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Erica encourages solo consultants to find ways to pause, whether it's taking a week off, a quiet morning, or even a month-long break. She highlights some of the most downloaded episodes for listeners to revisit during the hiatus and wishes everyone a restful and enlightening summer.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:44 Summer Break Announcement

01:11 The Importance of Pausing

02:30 Personal Reflections on Rest

03:56 Encouragement for Listeners

04:44 Recommended Episodes

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Episodes Referenced:

73. [The Soloist Life] Building a Six-Figure Advisory Business (Working 15 Hours A Week)

85. Understanding Self-Employed Health Insurance with Jessica Skoney

86. Retirement Plans for Consultants

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Erica explains the potential savings on self-employment taxes and the trade-offs with the Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID). Erica advises listeners to hold off on making the S-Corp election until there's more clarity on tax laws, which are expected to change with the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2025.

00:00 Intro

00:45 The Importance of Timing for S Corp Election

01:49 Understanding S Corp and QBID

02:50 The Impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

04:11 Why Waiting is the Smart Move

05:52 Practical Steps for 2025

07:13 Concierge Bookkeeping

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Erica explains the journey of an avocado from a farm in Michoacan, Mexico to a grocery store in the U.S., breaking down the costs involved and how a 25% tariff impacts the final price to consumers. She also talks through broader economic issues affecting solo consultants and small businesses.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:43 Understanding Tariffs with Avocados

03:26 Breaking Down Tariff Math

07:01 The Impact of Trade Agreements

08:57 Current Economic Trends for Consultants

10:53 Final Thoughts

11:23 Concierge Bookkeeping Service

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Resources Referenced:

White House Fact Sheet | https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-increase-our-competitive-edge-protect-our-sovereignty-and-strengthen-our-national-and-economic-security/

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A little tax trivia on this April 15th…

00:43 Tax Day Anecdote

01:23 Weird and Wacky Tax Facts

03:55 Fun Facts About Money

04:40 IRS Whistleblower Program

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Resources Referenced:

IRS Whistleblower Office | https://www.irs.gov/compliance/whistleblower-office

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Erica suggests four actionable tasks: checking your credit report, reviewing your social security statement, calculating your net worth, and verifying your tax withholdings. Each task is designed to take about 10-20 minutes and provides insights into your financial health.

00:43 Tax Season Reminders and Energy Credits

02:20 April Financial Checkup: Four Key Tasks

02:39 #1: Check Your Credit Report

04:12 #2: Review Your Social Security Statement

07:29 #3: Calculate Your Net Worth

09:32 #4: Review Your Tax Withholding

11:30 Recap and Final Thoughts

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Resources Referenced:

Annual Credit Report | www.annualcreditreport.com

Social Security website | www.ssa.gov

Net Worth Tracker | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ptzTAne_AILcTUMQ-G8eu0-44QusfInzF9BicdignXg/copy?usp=sharing

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Erica and her husband Ben Goode, CPA discuss the benefits of travel credit cards over cash back cards, emphasizing the savings on taxes and the accumulation of travel miles for personal use. The conversation includes a case study of their upcoming family vacation to Mexico, breaking down the points earned from Delta and Marriott credit cards, resulting in significant cost savings on flights and hotel stays. 

05:11 Business Credit Cards: Travel Rewards vs. Cashback

06:52 IRS Guidelines on Frequent Flyer Miles

10:56 Case Study: Using Business Credit Cards for Personal Travel

16:16 Accumulating Hotel Points

16:36 Cost Breakdown of the Stay

17:29 Booking Strategies and Room Upgrades

18:13 Maximizing Value with Points

22:06 Accumulating Marriott Points

30:04 Final Takeaways and Travel Tips

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Resources Referenced:

IRS Frequent Flyer Announcement | https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/a-02-18.pdf

Ep93 - Best Business Credit Cards: Travel Rewards vs Cash Back

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In this episode Erica addresses a common question from clients: what is the best credit card for business use? She explains why travel reward credit cards are generally a better choice than cashback credit cards for solo consultants. Erica emphasizes that travel points and frequent flyer miles are not taxed by the IRS and don't reduce business deductions, unlike cashback rewards.

00:00 Introduction to the Consultants and Money Podcast

00:50 Choosing the Best Credit Card for Your Business

01:43 Why Travel Reward Credit Cards Are Better

03:13 Maximizing Travel Rewards for Business and Personal Use

05:16 The Downside of Cashback Credit Cards

06:36 Final Tips and Recap

08:15 Conclusion and Next Steps

08:48 Concierge Bookkeeping Service

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Erica sits down with Luke Sauter, a CPA, PFS, and investment advisor who shares insights on the intricacies of financial planning, emphasizing the importance of choosing a trustworthy fiduciary who provides consistent, transparent, and comprehensive wealth management services.

00:43 Meet Luke Sauter: CPA and Financial Specialist

02:34 A Personal Journey: From Corporate to Consulting

04:54 Understanding Financial Designations and Trust

09:37 The Role of a Fiduciary and Financial Planning

16:03 Building Trust and Transparency in Financial Advisory

20:56 The Importance of Regular Communication with Advisors

26:30 The Advisor Mindset Shift

27:13 Transactional vs. Relational CPA Models

28:26 The Importance of Integrated Wealth Management

32:37 Financial Planning for Different Net Worths

36:58 Understanding AUM and Fee Structures

49:59 Choosing the Right Financial Advisor

56:13 Conclusion and Contact Information

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Disclaimers:

Vidarrow Investment Advisors is a Registered Investment Adviser in the state of Illinois. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Vidarrow and its representatives are properly registered or exempt from registration. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice or a guarantee that you will achieve a desired result. You should consult with appropriate tax and/or financial advisors for advice specific to your situation. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the host/interviewee on the date of the program and are subject to change.

Luke Sauter is an investment adviser representative of Vidarrow. The firm is a registered investment adviser and only conducts business in jurisdictions where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement of the firm by securities regulators and does not mean the adviser has achieved a specific level of skill or ability.

The information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the investments mentioned. A professional adviser should be consulted before implementing any of the strategies discussed. Investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment or strategy will be suitable or profitable for a client's portfolio. All investment strategies can result in profit or loss.

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This episode covers a tax season checklist for consultants and consulting firm owners.

(00:43) A Funny Story About Margaritas

(02:29) The Importance of Accurate Tax Inputs

(03:00) Steps to Prepare for Tax Season

(03:13) Reconcile Everything

(05:31) Owner Distributions and Your P&L

(06:42) Retirement Contributions

(07:27) Organizing Receipts

(08:58) Filing 1099s

(09:37) Mileage Log for Business Deductions

(10:28) The Importance of Early Tax Preparation

(11:11) Conclusion and Final Tips

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Resources Referenced:

86. Retirement Plans for Consultants | https://www.ericagoode.com/podcast/ep86

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In this episode, Erica is joined by Steve Nay, a tax professional and enrolled agent, to discuss the various credentials in the tax profession including CPAs, EAs, and the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP). The also discuss how much a tax return should cost, as well as the potential ramifications of converting to an S-corp.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast

(00:43) Meet the Guest: Steve Ney

(02:01) Understanding Tax Accreditations

(03:57) Differences Between CPA and EA

(06:58) Tax Representation and Audits

(11:11) Finding the Right Tax Preparer

(16:44) Annual Filing Season Participant (AFSP)

(18:07) Annual Filing Season Program Overview

(19:31) Credentials and Representation Rights

(21:28) Cost of Tax Preparation

(22:47) S Corp Election and Its Implications

(28:02) DIY Tax Preparation: Risks and Recommendations

(30:55) Choosing the Right Tax Preparer

(35:28) Contact Information

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Resources Referenced:

IRS Search for Tax Return Preparers | https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf

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