail at Personal Development 03:21 Your Prefrontal Cortex, The Brain Architecture Problem 04:56 What Is Neuroplasticity and How Your Brain Changes 05:40 Sponsor, Rho Nutrition 06:55 Principle 1, Identity Over Goals, Your Brain's Reality Filter 09:40 Principle 2, The 48 Hour Window of Neuroplasticity 13:05 Principle 3, Decision Fatigue and Why Willpower Is Finite 15:28 Principle 4, Lower Your Activation Threshold for Success 19:16 Principle 5, Emotion Encodes Memory 10x Stronger Than Logic 21:42 Principle 6, Stop Fighting Your Environment, Redesign It 24:11 Principle 7, Your Brain Changes While Resting, Not Working 26:24 Recap, Seven Neuroscience Backed Principles for 2026 A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts… Cure Hydration: Get 20% off your first order at https://curehydration.com/NEURO with code NEURO. And here's a bonus, Cure is FSA/HSA approved, so you can use your FSA or HSA funds to stay hydrated the smart way. Don't just drink more water, upgrade it with Cure. Ka'Chava: Rewild your nutrition at kachava.com and use code NEURO. New customers get twenty dollars off an order of two bags or more, now through the 31st! Rho Nutrition: Your brain can only perform at the level your biology allows. That's why I take Rho Nutrition's Liposomal Glutathione every morning, the master antioxidant that actually absorbs. Get 20% off with code NEURO at https://rhonutrition.com/discount/NEURO Ketone-IQ: Visit ketone.com/NEURO for 30% OFF your subscription order PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment, or find Ketone-IQ at Target stores nationwide! I'm Louisa Nicola - clinical neurophysiologist - Alzheimer's prevention specialist - founder of Neuro Athletics. My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention. If you're committed to optimizing your brain, reducing Alzheimer's risk, and staying mentally sharp for life, you're in the right place. Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_ Twitter: https://twitter.com/louisanicola_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new year is the perfect time to reset your financial habits, and in this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander kicks off 2026 with a financial boot camp. From simple budgeting rules that give every dollar a job to maximizing updated 401(k), Roth, and HSA contribution limits, this episode walks through practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your financial foundation. You can send your questions to questions@pyaradio.com for a chance to be answered on air. Catch up on past episodes: http://pyaradio.com Liberty Group website: https://libertygroupllc.com/ Attend an event: www.pyaevents.com Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/libertygroupllc/scheduleacall/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new year is the perfect time to reset your financial habits, and in this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander kicks off 2026 with a financial boot camp. From simple budgeting rules that give every dollar a job to maximizing updated 401(k), Roth, and HSA contribution limits, this episode walks through practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your financial foundation. You can send your questions to questions@pyaradio.com for a chance to be answered on air. Catch up on past episodes: http://pyaradio.com Liberty Group website: https://libertygroupllc.com/ Attend an event: www.pyaevents.com Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/libertygroupllc/scheduleacall/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

   MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MINUTE:                                                                    THE FUTURE FOR(?) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE!  Includes a hint that funding for SHIP may be on the bubble in 2026!                                                         Eleven costly Medicare Mistakes you should avoid!      These include The Drug plan selection problems, HSA precautions and MA vs Medicare Supplement differences. Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2026; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

