Podcasts about Roth IRA

Emerging-market funds will have a tough act to follow in 2026. The category racked up big gains last year following small returns for years. And a mix of factors like trade tensions prompted many investors to shift their dollars outside the US. Should you add emerging-market funds to your portfolio? And which ones were winners or losers? Morningstar's senior principal of ratings Russ Kinnel dug into the data. The editor of the FundInvestor newsletter is here to tell you want he found.How to Get the Most Out of Your IRA ContributionsOn this episode: 00:00:00 Welcome00:01:16 2026 IRA Contribution Limits00:01:45 How to Decide Between a Traditional and Roth IRA00:03:52 Stock Investing Mistakes to Avoid With Your IRA00:05:20 How to Invest Your IRA When You're Early in Your Career00:08:13 How to Assess Your IRA in the Middle of Your Earning Years00:10:23 The Advantages of Non-US Stocks and How to Diversify Your IRA00:14:30 How to Derisk Your Portfolio as You Approach Retirement00:16:47 Rebalancing Your IRA Without Tax Consequences00:17:48 Is it ever too late to Contribute to Your IRA? Watch more from Morningstar:3 Winners and 3 Losers from Emerging-Market Funds' Big RallyHow New Retirees Can Spend More Without Risking Their SavingsBeyond AI: Are Quantum Stocks the Next Big Thing in Tech Investing? Follow Morningstar on social:Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MorningstarInc/X https://x.com/MorningstarIncInstagram https://www.instagram.com/morningstarinc/?hl=enLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/morningstar/posts/?feedView=all  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  

Learn how to plan for self-employment taxes and understand how savings interest can affect your tax bill. How can sports betting apps affect your finances? How do you set up taxes for 1099 contract work? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss self-employment taxes to help you prepare for tax season and avoid surprises. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins them to discuss the rise of sports betting and prediction markets. They break down how legal sports betting expanded after a 2018 Supreme Court decision, how app-based betting and prop bets make it easy to wager in real time, and the growing concerns around addiction risk, regulation, and the nonstop flood of betting ads. Then, Sean and Elizabeth dig into tax prep for contract work, including how business structure can affect self-employment taxes, ways to pay during the year through quarterly estimated payments or adjusting W-2 withholding, and how to stay organized with bookkeeping, deductible expenses, and forms like 1099-NEC. They also cover what to expect tax-wise with a Roth IRA and why high-yield savings account interest is typically taxed as ordinary income (often reported on Form 1099-INT). Use NerdWallet's free calculator to estimate your self-employment tax: https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/calculators/self-employment-tax-calculator  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: self-employment taxes, 1099 contractor taxes, estimated taxes, quarterly estimated tax payments, Form 1099-NEC, Schedule C, Schedule SE, sole proprietor taxes, S corp vs LLC taxes, S corp reasonable salary, self-employment tax rate 15.3%, net earnings self-employment tax, W-2 withholding for side hustle, Form 1040-ES, bookkeeping for freelancers, deductible business expenses, home office deduction, business bank account, separate business and personal finances, business credit card for expenses, tax deadline for S corp, first time penalty abatement, IRS penalty abatement, Roth IRA taxes, Roth IRA income limits 2026, Roth IRA phase-out, traditional IRA tax deduction, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, tax forms for freelancers, Form 1099-INT, high-yield savings account taxes, sports betting taxes, sports betting apps, DraftKings, FanDuel, prediction markets, Kalshi, and Polymarket. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Boldin Your Money, host Steve Chen sits down with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and CalSavers Executive Director David Teykaerts to explore how California is tackling the retirement savings gap through the CalSavers program. Fiona shares her personal journey from the private sector into public service and explains the treasurer's broader role as the state's banker, overseeing investments, bonds, and multiple savings initiatives. Together, Fiona and David walk through why CalSavers was created, how automatic payroll savings can dramatically increase participation, and why default design, low fees, and simplicity matter most for workers who've historically lacked access to retirement plans. The conversation highlights the program's scale and impact—hundreds of thousands of savers, billions saved, and growing along with lessons about behavioral finance, employer responsibility, and the power of “set it and forget it” systems to build long-term financial security for everyday Californians.

Order Vivian's second book WELL ENDOWED OUT NOW! Vivian gets real about generational wealth and why it's so important. In this powerful episode, she tackles what happens after you've nailed the financial fundamentals—how to build wealth that doesn't just serve you, but creates a lasting legacy for generations to come, even if you weren't born rich. In this episode you'll learn: What generational wealth actually is and why it matters for anyone trying to break cycles of financial struggle, plus the sobering statistics about wealth inequality that prove why building lasting wealth is an act of empowerment, especially for women and people of color The practical steps to building generational wealth in today's economy, from leveling up your income and maxing out retirement accounts to navigating major wealth-building moments like buying a home, and why the "rent vs. buy" debate is way more nuanced than anyone admits How to calculate your net worth, understand the Great Wealth Transfer that's reshaping America's financial landscape, and make sure your hard-earned money goes exactly where you want it—whether that's setting up beneficiaries on your Roth IRA or exploring trust funds to protect your legacy Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok! Got a financial question you want answered in a future episode? Email us at podcast@yourrichbff.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

Natalie Brunell and former Federal Reserve insider Danielle DiMartino Booth break down the escalating battle between Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the explosion in gold prices, and why Bitcoin is still trading like a "risk-on" asset instead of digital gold. We discuss:  Why the Fed–White House showdown could change monetary policy Will Powell be a "shadow Fed Chair" beside Kevin Warsh? Was gold's rally a bubble or the start of a new era  Why Danielle calls Bitcoin the ultimate gauge of risk appetite The labor-market crisis facing young Americans Returning to a gold standard?  Danielle is CEO and Chief Strategy is QI Research: https://quillintelligence.com  ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  --- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

529 plan expert Patricia Roberts blows up the myth that 'it's too late' and '529s are just for rich people with toddlers and Ivy League dreams'. She is author of the book 'Route 529' and shares some big changes with 529 plans that make them an incredibly flexible savings vehicle for more than just college. In this episode we cover: How state tax deductions, credits and 'parity states' work for contributions The shockingly long list of qualified uses including trade schools, apprenticeships, non-degree credentials, K–12 tuition, tutoring, test prep and even student loan repayment  Busting the 'use it or lose it' fear and the new option to rollover left over funds to a Roth IRA How to juggle retirement vs. college savings Advanced strategies to create generational education wealth     DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS:   MONARCH MONEY The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this link and entering code: CATCHINGUP50   For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners    SUPPORT  THE  SHOW

Don and Tom examine the long disciplinary history of former broker James Tuberosa and his attempt to reinvent himself as a registered investment advisor through a newly formed firm, highlighting how fiduciary language can be used to mask conflicts driven by insurance commissions. They walk listeners through the importance of reading Form ADV disclosures and explain how regulatory gaps allow questionable practices to continue. The episode reinforces the principle of “buyer beware” before shifting to listener questions on saving for major expenses, evaluating high-fee annuities for elderly retirees, Roth IRA investing for young adults, and the advantages modern investors enjoy from lower costs and better diversification. The show closes with reflections on financial literacy, generational investing improvements, and a preview of RetireMeet 2026. 0:05 Opening and setup: broker misconduct story 0:10 James Tuberosa's career and long record of complaints 1:14 FINRA expulsion and failed expungement lawsuit 2:42 How complaints get quietly “settled” 3:51 Shift from broker to RIA status 4:49 Skyview Pinnacle and the “clean” front 5:48 Using fiduciary language as marketing cover 7:17 Why insurance escapes SEC oversight 8:22 Conflicts disclosed in ADV 9:19 Why disclosures matter 10:47 Warning signs: promises and product pitching 12:01 Weakness of fiduciary protection 13:08 Ethical failures at large firms 14:38 Fiduciary vs. commission contradiction 15:36 Why reading ADVs protects investors 16:17 Transition to listener questions 17:16 Sinking funds: investing vs. saving 18:40 Planning for major home repairs 19:36 Elderly couple and complex annuity 21:01 Risks of high-fee variable annuities 22:36 Best Roth IRA investment for young adults 23:24 Advantages for today's investors 24:58 Lower costs and better diversification today 26:38 Historical perspective on investing access 28:10 Listener engagement and contact info Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natalie Brunell is joined by Larry Lepard, author of The Big Print, and Bob Burnett, founder and CEO of Barefoot Mining, talking gold's outperformance relative to Bitcoin, signs the "Big Print" could be imminent and much more. We discuss:  The "boomer case" for Bitcoin Gold vs Bitcoin and why Bitcoin ultimately wins The coming "big print" and what triggers it Are all boomers wealthy? Social Security, debt, and the political third rail Why real estate hasn't made people richer, just less poor Follow Larry Lepard on X at https://x.com/LawrenceLepard Follow Bob Burnett on X at https://x.com/boomer_btc  ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  --- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

You opened a Roth IRA… but now what?In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what to do after you open a Roth IRA — including how to actually buy investments inside of it (and why just funding the account isn't enough). I'll walk you through the process using a shopping analogy, introduce the 3-Fund Portfolio strategy, and help you avoid the biggest first-time investing mistakes I see.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ Why your Roth IRA won't grow unless you buy investments✅ How to use the “shopping cart method” to search for and purchase index funds✅ What a 3-Fund Portfolio is and how it simplifies long-term investingReady to set up a cash flow system that actually builds wealth?Learn more about 1:1 Money CoachingWant 2026 to be the year you start investing? Register for my free training — How to Build an Investing Portfolio as First Gen

