Real Money Pros

As markets flirt with correction territory and geopolitical tension continues to drive uncertainty around oil, inflation, and interest rates, Brian and Jeremiah focus on what investors should actually do when volatility rises. Rather than reacting to headlines, they explain why market pullbacks create opportunities—from tax-loss harvesting to strategic gifting—and how disciplined planning can turn short-term declines into long-term advantages.

The show then shifts into practical, real-world financial planning conversations. The hosts walk through how to handle inheritances, including what happens to debt, how probate works, and why some assets may need to be liquidated despite emotional attachment. They also highlight lesser-known strategies like gifting appreciated stock, charitable giving for tax efficiency, and using HSAs more effectively.

In Hour 2, the conversation returns to fundamentals, breaking down retirement accounts like traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs in simple terms. How they're taxed, when contributions make sense, and how to use them to reduce taxes today while planning for future income.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts

Jeremiah Bates & Brian Wiley

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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With oil prices pushing above $100 amid escalating Middle East tensions, Brian Wiley and Jeremiah Bates open the show by breaking down what geopolitical shocks can mean for markets, inflation, and investor sentiment. They discuss more about how headlines surrounding energy prices and global conflict can amplify volatility, but also explain why long-term investors should focus more on portfolio structure and diversification rather than reacting emotionally to short-term news cycles.

The conversation then shifts into deeper retirement planning strategy. Using real-world experiences, the guys walk through Roth conversion planning, including how investors with large IRA balances should think about converting money over several years to manage future taxes and required minimum distributions. They explore the trade-offs between converting aggressively versus managing tax brackets, how those decisions interact with Social Security timing, and why planning for unknown life expectancy makes retirement strategy more complex than simple math.

Brian and Jeremiah also touch on broader financial planning topics including market volatility, inflation expectations, estate planning considerations, and the importance of having a coordinated strategy across taxes, investments, and retirement income.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts

Jeremiah Bates & Brian Wiley

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Long-term care is one of the biggest financial risks retirees face... yet it's rarely discussed until a crisis happens. In this podcast hosted by Nic Daniels, he explains what long-term care actually is, why it can be so expensive, and the common misconceptions surrounding who pays for it. Many retirees assume Medicare will cover these costs, but in reality most long-term care expenses must be paid out of pocket unless someone qualifies for Medicaid after depleting much of their assets.

Nic walks through the different ways families approach this challenge, including self-funding care, traditional long-term care insurance, and newer hybrid strategies that combine life insurance with long-term care benefits. Plus, why timing matters when exploring insurance options and why many people wait until it's too late.

Most importantly, this episode highlights the family and emotional considerations behind long-term care planning—because without a plan, the burden often falls on spouses or adult children.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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A surge in oil prices following escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran sent energy markets sharply higher, raising new questions about inflation, interest rates, and how investors should respond. Jeremiah Bates and Alex Lundgren break down what a 35% spike in oil could mean for gas prices, consumer spending, and Federal Reserve policy, while explaining why reacting emotionally to geopolitical headlines can lead investors into costly mistakes. They discuss how markets historically digest global conflicts, why short-term volatility doesn't necessarily change long-term strategy, and how proper portfolio structure and liquidity planning can help investors avoid panic decisions during uncertain periods.

The show also dives into timely tax-season issues investors should watch closely. Jeremiah and Alex explain why 1099 forms aren't always correct, common errors involving Roth conversions and IRA distributions, and why Form 8606 is critical for documenting nondeductible IRA contributions. They also discuss refund delays tied to new tax law implementation, how HSA contributions can still reduce taxable income before the filing deadline, and what self-employed investors need to know about solo 401(k) reporting requirements.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts

Jeremiah Bates & Alex Lundgren

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Everyone thinks they're diversified... Until the market proves otherwise. In this podcast episode, Nic Daniels breaks down what diversification really means and why so many investors get it wrong. After years of strong market performance, it's easy to feel confident owning growth-heavy portfolios, tech ETFs, or even multiple S&P 500 funds. But are you truly diversified, or just concentrated in disguise?

Nic walks through real-world examples of "fake diversification," including overlapping mega-cap exposure, tech-heavy ETF combinations, U.S.-only portfolios, and the hidden risks inside high-yield income investments. He explains why bull markets mask concentration risk and how volatility quickly exposes it.

Most importantly, he outlines practical, tax-aware ways to gradually rebalance and build a portfolio designed not just to grow wealth — but to protect it. Diversification isn't about today's gains, it's about making sure one market shift doesn't rewrite your retirement.

Take Our BetterBuckets™ Assessment

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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As U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran dominate headlines, Brian Wiley and Jeremiah Bates break down what a Middle East escalation could mean for oil prices, inflation, and the stock market. They analyze the risk surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, discuss how markets have historically responded to geopolitical shocks, and explain why panic-driven decisions often do more damage than the events themselves. Most importantly, they outline how proper liquidity planning and structured allocation can protect investors from being forced into bad moves during volatile periods.

The episode also features CPA Stephanie Helms, who unpacks the real details behind the new federal tax changes. From the fine print on "no tax on tips" and overtime pay to the new senior deduction for Social Security recipients and the complex auto loan interest deduction tied to VIN rules, the conversation exposes what actually qualifies and what doesn't. They also discuss state tax conformity issues, refund delays, and why some taxpayers may need to amend returns.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

—————————————————————

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Jeremiah and Nic start with a volatile week in the markets following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Trump's tariff authority and the market's surprisingly calm reaction. They explain why uncertainty, not bad news itself, drives volatility and how diversified portfolios, including small caps, value stocks, and international exposure, help investors stay resilient when headlines shift.

The conversation then turns to one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: estate planning and account titling. They walk through the differences between wills and trusts, why wills do not avoid probate, and how simple steps like beneficiary audits, TOD and POD designations, and proper account ownership can prevent costly delays and family conflict. They also discuss whether trusts should be named as beneficiaries on IRAs, how inheritance rules differ for individuals versus trusts, and when simplicity is often the best strategy.

Rounding out the show, the duo covers tax-season pitfalls, including corrected 1099s, K-1 delays, Roth conversions, backdoor Roth mistakes, and why rushing to file taxes can create unnecessary problems.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Nic Daniels

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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This Saturday, Brian and Jeremiah dig into a timely and controversial topic: self-representation in real estate. Using a real client example, they explore why some buyers and sellers are bypassing traditional agents, how commission structures affect negotiations, and when professional representation truly adds value, especially in complex or high-stakes transactions. The conversation expands into the broader real estate industry, MLS practices, and whether technology and AI are beginning to disrupt long-standing models.

The show also tackles a critical investing issue: overconcentration risk. Through real-world stories, from individual stock success to catastrophic losses, the hosts explain how having too much money tied to a single company, property, or asset can quietly put long-term financial security at risk, even when things appear to be working.

Rounding out the episode, Brian and Jeremiah revisit the BetterBuckets™ strategy and explain how separating money into protection, income, and growth buckets helps investors stay disciplined during market volatility. They discuss income-producing options, dividend stocks versus bond funds, yield traps to avoid, and why focusing on purpose rather than headlines leads to better long-term outcomes.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

—————————————————————

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Brian and Jeremiah talk about a volatile week in the markets with a deep dive into cryptocurrency, investor psychology, and why emotional reactions often lead to costly mistakes. The show breaks down Bitcoin's sharp pullback, putting it into historical context by explaining why 50%+ drawdowns have been a recurring part of its long-term behavior and why understanding your objective matters more than chasing momentum.

The conversation expands beyond crypto to examine broader market volatility, headline-driven fear, and the danger of reacting to short-term noise instead of sticking to a well-structured plan. Using real-world examples, the hosts explain how missing just a handful of the market's best days can dramatically reduce long-term returns and why disciplined investors are often rewarded after periods of panic.

The second hour shifts into practical planning topics, including how people actually buy and hold Bitcoin, ETFs versus direct ownership, and a candid discussion on annuities—when they may help, when they often don't, and how fear-based selling can lead to high fees and poor outcomes.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

—————————————————————

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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This episode blends financial psychology with practical planning. Brian Alex open by discussing a core principle of advice: why seeking guidance only helps if you're willing to follow it, and how emotional decisions often lead to expensive outcomes.

They answer listener questions about investing in silver, explaining how precious metals can fit into a diversified strategy when used appropriately, while cautioning against overconcentration and fear-based investing. The conversation also tackles political and economic anxiety, reinforcing that reacting to headlines or administrations rarely leads to better long-term results than sticking to a disciplined investment plan.

The show delivers actionable retirement planning insight through a detailed discussion on Roth conversions. Brian and Alex break down whether to pay conversion taxes from outside savings or withhold from the IRA itself, the trade-offs involved, and how these decisions interact with future tax brackets, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and Medicare IRMAA thresholds. Additional listener questions cover college tax credits, 529 plan reporting, and foundational saving strategies.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts: Brian Wiley & Alexandra Lundgren

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Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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