It's only day two of the new year. How are those resolutions holding up?Every January, many of us recommit to eating better, exercising more, or finally getting our finances on track. And yet, most resolutions fade long before winter does. The issue usually isn't a lack of desire—it's a lack of accountability and perspective.That's especially true when it comes to budgeting. Managing money well requires more than good intentions. It requires clarity about why we're doing it and a system that supports us day by day.To explore that idea, we sat down with Chad Clark, Chief Technology Officer at FaithFi, to discuss what actually helps people follow through on their financial goals.Why Budgeting Often Feels Like a DietChad shared an observation from years of building budgeting tools: many people view a budget the same way they view a diet. They know it's necessary, but it feels restrictive, temporary, and easy to abandon when life gets busy.The problem usually isn't the budget itself. It's the missing “why.”You may know what you want to do—get out of debt, save more, or give generously—but without a compelling reason behind it, the motivation fades quickly. Sustainable habits require more than goals; they need purpose.For believers, Scripture gives us a clear foundation for our financial “why.” Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.” God owns it all. We don't.That truth reshapes budgeting entirely. If God is the owner, then our role is stewardship—managing what He has entrusted to us for His purposes.But Chad introduced an important distinction: how we view God as owner matters just as much as recognizing His ownership.Passive Owner vs. Active OwnerChad used a helpful analogy. Imagine managing a coffee shop for someone else.A passive owner hands you the keys, says, “Good luck,” and disappears. You make every decision on your own, unsure what the owner really wants.An active owner, on the other hand, says, “Call me anytime. I'm here to help.” That owner stays engaged, offers guidance, and shares responsibility.Many of us unknowingly treat God like a passive owner—assuming He's uninvolved in our day-to-day money decisions. But Scripture paints a different picture. God desires to be an active owner, guiding us through the Holy Spirit as we seek wisdom and direction.That realization lifts a heavy burden. We're not meant to figure it all out on our own.When we see God as an active owner, budgeting stops being a rigid rulebook and becomes a practical tool for faithful stewardship.A budget isn't the goal—it's the means. It helps us manage the King's resources wisely, align our spending with our values, and make intentional decisions rather than reactive ones.Without this perspective, budgeting can feel overwhelming or pointless. With it, budgeting becomes an act of faithfulness.Why Systems Matter More Than WillpowerAnother key insight Chad shared: budgeting isn't about finding the perfect method—it's about having a system.People manage money differently. Some thrive with detailed categories. Others prefer broader guardrails. The important thing is consistency, not complexity.That's why the FaithFi app was designed with multiple budgeting systems, including a digital version of the classic envelope method many longtime listeners recognize. The goal isn't to force everyone into the same mold, but to help each person find a system that fits their habits and personality.Over time, that system becomes part of daily life—like your morning cup of coffee. When you're not checking in with it, you can feel that something's off.Budgeting Together as a CoupleChad also shared how using a budgeting tool transformed his own marriage. Early on, money was their most significant source of conflict—even though he considered himself “the finance guy.”Once they started using a shared system, the conversation changed. Instead of arguing, they could see the same information, talk openly, and make decisions together. Budgeting became a way to pursue unity, not tension.For couples, shared visibility and accountability can be a powerful gift.If You've Tried Before and Given UpIf budgeting feels exhausting—or if you've tried and failed before—Chad's encouragement was simple: don't give up.Often, past frustration stems from using tools that were too rigid or didn't align with how you're wired. With the right system, guidance, and support, budgeting can become sustainable—and even freeing.If one of your New Year's resolutions is to get your finances back on track, remember this: lasting change starts with perspective, not pressure.When you begin with God as the active owner and see budgeting as a tool for stewardship, everything changes. And with the right system in place, you don't have to walk that road alone.You can learn more or download the FaithFi app at FaithFi.com and take a meaningful step toward wise, faithful money management in the year ahead.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm 46 and plan to retire at 70. My employer's 401(k) plan is in a target-date fund, and I'm contributing more than necessary—about 160% of my goal. Should I scale back to just the employer match and direct the extra savings to an IRA? I also have an HSA and currently split contributions between a traditional and a Roth 401(k).I help manage finances for a church and want to know: how much should churches and nonprofits typically keep in reserves for ongoing operations?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Church Cash Reserves - How Much Is Enough? By Dan Busby and Michael Martin (ECFA Article)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's New Year's Eve! We hope that you have had a wonderful 2025. As we look ahead to 2026, you may be making resolutions or setting goals for yourself. This is a time we all reflect on what changes we'd like to make. As we ponder these changes, it is important to note that things are changing in the finance world, too, and that there are some changes regarding 401K catch-up contributions. Nate Reineke and Kyle Hoelzle break down what these changes are and how they may impact physicians like you. We also answer your colleagues' questions. It's New Year's Eve. What contributions do people still have time for? An Infectious Disease Doctor in NY asks, “Does it make more sense for us to have separate HSA-eligible plans or one family plan?” A Surgeon in Illinois says “I have a new HSA, can I just leave the old where it's currently at?” A Psychiatrist in New York wonders, “My new employer is letting me choose between being a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor. Which should I choose?” A Family Medicine Doc in Minnesota asks “When opening a solo 401(k) as a sole proprietor, should we use our SSN or get an EIN?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into all the money you need for college and retirement? It's time to make a plan and get on track. To find out if we're a match visit physicianfamily.com and click get started or, you can ask a question of your own by emailing podcast@physicianfamily.com. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

