Money & Taxes from Bb to XYZ

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, kick off the new year by exploring why January often feels like the perfect time for a fresh financial start — but isn't the only right time to revisit your plan. They discuss the difference between building a brand-new financial plan, doing a full plan refresh, and simply "polishing" specific areas like cash flow, investments, or taxes. The conversation highlights common life and financial changes that signal it may be time for an update, such as salary increases, shifting goals, or large upcoming expenses. Regina and Jason also emphasize the value of using the prior year's full spending data to gain clarity and make smarter decisions early in the year. The episode wraps with practical guidance on choosing the right level of planning support and setting yourself up for success early in the New Year — whether you're starting from scratch or fine-tuning an existing plan.

1. January is a great time to start or revisit a financial plan, but plan refreshes don't have to happen in January to be effective.
2. A full financial plan refresh is most valuable after critical life or financial changes, like major income increases or drastically new goals.
3. Reviewing a full year of spending data can reveal clear opportunities to adjust cash flow and savings.
4. Not every change requires a full refresh. Targeted check-ins for cash flow, taxes, or investments can be just as impactful.
5. Thoughtful, ongoing planning helps align today's decisions with the future you're working toward.

Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday — always ad-free and no subscriptions required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.

© 2026 FPFoCo

In this special holiday episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, reflect on a year of growth — both for the podcast and for clients at FPFoCo — while helping listeners prepare for what’s ahead in 2026. They share key milestones from the past year, including client successes, expanded planning services, in-house tax preparation, team education achievements, and charitable giving in Northern Colorado. The conversation then turns toward breaking down important 2026 tax and financial planning updates, such as higher contribution limits for IRAs, 401(k)s, and HSAs, updated Roth IRA income phaseouts, and increased standard deductions. Jason and Regina wrap up with practical guidance on reflecting on financial wins, planning ahead for next year, and revisiting popular past episodes to strengthen your financial strategy. It’s a thoughtful mix of gratitude, perspective, and actionable planning guidance to close out the year and head confidently into the next one.

1. Take time to reflect on your financial wins from the past year and identify opportunities to improve in the year ahead.
2. Review updated 2026 contribution limits for IRAs, 401(k)s, and HSAs so you can plan to maximize savings early in the new year.
3. Higher standard deductions and Roth income limits may create new planning opportunities in 2026.
4. Ongoing education, efficient planning, and coordinated tax preparation can make a meaningful difference in financial outcomes.
5. Revisiting foundational financial topics now can help you start the new year with clarity and confidence.

Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday — always ad-free and no subscriptions required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.

© 2025 FPFoCo

It’s getting close to year-end, and Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, are here to explain what Roth IRA conversions are, why they can be a powerful long-term tax-planning tool, and when they make the most sense. They’ll walk through situations where converting traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA can reduce lifetime taxes — especially when current tax rates are low or future required minimum distributions (RMDs) might push someone into higher brackets. They also outline the practical steps for completing a conversion, emphasize the importance of having cash available to pay the tax bill, and highlight red flags that may mean a conversion isn't appropriate.

• A Roth conversion is essentially a bet that your tax rate today is lower than it will be in the future.
• Early conversions may help reduce future RMD-related taxes and create more tax-free growth over time.
• It’s a best practice to have cash available to pay the taxes on a conversion, ideally without withholding from the converted amount.
• Conversions work best when you don't need the money for at least five years and expect long-term benefits.
• Red flags include a lack of cash for paying the taxes on a conversion, no reason to expect higher future tax rates, or needing the funds soon.

Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday — always ad-free and no subscriptions required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.

© 2025 FPFoCo

Listen in as Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, break down the most important year-end tax planning strategies for 2025. We'll explain gift tax limits, upcoming 401(k) catch-up contribution changes, and how the expanded SALT deduction cap could help more taxpayers benefit from itemizing instead of taking the standard deduction. We'll also cover smart opportunities for Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and tax-gain harvesting before December 31, helping listeners minimize taxes now and optimize for the potential to build long-term tax-free growth. Whether you're preparing for retirement, maximizing your deductions, or looking for last-minute tax savings, this episode offers actionable guidance to make the most of the 2025 tax year.

• 2025 gift tax limits: $19,000 annual exclusion and nearly $14 million lifetime exemption.
• 2025 is the last year high-earners ($145,000+) age 50+ can make pre-tax 401(k) catch-ups before they become Roth-only in 2026.
• Higher SALT deduction caps in 2025 mean more people may itemize and stack deductions, like charity or property taxes.
• Year-end planning opportunities include Roth conversions, tax-loss and -gain harvesting, as well as timing income or gifts across the December–January tax-year flip.
• RMDs for personal and inherited IRAs are due December 31.

Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday — always ad-free and no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.

© 2025 FPFoCo

'Tis the season for tax planning — and considering charitable giving! In this episode, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, dive into how charitable contributions could impact your taxes in a positive way. As year-end approaches, they explain who might benefit from giving before December 31, how deductions work with the 2025 standard deduction, and what’s changing in 2026. From donor-advised funds to donating appreciated stocks instead of cash, the duo breaks down smart ways to give — without missing out on valuable tax savings.

• Whether charitable giving might make sense for your tax situation
• The difference between gifting cash versus appreciated assets
• How donor-advised funds work when you want to give ... but aren’t sure where you want to give to yet
• Tax law changes beginning 2026, like the new above-the-line deduction and AGI floor
• Ideas for maximizing deductions in a high-income year

1. If you expect a high-income year in 2025, consider bunching charitable donations before the AGI floor arrives in 2026.
2. A donor-advised fund lets you claim your deduction now — and select the charitable recipient later.
3. Donating appreciated stock can help you avoid capital gains while still supporting causes you care about.

Here’s Jason’s favorite green bean casserole recipe! And don't forget about the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool for verifying that your donations are tax-deductible.

Email [email protected] and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday — always ad-free and no subscriptions required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.

© 2025 FPFoCo

Why would Regi need life insurance? Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, passes the pop quiz at the beginning of this episode. Then he and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, talk about why some people generally need life insurance — and why others don’t. Listen in to better understand whether you might want to purchase a policy — or not — and how it could benefit those you leave behind.

Have a money or tax question for us? Send it to [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer your question in a future episode! We’ll release a new one every other Thursday, and they’re ad-free for everyone — no subscription required.

Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com, and be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes in your podcast feed! You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. 

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to you or your specific circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice. 

© 2025 FPFoCo

It’s time to get your health insurance in order! Open enrollment is right around the corner for many, whether you get your coverage through your employee benefits or a health care exchange. Are you confused about health insurance jargon and how it relates to the plan you choose? Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, are here to help. Listen in as they explain premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays, maximum out of pocket, and more — all in time for you to review what’s available to you.

Have a money or tax question for us? Send it to [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer your question in a future episode! We’ll release a new one every other Thursday, and they’re ad-free for everyone — no subscription required.

Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com, and be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes in your podcast feed! You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. 

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to you or your specific circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice. 

© 2025 FPFoCo

You’ve probably heard of a will. But what makes up a full estate plan? Regina Neenan, CFP®, and Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, review the high points of creating a real estate plan. From beneficiary designations to using technology tools to build a basic estate plan or working through everything with an estate attorney, they’ll discuss why it’s important and what goes into it from a financial perspective. 

This discussion about estate planning does not constitute legal advice.

Have a money or tax question for us? Send it to [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer your question in a future episode! We’ll release a new one every other Thursday, and they’re ad-free for everyone — no subscription required.

Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com, and be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes in your podcast feed! You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. 

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to you or your specific circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice. 

© 2025 FPFoCo

When is the most optimal age to begin Social Security, how much can you expect, and how much of your expenses will it cover? Regina Neenan, CFP®, and Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, discuss how to time when to begin your benefit, ideas for individuals and couples, and more. Plus, Jason shares his opinion on whether Social Security will even be around in the future (hint: they both strongly believe that it will!).

Plus, if you listened to the end, this one’s for you! https://forms.gle/VKt1UkxnGxTojacr5

Have a money or tax question for us? Send it to [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer your question in a future episode! We’ll release a new one every other Thursday, and they’re ad-free for everyone — no subscription required.

Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com, and be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes in your podcast feed! You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. 

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to you or your specific circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice. 

If Regina Neenan, CFP®, uses Monarch and Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, uses YNAB, why do the majority of FPFoCo’s cash-flow tracking clients use Monarch? Learn the answer — and get a step-by-step walk-through of how Regi sets Monarch up on behalf of FPFoCo clients. Plus, make an easy-to-use tool even simpler as you follow along to set up your Monarch account, too!

Looking for that Monarch Money discount code? It’s right here!

Have a money or tax question for us? Send it to [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer your question in a future episode! We’ll release a new one every other Thursday, and they’re ad-free for everyone — no subscription required.

Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com, and be sure to subscribe to get the latest episodes in your podcast feed! You can also follow us on your favorite social media platforms @fpfoco.

Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. 

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to you or your specific circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice. 

© 2025 FPFoCo