Is there a "magic bullet" for generating tax-free income in retirement? This week, Ross and Dan dive back into the mailbag to tackle a question that sounds almost too good to be true: The Tax-Free Dividend Roth Strategy. We’ve all heard that Roth IRAs are powerful, but a listener asks if specifically loading a Roth with high-yield dividend stocks is the ultimate "cheat code" for retirement cash flow. That and more on this week's episode!

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As we close out 2025, Ross and Dan look back at a year that defied the scripts, from "sure-thing" predictions that fizzled to the market moves that caught even the pros off guard. Join us for a final look at the lessons of 2025 and a clear-eyed strategy for your money as we head into 2026.

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Which holiday icon would be a financial advisor’s worst nightmare? This week, we’re putting Christmas characters under the microscope. We debate whether the Grinch or Scrooge is the tougher client to manage and dive into the 'North Pole Economics' of how Santa actually funds his global operation.

Beyond the festive fun, we explore what these fictional portfolios teach us about behavioral finance, cash flow, and legacy planning. Join us for a holiday-themed deep dive on this week’s Check Your Balances!

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Could a $100 million career income actually be insufficient for true, lasting generational wealth? This week, Ross and Dan dive deep into the ultimate financial paradox: the hidden, massive costs of being ultra-wealthy.

We unpack the eye-opening comments from NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. about how quickly a pro athlete's money evaporates. At this level, do standard retirement rules still apply, or are you just running faster on a much bigger treadmill?

Tune in to find out!

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In a world where cash is yielding around 4% and the bond index has lost 0.35% over the last 5 years*... why would you buy bonds instead of sitting on cash? This week we dive into that question and several others from our Mailbag.

* Data as of 11/30/2025 via Vanguard

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We've always championed the long-term view of budgeting, but what if thinking about your money daily is the real secret to financial control? This week, we explore the idea of micro-timeframe spending: Is hyper-focusing on every 24 hours empowering and key to hitting your goals, or is it a recipe for driving yourself completely nuts? We'll reveal how we came to this counter-intuitive idea and deliver our verdict on whether a daily approach could finally be the breakthrough your budget needs. Tune in this week for our take!

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We celebrate Thanksgiving with some light hearted banter, and exploring the question of whether "High Watermarking" can lead to disappointment (even if it's hypothetical). We hope you're enjoying time with your family and friends this week, but if you want your weekly dose of personal finance content, we're here for you!

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Could a half-century loan be the answer to the housing crisis, or is it a financial nightmare waiting to happen? We break down the pros, cons, and the brutal amortization schedules of 50-year mortgages to see who actually benefits. Plus, we’re emptying the mailbag to cover the specific financial hurdles you are facing right now. Tune in to this week's mailbag episode!

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This week, Ross and Dan tackle a fun question... If you had to invest $100,000 without using the stock market, what would you do?  Would you become a landlord and try to buy real estate? Would you try to start a business or invest in something truly "passive?"

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Does the average financial plan have "retirement tunnel vision," with a focus on pouring every spare dollar into your retirement accounts. We're all told to save for the future, but what happens when that focus makes us 'house poor' or 'life poor' today? Big goals like buying a home, funding college, or starting a business can't always wait until you're 65. Is it possible to be too focused on saving for your golden years?

#retirement #financialplanning #balance

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