Today, David and Chip start with some good news, as Nebraska ranks among the happiest states in America despite high property taxes. From there, they discuss the latest on the U.S. budget deficit, tariffs, and the growing divide in the “K-shaped” economy before wrapping up with a look at rising education costs—and a funny story about smart beds gone wrong.

Where did the term “Quintile” come from? Are government tax-free bonds a good tool for income in retirement? And given the 2-year look-back for IRMAA limits, how much could we comfortably “overshoot” the 2025 limits without being affected in 2027?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

David welcomes back Mike Shudel, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, to discuss proactive strategies for business owners looking to grow, protect, and eventually exit their companies. Together, they break down key topics like tax structure, key-person planning, and succession strategies that can turn a lifetime of work into lasting value.

David shares insights from his recent trip to Beverly Hills, where he attended the CAS ALTS Summit focused on alternative investments for accredited investors. He explains why private markets are becoming more accessible and what investors should know about liquidity before turning to global headlines, including Japan’s historic appointment of its first female prime minister.

We are bringing out one of David’s “Advisor Talk” conversations from the Retire Smart media vault. President and founder of Wealth Trac Financial, Kurt Fillmore, covers multiple topics with David, from the psychological changes retirement brings to giving purpose to the “why” when it comes to planning for retirement. This conversation has been broken down into 4 parts for podcast presentation; make sure to listen to the other 3 segments for the entire conversation.

We are bringing out one of David’s “Advisor Talk” conversations from the Retire Smart media vault. President and founder of Wealth Trac Financial, Kurt Fillmore, covers multiple topics with David, from the psychological changes retirement brings to giving purpose to the “why” when it comes to planning for retirement. This conversation has been broken down into 4 parts for podcast presentation; make sure to listen to the other 3 segments for the entire conversation.

We are bringing out one of David’s “Advisor Talk” conversations from the Retire Smart media vault. President and founder of Wealth Trac Financial, Kurt Fillmore, covers multiple topics with David, from the psychological changes retirement brings to giving purpose to the “why” when it comes to planning for retirement. This conversation has been broken down into 4 parts for podcast presentation; make sure to listen to the other 3 segments for the entire conversation.

We are bringing out one of David’s “Advisor Talk” conversations from the Retire Smart media vault. President and founder of Wealth Trac Financial, Kurt Fillmore, covers multiple topics with David, from the psychological changes retirement brings to giving purpose to the “why” when it comes to planning for retirement. This conversation has been broken down into 4 parts for podcast presentation; make sure to listen to the other 3 segments for the entire conversation.

In this episode, David and Chip break down Nebraska’s rising property taxes and the growing frustration among homeowners. They discuss new tax proposals targeting billionaires, why they could backfire on the broader economy, and close with Warren Buffett’s newest major purchase and what it signals for investors.

Can a “near-retiree” move to Roths without tying up the money for 5 years? Are there any risks to a Roth IRA, and if so, what are they? And will we see any lasting positive results from DOGE cuts? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.