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lisa Mulrain. Summary of the Interview On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Lisa Mulrain—CEO of Legacy Building LLC, a financial literacy and legal services entrepreneur with more than 30 years of federal government experience as a securities attorney. Lisa’s mission is to empower individuals and small businesses through financial education, credit repair, debt management, estate planning, and investment strategy. The interview highlights her transition from government attorney to entrepreneur, the purpose behind Legacy Building LLC, and the unique combination of her legal expertise and financial coaching. She breaks down how underserved communities can close knowledge gaps, develop stronger money mindsets, repair credit, invest wisely, and protect assets through estate planning. She also explains the emerging opportunities in tokenized real estate, fractionalized Ginnie Mae securities, and the importance of research before investing. The conversation is highly practical—covering everything from budgeting to Roth IRAs, 401(k) matches, brokerage accounts, credit consolidation, and asset protection through trusts and wills. Lisa stresses empowerment through education and long-term wealth building. Purpose of the Interview 1. To introduce Lisa Mulrain’s financial literacy and legal services mission The interview showcases how Legacy Building LLC helps clients improve credit, manage debt, understand investments, and plan estates. 2. To educate listeners about emerging financial trends Lisa explains tokenized real estate, fractional Ginnie Mae securities, and policy changes that create new wealth-building opportunities. 3. To emphasize financial empowerment for underserved communities She focuses on shifting money mindsets, breaking cycles of scarcity, and building generational wealth. 4. To highlight the importance of estate planning She stresses that wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are foundational—not optional. 5. To offer actionable investing and credit strategies Listeners gain practical tools to start improving their finances immediately. Key Takeaways 1. Financial literacy begins with mindset Before fixing credit, individuals must understand their past beliefs about money and scarcity.Many financial mistakes originate from “lack mentality.” 2. Credit repair requires root-cause analysis Lisa teaches clients to: Identify how they fell into debt Negotiate with creditors Remove charge-offs when possible Avoid repeating harmful financial behaviors 3. Estate planning is essential for everyone—not just older adults A proper estate plan includes: A trust (primary document) A “pour-over” will for missed assets Healthcare proxies & POAs Instructions for managing assets during incapacity or after death Common tragedies—Prince, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson—show how lack of planning complicates estates. 4. Invest intentionally and consistently Key investment tools Lisa recommends: Maximize 401(k) contributions, especially employer matches Favor S&P 500 index options in retirement plans Fund a Roth IRA for tax-free growth Open brokerage accounts with established firms (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity) Buy fractional shares to invest even with small amounts Focus on time in the market, not timing the market 5. Tokenized real estate and fractionalized Ginnie Mae securities are groundbreaking Lisa explains how changes in federal policy and crypto infrastructure enable new low-barrier investment opportunities—such as Ginnie Mae-backed fractional securities for as little as $50. 6. Research, research, research Before buying any stock, investors should monitor: Long-term trends Earnings calls Layoffs (strategy vs. crisis) Market cycles Influential investors’ moves 7. Legacy Building LLC merges financial education + legal protection Her dual firms allow clients to: Learn how to build wealth Legally protect their assets Create generational stability 8. Wealth building requires discipline—not brand-driven spending She warns against sinking money into luxury goods without appreciating assets to match. Notable Quotes (All pulled directly from the transcript.) On why she does this work “Helping people has always been at my core.” “I wanted to get involved in finance because that was the one central factor that made the difference between the haves and the have nots.” On mindset & credit “Let’s examine your money mindset.” “We adopt a lack mentality… we already start from a place of ‘we don’t have it.’” On estate planning “Whatever you’ve accumulated… you don’t have a plan.” “It could take years for it to go through probate.” “Your trust is the main document.” On investing “You are leaving money on the table if you don’t get that 401(k) match.” “Don’t time the market… it’s about time in the market.” “Scare money don’t make money.” On financial habits “Be diligent in your acquisitions.” “You cannot make any money if you are not investing. Period.” On opportunities in new investment tech “Tokenized real estate is very new and novel… real physical assets backing crypto.” “Ginnie Mae securities are now eligible for fractionalized shares… with guaranteed repayment.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lisa Mulrain. Summary of the Interview On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Lisa Mulrain—CEO of Legacy Building LLC, a financial literacy and legal services entrepreneur with more than 30 years of federal government experience as a securities attorney. Lisa’s mission is to empower individuals and small businesses through financial education, credit repair, debt management, estate planning, and investment strategy. The interview highlights her transition from government attorney to entrepreneur, the purpose behind Legacy Building LLC, and the unique combination of her legal expertise and financial coaching. She breaks down how underserved communities can close knowledge gaps, develop stronger money mindsets, repair credit, invest wisely, and protect assets through estate planning. She also explains the emerging opportunities in tokenized real estate, fractionalized Ginnie Mae securities, and the importance of research before investing. The conversation is highly practical—covering everything from budgeting to Roth IRAs, 401(k) matches, brokerage accounts, credit consolidation, and asset protection through trusts and wills. Lisa stresses empowerment through education and long-term wealth building. Purpose of the Interview 1. To introduce Lisa Mulrain’s financial literacy and legal services mission The interview showcases how Legacy Building LLC helps clients improve credit, manage debt, understand investments, and plan estates. 2. To educate listeners about emerging financial trends Lisa explains tokenized real estate, fractional Ginnie Mae securities, and policy changes that create new wealth-building opportunities. 3. To emphasize financial empowerment for underserved communities She focuses on shifting money mindsets, breaking cycles of scarcity, and building generational wealth. 4. To highlight the importance of estate planning She stresses that wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are foundational—not optional. 5. To offer actionable investing and credit strategies Listeners gain practical tools to start improving their finances immediately. Key Takeaways 1. Financial literacy begins with mindset Before fixing credit, individuals must understand their past beliefs about money and scarcity.Many financial mistakes originate from “lack mentality.” 2. Credit repair requires root-cause analysis Lisa teaches clients to: Identify how they fell into debt Negotiate with creditors Remove charge-offs when possible Avoid repeating harmful financial behaviors 3. Estate planning is essential for everyone—not just older adults A proper estate plan includes: A trust (primary document) A “pour-over” will for missed assets Healthcare proxies & POAs Instructions for managing assets during incapacity or after death Common tragedies—Prince, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson—show how lack of planning complicates estates. 4. Invest intentionally and consistently Key investment tools Lisa recommends: Maximize 401(k) contributions, especially employer matches Favor S&P 500 index options in retirement plans Fund a Roth IRA for tax-free growth Open brokerage accounts with established firms (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity) Buy fractional shares to invest even with small amounts Focus on time in the market, not timing the market 5. Tokenized real estate and fractionalized Ginnie Mae securities are groundbreaking Lisa explains how changes in federal policy and crypto infrastructure enable new low-barrier investment opportunities—such as Ginnie Mae-backed fractional securities for as little as $50. 6. Research, research, research Before buying any stock, investors should monitor: Long-term trends Earnings calls Layoffs (strategy vs. crisis) Market cycles Influential investors’ moves 7. Legacy Building LLC merges financial education + legal protection Her dual firms allow clients to: Learn how to build wealth Legally protect their assets Create generational stability 8. Wealth building requires discipline—not brand-driven spending She warns against sinking money into luxury goods without appreciating assets to match. Notable Quotes (All pulled directly from the transcript.) On why she does this work “Helping people has always been at my core.” “I wanted to get involved in finance because that was the one central factor that made the difference between the haves and the have nots.” On mindset & credit “Let’s examine your money mindset.” “We adopt a lack mentality… we already start from a place of ‘we don’t have it.’” On estate planning “Whatever you’ve accumulated… you don’t have a plan.” “It could take years for it to go through probate.” “Your trust is the main document.” On investing “You are leaving money on the table if you don’t get that 401(k) match.” “Don’t time the market… it’s about time in the market.” “Scare money don’t make money.” On financial habits “Be diligent in your acquisitions.” “You cannot make any money if you are not investing. Period.” On opportunities in new investment tech “Tokenized real estate is very new and novel… real physical assets backing crypto.” “Ginnie Mae securities are now eligible for fractionalized shares… with guaranteed repayment.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lisa Mulrain. Summary of the Interview On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Lisa Mulrain—CEO of Legacy Building LLC, a financial literacy and legal services entrepreneur with more than 30 years of federal government experience as a securities attorney. Lisa’s mission is to empower individuals and small businesses through financial education, credit repair, debt management, estate planning, and investment strategy. The interview highlights her transition from government attorney to entrepreneur, the purpose behind Legacy Building LLC, and the unique combination of her legal expertise and financial coaching. She breaks down how underserved communities can close knowledge gaps, develop stronger money mindsets, repair credit, invest wisely, and protect assets through estate planning. She also explains the emerging opportunities in tokenized real estate, fractionalized Ginnie Mae securities, and the importance of research before investing. The conversation is highly practical—covering everything from budgeting to Roth IRAs, 401(k) matches, brokerage accounts, credit consolidation, and asset protection through trusts and wills. Lisa stresses empowerment through education and long-term wealth building. Purpose of the Interview 1. To introduce Lisa Mulrain’s financial literacy and legal services mission The interview showcases how Legacy Building LLC helps clients improve credit, manage debt, understand investments, and plan estates. 2. To educate listeners about emerging financial trends Lisa explains tokenized real estate, fractional Ginnie Mae securities, and policy changes that create new wealth-building opportunities. 3. To emphasize financial empowerment for underserved communities She focuses on shifting money mindsets, breaking cycles of scarcity, and building generational wealth. 4. To highlight the importance of estate planning She stresses that wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are foundational—not optional. 5. To offer actionable investing and credit strategies Listeners gain practical tools to start improving their finances immediately. Key Takeaways 1. Financial literacy begins with mindset Before fixing credit, individuals must understand their past beliefs about money and scarcity.Many financial mistakes originate from “lack mentality.” 2. Credit repair requires root-cause analysis Lisa teaches clients to: Identify how they fell into debt Negotiate with creditors Remove charge-offs when possible Avoid repeating harmful financial behaviors 3. Estate planning is essential for everyone—not just older adults A proper estate plan includes: A trust (primary document) A “pour-over” will for missed assets Healthcare proxies & POAs Instructions for managing assets during incapacity or after death Common tragedies—Prince, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson—show how lack of planning complicates estates. 4. Invest intentionally and consistently Key investment tools Lisa recommends: Maximize 401(k) contributions, especially employer matches Favor S&P 500 index options in retirement plans Fund a Roth IRA for tax-free growth Open brokerage accounts with established firms (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity) Buy fractional shares to invest even with small amounts Focus on time in the market, not timing the market 5. Tokenized real estate and fractionalized Ginnie Mae securities are groundbreaking Lisa explains how changes in federal policy and crypto infrastructure enable new low-barrier investment opportunities—such as Ginnie Mae-backed fractional securities for as little as $50. 6. Research, research, research Before buying any stock, investors should monitor: Long-term trends Earnings calls Layoffs (strategy vs. crisis) Market cycles Influential investors’ moves 7. Legacy Building LLC merges financial education + legal protection Her dual firms allow clients to: Learn how to build wealth Legally protect their assets Create generational stability 8. Wealth building requires discipline—not brand-driven spending She warns against sinking money into luxury goods without appreciating assets to match. Notable Quotes (All pulled directly from the transcript.) On why she does this work “Helping people has always been at my core.” “I wanted to get involved in finance because that was the one central factor that made the difference between the haves and the have nots.” On mindset & credit “Let’s examine your money mindset.” “We adopt a lack mentality… we already start from a place of ‘we don’t have it.’” On estate planning “Whatever you’ve accumulated… you don’t have a plan.” “It could take years for it to go through probate.” “Your trust is the main document.” On investing “You are leaving money on the table if you don’t get that 401(k) match.” “Don’t time the market… it’s about time in the market.” “Scare money don’t make money.” On financial habits “Be diligent in your acquisitions.” “You cannot make any money if you are not investing. Period.” On opportunities in new investment tech “Tokenized real estate is very new and novel… real physical assets backing crypto.” “Ginnie Mae securities are now eligible for fractionalized shares… with guaranteed repayment.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the 5 states where the cost of living is the lowest? In this episode, Art explains cost of living, why it is so important to your finances, and in what states your dollar goes further. Plus, he answers a question about opening a Roth IRA for a child. Tune in!Resources:8 Money MilestonesAsk a Money Question!

In a special episode of Coin Stories shot in Naples, FL, Natalie Brunell sits down with health and wellness thought leader Dr. Sean Baker to discuss: How food became engineered to keep us craving and overeating The additives and preservatives hiding in plain sight, and why some are restricted overseas in places like Europe The new "reverse food pyramid" push and what it's really saying about nutrition guidance Why the incentives in food and medicine often reward treating symptoms, not fixing root causes What "eat real food" actually means in real life (and what most people get wrong) The Bitcoin connection: how better incentives and long-term thinking could change everything The concerns surrounding trendy drugs like Ozempic and other GLP-1s ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  --- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

A listener recently wrote in with a common and important retirement planning question: If I'm already maxing out my 401(k), can I also contribute to a traditional IRA in the same year? The short answer is yes—but whether it makes sense, and how much benefit you receive, depends on your income, tax situation, and long-term goals. In this episode, I break down how traditional IRA contributions work alongside employer-sponsored retirement plans, when those contributions are deductible, and what options are available if your income is too high for a deduction. We also explore alternative strategies, including Roth IRA contributions and backdoor Roth conversions, so you can decide how best to use your annual IRA "coupon." This episode is especially helpful if you're trying to balance tax savings today with tax flexibility in retirement and want to avoid common mistakes that can complicate your plan later. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Whether you can contribute to a 401(k) and IRA in the same tax year [01:55] The tax-deferral benefits of contributing to a traditional IRA [03:55] When a traditional IRA contribution is tax deductible [05:00] Income limits that affect IRA deductions [07:00] Using non-deductible IRA contributions correctly [10:00] Roth IRA contribution limits and income phaseouts [11:45] How a backdoor Roth IRA strategy works [13:30] Choosing the right IRA strategy for your situation Why a Traditional IRA Can Still Make Sense Even if you are already maxing out your 401(k), contributing to a traditional IRA can provide additional tax advantages. The primary benefit is tax deferral. Dividends, interest, and capital gains generated inside an IRA are not taxed in the year they occur. Instead, taxes are deferred until you withdraw the money, potentially years or even decades later. This can be especially powerful if you do not need the money right away. With required minimum distributions now starting at age 73—and increasing to age 75 for those born in 1960 or later—many investors have a long runway for tax-deferred growth. When IRA Contributions Are Tax Deductible Whether your traditional IRA contribution is deductible depends on two main factors: whether you or your spouse are covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, and your adjusted gross income (AGI). Coverage includes plans such as a 401(k), 403(b), 457, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, or pension plan. For 2026, married couples filing jointly can fully deduct a traditional IRA contribution if their AGI is below $129,000, with deductions phasing out completely by $149,000. For single filers, the full deduction applies below $81,000 and phases out by $91,000. If neither spouse is covered by a workplace plan, the contribution is fully deductible regardless of income. Options If You Can't Deduct a Traditional IRA If your income is too high to deduct a traditional IRA contribution, you still have options. One approach is making a non-deductible IRA contribution. While this does not provide a tax deduction upfront, your investments can still grow tax deferred. However, this strategy requires careful recordkeeping to properly track taxable and non-taxable portions when withdrawals begin. Another option is contributing to a Roth IRA, if your income falls within Roth contribution limits. Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals, making them attractive for long-term planning. For those whose income exceeds Roth limits, a backdoor Roth IRA may be an option, provided there are no other pre-tax IRA balances that would trigger pro-rata taxation. Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE  Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact   Subscribe to Retire With Ryan

Most investors focus on performance, but far fewer focus on what they actually keep after taxes. Today, Jason and Alex break down one of the most overlooked threats to long-term wealth: tax drag. Unlike a single tax bill, tax drag quietly compounds over time, steadily eroding portfolio returns through ordinary income, capital gains, turnover, and poor asset placement.   If you've ever heard the phrase "It's not how much you make, it's how much you keep," this conversation explains exactly why that matters — and what you can do about it.   Today, we walk through:

