The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) just launched a feature that changes the game for tax planning. As of January 2026, you can now convert Traditional TSP funds to Roth TSP funds without ever leaving the plan.

In this episode, Catherine breaks down the logistics of this new tool and explains why federal employees—specifically those with a FERS pension—might want to consider paying taxes today to avoid a "tax bomb" in retirement.

We discuss:

• The "Old Way" vs. "New Way" of doing Roth conversions.

• The Pro-Rata Rule: Why you can't choose which funds to convert.

• The Danger Zone: The TSP will not withhold taxes for you—here is how to handle the bill without getting penalized.

• The W-4 Hack: A simple trick in MyEPP/Employee Express to automate your tax payments.

Links & Resources:

• Book a Call: https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner

• Visit the Website: https://www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner

• Connect on LinkedIn: Subscribe to the Pulaski Planner newsletter.

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice.

An Interview with US Air Force Wildlife Biologist Will BossIn this episode of the Pulaski Planner, host Catherine Kirchner interviews Will Boss who is both a wildlife biologist and an active-duty member of the Air Force. He shares his journey from working with animals in Iraq to becoming a certified wildlife biologist in the Air Force. They delve into the importance of having clear goals and accountability partners, discuss current projects focused on mitigating bird and wildlife hazards to aircraft, and highlight the significance of combining military service with wildlife conservation. Additionally, Will shares crucial tools and equipment that aid in his work, emphasizing the importance of effective boots, GIS technology, and thermal vision for night surveys.00:00 Introduction and Bird Control Techniques00:17 Welcome to the Pulaski Planner00:41 Journey to Becoming a Wildlife Biologist03:49 The Importance of Setting Goals06:51 Current Projects and BASH Program13:24 Combining Passions: Military and Wildlife15:54 Essential Tools for a Wildlife Biologist19:43 Personal Stories and Final ThoughtsAbout Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and the creator behind the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies. I hold a Series 65 license and am currently pursuing my CFP® designation.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here: ⁠www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-planner⁠Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter,⁠ "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"⁠ Connect on LinkedIn.

Headlines are asking the same question: "Is the AI bubble about to burst?"

It brings up painful memories of the Dot-com crash or 2008. But do these headlines actually matter to your personal financial plan?

In this episode of the Financial Toolkit series, I give you a diagnostic tool to look under the hood of the market yourself: the P/E Ratio.

Using a simple analogy involving a Skid Steer, we break down exactly how bubbles form (when price disconnects from earnings) and whether the current AI craze matches the dangerous bubbles of the past.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Skid Steer Analogy: How to use the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio to tell if an investment is a "fair deal" or "pure hype."

• Dot-Com vs. AI: Why the current "Mag 7" tech rally is fundamentally different from the bubbles of the early 2000s.

• Forest Succession Strategy: Why your portfolio needs both "Pioneer Species" (fast-growing, volatile tech stocks) and "Climax Species" (stable, established trees) to survive the storm.

• Lessons from History: What 17th-century Dutch Tulip Mania teaches us about human nature and market cycles.

Whether the bubble pops, deflates, or keeps growing, the goal is to ensure your plan is resilient enough to handle the weather.

About Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski Planner

I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and creator of the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and public lands agencies.

Let's Connect:

• Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap?

• Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter: The Pulaski Planner

• Connect on LinkedIn: Catherine on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

What happens when you realize that managing the land is actually about managing people?

In this episode of the "Community Wisdom" series, I sit down with Scott Feldhausen, a recently retired District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).Scott shares his compelling journey from early aspirations in aquaculture to a distinguished career stewarding diverse landscapes—from the rivers of Idaho to the deserts of Arizona.He dives deep into the reality of the job: that success in public lands isn't just about biology or ecology. It's about balancing scientific rigor with the complex human interactions that come with managing multiple-use lands.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:29 Career Beginnings and Early Experiences01:28 Transition to Habitat Management01:47 Joining BLM and Learning People Management02:39 Career Highlights and Challenges04:28 Moving to Arizona and Embracing the Desert06:20 Reflections on Career and Retirement07:22 Insights on Resource Management and Leadership20:22 Current Projects and Future Plans22:50 Final Thoughts and FarewellAbout Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski PlannerHi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a financial planner and the creator behind the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies. I hold a Series 65 license and am currently pursuing my CFP® designation.Let's Connect:Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here: www.donaliesfp.com/pulaski-plannerSubscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter, "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"Connect on LinkedIn.Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice.

Welcome to The Pulaski Planner, your retirement lookout.

In this episode, host Catherine Kirchner guides public land professionals through a powerful analogy that will change the way you think about retirement taxes: the river lock system.

Discover how understanding tax brackets is like navigating a series of river locks, and why this simple analogy can help you make smarter decisions about your retirement income. We’ll break down:

• How progressive tax brackets really work (and common misconceptions)
• The impact of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) on your retirement income
• The “tax flood” problem and how to avoid being caught off guard
• The strategic benefits of Roth conversions—taking control of your tax future
• Why timing and planning can lead to long-term peace of mind

Catherine shares practical tips and cautions, reminding listeners that every financial situation is unique and that consulting a qualified advisor is essential before making big decisions.

Are you ready to take control of your financial future, or will you wait for the flood? Tune in for actionable insights and subscribe for more retirement wisdom tailored to public land professionals.

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

What's it like to find an original survey monument from the 1850s, knowing you're the first person to touch it in over 150 years?

For Monte King, a Supervisory Land Surveyor for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), it's the "thrill" of the job.

In the very first "Community Wisdom" episode of the Pulaski Planner podcast, I sit down with Monte for a fascinating look into the world of cadastral survey. As a second-generation federal employee, Monte shares what it's like to have a career that is a mix of being a historian, an investigator, and a technical expert.

His passion for his work is infectious—he's a self-described "lifer" who plans to "continue surveying" long after he's eligible for retirement because he loves the work so much.

In this conversation, Monte shares:

• The investigative "thrill" of tracing 1800s deeds and uncovering original corner markers.

• The vital, unsung role cadastral survey plays in our public lands—from enabling fire rehabilitation to providing the essential boundary data for the mapping apps we all use, like onX Maps.

• His non-traditional career path to becoming a licensed surveyor without a college degree.

• The "family sacrifice" and professional advantages of moving 5-6 times for career advancement.

• His passion for legacy, including co-authoring a BLM curriculum to inspire the next generation of surveyors.

This conversation is a powerful reminder of what a career built on passion, mission, and stewardship truly looks like.

About Our Guest

Monte King is a second-generation federal employee and a Supervisory Land Surveyor for the BLM in Idaho. His career started in 1996 and has taken him to 17 states across 4 BLM State Offices. He is licensed in Alabama and Idaho.

About Catherine Kirchner & The Pulaski Planner

Hi, I'm Catherine Kirchner, a Financial Planner and the author of the Pulaski Planner. Based in Montana, I specialize in providing financial guidance for career professionals in the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and other public lands agencies.

Let's Connect:

• Schedule a Call: Ready to build your own retirement roadmap? Schedule a complimentary "Retirement Lookout Session" here.

• Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get bi-weekly financial insights via my LinkedIn Newsletter, "Pulaski Planner: Your Retirement Lookout"

• Connect on LinkedIn: Catherine Kirchner on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice.