Podcasts about Roth IRA

Why do so many retirees struggle to spend money they've spent decades saving? Don and Tom explore the psychology behind retirement spending, including the fear of running out of money, the reluctance to touch principal, and how guaranteed income sources like Social Security, pensions, and even simple immediate annuities can make retirees more comfortable enjoying their wealth. They discuss practical strategies for creating spending confidence, the importance of comprehensive retirement planning, and why delaying meaningful experiences can be riskier than spending. The episode also answers a listener question about setting up a Roth IRA for a teenager and examines the latest uncertainty surrounding 529-to-Roth transfers.0:05 Introduction: Why retirees struggle to spend money they can afford to spend1:36 Fear of running out versus fear of missing out in retirement2:52 Why even millionaires worry about spending their savings3:51 The saver mentality and the challenge of switching to spending mode4:47 Research shows many retirees barely touch their nest eggs5:29 YOLO, aging, and the reality of declining mobility later in life6:02 Why retirees prefer spending Social Security, dividends, and interest over principal8:04 Travel, aging, and the danger of postponing experiences8:49 Creating confidence through retirement planning9:56 Using Social Security and RMDs to cover essential expenses10:12 Flexible withdrawal strategies for retirement spending11:39 Could a simple immediate annuity help retirees spend more confidently?12:42 Healthcare costs, aging, and changing spending patterns13:30 Recency bias and how it distorts retirement decisions14:48 Why lifelong savers have trouble becoming spenders16:27 Summer slowdown and a request for more listener questions17:58 Listener question: Setting up a Roth IRA for a 19-year-old daughter19:16 Evaluating Avantis ETFs and M1 Finance for a young investor19:48 Why a single-fund solution may be better for small accounts20:56 The importance of emerging markets exposure22:40 Understanding 529-to-Roth IRA transfer rules24:33 The unanswered question of beneficiary changes and the 15-year ruleQuestions? Comments? Click!

This week Roger breaks down IRMAA Medicare surcharges and why retirees should understand them without letting them dominate retirement planning decisions. He explains how the income thresholds work, common planning mistakes to avoid, and what happens if you cross into a higher premium bracket. Listener questions cover gifting strategies with adult children, Social Security claiming options for spouses, health insurance before Medicare, long-term care planning, combining finances later in life, and the tax treatment of gifts. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:00) Roger introduces IRMAA Medicare surcharges and explains why understanding them can help avoid surprises and unforced planning mistakes.RETIREMENT TOOLKIT(01:28) Roger breaks down IRMAA Medicare surcharges, explaining when they apply, why they matter, and how retirees can avoid being caught off guard by higher Medicare premiums. LISTENER QUESTIONS(15:11) John asks whether purpose-driven gifts to adult children impose the giver's values and how to balance generosity with expectations.(26:50) Joe asks how Social Security spousal benefits work when one spouse delays claiming until age 70.(31:50) Paul asks whether it's possible to wait until getting sick before enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage.(33:41) Paul asks about using a Roth IRA as a self-funded long-term care reserve instead of purchasing long-term care insurance.(38:53) Suzanne asks for advice on combining finances in a later-life marriage between two retired widows.(45:43) Dave asks whether recipients of financial gifts owe taxes on the money they receive.SMART SPRINT(47:21) Roger's challenge this week: take a break from planning and simply enjoy life.ON THE BOOKSHELF(47:46) Kevin Lyles reviews The Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age by Dr. Tommy Wood.REFERENCESlivewithroger.com — Register for Noodle Live on June 18!Submit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleON THE BOOKSHELFThe Stimulated Mind: Future-Proof Your Brain from Dementia and Stay Sharp at Any Age by Tommy WoodNote: The opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and should not replace personalized advice from licensed professionals.  

Four of the biggest voices in Bitcoin — Michael Saylor, Whitney Webb, Jeff Booth, and Col. Douglas Macgregor — in one episode. We went back through the most-watched, most-shared moments from the show and built them into a single story: what's broken with the money, why Bitcoin fixes it, and what you can actually do about it. In about 35 minutes you'll hear the clearest case for why the system feels rigged, why these four believe Bitcoin is the way out, and the one line Saylor leaves you with: Bitcoin will win — but not everyone wins with it. Topics: Why Jeff Booth says we've never actually lived in a free market Michael Saylor on why Bitcoin is "the best asset, with no second best" How broken money quietly concentrates wealth at the very top Whitney Webb on digital ID, programmable money, and how to opt out Why no politician or billionaire is coming to save you The mindset shift that turns doom into building something better ----- 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. Earn up to 4% back in sats on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. Sign up today https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $10 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  ---- Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Check out my favorite lightning wallet and trivia app Speed Wallet. If you're a business, let Speed help you accept BTC like they did for Steak 'n Shake! Visit http://speed.app/natalie/ and use code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 10% 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: Join us for the biggest Bitcoin conference in Europe at BTC Prague this June 10-13 with a keynote from Michael Saylor, Code HODL for discounted passes: https://btcprague.com/  The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL    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. Ads in this episode are baked-in and may reference promotions or offers that are no longer available at the time of listening. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

America doesn't tax wealth. It taxes people who need paychecks. In this episode, we break down Ray Madoff's The Second Estate and the playbook behind America's new aristocracy: buy, borrow, die. Billionaires can borrow against appreciated stock, avoid selling assets, donate shares for tax benefits, use trusts to move wealth, and die with a stepped-up basis that can erase decades of capital gains. From Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk paying zero federal income tax in certain years, to Peter Thiel turning a $2,000 Roth IRA into a $5 billion tax-free account, this isn't tax evasion. It's the system working as designed. The deeper problem: untaxed dynastic wealth doesn't just buy yachts. It buys media, think tanks, policy influence, and power.

Retirement planning has its challenges, which is why this special listener Q&A episode of the Money Matters Podcast tackles a wide range of financial topics. Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase, the COO of Clark Howard, Inc., as they explore retirement, investing, taxes, and wealth management considerations raised by listeners from across the country. • Consider how Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA decisions may fit into a broader retirement and tax-planning framework. • Explore diversification, asset allocation, and portfolio rebalancing concepts, including the potential roles of real estate, commodities, and risk management. • Learn how net worth calculations, pension income, and retirement account consolidation may help provide a more complete view of household finances. • Compare investment management approaches, from target-date funds and managed portfolios to the potential role of a fiduciary, fee-only financial advisor. • Examine buffered investment products, fixed annuities, and principal-preservation considerations for investors evaluating alternatives to traditional stock market exposure. Whether you're approaching retirement or refining an existing financial plan, this episode offers educational perspectives on some of today's most common investor questions. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for ongoing discussions about retirement planning, investing, tax considerations, and the financial factors that may influence long-term outcomes.

Can you really afford to become a one-income family? In this episode of Making a Millionaire, Tyler and Mikaela share how they went from nearly $92,000 of debt, an $84-month car loan, lifestyle inflation, and costly home renovations to building a $400,000 net worth in their early 30s. Their journey highlights budgeting, emergency funds, investing, 401(k) strategies, Roth IRA planning, 529 accounts, employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), RSUs, family financial planning, and the Financial Order of Operations. If you're wondering how to pay off debt, save for retirement, build wealth with one income, or balance financial independence with raising a family, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and actionable insights. Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom welcomes back advisor Roxy Butner for a wide-ranging discussion that begins with practical financial advice for new graduates and quickly expands into questions from listeners about student loans, emergency funds, retirement savings, portfolio construction, mortgages in retirement, and the coming frenzy around a potential SpaceX IPO. Along the way, they explore the tradeoffs between debt repayment and investing, the role of small-cap value tilts in diversified portfolios, why taxes matter when funding a major purchase from an IRA, and how investors should think about highly publicized investment opportunities.0:05 – Roxy Butner returns to the show by popular demand as Tom welcomes her back for a summer discussion of listener questions and financial topics.0:57 – Graduation season prompts a conversation about money advice for new graduates and young adults starting their financial lives.1:23 – Tom references recommendations from financial journalist Jill Schlesinger, including the importance of tracking spending before creating any financial plan.2:05 – Why understanding cash flow is the foundation of every financial decision, from debt repayment to investing.2:31 – The surprising statistic that roughly 60% of college graduates leave school with student loan debt and why understanding loan terms matters.3:30 – Roxy explains how graduates should evaluate student loan repayment versus investing based on cash flow and interest rates.4:11 – Building an emergency fund and why high-yield savings accounts remain a preferred location for short-term reserves.4:23 – Retirement savings for young workers, including the importance of capturing employer matches and establishing savings habits early.5:39 – Why freezing your credit can be a simple and effective defense against identity theft and fraud.6:43 – Listener question from Del Rio, Texas: Is AVGE enough small-cap value exposure for investors who follow factor-based investing principles?7:38 – Comparing AVGE's built-in factor tilts with the heavier small-cap value allocations often recommended by Paul Merriman.8:32 – The long-term historical outperformance of U.S. small-cap value stocks and the tradeoff of accepting greater volatility.9:33 – Why Avantis intentionally chooses moderate factor tilts rather than aggressive small-cap allocations.10:25 – Roxy discusses risk-adjusted returns and the dangers of assuming that higher expected returns automatically justify larger allocations.11:37 – The appeal of simplicity and why a one-fund portfolio like AVGE can help investors avoid behavioral mistakes.12:31 – Listener question from Kansas City: Should retirees withdraw $1 million from an IRA to pay cash for a new home or take a mortgage?13:00 – A retired couple with a $4.2 million net worth faces a decision between a large IRA withdrawal and a mortgage at roughly 6.3%.14:14 – Why a massive IRA withdrawal could trigger substantial taxes and reduce portfolio flexibility.14:41 – Tom explains the difference between evaluating cash flow needs and preserving overall net worth.16:03 – The importance of maintaining liquidity in retirement and avoiding excessive concentration of wealth in a personal residence.16:41 – Roxy proposes a compromise strategy: take the mortgage now and gradually make larger payments using carefully managed annual IRA withdrawals.18:05 – A brief discussion about lake homes, neighboring properties, and the appeal of having family nearby.18:42 – Tom asks Roxy about investor excitement surrounding a possible SpaceX IPO and whether investors should participate.19:32 – Why investors may already gain exposure through index funds and retirement plans without purchasing shares directly.20:38 – IPO investing as speculation, the role of familiarity bias, and why investors should be cautious about concentrated bets.21:57 – How major IPOs eventually enter market indexes and become part of broadly diversified portfolios.22:02 – Summer plans, weddings, Seattle sunshine, and a lighter closing conversation.23:19 – How listeners can submit questions or schedule a free portfolio review through TalkingRealMoney.com.Questions? Comments? Click!

This episode explains how business owners can legally hire their children to create tax savings while teaching valuable financial skills. Tiffany breaks down IRS rules, payroll requirements, entity structure considerations, and how a Roth IRA can help turn today's tax strategy into long-term family wealth. Next Steps: ➡️ Overpaying your CPA and the IRS? Learn how to stop it in this free training: https://go.phillipsbusinessgroup.com/registration

Can you use a Roth IRA to invest in real estate? In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke talks with Chris Barnette of Inspira about Roth IRAs, backdoor Roth strategies, Roth conversions, and how investors can build tax-free wealth through real estate.   Want to learn more? Visit www.realwealth.com/inspira to connect with Chris and his team.     DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com.  