#676: Ally:How can I optimize my asset allocation and Roth contributions now that I'm over $1 million in assets? I'm 45, single, never married, with about $1.2 million in assets. Roughly $100,000 is in stocks, which might scare some people. Here's my breakdown: Vanguard brokerage account: VTSAX $132,000, ISCV $5,000, VOO $5,000 Vanguard Rollover IRA: VTSAX $65,000, IVV $25,000, VOO $62,000 Vanguard Roth IRA: VTSAX $228,000, ISCV $6,000 Pre-tax 401(k): Active stock fund $218,000 (0.01% expense ratio), Equity dividend fund $55,000 (0.01% expense ratio) Russell 1000: $270,000 (0% expense ratio) HSA: $9,000 in the Russell 1000 and Russell 2000 ESPP: $90,000 Savings account: $12,000 I view my brokerage accounts as savings, where I can sell assets if I need cash, as well as sell my company shares. My questions: How far am I from the efficient frontier? How efficient is my asset allocation? I've mostly been a “VTSAX and chill” type. If I rebalance, what's the best way to do it without incurring taxes? Next year, I'll make more than $150,000, even after contributing $24,500 to my pre-tax 401(k) in 2026. Can I still do a backdoor Roth, given that I already have an IRA balance? I was told it could be complicated. Am I out of luck investing in a Roth next year? Also, should I roll over my 401(k) into my existing Rollover IRA to gain more investment options, even though the 401(k) fees are very low? I've reached over $1 million in assets, but I'm not confident my first million was invested efficiently. I want to correct it before reaching my next million. Emma: Can We Split a Dependent's Tax Status Midyear to Maximize Health Insurance Subsidies? We're a family of four with two adults and two children, ages 15 and 21. Our 21-year-old is a full-time university student and is expected to graduate in May 2026. The hope is that she'll secure a full-time job after graduation. Our health care broker told us that we could claim her as a dependent for half of the year and then have her claim herself for the second half. According to the broker, this would allow her to stay on our health insurance and help us qualify for a larger premium subsidy. Is it actually possible to split a dependent's tax status this way within a single year, or is this a misunderstanding? Anonymous: Is It Wise to Hold Some Investments Outside the U.S. for Geopolitical Diversification? I've always believed that “this time isn't different,” but lately I'm feeling uneasy. I'm increasingly concerned about what seems like a slow erosion of institutional trust in the U.S., especially regarding agencies and structures that support our financial system. From leadership changes at key government institutions to growing political influence over economic policy, I'm starting to wonder if it's prudent to hold a small portion of assets physically and legally outside the U.S. I'm not talking about exotic offshore schemes. I mean legitimate ways to invest in broad index funds or ETFs through a brokerage account based abroad—as a form of geopolitical diversification and personal contingency planning. I'd love to hear your perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‼️Blown up in Baghdad. Saved by Archangel Michael. Reinserted w/a Mission from GOD‼️ The Super Soldier programs. Healing Miracles. Stories of SEAL Team 6 missions. And now…unleashing our GOD Code discussion + LifeWave's Star-Trek inspired Nikola Tesla-like healing tech which drives healing miracles for him, our host Brad Wozny and people across the planet. .

Chris Lopez is joined by Equity Trust's John Bowens to close out 2025 and prep smart moves for 2026 using self-directed retirement accounts. John walks through contribution and conversion timelines for IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and Solo 401(k)s, explains the seven-day payroll rule for S- and C-corps, and shares practical strategies like spousal IRAs, backdoor Roths, staged Roth conversions over two tax years, and maximizing early-year compounding. The conversation also covers 2026 limit increases, Solo 401(k) employer vs employee buckets, and the Secure Act 2.0 tax credit for new plans. Key Takeaways Roth conversions must post by Dec 31 for the current tax year Previous-year IRA and HSA contributions allowed until Apr 15 if not on extension Solo 401(k) employee deferrals for S- and C-corps must be deposited within seven days of payroll Sole proprietors can set up and fund a Solo 401(k) for the prior year by Apr 15 Use spousal IRAs and backdoor Roths to maximize annual limits Stage conversions across two years to manage tax brackets while starting compounding sooner Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.

