Real Money Pros

This week, we break down what the Fed's latest rate pause really means and why the market's reaction isn't always the full story. They dig into the ripple effects on mortgages, credit card rates, and borrowing costs, and talk about how "higher for longer" might stick around when it comes to interest rates.

The guys also tackle listener questions on everything from annuity pros and cons to the best time to start Social Security. Plus, they share why cash can be a dangerous long-term strategy, how to use volatility to your advantage, and why market pullbacks aren't always bad news.

Whether you're worried about inflation eating your savings, wondering how to invest in a weird market, or just trying to make sense of mixed economic signals, this episode is one to tune into.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

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SPONSORS:

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Your 529 plan just got a serious upgrade—and if you're a parent, grandparent, homeschooler, or working professional, you'll want to hear this.

Nic and Alex join forces again today to go through some new rules for 529 plans following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Starting as soon as July 2025, the list of what counts as a "qualified education expense" is expanding dramatically. That means more flexibility and better use of your tax-advantaged dollars!

Highlighted Changes to 529s:

• Expanded coverage for K–12 expenses beyond just tuition

• A new $20,000 annual withdrawal limit starting in 2026

• What this means for homeschoolers, dual enrollment, and standardized testing

• How professionals (yes, even CPAs and realtors) can now use 529 funds for career development

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Nic Daniels & Alex Lundgren

Brian Wiley tackles the root causes of inflation (and no, it's not just tariffs) and discusses how stimulus programs, economic cycles, and behavioral investing shape our financial reality. He challenges conventional narratives, critiques misleading government data, and gives a fresh perspective on how inflation, interest rates, and political noise affect your bottom line. He explains how to read the markets, spot opportunity during chaos, and take control of your financial future—even when the numbers don't make sense.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley

This weekend, Brian and Jeremiah go into the realm of estate planning, focusing on the misunderstood but crucial tool: the revocable living trust. They answer listener questions from California to Florida, explaining step-ups in basis, trust-based ownership, and how titling mistakes can send your estate straight into probate.

The real-world implications of leaving property outside of a trust, the legal difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts, and why funding your trust matters just as much as setting it up. They also address common misconceptions, like whether trusts protect assets from lawsuits or divorce—and offer guidance on avoiding costly oversights.

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—it's for anyone who wants their legacy to pass smoothly and privately to the next generation. If you've ever thought about leaving property to your kids, this conversation will change how you plan for the future.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

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SPONSORS:

Guild Mortgage:

https://guildmortgage.com

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

Formations:

https://get.formationscorp.com/real-money-pros

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Big changes are coming to the student loan system—and if you or your kids plan to attend college soon, you need to know what's inside the One Big Beautiful Bill.

In this week's podcast, Nic and Alex break down the sweeping new legislation that overhauls how federal student loans work starting July 1, 2026. From newly capped borrowing limits to stricter repayment plans, these reforms are designed to curb runaway college costs—but could leave some families scrambling to fill financial gaps.

They walk through:

• New limits on Parent PLUS and graduate loans
• What counts—and doesn't count—toward eligible loan expenses
• The end of $0 minimum payments for low-income borrowers
• Why filing taxes separately may no longer help reduce payments

Will these changes force students and parents to reassess how education fits into their long-term career decisions?

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Nic Daniels & Alex Lundgren

In this week's episode of The Money Hour on Newstalk KBOI, Brian talks about the biggest financial stressors Americans face—housing costs. How much of your income should go toward your mortgage or rent? Are you "house poor" and don't even know it? He breaks down the real numbers behind PITI (Principal, Interest, Taxes, Insurance), lending standards, and how federal programs play into affordability.

He also shares insights from listener calls, including one homeowner living mortgage-free for decades and another struggling to balance quality of life with rising costs. Plus, Brian gets personal—sharing why he chose to build a home from scratch and how his construction journey parallels building financial security.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley

This week, Brian and Jeremiah dig into one of the biggest mistakes they see from investors—sitting in too much cash out of fear. They talk through why holding back might feel safe but often leads to regret, missed opportunities, and slower retirement progress.

They also break down today's weird market conditions: strong indexes, mixed economic data, and why consumer confidence still feels shaky despite record highs. Plus, they take on common listener questions—like how to deal with rising insurance premiums, whether real estate still makes sense, and how to stop overthinking every market dip.

They also take listener calls and dive into real-world planning questions: • Should you wait to invest until after the election? • When do Roth conversions make sense? • How should real estate affect your tax plan in retirement? • Are annuities a good idea for monthly income—or a trap?

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

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SPONSORS:

Guild Mortgage:

https://guildmortgage.com

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

Formations:

https://get.formationscorp.com/real-money-pros

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Most people don't think about hiring a financial advisor—until something bad happens. This week, Jeremiah is joined by Alex Lundgren for an honest conversation about what it really means to have a trusted advisor in your corner, especially during one of life's most difficult events: the loss of a loved one.

They break down why human advice matters when you're faced with grief, paperwork, taxes, and major financial decisions you didn't see coming. From understanding beneficiary options and managing IRAs, to coordinating with attorneys and custodians—this isn't the kind of support you'll find from a call center or robo-advisor...

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Alex Lundgren

Brian takes a deep dive into the future of money—especially stablecoins and how they might flip the whole payment system on its head. He breaks it down in plain English: what stablecoins are, how they could replace Visa and Mastercard, and why it actually matters to you.

He also talks crypto in 401(k)s (yep, that's happening), how companies like NVIDIA and Micron are powering the tech behind the scenes, and why Bitcoin isn't just for "those people" anymore. Whether you're still skeptical or already all-in, Brian gives you the tools to start thinking about digital assets with a clear head—and maybe even some strategy.

The government is started to take part, should you?

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley

Brian and Jeremiah cover what everyone's thinking: Why does the market feel fine if the public doesn't? They unpack the disconnect between bullish investors and frustrated consumers, and what the Fed's "higher for longer" stance really means for housing, inflation, and your portfolio.

They also dive into a huge shift coming to our financial system—stablecoins. As Congress pushes new legislation to bring these digital dollar-backed assets into the mainstream, Brian and Jeremiah explain what it means for investors, the banking industry, and anyone tired of waiting 3 days for an ACH transfer.

Other highlights this week: how regret can wreck a retirement plan, why cash isn't a long-term strategy, and how to avoid emotional investing traps that burned people during COVID-era markets.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

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SPONSORS:

Guild Mortgage:

https://guildmortgage.com

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

Formations:

https://get.formationscorp.com/real-money-pros

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