College today can easily cost six figures — even at public universities — and yet so many families still feel completely in the dark about how to prepare for it without sacrificing their own financial future.My guest today knows this stress intimately.Patricia Roberts grew up in a low-income household and nearly didn't attend college at all. A guidance counselor once suggested she stick with her waitressing job instead. But she pushed forward, working multiple jobs, sending money home, earning not just one degree, but eventually a law degree. That education changed her family's life… but it also came with over $100,000 in student loan debt that took two decades to repay.That lived experience is what fuels Patricia's passion today. She's spent more than 25 years working with 529 college savings plans — from helping launch some of the earliest plans at Citigroup to advising families and employers on how to use them smarter, earlier, and with far less fear.In this episode, we break down what 529 plans really are — and what they're not. We tackle the biggest myths, from “What if my kid doesn't go to college?” to “Will this hurt financial aid?” to “Is college even worth it anymore?” We also dig into major new changes that make 529s far more flexible than most people realize — including using them for trade schools, certifications, student loan repayment, K-12 expenses, and even rolling unused funds into a Roth IRA.More about Patricia: She is Chief Operating Officer of Gift of College, Inc., where she helps employers improve employees' financial well-being by offering student loan repayment assistance and matching contributions to 529 college savings and ABLE (disability savings) accounts.Patricia is also the author of Route 529: A Parent's Guide to Saving for College and Career Training with 529 Plans, a book she wrote with some extra time on her hands during the pandemic to help educate and inspire even more parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever made a money move that felt right then immediately wondered if you just emotionally invested in a bad idea? We've all done it. Some of us have receipts. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug tackle one of the trickiest parts of personal finance: knowing when to trust your gut and when your gut needs to sit down and let the math speak. Because here's the thing. Most Stackers aren't struggling because they don't know what a Roth IRA is. You're struggling because real life decisions don't happen in a spreadsheet. They happen in the middle of a busy Tuesday, with a dozen tabs open in your brain and a million little "what ifs" fighting for attention. So the guys dig into how intuition works (and when it betrays you), and why data is powerful until you start using it to talk yourself into doing something dumb with extra steps. You'll also hear how the best financial plans aren't built on perfect predictions but on repeatable decisions. Plus the episode veers into some surprisingly useful territory with Costco membership strategy, the hidden psychology of "good deals," and how advisors use tools to help optimize Social Security choices without making you feel like you need a PhD in government paperwork. What You'll Learn: How to tell the difference between good intuition and financial anxiety in a trench coat Why data can be a superpower or a weapon you use against yourself The role of AI and research in decision making and what it means for everyday people How OG thinks about sticking to a plan when emotions get loud Why "a deal" can be a budget win or a trap door What a Costco membership is really doing to your spending habits The Social Security optimization tools advisors use and why timing decisions matter This Episode Is For You If: You've made emotional money decisions you later regretted You either overthink every financial choice or jump too fast without enough info You're not sure when to trust your instincts versus when to run the numbers You want to make confident decisions without needing perfect information You're tired of second guessing yourself every time money is involved Questions to Think About: When was the last time your gut feeling saved you financially or cost you money? Are you more likely to overthink decisions with too much research or jump too fast without enough? Drop your answers in the comments or the Basement Facebook group because finding your balance between intuition and data might be the unlock you need. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/should-you-trust-your-gut-or-data-1795 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we give? Many Christians would answer simply: because Scripture tells us to. But if giving is only an obligation, something we do because we “should,” generosity will always feel heavy—like a tax, a duty, or a calculation. The Bible offers a far more compelling vision. It tells a story where generosity flows not from guilt or pressure, but from grace.Most of us genuinely want to be generous. Few people say, “I don't want to give.” Yet generosity doesn't always come easily. We run the numbers. We think about what's coming next. We worry whether our gift will make a difference. Sometimes we even reduce generosity to a math problem—something we'll do once everything feels secure.Beneath those questions is a deeper one: Why do we give in the first place?Scripture doesn't begin the conversation about giving with budgets or even with commands. It begins with identity. Before you ever give a dollar, you are already living on a gift. Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). You have received mercy instead of judgment, forgiveness in place of guilt, adoption instead of estrangement. Daily bread, new life, a secured future in Christ—all of it is grace.And when grace takes root, generosity follows.Paul describes this beautifully: “Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). This isn't just poetic language—it's the pattern of Christian generosity. Jesus did not cling to comfort, status, or security. As Philippians 2:7 says, He emptied Himself. He entered our poverty so we could share His riches. The gospel doesn't merely forgive sinners; it forms a generous people who reflect the heart of the Giver.That means our giving is never about earning God's favor or proving our faith. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The same is true with generosity—we give because He first gave.This changes the tone entirely. Instead of pressure, generosity becomes privilege. Instead of fear—fear of not having enough, fear of loss—it becomes trust. Giving becomes a declaration that God is our provider, not our bank account, and that our security is anchored in Christ, not in financial margins.And this grace-shaped generosity is not reserved for the wealthy. Every believer has received the riches of Christ, which means every believer has something to give. Sometimes it looks like a financial sacrifice. Other times, like hospitality, encouragement, time, or presence. Generosity is broader than money and deeper than obligation.In the end, we don't give to become generous people. We give because God has already been generous with us. Generosity doesn't begin with what we give—it begins with what we've received. When grace becomes the foundation, giving becomes a joy.———————————————————————————————————————If you'd like to explore how the gospel reshapes the way we think about money, stewardship, and generosity, we're about to release a new 21-day devotional called Our Ultimate Treasure, written by our own Rob West. It's designed to help you slow down, reflect on God's grace, and connect biblical faith to everyday financial decisions. You can preorder your copy—or place a bulk order for your church or small group—at FaithFi.com/Shop. Or receive it automatically when you become a FaithFi Partner at FaithFi.com/Give.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm recently widowed, and our home is for sale. Once it sells, I'll have a significant amount of money to manage wisely. I'm debt-free and have family I'd like to bless, but I also want to make good long-term decisions. Where should I start?My boyfriend is 62 and took early retirement. He's about to receive a profit-sharing payout but has no plan beyond keeping the money in cash. I'm trying to help him figure out what to do with it. What's the best way to get him started?My daughter is a teacher with a pension and many years before retirement. She has about $25,000 in a high-yield savings account. Would opening a Roth IRA at a place like Schwab or Fidelity be the best next step, or should we consider other options for long-term growth?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Financial Next Steps After Losing A Spouse by Valerie Neff Hogan, J.D., CFP (Faithful Steward Issue 3 Article)Widow ConnectionNational Christian Foundation (NCF)Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful StewardshipWisdom 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.

In this episode, Emily interviews Nashae Prout, a 5th-year PhD candidate in toxicology at the University of Rochester. Nashae's first year of graduate school on a $28,000 stipend was financially challenging, so she now maintains two side hustles. She serves as a graduate community assistant for graduate housing, an up to 10 hour per week position that gives her a 55% reduction in rent. She also adjuncts for a nearby university with the support of her PI. Between these two side hustles and her disposition toward frugality, Nashae can comfortably max out her Roth IRA and spend in areas that matter to her, experiencing financial ease. She concludes the interview with excellent advice on time management and prioritization.

Families navigating a special needs diagnosis often find themselves overwhelmed, emotional, and unsure where to begin. In this episode of A Wiser Retirement® Podcast, Casey Smith sits down with Meaghan Timko, Founder of Parallel and COO of Gradual Behavioral Health, to unpack what thoughtful, proactive planning really looks like for families supporting children with special needs.Related Podcast Episodes: Ep 210. How can I set my child up for financial success?Ep 279. What Should Parents of Children with Disabilities Know About Estate Planning?Related Financial Education Videos:Why Every Parent Should Consider a Roth IRA for Their ChildHow do I save money for my child's education?Other Links:ParallelGradual Behavioral HealthLearn More:- About Wiser Wealth Management- Schedule a Complimentary Consultation: Discover how we can help you achieve financial freedom.- Access Our Free Guides: Gain valuable insights on building a financial legacy, the importance of a financial advisor for business owners, post-divorce financial planning, and more! Stay Connected: - Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter- A Wiser Retirement® YouTube Channel This podcast was produced by Wiser Wealth Management. Thanks for listening!

Self-directed accounts let you take control of retirement money and invest beyond the stock market—if you follow the rules. In episode 1 of this 3-part series, I'm joined by Amanda Holbrook from Specialized Trust Services to break down the self-directed Roth IRA: how it works, who it's for, common myths, and the compliance mistakes that can get you in trouble. We also get into real strategies: the backdoor Roth, using Roth contributions as a safety net, starting Roth IRAs for kids (legitimately), what "self-dealing" actually means in real estate, and how people partner accounts the right way without commingling. Next week we'll cover specialty accounts (Coverdell ESAs, HSAs, and more). Then we'll hit small business retirement plans (SEP IRAs and other owner plans) and how to load more cash into tax-advantaged accounts. Connect with Amanda / Specialized Trust Services Website: SpecializedTrustCompany.com Email: aholbrook@irasi.com #LegacyPodcast #RothIRA #SelfDirectedIRA #RealEstateInvesting #TaxStrategy

Hans and Robby are back again this week with a brand new episode! This week, they discuss the back door Roth IRA and what that entails.  Don't forget to get your copy of "The Complete Cardinal Guide to Planning for and Living in Retirement" on Amazon or on CardinalGuide.com for free! You can contact Hans and Cardinal by emailing hans@cardinalguide.com or calling 919-535-8261. Learn more at CardinalGuide.com. Find us on YouTube: Cardinal Advisors.

Learn why owning US companies that sell overseas (like Nike) doesn't give you real international diversification - and how two simple ETFs (SCHY and IDVO) can fix that gap in your portfolio. I break down the difference between developed and emerging markets, explain covered calls in plain English, and show you why the "engine" matters more than current holdings. Plus: the Roth IRA foreign tax trap you need to know about.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dapper Dividends Recommendation Tracker Spreadsheet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out my current portfolio on

Macro analyst and investor Cem Karsan joins Coin Stories to explain why the U.S. dollar remains America's greatest source of power, how decades of Fed policy fueled inequality and populism, and where Bitcoin, gold, and hard assets fit into a fractured global system. We discuss:  Why the U.S. dollar is more powerful than the military How the Federal Reserve reshaped wealth, markets, and politics Populism, protectionism, and rising internal conflict Bitcoin, gold, and the future of reserve assets - W hat individuals can do to protect themselves in a volatile world Follow Cem Karsan on X at https://x.com/jam_croissant  ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  --- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

Investing doesn't require a fortune — just a willingness to begin with what you have. That's the message Mark Biller, Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at Sound Mind Investing, emphasizes as he encourages listeners to start small, stay consistent, and keep investing simply as an act of faithful stewardship.Biller starts by reminding beginners that wise investing is built on a solid financial foundation. Before putting money at risk in the markets, he urges individuals to pay down high-interest consumer debt, establish a modest emergency fund, and follow a spending plan. Paying off double-digit credit card debt offers a guaranteed return that most investments struggle to match. The exception comes when an employer offers matching contributions in a retirement plan—since a match functions like an immediate return on contributions, it's often worth taking advantage of even while still eliminating smaller debts.For those ready to invest, workplace retirement plans—such as 401(k)s—are typically the best place to begin. They offer three major benefits: tax-advantaged growth, automatic contributions that promote consistency, and, in many cases, employer-matching contributions. Biller calls the match “free money,” noting that it's effectively part of an employee's compensation and should not be left on the table. For listeners without a workplace plan, an IRA—and especially a Roth IRA for younger workers—provides similar tax advantages and helps develop long-term investing habits.New investors often feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of financial information available today. Biller warns that waiting until you “know everything” often results in never starting at all. The more important step is to build momentum by contributing regularly, even in small amounts. Investing is a habit, and habits gain strength through repetition.To keep things simple, Biller recommends relying on broad, low-cost index funds—often available through both workplace plans and discount brokerage firms. Index funds offer immediate diversification, require minimal expertise, and allow investors to learn gradually without taking on unnecessary risk. More sophisticated strategies can come later; simplicity removes barriers at the beginning.Alongside practical guidance, Biller highlights several behavioral realities: choose a few trusted financial voices, tune out noise that stirs fear or greed, and resist a false urgency to time the market. Successful investing requires patience and emotional steadiness more than constant research.As the conversation wraps up, Biller offers encouragement: while investing can appear complex, most of the benefits come from a few basic disciplines. You don't need large sums to begin; time in the market is your greatest ally. Maintain a heart-level posture as a steward, trusting that God can multiply small beginnings into meaningful long-term outcomes. Wise investing is ultimately an expression of faithful management, not accumulation for its own sake.To learn more about Sound Mind Investing, you can go to SoundMindInvesting.org. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:My wife and I have been blessed, and through our business and frugal lifestyle, we've saved a significant amount. We also partner in projects in Haiti, Honduras, and El Salvador. Right now, we have about $250,000 in a stock account and $400,000 with LPL Financial. Would it be smarter to consolidate those investments to make them easier to manage and potentially grow faster? I'd appreciate your advice.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Sound Mind Investing (SMI)Starting Small, Finishing Well by Joseph Slife (SMI 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.