Most practice owners treat finances like a fire drill: frantic at year-end, reactive at tax time, and surprised when cash flow hiccups wreck payroll. What if money management wasn't a crisis to survive, but a repeatable system you lead on purpose? In this episode of the Private Practice Owners Club, host Nathan Shields sits down with financial strategist Eric Miller (Econologics) and bookkeeping & vCFO expert Sean Healy (AccountedFor). Together they deliver an operational playbook for wrapping up 2025, protecting cash flow in Q1, and building the disciplined systems that let owners actually plan for retirement — not just keep the lights on. They dig into:Why proactive tax planning beats last-minute spending sprees (and how to actually execute it with your CPA)The three financial skills every owner needs: acquire it, control it, invest it — and how to institutionalize them in your practicePractical year-end moves that protect cash flow (retirement catch-ups, HSA contributions, beneficiary checks, and smarter equipment buys)How to build a financial team that works together — CPA, bookkeeper, and advisor aligned to your goals (and when it's time to fire an advisor who isn't)Forecasting and proforma basics: reverse-engineer the profit you need to reach your personal goals, then map the operational steps to get thereCash-first tactics for Q1 (expect a tight January — plan the line of credit, manage payroll cadence, and pre-talk client deductibles)Money discipline that scales: automated savings buckets, routine scorecards, and the operational cadence that produces real wealth If you've ever been blindsided by tax bills, drifted through another year without a cash plan, or felt like your practice owns you — this episode gives you the financial clarity and tactical next steps to run your business like an asset, not an anxiety.

We're tackling a few topics this time:  A huge thanks to you for getting us to 100K downloads.  How to set goals with a VERY simple framework. Q&A on if we take HSA, if we require paid-in-full programs, and more.  Link to our free guide.  Link to our quadrant planner. 

Quint and Allie talk about what an HSA is and how best to invest it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the year closes, federal employees can't afford to miss critical planning opportunities that protect their retirement and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode of the Plan Your Federal Retirement Podcast, Micah Shilanski, Wealth Advisor, and Luke Eberly, Wealth Advisor, break down real-world, end-of-year action items they are actively handling with clients right now. They talk about last-minute planning for 2025, including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), Roth conversions, and estimated tax payments, all with a focus on being aware of IRS penalties. Tune in to learn about strategies for January 2026, like new TSP contribution limits, Roth and HSA planning, and why it's better to start early rather than wait until the end of the year. If you are a federal employee or retiree who wants to end the year well and begin the next one with clear plans and confidence, this episode offers practical tips you can use right away. https://zurl.co/iaMcA

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security filing timing and online claiming language, a listener PSA on IRMAA and the online SSA-44, ACA income planning before Medicare, an IRA to HSA transfer, and annuity income needs. (6:45) The guys address how to word an online Social Security application so the first check is paid for a specific month when claiming at age 70, and whether applying 2–3 months before the 70th birthday is the right approach. (14:00) A listener shares a PSA on filing SSA-44 online after retirement, including how IRMAA recalculations reflected estimated future-year income and how the resulting tier was communicated in the approval letter. (25:00) Jim and Chris discuss whether it makes sense, from a planner's perspective, to stop working and manage income in a way that keeps health insurance affordable until Medicare eligibility. (38:45) George asks about doing the once-in-a-lifetime tax-free IRA-to-HSA transfer, how the HSA testing period works, and whether it's worth doing before starting Medicare to reduce future RMDs. (49:00) A listener asks whether annuity income is still useful for covering a minimum dignity floor gap when assets are high and spending needs are modest, and how to think about guaranteed income given planned retirement timing and gifting goals. The post Social Security, IRMAA, ACA Planning, IRA to HSA Transfer, Annuities: Q&A #2552 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Most people think HSAs are just for doctor bills, but the new 2026 law changed everything. In this episode, you'll learn how the updated HSA rules can help you save more money, pay less tax, and build real long-term wealth. We walk through the new contribution limits, smart strategies to grow your HSA, and how business owners can use these rules for extra tax savings. You'll understand why the wealthy love HSAs and how you can use these tax strategies in your own life. This episode gives clear finance advice and simple steps that help you make better money decisions fast. Listen now so you don't miss one of the biggest tax savings opportunities of the decade.   Next Steps:

If you want to save on taxes in April, your tax strategy actually has to begin the year prior. On today's show, Mark Kohler from KKOS Lawyers is back on the show to share critical end-of-year tax moves you can make NOW to pay less in taxes. Mark is a nationally-recognized CPA and attorney who is on a mission to help small business owners–including real estate investors–succeed.  On this episode, you're going to learn about everything from employing your family members to setting up tax advantaged accounts like an HSA. Mark is also sharing details about the Big Beautiful Bill, retirement accounts, and more. Whether you're a W-2 employee or an entrepreneur, Mark is bringing high level tips you can use to lower your tax bill! 

It's Thursday so let's talk to Kyle. Sponsors: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BIGMAD at https://www.oneskin.co/bigmad #oneskinpod For Big Mad True Crime listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at http://curehydration.com/BIGMAD with code BIGMAD. And here's a bonus — Cure is FSA/HSA approved, so you can use your FSA or HSA funds to stay hydrated the smart way. Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to http://ollie.com/bigmad and use code bigmad to get 60% off your first box! Join the loyalty program for renters at http://joinbilt.com/BIGMAD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Roger Whitney walks listeners through the complexities of inherited IRAs, highlighting the impact of the SECURE Act of 2019 and clarifying the distinctions between eligible and non-eligible designated beneficiaries. He explains how these classifications affect withdrawals and tax planning, making the rules easy to understand. Roger also answers listener questions on topics like retirement team selection and funding health insurance with HSA accounts. Beyond the numbers, he shares practical strategies for creating more meaningful holiday conversations, drawing on real-life examples to show how curiosity and intentionality can help you connect more deeply with the people you care about.OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:00) This show is dedicated to helping you rock retirement.(00:30) In today's episode, Roger Whitney covers the rules around inherited IRAs, explores ways to foster deeper and more meaningful conversations during the holidays and beyond, and answers listener questions.RETIREMENT TOOLKIT(01:00) Today ​in ​the ​Retirement ​Toolkit ​we're ​going ​to ​talk ​about ​the ​rules ​around ​inherited ​IRAs.(02:40) Differences between eligible and non-eligible designated beneficiaries for inherited IRAs are explained.(14:32) Roger talks about ROTH IRAs and how they work.RETIREMENT LIFE LAB(16:04) Roger explains how approaching conversations with curiosity and intentionality, especially with older family members or those with different interests, can create more meaningful and enriching interactions.LISTENER QUESTIONS(25:37) Ira asks what to ask a financial advisor's team to understand their retirement planning services and team longevity.(37:02) Mary Jane asks if she can use Health Savings Account funds tax-free to pay for private health insurance premiums before Medicare eligibility.SMART SPRINT(38:42) In the next week, approach holiday or New Year's gatherings with curiosity by asking questions and engaging with people you don't see often to create more meaningful interactions.REFERENCESSubmit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleThe Retirement Answer Man

Today's episode tackles a wide mix of practical questions. We explore the pros and cons of unions for doctors, how to protect yourself from ACATS fraud, and what you need to know about vesting rules. We also dig into an asset allocation question, upcoming changes to HSA plans in 2026, and whether it makes sense to exchange a mutual fund for its ETF counterpart. It's a packed episode with insights you can put to use right away. Today's episode is brought to us by SoFi, the folks who help you get your money right. Paying off student debt quickly and getting your finances back on track isn't easy, but that's where SoFi can help — they have exclusive, low rates designed to help medical residents refinance student loans—and that could end up saving you thousands of dollars, helping you get out of student debt sooner. SoFi also offers the ability to lower your payments to just $100 a month* while you're still in residency. And if you're already out of residency, SoFi's got you covered there too. For more information, go to https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/Sofi SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Additional terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891. The White Coat Investor has been helping doctors, dentists, and other high-income professionals with their money since 2011. Our free personal finance resource covers an array of topics including how to use your retirement accounts, getting a doctor mortgage loan, how to manage your student loans, buying physician disability and malpractice insurance, asset allocation & asset location, how to invest in real estate, and so much more. We will help you learn how to manage your finances like a pro so you can stop worrying about money and start living your best life. If you're a high-income professional and ready to get a "fair shake" on Wall Street, The White Coat Investor is for you! Find 1000's of written articles on the blog: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com  Our YouTube channel if you prefer watching videos to learn: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/youtube  Student Loan Advice for all your student loan needs: https://studentloanadvice.com  Join the community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Join the community on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WCInvestor  Join the community on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitecoatinvestor  Join the community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/whitecoatinvestor  Learn faster with our Online Courses: https://whitecoatinvestor.teachable.com  Sign up for our Newsletter here: https://www.whitecoatinvestor.com/free-monthly-newsletter  00:00 WCI Podcast #449 01:19 Unions in Healthcare 05:43 ACATS Fraud: What You Need to Know 16:43 Vesting in Employer's Retirement Accounts 19:42 Rebalancing vs. Paying Capital Gains 27:33 HSA Eligible Healthcare Plans 34:34 Swapping Mutual Funds for ETFs