Don and Tom take on one of investors' biggest blind spots: focusing on tiny costs while ignoring the factors that have a far greater impact on long-term wealth. Using a recent Jason Zweig article as a springboard, they explain how taxes can reduce stock market returns far more than the difference between low-cost fund expense ratios. The discussion covers tax-efficient investing, asset location, ETFs versus mutual funds, dividend taxation, capital gains, and why investors should pay more attention to portfolio design than chasing the lowest possible expense ratio. They also dissect a highly tax-inefficient YieldMax fund tied to MicroStrategy and Bitcoin, illustrating how taxes and poor fund structure can devastate returns. Listener questions cover Morningstar's acquisition of CRSP indexes and whether it threatens Vanguard investors, plus whether a retiree working part-time can contribute earned income to a Roth IRA.0:05 Big-picture investing versus obsessing over tiny details0:39 Why fund expense ratios matter less than most investors think2:06 Jason Zweig's research on taxes reducing long-term market returns3:20 How taxes often outweigh fund expense differences4:06 Qualified dividends versus ordinary income taxation5:03 Why investors should pay attention to after-tax returns5:40 YieldMax funds and the hidden cost of tax inefficiency7:19 The dangers of exotic income-focused ETFs7:48 Why ETFs can be more tax-efficient than mutual funds9:15 Tax knowledge as a critical investing skill10:30 Asset location: where stocks and bonds belong11:20 The YieldMax MicroStrategy fund and Bitcoin losses11:58 The truly important parts of financial planning13:15 Listener question from Longmont, Colorado14:17 Morningstar, CRSP indexes, and Vanguard concerns16:00 Why market-cap indexes are unlikely to be manipulated17:16 Morningstar ratings and conflicts of interest discussion17:58 Thoughts on the military-industrial complex19:23 UFL football, soccer, and sports tangents20:47 Listener question about Roth IRA contributions from part-time work21:30 Filing thresholds and earned income requirements for Roth IRAs23:21 Listener questions, voice submissions, and website tools24:08 AI voices and synthetic Don McDonald25:59 Romper Room memories and closing banterQuestions? Comments? Click!

Stop treating your retirement like a someday problem…For business owners, the right plan can be a valuable tax strategy. But too many entrepreneurs wait too long, choose the wrong plan, or assume a 401(k) is only for big companies. In this episode, Mike sits down with Matt Ruttenberg to explain how retirement plans work for small business owners. They break down the differences between SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, solo 401(k)s, safe harbor 401(k)s, and defined benefit plans, plus the questions you should ask before choosing a plan, including your contribution goals, employee needs, cost, timing, and tax savings potential.

Markets have rebounded sharply from their recent correction, but investors are now asking what comes next. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff answer your questions about the economy, interest rates, inflation, market valuations, bonds, retirement planning, artificial intelligence, geopolitics, and the biggest risks facing investors today. Will the Federal Reserve remain on hold? How could oil prices, earnings growth, and consumer spending impact markets during the second half of the year? Are stocks becoming too expensive, or is the bull market still intact? We break down the latest economic developments and provide practical insights to help you navigate today's rapidly changing environment. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 1:02 - Markets Selloff, Semi's Consolidate 3:03 - Kevin Warsh Presser Preview 6:41 - Oil Prices Direct Feed Into Economic Data 12:48 - Repricing Stocks to Oil 15:09 - Software Stocks' Catalyst 17:04 - Nvidia Bond Offering & Need for High Quality 19:14 - Momentum Markets in Space Stocks 23:11 - Time to take Profits in Space-X? 26:52 - The Fed's 2% Target 28:44 - WWWD - What Will Warsh Do? 30:19 - Total Bond Funds - Not a great place to be 32:29 - Bonds in a Roth IRA? 34:30 - Shifting Portfolio Allocations 37:36 - Make Sure Allocation Represents Three Things: 40:57 - Why the 60/40 Allocation is Best 45:39 - Is Private Credit Still "a Problem"? 47:05 - Annuities in 401k's? Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO,w Senior Investment Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/ZBK984RQuvk ------- Watch today's "Before the Bell" feature, "Oil's Next Move Matters," here: https://youtu.be/EkUK7BwDUC4 ------- Watch our previous show, "SpaceX Mania: What Happens After the Hype?" https://youtube.com/live/Xr1Ut115-xA ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "May Inflation Print: Why the 4.2% Headline Is an Oil Story," https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/may-inflation-print-why-the-4-2-headline-is-an-oil-story/ --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ ------- * REGISTER for our next Candid Coffee, "Beyond Protection: What Life Insurance Can Really Do," Saturday, June 20, 2026: https://streamyard.com/watch/WauFUig8HFtb --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor : https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #OilPrices #CrudeOil #StockMarket #Inflation #Investing #FederalReserve #EconomicOutlook #WealthManagement

Markets have rebounded sharply from their recent correction, but investors are now asking what comes next. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff answer your questions about the economy, interest rates, inflation, market valuations, bonds, retirement planning, artificial intelligence, geopolitics, and the biggest risks facing investors today. Will the Federal Reserve remain on hold? How could oil prices, earnings growth, and consumer spending impact markets during the second half of the year? Are stocks becoming too expensive, or is the bull market still intact? We break down the latest economic developments and provide practical insights to help you navigate today's rapidly changing environment. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 1:02 - Markets Selloff, Semi's Consolidate 3:03 - Kevin Warsh Presser Preview 6:41 - Oil Prices Direct Feed Into Economic Data 12:48 - Repricing Stocks to Oil 15:09 - Software Stocks' Catalyst 17:04 - Nvidia Bond Offering & Need for High Quality 19:14 - Momentum Markets in Space Stocks 23:11 - Time to take Profits in Space-X? 26:52 - The Fed's 2% Target 28:44 - WWWD - What Will Warsh Do? 30:19 - Total Bond Funds - Not a great place to be 32:29 - Bonds in a Roth IRA? 34:30 - Shifting Portfolio Allocations 37:36 - Make Sure Allocation Represents Three Things: 40:57 - Why the 60/40 Allocation is Best 45:39 - Is Private Credit Still "a Problem"? 47:05 - Annuities in 401k's? Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO,w Senior Investment Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/ZBK984RQuvk ------- Watch today's "Before the Bell" feature, "Oil's Next Move Matters," here: https://youtu.be/EkUK7BwDUC4 ------- Watch our previous show, "SpaceX Mania: What Happens After the Hype?" https://youtube.com/live/Xr1Ut115-xA ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "May Inflation Print: Why the 4.2% Headline Is an Oil Story," https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/may-inflation-print-why-the-4-2-headline-is-an-oil-story/ --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ ------- * REGISTER for our next Candid Coffee, "Beyond Protection: What Life Insurance Can Really Do," Saturday, June 20, 2026: https://streamyard.com/watch/WauFUig8HFtb --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor : https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #OilPrices #CrudeOil #StockMarket #Inflation #Investing #FederalReserve #EconomicOutlook #WealthManagement

Ilyce Glink, CEO of Think Glink, joins Bob Sirott to explain what a Roth IRA is and why younger generations are investing in them for their retirement. She also shares details about the different Affordable Care Act plans and her advice about which company is supplying your insurance.

In this episode, John and Nick explain the Mega Backdoor Roth strategy and how high-income savers may be able to contribute significantly more to Roth accounts through their workplace retirement plans. They break down the rules, requirements, and potential tax benefits, while highlighting who may benefit most from this advanced retirement planning strategy.   Helpful Information: PFG Website: https://www.pfgprivatewealth.com/ Contact: 813-286-7776 Email: info@pfgprivatewealth.com   Disclaimer: PFG Private Wealth Management, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. The topics and information discussed during this podcast are not intended to provide tax or legal advice. Investments involve risk, and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial advisor and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed on this podcast. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed insurance agents.   Marc: This week on Retirement Planning Redefined, part two of our conversation about the backdoor Roth IRA. This is the mega backdoor Roth. Let's get into that conversation with John and Nick.   Hey, everybody. Welcome into the podcast. This is Retirement Planning Redefined with John and Nick from PFG Private Wealth. Find the guys online at pfgprivatewealth.com. That's pfgprivatewealth.com. And it sounds like something, guys, out of a, I don't know, out of a superhero story or something. It's the mega backdoor Roth. And that's the topic of the conversation this week. So we're just going to dive right in because there's a lot to cover anyway. So we'll just jump in and get going.   I guess, Nick, if you want, why don't you talk to us, give us a really, really short recap of what we talked about last week for those who may have not listened to that podcast. And then what's to understand what to do if you want more than the IRA limits and just kind of set us up here a little bit for understanding the mega backdoor Roth.   Nick: Sure. So just a quick recap on a Roth IRA and the benefits of it. So contributions typically are with after tax dollars. So income that has already been taxed. The account grows tax deferred, so you don't receive a 1099 each year. And then the withdrawals are tax-free after 59 and a half. The Roth IRAs do not require required minimum distributions, which are nice. And they're a great place to have more of your growth oriented assets because of the tax-free upside and the fact that you can leave a tax-free account to your beneficiaries.   Marc: Gotcha. And I guess some confusion here, guys, and help me out to understand this a little bit, is that we've been thinking about the Roth. We typically just, I've been saying just the Roth, that's the IRA. But because they have now created the Roth 401Ks, that adds a little confusion to the conversation as well. It's always funny because the word contribution and contribution, excuse me, and conversion confuse people. So it just confused me right now. But also 401, the Roth 401k and then the Roth IRA is now confusing people as well too. So are we talking a little bit more about on this episode, that mega backdoor Roth being from the workplace plan? Is that what we're looking at here?   John: Yeah. So we'll have to leave the IRA world and jump into the 401k plans where they have much larger contribution limits, which is where we get our superhero work.   Marc: The mega term. Okay. Yeah.   John: Exactly. We could do a lot more of what we discussed last week. So if you like the benefits Nick went over, this is a great way to really maximize those benefits.   Marc: Okay. Well, let's start with the limits. What are the limits? I guess again, we're in the 401k plan now.   John: Yeah. So for 2026, under the age of 50, standard contribution limit is 24,500. There is a catch-up, and for today's purpose, we'll just talk about the standard contribution. When you are talking catch-ups, just whatever we're discussing, add the catch-up to it. But for today's purpose, to keep it simple because we are going to do a deep dive into some of these numbers, let's just assume standard contribution limit, which for this year, 24,500. And what a lot of people aren't aware of because it typically doesn't apply is your total limit to the 401k contributions. Now this is employee and employer is actually 72,000 for 2026, and that gets adjusted up every year similar to the standard contribution limits.   Marc: Oh, okay. Wow, that is a big number.   John: Yeah, it's mega.   Marc: Yeah, it's mega. Yeah. So why would the IRS build a $72,000 ceiling if they cap the personal down so low? So I guess what's the other 47,500?   John: Yeah. So one of the things that we focus on is 401ks, which comes with employee benefits, perks, things like that. And some people hear the term matches quite a bit.   Marc: Sure.   John: Another one is profit sharings. So that $72,000 limit is basically the IRS saying, hey, the employee can do this amount, and if the employer's going to give X amount of benefits, it really can't go over this $72,000 threshold. So that's pretty much what it is. The IRS basically said, hey, let's put some limits to this so we can't over commit to people or do ... They want to be able to provide a benefit, but not go crazy with it. So that's where we get the number.   Nick: And to kind of summarize that, a away to think about it is that there are standard limits for the employee contributions. And sometimes as an example, we've seen clients say, we've told them, especially new clients, like, "Oh, well, I'm maxing it out when you include the employer match." And it's like, no, those contributions are for your dollars. And then this overall maximum amount that John's referring to is a combination of employee and employee dollars. So it's like two separate tranches within the same year of the same plan.   John: To confuse everyone a little bit more, part of that 72,000 is, if your plan allows it, and we'll dive into this, is what they call the after tax contribution to a 401k. And I know we hit it last week, but that is something that goes into this feature, which is actually older than a Roth 401k, but it's not used very often or not many people are very aware of it, but we'll jump into it today.   Marc: Okay. So the mega backdoor strategy is the employee kind of hacking, if you will, this potentially unused space. So can one of you guys maybe do a numbers example where it maybe will make a little bit more sense for folks?   Nick: Sure. I'll kind of break it down and give an example. So let's say that there's a 40-year-old and because they're under age 50, their standard contribution into their retirement plan is going to be 24,500, so around two grand a month. In this case, their employer matches and the total amount of the match throughout the year is 10,500. So when you combine those two amounts, the total balance for the year, not including any gains or growth is going to be the total amount contributed is $35,000 for the year. So when we go back to that aggregate ceiling that John mentioned, the 72,000. So with our basic math, and if you're not good at basic math, now we have AI that helps us.   Marc: You got 37 grand basically, right?   Nick: Yep. So 72 minus 35 is $37,000. That is the gap or kind of the unused space below the IRS guideline. So that's the number that we can target should the plan allow it to build in or if you have ... All this is dependent upon cash flow, of course, but if you have the cash flow to be able to save additional money into the plan.   Marc: Gotcha. Okay. So that makes a little bit more sense, right? So you've got that space. It's almost kind of like filling up your tax brackets before you move to the next tax bracket, if you want to think about it that way, not to add more confusion to it.   John: Yeah. It's like filling up your gas in your tank here. I got this gap here. Let me, with the rest of this, like we said, Nick said, I said, if the plan allows it, I can do some after tax contribution up to that ceiling.   Marc: So all right, with the Roth 401k existing now, and those contribution numbers are higher, because part of the reason for this hybrid guys, when they made the Roth 401k is you get the income limits of a traditional 401k, but you get the Roth benefits of the Roth IRA. That's why they kind of merged these two together because people often say, "Hey, I make too much money to use a Roth IRA." But the Roth 401k is higher. Isn't this just what this is, just a contribution to a 401k? It kind of feels like it.   John: It's not because the Roth 401k is a formal tax designation that falls under that standard contribution limit, that 24,500.   Marc: Okay. All right. Back to the standard 24. Okay. Yeah.   John: Yeah. Yeah. So kind of think about it that way. It's that, hey, your pre-tax 401k contribution and the Roth 401k contribution are subject to that standard contribution limit, which in 2026 it's 24,500. And with the Roth 401k, it's after tax money and growth is tax deferred and tax-free distribution. Where the after tax, and we talked about that in detail, it's after tax contribution, but the growth is tax deferred, but the growth if pulled out will be taxed, the earnings on that. So again, kind of caveat to understand the difference between those two contribution types.   Marc: Gotcha.   Nick: Yeah. And in general, a lot of the podcasts that we do are focused on broader base impacts a lot of people. This is definitely a niche sort of strategy. There's not a huge percent of the population that has, number one, the ability to do this in the plan, but also the cashflow to do it.   Marc: Gotcha.   Nick: But for those that do, it can be a massive, massive edge on what they're trying to accomplish.   Marc: Yeah. Well, especially with that aggregate number, right? So the rules, they're not as genus or generous, I should say, I guess as they are.   John: Yeah, exactly. They won't let us take advantage of too much stuff. So basically it's like, hey, again, if the plan allows it, you can do more contribution, but it will be taxed when it comes out of the earnings portion of that.   Marc: Okay. So to clarify, if I got this right based on Nick's example a second ago, that extra $37,000 gap, again, just to kind of recap, we had that we put in 24,500, the company did 10,500 for total of 35,000, 72 is the aggregate there. So left us with that $37,000 gap. So if I drop 37,000 of after tax into that gap, I'll get hit for taxes on all the compound interest of that growth when I pull it out, correct?   John: Correct. Yes.   Marc: Gotcha. Okay.   John: Yeah. Which is the difference with the Roth where everything's tax-free.   Marc: Yeah. So every dollar gets taxed.   John: Every earning dollar gets taxed.   Marc: Earning dollar. Okay. All right.   John: Yeah.   Marc: So this after tax contribution isn't the destination, it's just the first step, sounds like.   John: Pretty much, yeah.   Marc: Okay. All right. What else?   John: So step two would be the actual conversion or the conversion or basically putting these funds into the Roth account, whether it's a Roth 401k or Roth IRA and we'll go over the two different ways you can do it. So that would be the next step is converting it or transferring it before there's any gains similar to what we discussed last week. Once there's gains in this after tax contribution and growth, now it's subject to taxes. So you want to do an immediate conversion or transfer to either to a Roth style bucket. I want to give an example of not converting immediately, what happens in that situation. So let's say you do an after tax contribution of $10,000 dollars and you forget to convert it. And that $10,000 now grows to $15,000. So you have $10,000 is your cost basis, what you put into it and $5,000 is gained. So if you do the conversion after you have that gain of $5,000, your taxable income goes up by the taxable gain amount, which is the 5 grand. So you're taxable income goes up by 5 grand, so you want to make sure you do the conversion immediately to avoid that additional tax hit from happening.     Marc: Gotcha.   John: And then once it's in that Roth bucket, basically everything is tax-free and tax-deferred, tax-free, and subject to the Roth rules.   Marc: Yeah, the age rules and time rules, all that good stuff.   John: Yeah.   Marc: So John, can everyone do this?   John: Yeah, so I'm going to give you the annoying answer of it depends, and it depends on if your 401 k has particular features to it. And one of those features are, does the 401 k allow for after tax non Roth 401 k contributions? Okay, so you have to check that, so that'd be a question to the plan administrator, HR, whoever handles it. So, if that is allowed, the next question is, can you do the conversion? And there's two ways you can do the conversion with with these 401 k plans. Option one is you do an in-service rollover and you roll the funds out to your Roth IRA, and it converts once it rolls out to your Roth IRA. Okay. Option two is you do an in-plan 401 k Roth conversion, so all the money stays within the plan.   Marc: Gotcha.   John: Okay, let's kind of review the in-service rollover strategy. So, while you're working, you're still employed, so that's where the in-service comes into play. What you would do is call up the provider and say, "Hey, I'd like to roll out these after-tax contribution funds to my Roth IRA. Again, outside of the plan you're rolling it out. So, when you do that, it creates the conversion when that happens. So, once it goes from the after-tax contribution in the 401 k goes to your Roth IRA. Now the funds grow as if it's a Roth IRA.   Marc: Now it's Roth money, right? Okay,   John: Correct. So that completes that transaction. So something to be aware of, and we talked about this last time when we talked about the back door Roth with the Roth IRA is the pro rata rule. When you do it this way, the pro rata rule applies. If you have pre-tax IRA, there's not to confuse everyone even more, but there's a formula involved. If you have pre-tax IRA money and you do the conversion this way, there is some type of formula. So, again, meet with the CPA, your financial advisor, if you're going to do this type of strategy while you have a pre-tax individual retirement account, IRA balance, okay,   Marc: Geat, yeah, great disclosure there to make, make note of. So, good point there, John. What if your plan doesn't allow that?   John: Yeah, so let's say you, your plan doesn't allow the in-service rollover, in-service withdrawal, whatever you want to call it, or you're not eligible to do it because you know certain plans you have to be above the age 59 and a half to do that. So, okay, recapping, your plan isn't - you're not eligible to take advantage of the in-service withdrawal slash rollover in your plan. The next thing you want to look at is, okay, does my plan allow for in-plan Roth conversions? So, that would be where everything stays within the 401 k hub, and what you're doing is you're converting the after-tax dollars right into the Roth 401 k funds. Okay, so it's pretty simple here. The money goes in after tax, and then you do the conversion within the plan, and now it shows up into your Roth 401 k balance. So, it doesn't create a taxable event, then doesn't create a taxable event, because well, let's backtrack. If you do the conversion immediately before there's any gains on the after-tax funds, it does not create a taxable event in that situation.   Marc: Gotcha. Okay.   John: All right. Okay. And something to note here, and I referenced the pro rata rule on if it goes to a Roth IRA within the 401 k, that pro rata rule does not apply. Okay, so that's a nice benefit of keeping it within the plan, is you don't have to worry about that formula if you have pre-tax balances.   Marc: Gotcha. Okay, there's a lot to digest, for sure.   John: It is. And actually, some plans I was just working with someone, and their plan actually had basically automatic conversions, so it was a feature where daily any money that hit the after-tax account would automatically convert to the Roth 401 k, so it basically could put on autopilot and not worry about it.   Marc: Yeah, so it sounds like obviously these plan-specific features can provide possible green lights to do this, but you got to check that stuff.   John: Yeah, exactly. And then, and just to clarify that pro rata rule, because it is confusing is if you do an implant conversion again, this is all within the 401 k plan. So you convert from after tax in the 401 k to Roth in the 401 k, and let's say you have a balance of $400,000 pre tax. The pro rata rule does not apply, you can convert it, not worry about, hey, how much do I have pre tax versus if you roll it out of the 401 k into a Roth IRA, the IRS will look into if you have any money in a pre-tax traditional IRA, and if you do, that's when the formula kicks in. Okay, so just, you know, that's an important caveat that I've seen people miss if they do conversions, and it's just important to, you know, talk to somebody, and before you execute these strategies.     Marc: Okay. Yeah. So obviously there's a lot of nuance here, so there's a lot of things you got to be aware of. So making sure specific plan features have the green light, I guess, is one of the major steps to consider on this, Nick, right?   John: One thing that we missed here, which is separate from the IRAs. So not to confuse everyone even more, when you do a conversion within a plan, there is no pro rata rule like the IRA. So it doesn't matter if you have 400,000 in your pre-tax 401 and you do a conversion, there's none of that formula there so you can do it and have no issue.   Marc: Gotcha. And so circling back, Nick, you mentioned earlier, you got to check with the company, I guess, to make sure, again, we're talking about workplace plans here to make sure that they even have this green light to get this done.   Nick: Yeah. Realistically, if somebody was trying to figure out the steps on navigating this, step one is contact your employer, HR department, and ask if the plan allows for non-Roth after tax contributions. That's step one. And then you kind of cascade down to the other parts or reach out to us and we can help walk you through it because all the details might make you want to cry.   Marc: Right. Okay. All right. So let's say a ton of stuff here to think about, obviously a lot of stuff to process. So I guess, okay, here's a big question then. So you walk through the rules, some of the mechanics of whether you can do it. I guess the question, John, is should you? Just because you can do something as the saying goes doesn't mean you necessarily should.   John: Yeah. So that really probably should be the starting point. So you don't have to go ask all these questions, see if you're eligible to come to find out, hey, I probably even shouldn't do this strategy. So if it goes back to planning, of course, can you afford to put a total of up to 72,000 potentially away into a 401 plan? If you can afford it and not have to worry about expenses and things like that, then now you should start considering it because this is a pretty risky strategy because you are locking up a lot of money subjecting it to all those IRS rules and penalties and things like that.   And then the other thing is, do you need the balance of having some more Roth funds, which I would say most people do where it's, do I need a good mix of pre-tax and after-tax stuff? Looking at tax brackets now versus in retirement and a lot of the other things that Nick has mentioned, he could probably jump in here and give a few more details of it.   Nick: So I'll give a couple other ideal candidates as an example. So let's say that somebody is a person or a household, high-income earners, they're maxing out their 401k contributions. They don't have a lot of Roth money because their income is high enough where kids are grown, they're taking a hit from a tax perspective if they're not doing pre-tax contributions. And maybe they're saving a big chunk of money every month or every year into a non-retirement account, but they've also built up a decent balance in that account. And so they're looking for a way that they're not going to give up the deduction that they're getting up for their regular 401k contributions, but they want to develop some Roth funds and they make too much money. And so it's like, okay, check, check, check, here's a perfect place to do it. Another way, another circumstance that could make a whole lot of sense, inheritance.   So dependent upon the structure, if somebody inherits money from an IRA, from a non-spouse, they have 10 years to withdrawal and deplete that account. So as that money's coming out, maybe they're looking for a place to put money that can have some tax benefits for them longer term and they have more cashflow in those years of taking out those withdrawals, so that's a place that they can put it. Or somebody's double dipping on Social Security, they're still working and they're taking Social Security and they're looking for a way to deploy some of that money and put it into an account, that's another good opportunity.   Marc: Gotcha.   Nick: So those are all situations that could make a lot of sense and add a layer of strategy that somebody hadn't considered.   Marc: So it sounds like obviously basic Roth conversions, there's some complexity there. You want to check with financial professional. The back door gets even more complicated. Then the mega backdoor gets even more complicated. So at the end of the day, to find out if this is the right strategy and fit for you, it's all about having a plan and running some numbers and getting some math put together to see what makes the most sense. Is that fair, John?   John: It is, because even if you're a fit to be able to defer that amount of money, some of these rules really limit who can actually take advantage of it. Where we see it work quite a bit is solo 401k, someone owns their own company, it's just them and their spouse and they have a solo 401. Well, they can go to the provider and customize their 401 to allow this.   High earners at large companies where, again, don't want to get into the weeds of this, but there's 401 testing rules where it really affects smaller companies. When it's a large company, you don't see the rules affect some of those high earners because in small companies, there's testing and stuff like that. And again, it's more confusing stuff, but smaller companies, it is harder to take advantage of that if you are considered what the 401k Department of Labor considers a high earner. So great strategy if you can afford to do it and you have the flexibility with the 401k to allow you to do it's an excellent way to take advantage of the Roth benefits and maximize it.   Marc: Gotcha. So at the end of the day, it comes down again to having a strategy that fits for your situation. So understanding if it's right for you, do you qualify? How do you do it? Making sure it's done properly is the important pieces of all of this. And that's why we talk often about the fact that growing and accumulating money is a little easier for DIYers to do that. A lot of us can kind of, with the technology and the resources today, can build our wealth. But it's the preservation and distribution stage, which is also known as retirement, that you certainly need some help with because the rules get very complicated. And sometimes when you pull one lever, it affects nine other things that you didn't even realize. So that's why you want to get that retirement plan redefined with John and Nick. Reach out to them at pfgprivatewealth.com. That's pfgprivatewealth.com.   And with that, we're going to do it for this week. So make sure you subscribe to us on Apple or Spotify so that you can check out new episodes when they come out. And of course, if you have questions around this, and you probably do, make sure you reach out to them and have a conversation. Guys, thanks for successfully blowing our brains out with this one because it's a lot of stuff to take, but it's important because a lot of these strategies out there don't get talked about as often. So good stuff. Thanks for breaking it down, John.   John: Yeah, no problem. And I enjoy some of these deep dives, so look forward to doing some more of them.   Marc: Yeah, for sure. Nick, thank you, my friend, for jumping in as well and helping out. It's definitely a lot to unpack for people. So I always appreciate you guys.   Nick: Thanks, Marcus.   Marc: And be sure to consult with your tax advisor. This can affect your federal tax rates and also state taxes if you have state income tax. We'll see you next time here on Retirement Planning Redefined with John and Nick.

Natalie Brunell sits down with Strategy's Michael Saylor at BTC Prague, just after he took heat for selling 32 Bitcoin — and for recent comments defending how he measures the company's growth and what its stock is really worth. Saylor answers the critics and short sellers head-on, explaining why "never sell your Bitcoin" is advice for everyday holders, no longer a rule for a company built to buy Bitcoin and pay out Bitcoin-backed dividends. We discuss: Why "never sell your Bitcoin" is advice for individual retail investors How the company is built to survive a crash Why he argues Bitcoin needs credit to keep winning The four ideologies of Bitcoin When he expects capital to rotate back from AI into Bitcoin Follow Michael Saylor on X https://x.com/saylor ---- 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. Earn up to 4% back in sats on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. Sign up today https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $10 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  ---- Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Check out my favorite lightning wallet and trivia app Speed Wallet. If you're a business, let Speed help you accept BTC like they did for Steak 'n Shake! Visit http://speed.app/natalie/ and use code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 10% off using code STORIES at https://bitkey.world/STORIES 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: The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL  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. Ads in this episode are baked-in and may reference promotions or offers that are no longer available at the time of listening. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

When it comes to planning for retirement, Roth IRAs have gained widespread attention for their tax-advantaged status and the promise of tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Financial experts, YouTubers, and podcasters have been touting the benefits of contributing to or converting assets into Roth accounts for years. But an often-overlooked vehicle could empower you to manage your investments just as efficiently: the humble taxable brokerage account. Surprisingly, with the right strategy, you can even pay 0% capital gains tax, mirroring one of the biggest appeals of a Roth.    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... 00:00 Overlooked benefits of after-tax brokerage accounts 02:29 Limitations of the Roth IRA 06:20 Tax implications of brokerage accounts 07:57 Tax benefits of growth stocks 13:14 Understanding Tax Brackets and Deductions 16:53 Inheritance rules for IRAs vs. brokerage accounts 17:44 Managing taxable brokerage accounts Understanding Taxable Brokerage Accounts A taxable brokerage account lets you invest in virtually anything: stocks, mutual funds, bonds, ETFs, and more. These accounts, however, are often dismissed when compared to their tax-advantaged counterparts because:   Annual Taxation: Every year, you pay tax on dividends, interest, and any realized gains. Ordinary Income Tax on Short-Term Gains and Interest: Holdings sold within one year and earned interest are taxed at your regular income rate. Potential for Long-Term Capital Gains Tax: Sales after more than one year are taxed at the long-term capital gains rate, which is typically lower.   When used strategically, they offer flexibility and powerful tax advantages.   Making Your Brokerage Account Behave Like a Roth The key to unlocking Roth-like benefits is understanding how and when taxes apply—and how to minimize them. Invest strategically and focus on growth over dividends. Choose investments that don't pay dividends, such as growth stocks or low-dividend index funds. No dividends mean no annual income to be taxed because gains are only taxed when you sell. You can also use Index Funds and ETFs, which usually distribute minimal dividends and capital gains, keeping annual taxes low. Avoid open-end mutual funds in taxable accounts, as they tend to generate capital gains every year, eroding long-term growth with recurring taxes.   Realizing 0% Capital Gains If your total taxable income (after deductions) stays within the 12% tax bracket—a figure that for 2026 is $50,400 for singles and $108,800 for married couples file jointly—you can sell appreciated assets and owe 0% in federal capital gains tax. It's wise to time withdrawals, plan major sales during years with little other income—such as early retirement or a gap year—to fall within the 0% bracket. Keep an eye on your other sources of income: IRA withdrawals, Social Security, and pensions count toward taxable income, potentially bumping gains into the taxable range.   Estate Planning Advantages Taxable accounts also offer:   Ability to Borrow: Take loans against your investments without triggering taxable events Step-Up in Cost Basis: Heirs inherit assets at their market value on your death, often eliminating capital gains on past appreciation—a feature that Roths don't fully replicate. By understanding how to structure and manage your taxable brokerage account, you can access strategic flexibility—not just in managing withdrawals, but in transferring wealth to future generations. The "secret" is simply knowing and applying the rules, with tax-aware investing and withdrawal strategies smoothing the way for potentially tax-free wealth growth and transfer.  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  

Summary Most people know Medicare costs money in retirement, but few understand how much their income level affects what they actually pay. In this episode, Wade Borth unpacks IRMAA, the income-related surcharge that can quietly add $162 to $650 or more per month to your Medicare premiums, depending on what you earn. Wade walks through who gets hit, what counts as income in the calculation (including surprises like municipal bond interest and Social Security), and how a single dollar over the threshold can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. He also explains how properly structured whole life insurance creates an income stream that falls outside the IRMAA calculation, giving retirees a meaningful planning advantage. Key Takeaways IRMAA can add hundreds of dollars per month to Medicare premiums, and a single dollar over the income threshold triggers the full surcharge with no gradual phase-in. Every dollar of the surcharge has a compounding cost. That extra $162 per month, grown at 4% over 20 years, is worth nearly $60,000 in real wealth. Income sources many people overlook in the IRMAA calculation include capital gains, Social Security income, municipal bond interest, rental income, and Roth conversions. IRMAA looks back two years, so a one-time income spike follows you into retirement longer than most people expect. Properly structured whole life insurance, when funded correctly, provides an income stream through policy loans that does not count toward the IRMAA calculation, giving retirees real choices when managing retirement income. Links and Resources Sage Wealth Strategy: sagewealthstrategy.com Keywords IRMAA, Medicare premiums, income-related monthly adjustment amount, retirement planning, Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D, retirement income, whole life insurance, infinite banking concept, IBC, policy loans, capital gains in retirement, Roth IRA withdrawals, 401k withdrawals, Medicare surcharge, retirement mistakes, Wade Borth, Sage Wealth Strategy, wealth erosion retirement, family banking Episode Highlights [00:00:00 - 00:01:32] Wade opens with a lunch conversation where a friend approaching retirement had no idea how IRMAA would affect his Medicare costs. [00:05:15 - 00:08:17] Wade explains the $218,000 joint income threshold and how IRMAA brackets step up in full increments, not gradually. [00:08:18 - 00:09:21] One dollar over the threshold adds $162 per month to a couple's Medicare premium, a 40 percent increase with no phase-in. [00:09:22 - 00:12:24] At a 4 percent growth rate, that extra $162 per month is worth $60,000 over 20 years. At the top bracket, the 20-year cost reaches $238,000. [00:12:25 - 00:17:03] Wade walks through every income source factored into the IRMAA calculation, including capital gains, Social Security, municipal bond interest, and Roth conversions. [00:17:04 - 00:19:35] HSA distributions and Roth IRA withdrawals do not count toward IRMAA, creating real planning flexibility for retirees who hold these assets. [00:19:36 - 00:23:46] Properly structured whole life insurance policy loans fall outside the IRMAA calculation, giving retirees an income source they can draw from without triggering the surcharge.

Resources and Next Steps: ✅ Take The Great Wealth Assessment! →https://linktr.ee/kingdomroi

Can a couple retire at 55 with $2 million?In this episode of Money Not Math, we explore a hypothetical retirement scenario inspired by a common real-life question couples face when they do not agree on whether they are ready to retire.With $1.5M in a 401k and $500K in a Roth IRA, we analyze:• Income potential with no advanced planning• How strategy can increase after-tax income• The impact of allocation, taxes, Social Security, and spending patternsThis episode highlights how thoughtful planning can influence both confidence and outcomes in retirement.Disclosure: This episode is for educational purposes only. The example discussed is hypothetical and does not represent any individual. It is not investment, tax, or legal advice.#retirementplanning #financialpodcast #moneynotmath

Don answers a diverse collection of listener questions covering Roth conversions, indexed annuities, emergency fund management, TSP contributions, inherited money, and portfolio construction. He delivers a forceful warning about indexed annuities and commission-driven insurance sales after one listener considers using an annuity bonus to offset Roth conversion taxes. Other questions explore whether short-term bond funds belong inside a Roth IRA, how much attention investors should pay to taxes, investing a potential $200,000 windfall, Roth versus traditional TSP contributions, and Paul Merriman's popular Two-Fund for Life strategy. Along the way, Don shares his appreciation for readers of The Line Uncrossed and reminds listeners how to submit questions through the new Talking Real Money website.0:05 Summer question slowdown, Friday Q&A format, and submitting questions through the new website1:41 Listener asks about using an indexed annuity bonus to help fund a Roth conversion3:14 Why indexed annuities are often misleading and how insurance commissions create conflicts5:01 The risks of moving an entire retirement portfolio to cash at retirement6:30 Why a comprehensive fiduciary financial plan may be essential for this listener8:16 Question about holding VFSTX as part of an emergency fund strategy10:36 Why taxes are often a minor concern compared with investment allocation11:03 Why a short-term bond fund may not belong inside a 42-year-old's Roth IRA12:17 Balancing growth, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs13:22 TSP lifecycle funds, Roth contributions, and planning for a possible $200,000 windfall15:03 Separating travel money from long-term investment assets16:09 Paul Merriman's Two-Fund for Life strategy17:38 The role of small-cap value funds alongside target-date funds18:13 Fama-French factor investing and the tradeoff between simplicity and optimization19:15 Closing thoughts on listener questions and participation20:26 What makes a fiduciary advisor different from a commissioned salesperson21:13 Update on The Line Uncrossed and request for listener reviewsQuestions? Comments? Click!

Robert Dow buys and sells raw land across Texas and Oklahoma — mostly sight unseen, almost entirely through direct mail. It's a lean operation built on a simple idea: take infrastructure you already have and point it at a new market. In this conversation, we get into his direct mail philosophy (why novelty beats clever copywriting, why your letter should be about the reader and not you), how he thinks about capital structure and tax efficiency, and his take on AI — that it's a powerful tool but not a durable moat. The edge still comes from domain expertise and knowing immediately which option is worth keeping. We also get into personal finance: a self-directed Roth IRA structure that's quietly been one of his best investments, and why most founders shouldn't be doing private deals. Guest: Robert Dow, founder of Remarkable Land Sponsor: [wayfront.com/tmba](wayfront.com/tmba) Thanks to this week's sponsor Wayfront — the AI-ready operating system for productized agencies. One client portal. One team dashboard. All your data, AI-accessible. TMBA listeners get an extra free month on top of the trial at wayfront.com/tmba. Links: Dan Kennedy — The Ultimate Sales Letter Seth Godin — Purple Cow Seth Godin — Linchpin Al Ries & Jack Trout — The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing Al Ries — Focus John Ruhlin — Giftology Donald Miller — Building a StoryBrand Aaron Ross — Predictable Revenue Chris Voss — Never Split the Difference Robert Cialdini — Influence Alex Hormozi — $100M Offers Jack Carr — The Terminal List Andy Weir — Project Hail Mary Andy Weir — The Martian Cormac McCarthy — The Road Business Resources Upcoming DC Events

Learn what the AI IPO boom could do to reshape your index funds and how to fund years of grad school with no income. With SpaceX set to debut as the biggest IPO in history — and OpenAI and Anthropic filing to follow — what does this landmark moment in the markets actually mean for your portfolio? Senior news editor Rick VanderKnyff and investing writer Sam Taub join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola to break down the latest AI IPO news. They discuss what makes SpaceX's offering the largest public offering ever, what the historical track record of IPOs says about buying in at the opening price, and a quietly consequential change to index fund inclusion rules that could leave passive investors with a far bigger stake in mega-cap AI companies than they anticipated. They also explain what direct indexing is and how it could give you more control over what lands in your portfolio. How do you manage your money when you're leaving a career to spend up to three years in graduate school with no income? Sean and Elizabeth tackle a listener's detailed, multi-part question about funding a $117,000 occupational therapy doctorate. They explore whether a Roth IRA conversion could be a smart way to capitalize on low-tax years before graduation, what the new federal student loan borrowing caps under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act mean for graduate students' funding plans, how deferring an existing $17,000 in student debt could play out over time, and what to weigh before earning money on the side while in school. Subscribe to our podcast's free email newsletter for bonus content and more from our hosts at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/  Sign up for MoneyNerd, NerdWallet's free weekly newsletter, for tips on watching the 2026 World Cup for free: https://moneynerd-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/  What Is the New Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for Student Loans? https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/learn/what-is-the-new-repayment-assistance-plan-rap-for-student-loans  Direct Indexing: What It Is, How It Works https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/learn/direct-indexing  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 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

Roth IRAs can be a powerful retirement planning tool, but they come with some surprisingly confusing rules. In this episode, David breaks down the two different Roth IRA five-year rules and explains why they have almost nothing to do with each other. Learn how withdrawals are taxed, when the 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply, and why Roth conversions could create unexpected complications for some younger investors. David also shares practical tips for tracking conversions to help you avoid costly mistakes when managing multiple retirement accounts.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

One day you're comparing Roth IRA options. The next you're helping Mom navigate long-term care paperwork, fighting with a bank over a power of attorney document, and wondering how anyone manages all this without losing their sanity.Welcome to the world of financial caregiving.Today, certified financial planner and financial journalist Beth Pinsker joins us to share the lessons she learned while helping manage her mother's finances during a health crisis. From powers of attorney that don't always work when you need them to the surprising warning signs that an aging parent may need help, Beth offers practical advice every family should hear before an emergency arrives.Then in our headline segment, a blast from the financial past: unconventional mortgages are making a comeback. Are these products helping qualified borrowers who don't fit the traditional mold—or are we seeing early warning signs of the next lending problem?Plus, Doug celebrates the legacy of Ray Charles with today's trivia challenge.In Today's EpisodeWhy financial caregiving is far more complicated than most families expectThe paperwork Beth wishes she'd completed before her mother's medical emergencyHow power of attorney works—and why it may not work as smoothly as you thinkWarning signs that a parent may be struggling financially or cognitivelyThe surprising problems created by passwords, two-factor authentication, and modern banking systemsWhy trusted contacts, healthcare proxies, and emergency document folders matterCommon family conflicts that emerge during caregiving and estate settlementWhether today's unconventional mortgages should worry homebuyersThe important differences between today's lending environment and 2008Ray Charles trivia from DougOur GuestBeth PinskerBeth Pinsker is an award-winning financial journalist, Certified Financial Planner™, and author of My Mother's Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving. Through both her professional expertise and personal experience, Beth helps families prepare for the financial realities of caring for aging loved ones.Mentioned In Today's ShowMy Mother's Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving by Beth PinskerLong-term care insuranceFinancial power of attorneyHealthcare proxy documentsTrusted contactsEstate planning basicsNon-conforming mortgagesRay CharlesDoug's TriviaWhich Ray Charles hit became an official state song?Better Call Saul...Sehy & OGWhat financial caregiving preparations have you already completed—and which ones are still sitting on your to-do list?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Morgan Stanley manages trillions — and it's now putting Bitcoin in front of clients. Amy Oldenburg runs the firm's digital asset strategy, and she joins Natalie Brunell to break down what Wall Street actually sees in Bitcoin, why the price has been stuck, and what could finally move it. She also explains how much Bitcoin Morgan Stanley tells clients to own, why most financial advisors still aren't on board, and her honest take on where the price goes over the next 5 years. Topics: Why a 26-year Wall Street veteran embraced Bitcoin How much Bitcoin Morgan Stanley recommends owning Why Bitcoin is stuck even as the banks pile in What could spark the next big move Her real 5-year and 10-year Bitcoin outlook Why "all crypto is the same" is a costly mistake Amy Oldenburg is Head of Digital Asset Strategy at Morgan Stanley. Connect with her on LinkedIn.  ---- 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. Earn up to 4% back in sats on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. Sign up today https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $10 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  ---- Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Check out my favorite lightning wallet and trivia app Speed Wallet. If you're a business, let Speed help you accept BTC like they did for Steak 'n Shake! Visit http://speed.app/natalie/ and use code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 10% 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: Join us for the biggest Bitcoin conference in Europe at BTC Prague this June 10-13 with a keynote from Michael Saylor, Code HODL for discounted passes: https://btcprague.com/  The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL    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. Ads in this episode are baked-in and may reference promotions or offers that are no longer available at the time of listening. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

When it comes to retirement savings, Roth IRAs are among the most powerful tools for achieving tax diversification and financial flexibility. Knowing how and when to tap into your Roth IRA can make a tremendous difference in optimizing your tax situation, ensuring income over the years, and even establishing a valuable legacy for your heirs. On the podcast this week, we're digging into the strategic considerations around Roth IRA withdrawals, covering timing, special scenarios, tax rules, and advanced planning for both your retirement and your family's future.   Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules Before you even think about crafting a withdrawal strategy, it's essential to understand the rules that govern Roth IRA distributions:   Contributions: The money you contribute to your Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any time, free of taxes and penalties. This is because you've already paid taxes on these funds. Earnings (Growth): The gains in your Roth IRA—the earnings on your contributions—are subject to stricter rules. To withdraw these growth dollars tax- and penalty-free, you generally must: Be at least 59½ years old. Have held the Roth IRA for at least five years Roth IRAs offer unique flexibility since they aren't subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the account owner's lifetime, allowing for long-term, strategic use.   Timing Your Withdrawals: Three Key Life Phases Pre-Retirement Flexibility Withdrawing from your Roth IRA before retirement isn't common, but certain life events may make it necessary. Common scenarios include college costs not fully covered by a 529 plan, job loss or layoff, with the Roth IRA serving as an emergency fund if you lack other options, or a first-time home purchase, with special provisions allowing up to $10,000 of earnings to be withdrawn penalty-free for this purpose. While, ideally, your Roth contributions keep compounding for retirement, knowing that you can access them penalty-free if needed provides valuable peace of mind—especially for younger savers balancing competing priorities. Strategic Retirement Withdrawals Once you reach retirement, timing and tax strategy become crucial. Most advisors recommend tapping taxable brokerage and pre-tax accounts (like traditional IRAs or 401(k)s) first, saving Roth IRA withdrawals for years when you need extra flexibility. Scenarios where a Roth withdrawal is especially powerful include when you want to avoid higher tax brackets or Medicare surcharges, or you want to maximize healthcare subsidies. Withdrawing from your Roth IRA rather than from pre-tax accounts can help keep income below the "cliff" and preserve valuable subsidies. Careful coordination, often with personalized modeling or tax projections, ensures you maximize lifetime tax efficiency—not just minimize taxes in a single year. Legacy and Heir Planning For many, the ultimate goal is to leave a financial legacy. The Roth IRA shines here because withdrawals by beneficiaries are tax-free, although subject to a 10-year withdrawal rule for most non-spouse heirs. By positioning the Roth IRA as a legacy asset, you create flexibility for both yourself and your beneficiaries while minimizing future tax headaches.   Why a Personalized Withdrawal Strategy Matters Retirement income planning is complex, with countless moving parts: tax brackets, healthcare premiums, surprise expenses, and more. The accumulation phase may seem simpler, but the drawdown phase is where careful coordination—and making the most of your Roth IRA—ensures long-term success and peace of mind. Detailed, personalized planning is the key to maximizing your savings and retiring with confidence.   Outline of This Episode [01:08] Roth IRAs will likely be used for withdrawals eventually, but not typically first  [03:54] Why you might make pre-retirement withdrawals [06:08] Roth IRA withdrawals in retirement [08:00] Managing withdrawals to optimize taxes [12:19] Managing pre-tax and after-tax accounts [14:55] Personalized financial planning and tax strategies   Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Roth Conversion by the Decades, Ep #171  Which Roth Account Is the Right Scoop for You? Ep #245 Your Retirement Secret Weapon: The Mega Backdoor Roth, Ep 144    Connect With Chad and Cameron https://www.financialsymmetry.com/podcast-archive/  Connect on Twitter @csmithraleigh @TeamFSINC Follow Financial Symmetry on Facebook   Subscribe To This Podcast   Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play  