Send us a textEpisode 3 of Inside the Family Office: Live Investor PanelReal family office practitioners and allocators share how they structure deals, protect families, and think about wealth:  John, who works inside a single family office's trust company, explains how they custody over $70B in assets with a focus on alternative assets inside self-directed IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and solo 401(k)s. He walks through real examples of using these vehicles to buy property and earn profits with zero tax, and why he's obsessed with Roth structures for families and principals. John also touches on recent policy interest in alternatives within retirement plans and the explosive growth in investors seeking non-correlated assets. Dr. Cook closes with her own experience allocating Roth capital into crypto and other alternatives.

Our guests on the podcast today are Cody Garrett and Sean Mullaney. They're both advice-only financial planners, and they're the co-authors of a new book called Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement. Cody is a certified financial planner and the founder of Measure Twice Money, where he helped DIY investors make informed decisions aligned with their values. He also leads Measure Twice Planners, which is an educational community for financial planners. Sean Mullaney is a certified public accountant and head of Mullaney Financial & Tax. He also writes the blog, FITaxGuy.com, which is focused on the intersection between financial independence and taxes.BackgroundSean MullaneyCody GarrettMeasure Twice MoneyMeasure Twice FinancialMeasure Twice PlannersMullaney Financial & TaxFITaxGuy.comTax Planning and Early RetirementTax Planning To and Through Early Retirement, by Cody Garrett and Sean Mullaney“The Backdoor Roth IRA After an Excess Contribution to a Roth IRA,” Sean Mullaney, FITaxGuy.com, Dec 16, 2025“Why I Don't Worry Much About Sequence of Returns Risk,” Sean Mullaney, FITaxGuy.com, Jun 10, 2025“The Tax Planning World Has Changed,” by Sean Mullaney, FITaxGuy.com, Sep. 22, 2025“Bogleheads on Investing® with Cody Garrett, CFP®, and Sean Mullaney, CPA on tax planning to and through retirement: Episode 89″ by Bogleheads on Investing® podcast, BogleCenter.net, Dec. 7, 2025“Managing Taxes in Retirement with Sean Mullaney,” by the White Coat Investor Podcast, WhiteCoatInvestor.com, Nov 20, 2025.Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life―A Revolutionary Approach to Maximizing Life Experiences Over Accumulating Wealth, by Bill Perkins“Reframing Risk In Retirement As “Over- And Under-Spending” To Better Communicate Decisions To Clients, And Finding “Best Guess” Spending Level,” by Michael Kitces, Kitces.com, Apr. 24 2024.More on Early Retirement and FIRE“My Baptism by FIRE: Lessons on Financial Independence,” by Christine Benz, Morningstar.com, May 29, 2025.“Aiming to ‘Die with Zero'? Here Are the Implications for Portfolio Construction and Retirement Spending,” by Jess Bebel, Morningstar.com, Apri. 6, 2025"Derek Tharp: An Alternative Approach to Calculating In-Retirement Withdrawals," The Long View podcast, Morningstar.com, Feb. 21, 2023 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Luke Gromen, founder of FFTT, joins Natalie Brunell to break down the accelerating breakdown of the post-1971 dollar reserve system, and what it means for Bitcoin, gold, global trade, and geopolitical stability. Topics: Why Japan may be closest to a sovereign debt crisis as yields spike to historic levels How gold has overtaken U.S. Treasuries in global reserves   Is the U.S. selling gold that's making its way to China?! Capital rotation away from risk assets and into gold Why Bitcoin still trades like high-beta tech, for now Why Luke sold his Bitcoin and isn't buying back (yet) Follow Luke Gromen on X at https://x.com/LukeGromen & subscribe to https://fftt-treerings.com  ---- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

Alan Thomson, chief executive officer at Intervallum Technologies — which has developed a factor-rotation index based on evolving market conditions — says that the market's strong conditions are "durable," but that a "fragile" macro environment has created stresses. This makes for a "thin-ice state," where the market shows stability and could stay that way for the foreseeable future, but the underlying risks can not be ignored. He noted that should not put investors out of the market, but should instead have them aware that trouble is possible and to factor downside risk potential into their near-term outlook. Vijay Marolia, chief investment officer at Regal Point Capital, looks at the big start that the latest earnings season got off to last week thanks to some brand-name financial companies, and he talks about two companies that he thinks are must-watch news as earnings season transitions to more of the consumer and industrial names. He also discusses what he's looking for in companies from all industries to make sure they are staying on top of opportunities in the business world. David Trainer, founder and president at New Constructs, put five different stocks in the Danger Zone this week, noting that he expects them all to miss earnings estimates because Wall Street has been listening to whisper numbers or allowing legal accounting tricks to artificially inflate the numbers.  Plus, Chuck answers a listener's question about whether he can keep contributing to a Roth IRA now that he has retired.

In this episode, Gregory Ricks is joined by Jude Heath of J. Heath and Co., CPA, to discuss tax planning for this upcoming 2026 tax season. Then, Gregory provides tips on how to avoid running out of money in retirement.For financial news talk radio, tune into "Winning at Life with Gregory Ricks" on Saturday Mornings on:WRNO-News Talk 99.5 FM New Orleans - 10 am - 1 pmWBUV-News Talk 104.9 FM Biloxi - 10 am - 1 pmORFor financial news talk ON DEMAND, tune into the Ask Gregory Podcast for more financial topics that may interest you! Visit: https://gregoryricks.com/podcast/Download the Winning at Life app to never miss a replay!Investment Advisory products and services made available through AE Wealth Management, LLC or registered investment advisor, insurance products are offered through the insurance business Gregory Ricks and Associates, Incorporated AE wealth management does not offer insurance products, the insurance products offered by Gregory Ricks and Associates incorporated are not subject to investment advisor requirements. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, any references to protection, safety or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing Carrier. This radio show was intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for a financial decision, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual situation. Gregory Ricks and Associates is not permitted to offer and no statement made during the show shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency. The Information and opinions contained herein provided by third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by Gregory Ricks and Associates. Please remember that converting an employer plan account to a Roth IRA is a taxable event. Increased taxable income from the Roth IRA conversion may have several consequences, including, but not limited to a need for additional tax withholding or estimated tax payments, the loss of certain tax deductions and credits and higher taxes on Social Security benefits and higher Medicare premiums. Be sure to consult with a qualified tax advisor before making any decisions regarding your IRA. Neither AE Wealth Management nor advisors providing investment advisory services through AE Wealth Management recommend or facilitate the buying or selling of cryptocurrencies. Third parties and guests of the show are not affiliated with nor do their opinions reflect those of Gregory Ricks and associates or AE wealth management. Ae Wealth Management provides services without regard to political affiliation. And the views of individual advisors are not necessarily the views of AE Wealth Management.

Jonathan and Brad explore the infinite possibilities within the financial independence community by discussing the concept of Incremental Gains. Key Topics Discussed Introduction to Incremental Gains (00:00:00) An overview of the episode's aim to introduce innovative ideas within the financial independence community. What is a Red X Month? (00:02:05) A red X month is a designated period for relaxation and reflection, allowing individuals to step back from their regular commitments. Mindset and Incremental Gains (00:05:05) Importance of having the right mindset in achieving financial independence. Importance of Time and Journey (00:07:21) The hosts stress that it's about appreciating the journey, not just the destination. Roth IRA for Kids (00:29:46) Discussing how children with earned income can benefit from a Roth IRA, helping them build wealth early. The Impact of Fees on Investing (00:44:01) Emphasizing the significance of minimizing fees and its long-term effects on wealth accumulation. Join the Discussion Go to ChooseFI.com/login Actionable Takeaways Red X Month: Consider taking a dedicated month to reset and recharge your priorities. (00:05:05) Roth IRA for Children: Open a Roth IRA for your child if they have earned income to help them start building wealth. (00:29:46) Minimize Investment Fees: Invest in low-fee index funds to optimize your long-term wealth and keep track of any fees tied to mutual funds or advisors. (00:43:27) Key Quotes "Reclaim your most precious non-renewable resource: your time." (00:16:51) "It's not about reaching a mythical number; it's about living a better life." (00:08:55) "Time in the market surpasses timing the market." (00:48:22) Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to Incremental Gains 00:02:05 - What is a Red X Month? 00:05:05 - Mindset and Incremental Gains 00:07:21 - Importance of Time and Journey 00:29:46 - Roth IRA for Kids 00:44:01 - The Impact of Fees on Investing Essential Listening Episodes Referred to Masterclass on Muscle Building

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss why the beginning of the year is one of the most important times for smart tax decisions and how early planning can prevent costly mistakes later. With the help of their Director of Financial Planning and Tax Strategy, Taylor Wolverton, they walk through practical smart tax strategies designed to support effective tax planning in retirement and help you stay ahead with a proactive tax planning checklist. From contribution rules to charitable strategies, this episode focuses on building a strong foundation for retirement tax planning that supports long-term confidence.Listen in to learn about key decisions that impact your ability to plan for retirement, reduce unnecessary taxes, and ultimately secure your retirement. Whether you are still working, transitioning into Retirement, or already planning retirement income, these insights can help you align your retirement checklist with current rules, deadlines, and opportunities—so you can focus on retiring comfortably without last-minute surprises.In this episode, find out:How the 401k catch up rule works, including 401k catch up contributions and updated 2026 401k contribution limitsWhy the IRA contribution deadline matters and how a Roth IRA contribution can still be made after year-endHow qualified charitable distribution strategies work, including important QCD rulesWhen it may make sense to donate stock to charity versus giving cash and how this affects your charitable deductionHow income choices impact a long-term Roth conversion strategy and overall retirement tax planningTweetable Quotes:“The beginning of the year is where smart tax planning really starts—what you do now determines how much flexibility you'll have later.” — Radon Stancil“Tax planning in retirement isn't just about deductions; it's about choosing the right accounts at the right time.” — Murs TariqUnderstanding how the standard deduction, charitable strategies, and income planning work together is a critical part of Retirement Planning. From managing distributions to timing conversions, early awareness helps avoid mistakes that can limit your ability to secure your retirement and maintain tax efficiency throughout the year.Resources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

Spencer and Jamie break down the 10 core principles of Bogleheads investing and show how military service members can apply this simple, low-cost approach to build wealth through the TSP and other accounts. If you're overwhelmed by investing advice or tempted by day trading and crypto, this episode cuts through the noise with a proven strategy that's worked for decades. Hosts: Spencer Reese (former Air Force pilot, 12 years active duty) and Jamie (active duty officer) The 10 Bogleheads Principles Develop a workable plan - Create an investment policy statement (even informal) to guide decisions during market volatility Invest early and often - Automate contributions to remove decision fatigue; increase TSP allocation today Never bear too much or too little risk - Age-appropriate asset allocation; avoid the old G Fund default trap Diversify - Don't put all eggs in one basket; TSP funds cover entire US market plus international exposure Never try to time the market - Time IN the market beats timing the market; market dropped 19% in April 2025, now up 38% from that low Use index funds when possible - TSP offers five low-cost index funds; 90% of active managers can't beat index funds over 20 years Keep costs low - TSP expense ratios under 0.1%; avoid predatory companies charging 1-2%+ fees Minimize taxes - Leverage Roth TSP and Roth IRA; military tax advantages (BAH, BAS, combat zone exclusion) Invest with simplicity - LADS approach (Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple); Warren Buffett's S&P 500 bet crushed hedge funds Stay the course - Measure performance in decades, not days/weeks; don't panic sell during downturns Key Takeaways Why Bogleheads Philosophy Works for Military: Takes power back from financial advisors and complex products Simple enough anyone can succeed with minimal effort Perfect match for TSP's low-cost index fund structure Removes emotion from investing decisions TSP Advantages: Five index funds (C, S, I, G, F) cover nearly entire investable market Lifecycle funds automatically balance risk by retirement year Expense ratios under 0.1% (incredibly low) Now defaults to lifecycle funds instead of G Fund (huge improvement with Blended Retirement System) Common Military Investing Mistakes: Old G Fund default trap - cost retirees millions in missed gains Trying to time the market or day trade Paying high fees to predatory companies Not automating contributions Measuring performance over days/weeks instead of decades The Math That Matters: First $100K took Spencer 4+ years; second $100K took 2 years (compound growth accelerates) Market will drop 30% in next 10 years (guaranteed) - but timing it is impossible S&P 500 gained 125% over 10 years vs. best hedge fund's 87% in Warren Buffett's famous bet April 2025 market drop: 19% down, then 38% up from that low within months Diversification Made Easy: C Fund: 500 largest US companies (S&P 500) S Fund: ~2,000 smaller US companies I Fund: 5,000+ international companies (20+ developed + emerging markets, excludes China/Hong Kong) Combined: Total US and international market exposure Add VXUS in Roth IRA for China/Hong Kong exposure if desired Automation is Your Friend: Log into MyPay once, increase TSP allocation, never think about it again Every promotion or time-in-grade raise = bump allocation by 1% One decision removes 100 future decisions Eliminate decision fatigue and emotional reactions Fee Impact Example: Predatory companies charge 1-2%+ fees TSP: Under 0.1% Fidelity FZROX: 0% expense ratio Vanguard funds: 0.03% Rule of thumb: Stay under 0.25%, ideally under 0.10% Resources Mentioned Books: "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" by Jack Bogle "The Military Money Manual" by Spencer Reese (available at MWR Library, Libby app, Amazon) Investment Accounts: TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) - Military 401k Roth TSP and Roth IRA (tax-advantaged accounts) Recommended brokerages: Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab Key Terms: LADS: Low-cost, Automated, Diversified, Simple Index fund vs. active management Expense ratio and basis points Asset location strategy Investment Policy Statement Previous Episodes Referenced: TSP deep dives (search podcast) Roth TSP vs. Roth IRA explanations "Do Better" episode on predatory companies Real-World Examples Lieutenant with $50K in checking account - proves military pay allows saving, just need to invest it Service member paid off all auto and student loans in 3 months of deployment Retirees with $250-500K in G Fund who missed out on millions Enron, WorldCom, Lehman Brothers - why diversification matters MicroStrategy (MSTR) - current example of concentrated risk Who This Episode Is For Military service members at any rank TSP participants unsure how to invest Anyone tempted by day trading, crypto, or "get rich quick" schemes New investors overwhelmed by options Service members paying high fees to financial advisors Anyone who wants a simple, proven wealth-building strategy Quick Action Steps Log into MyPay and increase TSP allocation (even 1% helps) Verify you're in appropriate Lifecycle Fund (birth year + 60-65 years) NOT in G Fund unless near retirement Set automatic annual increases (1% per year) Open Roth IRA at Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab Read "The Military Money Manual" (free at base library) Stop checking account daily - check quarterly at most Contact Website: MilitaryMoneyManual.com Instagram: @MilitaryMoneyManual Book: "The Military Money Manual" (Amazon, $3 Kindle, free at MWR libraries) The Bogleheads philosophy has helped millions become millionaires through simple, low-cost index fund investing. As a military service member, you have access to one of the best low-cost investment vehicles in the world - the TSP. Stop overthinking it, automate your investments, and stay the course.  

We live in a culture that stretches us to the very limits of our time, energy, and finances. Every hour gets booked, every dollar gets assigned, and before we know it, we're operating without room to breathe. Scripture calls that lack of space folly—and the presence of space wisdom. Today, we're talking about margin and why it's essential to biblical stewardship.Margin is the space between our limits and our load—the distance between what we could do and what we actually do. Proverbs 21:20 tells us, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” Wise people don't consume everything they have. They create space. They build reserves. They plan ahead. The foolish run to the edges, spending and consuming as fast as resources arrive.One of Scripture's most beautiful pictures of margin appears in the story of Ruth. In Leviticus 23:22, God instructs His people not to harvest their fields all the way to the edges. They were to leave grain for the poor, the widow, and the foreigner. Boaz obeyed that command. He refused to maximize every inch of profit, and because of that simple act of obedience, Ruth and Naomi survived. Margin became the soil for redemption—leading to the lineage of King David, and ultimately, to Jesus Christ. Margin makes room for God to work.Think of a beautifully designed page. The words never run from edge to edge. The white space allows the page to breathe. Without it, the text would feel overwhelming. Our lives are the same. When we fill every minute of our schedules and every dollar of our budgets, life becomes chaotic. We lose clarity, rest, and the ability to respond to God's promptings.Financially, the absence of margin makes even small disruptions feel like emergencies. A car repair or medical bill can suddenly derail us. But margin absorbs shocks. It quiets anxiety. And it lays the groundwork for stewardship.Margin produces at least three spiritual benefits:Space for Rest. When we're not bound to every dollar, we can Sabbath—enjoying God's presence without pressure.Space for Faith. When we don't consume everything, we confess that God—not our paycheck—is our provider.Space for Generosity. Living at the edge leaves no room to say yes when God nudges us to give. Margin fuels ministry.Ultimately, margin is a spiritual discipline. It isn't just about saving money—it's about creating space for God's pace, God's provision, and God's purposes. The first step is simple to name and difficult to practice: spend less than you earn. Say no to good things so you can say yes to better things. Margin doesn't appear on its own—it's created through intentional choices.Boaz never imagined that leaving grain behind would shape the family line of the Messiah. But God often uses margin to accomplish eternal things.————————————————————————————————If you want to go deeper in learning how our stewardship makes room for God's work in our lives, our own Rob West wrote about this theme in his new 21-day devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure. It will be released next month. You can preorder or place bulk orders at FaithFi.com/Shop, and a digital version will be available soon in the FaithFi App for FaithFi Partners. I'd love for you to experience it.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I received a notice from my bank regarding an arbitration provision and class action waiver—specifically, a notice about resolving disputes through individual arbitration. I don't understand what that means or what happens if I opt out. I'm confused and unsure what to do.I'm a truck driver, and I'm 62. I've got a few years before retirement, and I'm starting to have a little extra money in my paycheck. I'd like to invest some of it, but I'm unsure about the current market conditions. I'm also curious about crypto and Bitcoin, and wanted to hear your take.I'm trying to organize several things I've inherited—stock, savings, an IRA, an annuity, a CD, an insurance inheritance, and a house. I'm almost 72, and my dad is 100 and still living, so I need to plan for possibly 30 more years. I work part-time and receive Social Security, and my husband, who is bed-bound, also receives Social Security. Overall, our income is about $9,000 per month, which we don't need right now. I want to know how to organize all of this wisely and plan for the long term.I have two adult children in their late 30s who still have a lot of student loan debt. I'd like to help pay it off, but most of my money is in retirement accounts—401(k), IRA, and Roth IRA. Is there any way to use that money without a big tax hit? Is there any option to reduce their debt through repayment programs? One child has federal loans, and the other is in forbearance, with interest accruing. I'd really like to see them free from this debt, but I'm not sure how to approach it.Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)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.

Financial planning with 529 plans has changed in a big way. What was once just a college savings tool can now become a powerful strategy for long-term, tax-free retirement wealth when used correctly. In this episode of the Wise Money Show, we break down the new 529-to-Roth IRA rules, who this strategy works for, and the key pitfalls to avoid. Learn how this little-known opportunity could potentially create six or even seven figures of retirement income over time. Season 11, Episode 22 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/pXgUvJFhu2I  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.

In this episode, we ask: Did you host a lemonade stand as a kid? What is the spark for real financial freedom? What about setting up a legacy? What about teaching the kids how to build wealth? Who wants to plant an oak tree for the kids? What about tax free income and tax free...

AI is everywhere, from investing apps and portfolio tools to recipe planners and vacation organizers, artificial intelligence touches countless corners of our lives. In finance, AI promises accessibility. For newer investors, it's a way to learn basic concepts, compare traditional and Roth IRAs, or understand the difference between tax brackets, all delivered in plain English. AI is also a huge help with organization and financial efficiency. Need a budgeting framework or quick ways to categorize cash flow? AI can create those. It's a handy pocket assistant that helps you plan and ask sharper questions when evaluating financial advisors or planning your future. The Real Limitations of AI in Financial Planning While AI is a powerful tool, it is not a decision maker. Here are the big dangers and drawbacks you need to keep in mind: 1. Zero Personal Accountability AI doesn't bear the consequences of its advice. If it suggests an irreversible move, like a Roth IRA conversion, based on incomplete or incorrect information, the cost falls entirely on you. 2. Overconfidence in Precision AI delivers advice with absolute confidence, even when it's wrong! Financial planning isn't just numbers, it's trade-offs, nuances, and judgment calls that factor in health, family dynamics, and personal emotional risk tolerance. 3. Struggles with Multi-Year Tax Planning Most AI tools treat tax decisions generically just one year at a time. But real retirement tax planning means looking ahead 10, 15, or 20 years. Missed integration here can cost you tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars over a career or lifetime. 4. One-Dimensional Investment Advice AI assumes perfect discipline and zero life changes, no panic selling, no sudden need for funds. But human emotion, especially during retirement or volatile markets, often drives decisions. 5. False Sense of Security AI's confident answers may mask underlying complexity. A small financial misstep, repeated or compounded over decades, can grow into a massive problem down the road. 6. Lack of Behavioral Guardrails Emotions play a huge role in retirement and investment decisions. Life throws curveballs—loss, illness, market downturns, and AI cannot reframe your fears or keep you disciplined when things get tough. When Human Wisdom Matters Most Retirement planning isn't about finding simple answers, information is cheap, wisdom is not. For complex questions, AI offers basic options, but it can't weigh the sequence of return risk, or policy changes in real time, like a qualified advisor can. Human advisors coordinate, prioritize, and apply experience to your financial life. They support you through market cycles, health challenges, and family transitions, and recognize when purely rational advice doesn't capture your real needs. Using AI Wisely My advice is to use AI for learning and organization, not for important, irreversible lifestyle and tax decisions. Always double-check its work, and don't outsource your financial future entirely to algorithms. Technology plus human judgment delivers the best outcomes. AI is a powerful tool, not a complete solution. Outline of This Episode 02:24 Best in Wealth Podcast future plans.03:57 AI in daily

Natalie Brunell and Tracy Shuchart (NinjaTrader Live and Hilltower Resource Advisors) expose the truth behind the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, and how it was never really about oil. Topics include: How China, Russia, and Iran quietly took control of Venezuela's resources Did the Pentagon advise moving in on Venezuela? Why gold is being hoarded by central banks Why the petrodollar narrative is misunderstood  How Bitcoin is being used by sanctioned governments Why AI and data centers are creating a massive commodity super-cycle Why owning hard assets is critical, including Bitcoin Tracy Shuchart "The Venezuelan Oil Narrative is PURE THEATRE" https://renegaderesources.pro/p/the-venezuelan-oil-narative-is-pure Follow Tracy Shuchart on X at https://x.com/chigrl  ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  --- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

Chris's SummaryJim and I continue last week's EDU discussion on Roth IRA mistakes from an Investopedia article. We cover direct versus 60-day rollovers, the one-per-365-day IRA-to-IRA limit, and the 401(k) 20% withholding rule with the RMD and NUA exceptions. We revisit backdoor Roth mechanics and the pro rata rule, then shift to beneficiary designation forms and why naming an estate creates probate and creditor issues. We close with inherited Roth withdrawal timing under SECURE Act rules and the 10-year window. Jim's “Pithy” SummaryChris and I pick up where last week's EDU episode left off, using the Investopedia Roth mistakes article as a launching point to correct what they compress or misstate. The rollover section is where people get hurt, because they describe the old IRA rule like it was “once per calendar year,” and it wasn't. It's a 365-day framework, and the one-per-365-day limit still matters when you do the “show me the money” version of a rollover. I also keep pushing back on indirect rollovers from a 401(k), because the 20% withholding isn't optional. There are narrow exceptions—but those aren't general flexibility, they're specific rules people routinely misunderstand. The other item that's far more important than its position on the list is beneficiary designation forms. These accounts pass by beneficiary form first, not your will, which can create probate delays, attorney fees, and creditor complications for the people left to sort it out. Chris adds the practical version of the same mistake: circumstances change, paperwork doesn't. Old beneficiaries stay on file, and the form controls the outcome even when it creates an awkward situation. We also get into inherited Roth timing under the SECURE framework—who qualifies as an eligible designated beneficiary, what the 10-year window actually requires, and why Roths don't fit the required beginning date logic the way traditional accounts do. That difference matters when you're thinking about flexibility for heirs and how long the account can sit untouched. If the real goal is the zero in the 2-1-0 Tax Ordering Number, the logic behind leaving a Roth can look very different than what you'd conclude from a short listicle about Roth IRA mistakes. Show Notes: Article – 11 Mistakes to Avoid With Your Roth IRA The post Roth IRA Mistakes, Part 2: EDU #2602 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Hour 3 for 1/14/26 Drew and Brooke pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (1:00). Then, Deacon Chris Kabat discuss retirement planning (18:55). Topics/calls: should I retire (23:21), future of Social Security (28:34), Roth IRA (34:24), trouble finding work (42:43), and inheritance of property (46:23). Link: https://guadalupeshrine.org/

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.

Tom Cock and Don McDonald kick off 2026 with a sharp, skeptical look at portfolio simplicity—what it really means, what it doesn't, and why promises like “no sacrifice in returns” should always raise an eyebrow. Using a Morningstar article as a springboard, they dig into active vs. index funds, one-fund and target-date strategies, and the behavioral traps that complexity creates. Listener calls drive deeper discussions around Avantis funds (AVGE vs. AVGV), value tilts, international exposure, Fidelity's zero-fee funds, and when simplicity actually beats sophistication. Along the way: holiday viruses, Jeopardy ETF fails, Tesla-as-a-value-stock arguments (sort of), and a reminder that knowing yourself as an investor matters more than chasing the “perfect” allocation. 0:04 Holiday hangover, fake presence, and welcoming 2026 1:27 Simplicity in investing and why complexity isn't intelligence 1:44 Morningstar's “simplify your portfolio” claim—skepticism engaged 3:01 Active funds vs. index funds (and Morningstar's awkward contradiction) 3:56 One-fund vs. multi-fund portfolios and why rebalancing is hard 5:24 Target-date funds as delegation for real humans 7:32 Hodgepodge-itis vs. fewer funds, fewer mistakes 8:52 Listener call: Roth IRA for an 8-year-old and AVGE vs. AVGV 12:20 Value tilt, international exposure, and long time horizons 13:44 AVGE vs. AVGV performance—why short-term results don't settle debates 16:57 VT compared to Avantis—diversification without tilts 17:32 Fidelity Zero funds—what's free and what's the catch 20:00 Jason from Sammamish: value, growth, Tesla, and confidence 23:36 SPY vs. SPYM and when cheap is just cheap 25:46 Listener call: escaping a Fidelity managed large-cap portfolio 29:58 What to say when an advisor tries to keep your money 31:24 Jeopardy contestants miss “ETF” (yes, really) 33:46 AVGE vs. VT—tilts, belief systems, and picking your poison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natalie Brunell is joined by Joe Carlasare, commercial litigator, long-time Bitcoiner, and macro analyst, for a discussion on the economy running hot in 2026 and why Bitcoin's traditional four-year cycle may be over. Topics:  Why Bitcoin's 4-year cycle is breaking down Why OG selling at $100K changed the price action Gold vs Bitcoin and capital rotation Why political instability is the real systemic risk Predictions for 2026 Follow Joe Carlasare on X at https://x.com/JoeCarlasare ---- Order Natalie's new book "Bitcoin is For Everyone," a simple introduction to Bitcoin and what's broken in our current financial system: https://amzn.to/3WzFzfU  --- Coin Stories is powered by Gemini. Invest as you spend with the Gemini Credit Card. Sign up today to earn a $200 intro Bitcoin bonus. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. See website for rates & fees. Learn more at https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $9 billion in loans since 2018, and they were the first to offer proof of reserves. With Ledn, you get custody loans, no credit checks, no monthly payments, and more. Get .25% off your first loan, learn more at https://www.Ledn.io/natalie  ---- Earn passive Bitcoin income with industry-leading uptime, renewable energy, ideal climate, expert support, and one month of free hosting when you join Abundant Mines at https://www.abundantmines.com/natalie  ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: For easy, low-cost, instant Bitcoin payments, I use Speed Lightning Wallet. Play Bitcoin trivia and win up to 1 million sats! Download and use promo code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats: https://www.speed.app/coinstories  Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 20% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world   Master your Bitcoin self-custody with 1-on-1 help and gain peace of mind with the help of The Bitcoin Way: https://www.thebitcoinway.com/natalie  With BitcoinIRA, you can invest in bitcoin 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged IRA. Choose a Traditional IRA to defer taxes, or a Roth IRA for tax-free withdrawals later. Take control of your future with BitcoinIRA: https://www.bitcoinira.com/natalie  Natalie's Upcoming Events: Bitcoin 2026 will be here before you know it. Get 10% off Early Bird passes using the code HODL: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2026?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=  Strategy World 2026 in Las Vegas on February 23-26th - Use code HODL for discounted tickets: https://www.strategysoftware.com/world26    Extra Services to Consider: Protect yourself from SIM Swaps that can hack your accounts and steal your Bitcoin. Join America's most secure mobile service, trusted by CEOs, VIPs and top corporations: https://www.efani.com/natalie   Ditch your fiat health insurance like I did four years ago! Join me at CrowdHealth: www.joincrowdhealth.com/natalie  ---- This podcast is for educational purposes and should not be construed as official investment advice. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

Predictions feel comforting—but they're usually nonsense. In this episode, Don and Tom dismantle the illusion of foresight by revisiting last year's loudest economic forecasts around tariffs, inflation, jobs, recessions, and markets. Drawing from a Wall Street Journal retrospective, they show how both political promises and expert predictions missed the mark, with reality landing squarely in the messy middle. The takeaway is classic Talking Real Money: nobody—not economists, not presidents, not pundits, and especially not you—has actionable insight into the future. That's why successful investing isn't about forecasts or hot takes, but about building a diversified portfolio, rebalancing when needed, and tuning out the noise. The episode wraps with listener questions on teen investing accounts and Roth conversion rules, plus a reminder that humility beats hubris every time markets get unpredictable. 0:04 The future is unpredictable—even when we pretend it isn't 0:26 Why we crave predictions and mistake luck for skill 0:53 Being “right” once doesn't mean anything 1:58 Tariffs, Trump, and the great forecasting divide 2:27 Inflation predictions that never showed up 3:53 Jobs, unemployment, and why both sides were wrong 5:49 Who actually paid for tariffs (hint: not who you think) 7:08 Recession fears vs. reality—and the AI wildcard 8:55 Why short-term predictions fail and macro trends survive 10:41 The truth usually lives between the extremes 11:31 Lao Tzu, Yogi Berra, and why nobody knows the future 13:20 The most dangerous “expert” investors trust: themselves 14:43 Listener question: investing for a 16-year-old 17:29 Roth IRA vs. UTMA/UGMA and simple fund choices 18:06 Listener question: Roth conversions and the five-year rule 20:54 Humor, offense, and why everyone needs to lighten up 21:14 RetireMeet 2026 details and special guest preview 23:14 Apella Wealth philosophy and free help reminder 24:39 The number one word of the year (still shocking) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. George C. Fraser. Chairman & CEO of FraserNet, Inc. Purpose of the Interview The interview aimed to: Promote financial literacy, wealth-building strategies, and entrepreneurial thinking within the Black community. Share actionable steps for creating generational wealth and economic empowerment. Highlight FraserNet’s mission to foster networking, education, and business development for people of African descent. Key Takeaways Knowledge & Execution Are Critical “My people perish for lack of knowledge”—Dr. Fraser emphasizes that progress requires knowledge and execution, not just protest. Rejecting knowledge leads to stagnation; skill-building and financial education are essential. Entrepreneurial Thinking vs. Entrepreneurship Focus on taking ownership and responsibility for your life. Entrepreneurial thinking can evolve into entrepreneurship, creating jobs and wealth for the community. Black Economic Empowerment By the end of the 21st century, Black people must become the #1 employer of Black people, mirroring other ethnic groups. This requires sacrifice, planning, and multiple income streams. Practical Wealth-Building Steps Open a high-interest savings account and start with $100. Buy stocks in companies you use (Nike, McDonald’s, Home Depot). Open or maximize 401(k), IRA, or Roth IRA contributions. Improve credit score by 20 points every six months until above 700. Pay $50 above minimum payments on credit cards and loans to reduce payoff time. Research term vs. whole life insurance—insurance is key for wealth transfer. Start a 529 college plan or Roth IRA for children. Gift U.S. Treasury bonds or indexed universal life policies for grandchildren. Generational Wealth & Insurance 60% of wealth transfer occurs through proper insurance planning. Example: Indexed universal life policies can yield millions tax-free for future generations. Seven Streams of Income Earned income (jobs), Profit income (buying/selling), Interest income, Dividend income, Rental income, Capital gains, Royalty income. Goal: Add a new income stream every year. Mindset Shift “The rich stay rich by pretending to be poor; the poor stay poor by pretending to be rich.” Focus on winning, not looking like you’re winning. Giving Wealth Support Black-owned businesses, restaurants, salons, authors. Volunteer, tithe, and donate to HBCUs. Encourage and uplift Black men, women, and children. Notable Quotes “We are suffering because we cannot see our problems clearly.” “Execution, execution, execution—protest without execution is meaningless.” “To be gifted, Black, and beautiful means nothing unless you are Black and powerful.” “Don’t quit your job until your side income covers twice your monthly expenses.” “White folks plan for three generations; we plan for Saturday night.” “Money attracts money—start with $100 in a savings account.” “There should not be a Negro in America with a single stream of income.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. George C. Fraser. Chairman & CEO of FraserNet, Inc. Purpose of the Interview The interview aimed to: Promote financial literacy, wealth-building strategies, and entrepreneurial thinking within the Black community. Share actionable steps for creating generational wealth and economic empowerment. Highlight FraserNet’s mission to foster networking, education, and business development for people of African descent. Key Takeaways Knowledge & Execution Are Critical “My people perish for lack of knowledge”—Dr. Fraser emphasizes that progress requires knowledge and execution, not just protest. Rejecting knowledge leads to stagnation; skill-building and financial education are essential. Entrepreneurial Thinking vs. Entrepreneurship Focus on taking ownership and responsibility for your life. Entrepreneurial thinking can evolve into entrepreneurship, creating jobs and wealth for the community. Black Economic Empowerment By the end of the 21st century, Black people must become the #1 employer of Black people, mirroring other ethnic groups. This requires sacrifice, planning, and multiple income streams. Practical Wealth-Building Steps Open a high-interest savings account and start with $100. Buy stocks in companies you use (Nike, McDonald’s, Home Depot). Open or maximize 401(k), IRA, or Roth IRA contributions. Improve credit score by 20 points every six months until above 700. Pay $50 above minimum payments on credit cards and loans to reduce payoff time. Research term vs. whole life insurance—insurance is key for wealth transfer. Start a 529 college plan or Roth IRA for children. Gift U.S. Treasury bonds or indexed universal life policies for grandchildren. Generational Wealth & Insurance 60% of wealth transfer occurs through proper insurance planning. Example: Indexed universal life policies can yield millions tax-free for future generations. Seven Streams of Income Earned income (jobs), Profit income (buying/selling), Interest income, Dividend income, Rental income, Capital gains, Royalty income. Goal: Add a new income stream every year. Mindset Shift “The rich stay rich by pretending to be poor; the poor stay poor by pretending to be rich.” Focus on winning, not looking like you’re winning. Giving Wealth Support Black-owned businesses, restaurants, salons, authors. Volunteer, tithe, and donate to HBCUs. Encourage and uplift Black men, women, and children. Notable Quotes “We are suffering because we cannot see our problems clearly.” “Execution, execution, execution—protest without execution is meaningless.” “To be gifted, Black, and beautiful means nothing unless you are Black and powerful.” “Don’t quit your job until your side income covers twice your monthly expenses.” “White folks plan for three generations; we plan for Saturday night.” “Money attracts money—start with $100 in a savings account.” “There should not be a Negro in America with a single stream of income.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.