This week on Ask Farnoosh, we're tackling some of life's biggest financial decisions—from navigating a major income gap in a relationship to deciding whether a promising restaurant venture is worth the investment. Plus, what should you prioritize when you're trying to save for a home while also preparing for retirement?Farnoosh answers listener questions about maintaining financial independence before marriage, evaluating a potential angel investment opportunity, choosing between a brokerage account and a traditional IRA, finding trustworthy financial advice, and building a down payment fund in a high-cost housing market. She also shares resources for managing healthcare costs and weighs in on whether married couples should file taxes jointly or separatelyBefore the mailbag, Farnoosh breaks down the latest jobs report, explains why a strong labor market may keep the Federal Reserve on hold when it comes to interest rates, celebrates National Donut Day, and sounds off on a teen financial literacy competition that may be testing the wrong skills altogether.Listener questions include:How do we manage money fairly when one partner earns significantly more?Should we invest in a chef friend's new restaurant?Is it better to file taxes jointly or separately?How can I save for a house down payment faster?Should I open a traditional IRA or a brokerage account if I earn too much for a Roth IRA?How do I find a financial advisor I can trust?What resources can help consumers navigate healthcare costs?Learn more about Farnoosh's upcoming literary workshop Book to Brand. Early bird registration is now open! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to build tax-free wealth even if your income is too high for a Roth IRA? In this episode, Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are joined by CPA's Amanda Han and Matt MacFarland. They break down the Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Roth strategies step-by-step. You'll learn how the Backdoor Roth works, how to avoid costly tax mistakes, how the pro-rata rule can impact your conversion strategy, and when the Mega Backdoor Roth may allow you to contribute tens of thousands of additional dollars to Roth accounts each year. Whether you're pursuing FIRE, optimizing your retirement accounts, or looking for advanced tax planning strategies, this episode covers everything you need to know. Connect with Amanda Han and Matt MacFarland Website: https://www.keystonecpa.com/pages/about-us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda_han_cpa/?hl=en To go beyond the podcast: Kick start your financial independence journey with our FREE financial resources - https://biggerpocketsmoney.com/ Subscribe on YouTube for even more content- www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney  Connect with us on social media to join the other BiggerPockets Money listeners - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney We believe financial independence is attainable for anyone no matter when or where you're starting. Let's get your financial house in order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don records through a booming Florida thunderstorm while tackling five listener questions. He discusses a thoughtful strategy for using a UTMA account to teach investing and potentially fund a future Roth IRA, then provides a detailed overview of what goes into a true financial plan, including cash flow analysis, insurance, estate planning, tax strategy, retirement projections, and investment management. Another listener asks about investing for a long life, prompting Don to explain why maintaining a diversified portfolio and spending less than portfolio growth are the keys to retirement sustainability. He also addresses when retirees might safely move from a 4% withdrawal rate toward 5%, emphasizing flexibility over rigid rules. The episode concludes with a discussion of HSAs, explaining why they are often better spent during retirement rather than left to non-spousal heirs, who may face less favorable tax treatment.0:04 Florida thunderstorm opening and update on the new podcast website and question system2:35 Using a UTMA account as a teaching tool, harvesting gains for a child, and eventually funding a Roth IRA4:47 What a comprehensive financial plan actually includes beyond investments6:14 Gathering financial data, setting goals, cash flow analysis, and risk management7:42 Asset allocation, diversification, Monte Carlo simulations, and behavioral coaching8:28 Retirement planning, Social Security timing, Roth conversions, RMDs, and tax strategies10:23 Listener crediting the show for retirement confidence and asking about investing for longevity12:37 Why spending less than portfolio growth is the key to long-term retirement success14:15 Whether a 4% withdrawal rule can become 5% later in retirement15:45 Fixed versus flexible withdrawal strategies and how age affects sustainable spending17:49 HSA withdrawal decisions in retirement and inheritance considerations19:31 Why HSAs generally should be spent rather than preserved for non-spousal heirs20:52 Meet-an-Advisor invitation and how portfolio reviews can uncover hidden risksQuestions? Comments? Click!

Don't let the stock market highs fool you. Macro analyst Luke Gromen, founder of FFTT, returns to deliver a brutal reality check on what is actually happening to your money. While mainstream media celebrates green days, a hidden liquidity crisis is building behind the scenes. In this episode, Gromen exposes the massive distortion in today's markets—the seven tech stocks holding up the entire economy and why Bitcoin has fallen so far behind as stocks hit ATHs. If you want to protect your portfolio from the ultimate "sudden stop," this is the realist roadmap you cannot afford to miss. We discuss: The AI Liquidity Trap: Why soaring tech stocks are secretly starving Bitcoin of cash. The S&P 500 Illusion: How just seven AI stocks are masking a massive market flatline. The Bitcoin Bottom: Why technical indicators point to a potential correction down to $40K. The Tech Bubble Trap: Why the government is mathematically forced to keep the AI bubble alive. Follow Luke Gromen https://x.com/LukeGromen ---- 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. Earn up to 4% back in sats on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. Sign up today https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $10 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  ---- Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Check out my favorite lightning wallet and trivia app Speed Wallet. If you're a business, let Speed help you accept BTC like they did for Steak 'n Shake! Visit http://speed.app/natalie/ and use code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats Block's Bitkey Cold Storage Wallet was named to TIME's prestigious Best Inventions of 2024 in the category of Privacy & Security. Get 10% 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: Join us for the biggest Bitcoin conference in Europe at BTC Prague this June 10-13 with a keynote from Michael Saylor, Code HODL for discounted passes: https://btcprague.com/  The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL  Extra Services to Consider: 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. Ads in this episode are baked-in and may reference promotions or offers that are no longer available at the time of listening. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

What's the magic number for happiness? We walk through what the data says and share our take on what will make you happier at every stage of your wealth-building journey. Plus, we answer your questions! From planning earlier retirements and navigating the Roth IRA pro-rata rule to combining finances after marriage and UTMAs, we share how you can maximize your army of dollar bills - with a few tangents and tumblers along the way. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1024. Are you ready to quit working or to begin a financially independent lifestyle? Laura covers four ways to access your retirement funds without paying a hefty 10% early withdrawal penalty before 59.5. Key takeawaysUsing a tax-advantaged retirement account has many benefits, but one downside is typically paying a 10% penalty for withdrawals before age 59.5.The rule of 55 is an IRS rule that allows employees to take penalty-free retirement plan distributions when they leave during or after the calendar year of their 55th birthday.With a Roth IRA, you can withdraw your original contributions at any age, for any reason, entirely tax- and penalty-free. A SEPP or 72(t) payment plan is an IRS rule that allows you to take equal distributions from a retirement account penalty-free, no matter your age, if you follow strict guidelines. A brokerage account allows you to take distributions penalty-free, no matter your age, but doesn't offer the tax perks of a retirement account.Upcoming Wedding Series Coming Up: We want your questions about wedding finances! Whether you're the bride, groom, or a guest, send us your questions about budgeting for the big day. Email: money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Session 3 of the 2026 Bainbridge Community Foundation Spring Financial Education Series, Paul sits down with Mike Piper — CPA, Personal Financial Specialist, and the voice behind the Oblivious Investor blog and the free Open Social Security calculator — for one of the warmest, most practical conversations of the series. Mike has a rare gift: taking the topics that intimidate most investors and making them feel obvious. Over the course of the hour, he and Paul work through the handful of decisions that genuinely shape a retirement.Mike opens with a quietly radical idea: if you've prepared well, "more than enough" isn't the exception — it's the most likely outcome. Because we have to plan for long lifespans, poor markets, and high medical costs that usually don't all come to pass, most disciplined savers end up with leftovers. From there, he explains which dollars to spend first each year, how age and capital gains should steer whether you draw from taxable or retirement accounts, and why the step-up in basis matters more than most people realize.The conversation turns to the human side of money, too — how to talk a couple through it when one spouse is aggressive and the other can't stand the thought of the stock market, why both positions are almost always driven by fear, and how framing the trade-offs around the people you love often brings them closer together. Mike and Paul also tackle the spendthrift-child dilemma, the case for matching a young person's Roth IRA, and why small gifts early can dwarf an inheritance received at 70.On Social Security, Mike makes the point that most people get the risk exactly backwards: delaying benefits isn't a gamble — it's insurance against the scary scenario of living a very long time. He walks through what really happens if Congress does nothing before the trust fund shortfall around 2033 (hint: the program doesn't disappear), and the range of fixes on the table. Throughout, both men return to the same theme — simple, low-cost, broadly diversified portfolios keep beating the clever alternatives, and the Bessembinder research helps explain why.Stick around for the closing exchange on using AI to learn from the "Truth Tellers" — and Mike's cautionary tale about a chatbot that invented an entire tax-code provision, word for word and completely convincingly, that simply does not exist.LINKS:Mike Piper's blog — obliviousinvestor.comOpen Social Security — opensocialsecurity.comMike's books on Amazon — https://bit.ly/49BQugdOblivious Investor — https://bit.ly/4oeIacsWe're Talking Millions! (free PDF and audio) — https://www.paulmerriman.com/free-booksIf You Can by Bill Bernstein (free PDF) — https://www.paulmerriman.com/free-booksPlanVision — Mark Zoril — planvisionmn.comThe Bessembinder study — "Do Stocks Outperform Treasury Bills?" https://www.morningstar.com/personal-finance/hendrik-bessembinder-do-stocks-outperform-treasury-billsWatch the Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB2ccYRLSOI&feature=youtu.be

What if giving is not losing at all, but investing in what lasts forever? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:20 to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” That one command reshapes the way we think about money, possessions, and generosity. Wealth can be dangerous when it owns us, but when it is surrendered to God, it can become a powerful tool for eternal good. Randy Alcorn, bestselling author and founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), has spent decades helping Christians think biblically about money, possessions, generosity, and eternity. His message is both sobering and hopeful: wealth is a test, but it can also become a tool for God's Kingdom. Money Reveals the Heart Money has a powerful influence on our spiritual lives because it reveals what we truly value. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The way we handle money is not separate from our discipleship. It shows what we trust, what we prioritize, and where our affections are directed. As Alcorn explains, money is not spiritually insignificant. It has power. Either it will serve God, or we will find ourselves serving it. That is why Scripture speaks so directly about the danger of loving money. In 1 Timothy 6:9–10, Paul warns that “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare,” and that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” He goes on to say that some have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Those are sobering words. Money is a good gift from God. It can provide for needs, bless families, support ministry, and help those who are suffering. But when it becomes the object of our trust or the center of our affections, it competes with God for our hearts. Wealth Is Both a Tool and a Test The danger of wealth is real, but it is not the whole story. Money surrendered to God can be used in deeply meaningful ways. It can help advance the gospel. It can meet practical needs. It can support Bible translation, provide clean water, help rescue those trapped in exploitation, care for the vulnerable, and strengthen the work of the local church. Money is not the source of transformation—God is. But God often uses the resources of His people to accomplish His purposes in the world. That is why faithful stewardship begins with surrender. We come before the Lord and say, “This all belongs to You. What do You want me to do with it?” When wealth is surrendered to God, it loses its grip on our hearts and becomes an opportunity to participate in His redemptive work. Giving Is Investing in Eternity Jesus' command to store up treasures in heaven reframes generosity. Giving is not merely parting with money. It is investing in what lasts. Alcorn compares this to investing in a company. When you own shares, you naturally begin to pay attention. You read the reports. You notice the headlines. Your interest follows your investment. The same principle applies spiritually. When we put our resources toward the things of God, our hearts begin to follow. If we want to care more deeply about our church, missions, the poor, or the work of the gospel, one practical step is to invest our time, energy, and money there. Generosity does not only bless the recipient. It reshapes the giver. It moves our hearts toward the Kingdom of God. Generosity Produces Joy In Acts 20:35, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of Jesus' words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That does not mean giving is merely a duty. It means generosity leads to joy. The generous life reflects the heart of God, who gives freely and abundantly. Grace itself is rooted in God's giving nature. When we give, we are not simply checking off a spiritual responsibility. We are participating in the generosity of God. That is why giving can loosen anxiety, deepen purpose, and bring joy. The world often defines “the good life” as having more, spending more, and pursuing personal comfort. But Scripture points us toward a better way. In 1 Timothy 6:18–19, Paul urges the wealthy “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,” so that they may “take hold of that which is truly life.” The good life is not found in accumulation. It is found in generosity. Defining Enough One of the most important steps in faithful stewardship is learning to define enough. Without a finish line, we can easily assume that every increase in income is meant to raise our lifestyle. But many of us already have more than we need. The question is not simply, “What can I afford?” but “What has God entrusted to me, and how does He want me to use it?” A financial finish line helps create margin for intentional Kingdom-focused generosity. It keeps accumulation from becoming automatic. It invites us to ask better questions about contentment, purpose, and eternal impact. Everything we own is temporary. Possessions wear out. Trends fade. What once felt essential can quickly become clutter. That does not mean material things are evil, but it does mean they cannot bear the weight of our hope. Giving helps break the hold that money and possessions can have on our hearts. Giving Is Not Losing Wealth is both a tool and a test. When we cling to it, it can pull us away from dependence on God. But when we surrender it, money can become a means of worship, service, and eternal investment. Generosity reminds us that God is our ultimate treasure. It trains our hearts to trust Him. It frees us from the illusion that more money will finally make us secure. And it allows us to participate in the work God is doing in the world. Giving is not losing. In the Kingdom of God, giving is investing in what lasts forever. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I live in a 55-plus community in a manufactured home on leased land. We own the home but not the land, which belongs to the community owner. Would a reverse mortgage be possible in this situation, or would a manufactured home on leased land qualify? I have both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA for retirement, but I'm not retired yet. Why am I required to take RMDs from my IRA at age 72 or 73, even if I'm still working? Do Roth IRAs have RMDs? And how much can my husband and I give through Qualified Charitable Distributions to help reduce taxes? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn Giving Is the Good Life: The Unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy by Randy Alcorn Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find 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.

When you're trying to execute a clean backdoor Roth IRA, having a completely empty Traditional IRA account feels like a green light. But does the IRS see it that way? Kyle Hoelzle and Chelsea Jones answer a critical question from a Pediatric Endocrinologist: “If I fund and convert an empty IRA, why does my separate rollover IRA balance still matter?” Kyle breaks down the IRS Pro Rata Rule using a simple analogy we can all relate to, coffee and cream. Your pre-tax rollover dollars are the bitter coffee, and your new after-tax contributions are the cream. You might keep them in separate accounts, but the IRS views all your IRAs as one giant mug. When you convert the "cream" from your empty account, the IRS forces you to take a proportional spoonful of the entire mixed mug—triggering an unexpected tax bill on your old rollover balance. Listen in to learn how to spot this trap, use Form 8606 to prevent double taxation, and safely "clean" your accounts for a tax-free backdoor Roth. We also answer your colleagues' questions. Neurosurgeon in Connecticut says, “I have been reading up a little bit more on Trump accounts. Initially, I thought this was only for newborns, but now I understand that it is eligible for children less than 18 years of age, and we can contribute up to $5000 per year, starting July 5 this year. Our older son is turning 18 on July 17. Are we able to open an account for him? I saw some IRS website fine print implying that children are eligible as long as they do not turn 18 in the calendar year of the election, so it's a bit confusing. Do you have any guidance?” Spouse of a Dermapathologist in Pennsylvania asks, “I want to take a withdrawal from my taxable investment account to buy a car, but I only want to sell my bonds to minimize my tax bill, but doing so will liquidate all of my bonds. Is this OK?” A Double Doc Family in Illinois is thinking about starting Social Security for the retired spouse this year on their 66th birthday. The wonder “Does that make sense to do, or should we wait?” Are you ready to turn worries about taxes and investing into a plan for college and retirement? If you're evaluating your options and want to learn more, visit physicianfamily.com and click 'Get Started' or you can ask a question of your own by emailing podcast@physicianfamily.com. See marketing disclosures at physicianfamily.com/disclosures

Prevalon Energy CFO Ben Hunnewell joins Natalie Brunell to explain why his company became the first to hold STRC, the Bitcoin-backed digital credit instrument from Strategy, and why Bitcoin skeptics have it all wrong. Topics include Why STRC changed everything, and why a cautious CFO finally said yes Whether Strive's daily dividends could challenge Strategy's dominance The truth behind data center power consumption and the "23 Hiroshima bombs" claim How Bitcoin miners turn flare gas and stranded energy into grid stability Why you can't print energy, data centers, or the things that actually matter Follow Ben Hunnewell https://x.com/MSTRProphet ---- 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. Earn up to 4% back in sats on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. Sign up today https://www.gemini.com/natalie  ---- Ledn is the global leader in Bitcoin-backed loans, issuing over $10 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  ---- Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Check out my favorite lightning wallet and trivia app Speed Wallet. If you're a business, let Speed help you accept BTC like they did for Steak 'n Shake! Visit http://speed.app/natalie/ and use code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats 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: Join us for the biggest Bitcoin conference in Europe at BTC Prague this June 10-13 with a keynote from Michael Saylor, Code HODL for discounted passes: https://btcprague.com/  The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL  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. Ads in this episode are baked-in and may reference promotions or offers that are no longer available at the time of listening. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

Jun 1, 2026 – Explore the often-overlooked impact of state taxes on retirement strategies with Jim Puplava and Brendan McMurtrie. This episode dives into sophisticated approaches to Roth IRA conversions, highlighting the advantages and pitfalls...

In this episode, Anderson attorneys Amanda Wynalda, Esq., and Eliot Thomas, Esq., tackle eight listener questions on a wide range of tax topics. They open with a deep dive into the tax advantages of purchasing property in an Opportunity Zone, covering both the original program and the newly reinvigorated Opportunity Zone 2.0 launching January 1, 2027, including deferral periods, stepped-up basis benefits, and rural vs. urban pathways. They also explain required minimum distributions and the five-year Roth seasoning rules, the nuances of married filing separately in community property states, and strategies for reducing passive capital gains tax after a multifamily syndication sale. Amanda and Eliot break down Qualified Small Business Stock under Section 1202, including new tiered exclusion rates and documentation requirements, walk through K-1 preparation and 1065 filing for limited and general partnership structures, and cover the Accumulated Earnings Tax for C corporations. The episode wraps with guidance on claiming education expenses for new businesses, amending prior-year returns, and using C corporations as the right vehicle for startup cost deductions. Tune in for expert advice on these topics and more! Submit your tax question to taxtuesday@andersonadvisors.com Highlights/Topics: [00:00] — Intro and questions [10:04] "If I'm still working for the company that sponsors my 401k when I turn 73, even if it's part time, do I need to take RMDs or required minimum distributions from that account? And once my Roth 401k is quote unquote seasoned for 5 years, if I roll it over to another Roth IRA account I have already had for 5 years, am I still able to take out the profits tax free?" - Still employed means no RMD required unless you own over 5% of the business. [13:42] "I am looking at a couple different commercial rental properties. One of them is in an opportunity zone in Florida. What are the benefits slash tax advantages of purchasing a property in an opportunity zone? Are there any downsides?" –Opportunity Zones defer capital gains tax with stepped-up basis and potential ten-year appreciation exclusion. [22:08] "My husband and I file separately. I itemize and my accountant said because I itemize, my husband must also itemize, which is worse for him as he loses out on the standard deduction. Is there any way around this? In addition, the IRS wants to know my salary on his return, which then leads to him owing tons of additional taxes. How can this be? Why would he be taxed on my income? I'm already being taxed on my income. So this year he left my salary blank on his tax return. Will this come back to bite him and incur fees? We file separately for many reasons, including me having rentals and he has child support and other things affecting his return." - Community property states require spouses to split income; no double taxation occurs. [30:32] "I was a passive investor in a multifamily unit deal. The property was sold and my CPA informed me that I have capital gains tax of 55,000 for 2025. Anything I can do to reduce this tax? If not, what could I have done differently?" - Cost segregation on existing property can create passive losses to offset the gain. [36:57] "I'm investing 250k in a software startup pre Series A. The founders say it qualifies under section 1202 as a qualified small business stock or QSBS. Let's say the stock grows 10x over the next 10 years, so my stock becomes worth 2.5 million. Ten years from now, how do I prove to the IRS that the profit should be tax free under section 1202? Do I just document it now and hope they agree when I file an 8949 when I sell? It seems like there are no assurances they'll agree and the profits, though not subject to income tax, still become part of my estate, potentially subject to estate tax. Is it just easier investing using my Roth to ensure that all future gains will be income tax free?" – Thorough documentation of C corp status and assets under $75 million proves 1202 eligibility. [48:20] "Anderson created my limited partnership and general partnership structure. My questions are which entity has to create or issue a K1 and who prepares it for me? And when preparing the 1065 tax return, who do I list as the limited partner, me or the entity?" - The limited partnership files the 1065 and issues K-1s; list yourself as the limited partner. [50:16] "I invested in education for several businesses last year. None have come to fruition yet. Is the education able to be claimed on 2025 taxes? Also I filed without any of the education being claimed. So I was wondering if I could amend my taxes at some point this year." - Amend within three years; a C corp can claim education costs as deductible startup expenses. Resources: Tax and Asset Protection Events https://andersonadvisors.com/real-estate-asset-protection-workshop-training/?utm_source=the-tax-advantages-of-purchasing-a-property-in-an-opportunity-zone%20&utm_medium=podcast Schedule Your FREE Consultation https://andersonadvisors.com/strategy-session/?utm_source=the-tax-advantages-of-purchasing-a-property-in-an-opportunity-zone%20&utm_medium=podcast Anderson Advisors https://andersonadvisors.com/ Toby Mathis YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TobyMathis Toby Mathis TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tobymathisesq Clint Coons YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ClintCoons

Growing up doesn’t come with instructions, so we made a podcast about figuring it out together. Season 4 of Grown Up Stuff tackles the life skills, decisions, and responsibilities that suddenly become very real in adulthood. From bringing home a newborn for the first time to navigating international travel, buying the right smoke detectors, moving apartments, understanding investing, and protecting your finances, this season is all about the stuff nobody fully prepares you for. Hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo talk with experts, professionals, and people who’ve learned things the hard way to break down the practical side of adult life without making it feel overwhelming. Along the way, they explore everything from home safety hidden dangers and jet lag survival to budgeting, relationships, parenting anxiety, and how to actually feel financially confident in your 20s and 30s. Whether you’re trying to baby-proof your house, figure out a Roth IRA, survive a cross-country move, or simply feel a little less behind in life, Grown Up Stuff is here to help. Because nobody totally knows what they’re doing...some people are just better at Googling it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back with another edition of Financial Advisors React, and this batch of clips is something else entirely. From the idea of saving money being "stupid" to a full Roth IRA conspiracy theory, these viral money takes are out of control. Not all financial advice online is created equal and we're here to show you the smarter path forward. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don and Tom tackle some of the most common retirement planning mistakes, with a particular focus on taxes and the danger of becoming overly obsessed with them. They discuss taxable Social Security benefits, the importance of diversifying across account types, Roth conversion considerations, tax-loss harvesting, and why most retirement decisions ultimately fall into the category of “it depends.” They also answer a listener question about navigating poor 403(b) plan options and the advantages of a 457 plan for educators. Finally, they dive deep into a thoughtful challenge from a listener regarding Avantis and Dimensional factor funds versus traditional Vanguard index funds, examining the evidence for factor tilts, the role of risk premiums, costs, and whether higher expected returns justify modestly higher expense ratios.0:05 Retirement planning mistakes, taxes, retirement income, financial independence, retirement readiness1:58 Tax obsession, retirement taxes, income planning, financial priorities, wealth management2:43 Social Security taxation, taxable benefits, retirement income, Social Security myths, tax planning5:14 Tax diversification, traditional 401(k), Roth accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement savings7:57 Roth IRA, young investors, compound growth, retirement investing, tax-free income9:11 Tax-loss harvesting, brokerage accounts, capital gains, tax strategy, investment management10:03 Roth conversions, Medicare IRMAA, retirement taxes, financial planning, tax efficiency12:03 Inherited IRAs, heirs, estate planning, retirement accounts, legacy planning13:35 403(b) plans, 457 plans, retirement savings, school employees, listener question15:29 403(b) Wise, 457B Wiser, educator retirement plans, high fees, retirement options18:35 Roth IRA investing, small-cap funds, emerging markets, diversification, asset allocation19:38 Avantis funds, Dimensional funds, Vanguard funds, factor investing, index investing23:55 Fama-French research, small-value premium, indexing, active management, factor premiums26:08 Rules-based investing, passive investing, factor tilts, portfolio construction, diversification27:02 Small-cap value investing, fund performance, index comparisons, advisor value, investment returns30:25 International small value, emerging markets, factor premiums, diversification, expected returns32:55 Academic investing research, Nobel Prize economics, risk premiums, value investing, factor investing35:18 Portfolio construction, asset allocation, diversification, retirement planning, investment strategy36:16 Free portfolio review, financial advice, portfolio allocation, retirement readiness, fiduciary planningQuestions? Comments? Click!

Janean C. Armstrong on 30 Years Behind the Financial Curtain: The Game They Never Taught YouLearn the mindset and moves that lead to real results. Please visit my website to get more information: http://diversifiedgame.com/Janean C. Armstrong spent thirty years inside the financial industry as a senior banking executive, often the only person of color in the boardroom, learning the game most people are never taught. On this episode of Diversified Game, Kellen Coleman sits down with the award winning author of Sis, Get Your Purse in Order to break the shame and silence around money and hand women a real blueprint for confidence, protection, and generational wealth.Janean keeps it all the way real. She talks about marrying at 42 with no prenup and how she protected the home she had owned for ten years, then finding the love of her life at 50 and building a marriage on a loving but honest conversation about credit reports, 401ks, and legacy before they ever said I do. She shares how she walked into Grambling State University as a first generation college student with $50 and no clue about tuition, how a financial aid counselor changed her life, and how she ran up ten credit cards and a 400 credit score before she ever learned what a FICO score was.We get into life insurance as a love letter to the people you leave behind, why tithing can be time and not just money, how to build three to six months of emergency savings, the move from a high yield savings account to a CD to a Roth IRA, leaving free money on the table when you skip your 401k match, and the FDIC and payable on death structures that protect your money in the bank. This is the real game on real estate, business ownership, investing, and retiring with dignity.Go to the description, grab the book on Amazon, leave a review after you read it, and share this with somebody who needs it. You can move from chaos to confidence to financial freedom, and it starts with getting your purse in order.We bring you real game on business, ownership, wealth, and self determination from people who have actually been in the rooms they describe. Subscribe, like, comment wherever you are watching or listening, and most importantly, share this game with somebody who needs it.

1023. Are you worried about the future cost of education for yourself or a child? Laura reviews ten ways a 529 savings plan supercharges education savings and can even be used for young students, non-traditional coursework, and professional career pivots.Key takeawaysContributions to a 529 plan get taxed upfront, but the account growth and withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free.States sponsor 529 plans with various benefits and fees; however, you don't have to be a state resident to participate in the plan.There are no income restrictions to contribute to a 529, and owners typically name a child, who is the future student, as the account beneficiary. Qualified 529 expenses include many costs associated with traditional college, but also include trade schools, vocational training, and professional certifications.You can spend up to $20,000 per year on younger students from kindergarten through high school at public, private, or religious schools.Leftover 529 funds can be rolled over into a beneficiary's Roth IRA, with certain restrictions.Upcoming Wedding Series Coming Up: We want your questions about wedding finances! Whether you're the bride, groom, or a guest, send us your questions about budgeting for the big day. Email: money@quickanddirtytips.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The five highest global uncertainty readings since the 1980s have all occurred in the last five years. And yet the answer Wall Street keeps selling -- products that promise upside without downside -- is mathematically impossible and provably underperforms over time. Simone Stolzoff, author of How to Not Know, spent years studying how people, companies, and investors navigate uncertainty well. His findings are the opposite of what the financial industry is selling you right now.What You'll Walk Away WithWhy our tolerance for uncertainty is declining -- and the specific role smartphones and real-time data have played in making investors more anxious and worse at decision-makingThe anchor framework: how certainty in some areas of your life makes it dramatically easier to hold uncertainty in others -- and what that means for how you build a financial planThe Slack origin story -- how a gaming company at the peak of its success chose to shut down and pivot into the unknown, and what that teaches about staying open to what might emergeWhy Warren Buffett and the best venture capitalists actively seek uncertainty -- and how confusion between uncertainty and danger costs most investors real moneyThe kill criteria concept borrowed from mountain climbing -- and how pre-committing to rules before the emotion hits is the only reliable way to prevent catastrophic decisionsOne-way doors versus two-way doors: the Jeff Bezos framework for knowing when to agonize over a decision and when to just actWhy buffer ETFs are mathematically required to underperform broad index funds over time -- and the one question that exposes every "downside protection" pitch instantlyOG's case for looking at your portfolio as rarely as possible -- and the surprising thing that happened when he checked his mortgage balance after months awayWhy building a financial plan around your actual goals makes the daily market headlines genuinely irrelevant -- not as a coping strategy, but as a logical outcomeKathy's story: what a special education teacher who maxed her Roth IRA every year from 1998 to 2024 has in her account todayWhy This Matters NowMarkets will always be uncertain. Headlines will always be alarming. The question isn't how to make that stop -- it's how to build a life and a plan sturdy enough that it doesn't matter. This episode is the clearest case we've made for why your financial plan is more important than your portfolio, and why the two are not the same thing.From the BasementSimone Stolzoff joins Joe and OG to unpack the psychology of uncertainty -- including a couple who took a year apart to figure out if they wanted to stay married, a software engineer who programmed an app to make all his life decisions, and the monk who said not knowing is the most intimate thing of all. The Investment News headline about clients wanting "headline-proof portfolios" gives OG a full platform to explain why buffer ETFs are a product designed for the advisor's book of business, not your retirement. Doug arrives with Wild Bill Hickok trivia. Kathy from the community sends a note that should be required reading for every Gen X stacker who thinks they're behind.Resources MentionedHow to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World That Demands Answers by Simone Stolzoff -- available wherever books are sold; early readers receive an invitation to an exclusive event with Michael LewisSimone Stolzoff -- simonestolzoff.comInvestment News -- "Advisors say more clients are seeking to headline-proof their portfolios" by Greg Greenberg; linked at stackingbenjamins.comStacking Benjamins Episode 1840 -- "Why 67% of Americans Fear Running Out of Money More Than Dying"; stackingbenjamins.comStacking Benjamins Vault -- stackingbenjamins.com/vaultStacking Benjamins Newsletter (The 201) -- stackingbenjamins.com/201Stacking Benjamins Community -- stackingbenjamins.com/basementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eight questions. Eight real financial situations. Eight answers that might change the way you think about your money.  

Tom and Don dismantle the myth of “free money” from high-dividend stocks and ETFs, explaining why chasing yield often leads to poor diversification, lower total returns, and disappointing long-term performance. Using examples like Campbell's, Kraft Heinz, and Whirlpool, they show how dividend-paying companies can still destroy shareholder value while the broader market marches higher. The episode also features listener questions on military retirement planning with a pension-heavy income stream, asset allocation and Roth contributions near retirement, how to structure a UC retirement portfolio using low-cost index funds and small-cap value tilts, and the smartest way to generate retirement withdrawals from a balanced portfolio. Along the way, Don plugs his new Civil War novel The Line Uncrossed and the hosts revisit some old radio history.0:05 Dividend investing myths and “free money” thinking2:18 Why retirees are drawn to dividend stocks and ETFs4:03 Huge inflows into high-dividend ETFs despite lower expected returns5:19 Total return vs. income investing explained5:45 Campbell's Soup and Kraft Heinz as dividend trap examples7:06 Whirlpool cuts long-running dividend after financial strain8:10 Why total return matters more than yield9:10 Vanguard Dividend Growth vs. S&P 500 performance comparison10:44 The dangers of concentrated dividend strategies12:19 Why “magic income” strategies usually disappoint13:32 Military retirement caller asks about pensions, Roths, and mortgage payoff17:43 Using pensions as bond-like income in portfolio allocation18:41 Caller shifts from U.S.-only investing toward global diversification20:28 Don discusses The Line Uncrossed and companion Civil War stories22:30 UC employee asks about AVGE/DFAW vs. ultra-cheap UC index fund24:39 Suggested mix using low-cost index fund plus small-cap value tilts26:04 Listener thanks Don for decades of investing guidance27:58 Retirement withdrawal strategies from a 60/40 portfolio29:19 Rebalancing as the primary source of retirement cash flow30:14 Why retirement distribution planning matters32:35 Fiduciary advice vs. product sales pitches33:54 Friendly rivalry with Stacking BenjaminsQuestions? Comments? Click!

Strive ($ASST) just launched the first daily Bitcoin dividend in stock market history — paying a 13% yield through $SATA.    Chief Risk Officer Jeff Walton breaks down how Strive (now the 8th largest Bitcoin treasury company) is competing with Michael Saylor's Strategy, why he bet his entire savings on MSTR, and how digital credit is reshaping fixed income forever.   We discuss: • How Strive beat Strategy to the first-ever daily Bitcoin dividend • Where the 13% yield actually comes from (and why it's not a Ponzi) • The insurance industry analogy that explains Bitcoin treasury risk • Jeff's personal story: from the 2008 crash to his 2,000% MSTR options trade • Why traditional junk bonds and private credit are becoming obsolete   Follow Jeff Walton https://x.com/PunterJeff ---- 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. Earn up to 4% back in sats on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. Sign up today 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  ---- Abundant Mines is a fully-managed Bitcoin mining in the U.S. You own the miners. You keep 100% of the Bitcoin. Voted #1 mining company by peers. Get 1 month of free hosting: AbundantMines.com/Natalie ---- Natalie's Bitcoin Product Partners: Check out my favorite lightning wallet and trivia app Speed Wallet. If you're a business, let Speed help you accept BTC like they did for Steak 'n Shake! Visit http://speed.app/natalie/ and use code COINSTORIES10 for 5,000 free sats 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: Join us for the biggest Bitcoin conference in Europe at BTC Prague this June 10-13 with a keynote from Michael Saylor, Code HODL for discounted passes: https://btcprague.com/  The best time to plan for Bitcoin 2027 is right now. Early bird tickets are live — grab the lowest pricing available and use code HODL for 10% off: https://tickets.b.tc/event/bitcoin-2027?promoCodeTask=apply&promoCodeInput=HODL    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. Ads in this episode are baked-in and may reference promotions or offers that are no longer available at the time of listening. ---- VALUE FOR VALUE — SUPPORT NATALIE'S SHOWS Strike ID https://strike.me/coinstoriesnat/ Cash App $CoinStories #money #Bitcoin #investing

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3569: Jeremy Jacobson explores how understanding the fungibility of money can simplify smarter financial decisions, from handling debt and emergency funds to navigating retirement accounts and investment income. With relatable examples and practical insights, he shows how focusing on overall net worth instead of emotional money “buckets” can help you optimize taxes, reduce interest costs, and think more clearly about financial independence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.gocurrycracker.com/money-is-fungible/ Quotes to ponder: "Making virtual car payments to a savings account until there was enough to pay cash for the vehicle would be the ideal option." "In the US, paying tips in cash/coins is almost always better because it ensures that the server will benefit from it immediately." "We can withdraw funds from retirement accounts before Age 59.5 without penalty, via Roth IRA conversions and/or SEPPs." Episode references: Roth IRA: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP): https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/substantially-equal-periodic-payments S&P 500: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-500/ Apple Pay: https://www.apple.com/apple-pay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices