Hosts Dr. Brandy Baxter and Rachael DeLeon welcome longtime AFCPE member Dr. Barbara O’Neill to discuss changes in financial planning over 40 years, including increased automation and the uncertain readiness of AI, alongside AFCPE’s growing membership diversity.

 O’Neill defines tax-smart charitable giving as aligning donations with income-tax benefits and highlights additional psychological benefits of philanthropy.

She shares strategies including qualified charitable distributions from traditional IRAs, bunching deductions to exceed the standard deduction, donor-advised funds, and new 2026 charitable deductions for non-itemizers, while noting shifting tax rules for itemizers. 

The conversation also covers older adults’ needs—lower risk, lower taxes, simplicity, reliable income, and “fun money”—popular later-life class topics, solopreneur advice, and the importance of making financial education simple and actionable. 

Show Notes:

00:00 Meet our guest, Barbara O'Neill

02:16 How Finance Has Changed

03:08 AI and the Human Touch

05:48 Tax Smart Giving Basics

14:41 Keeping Up With Tax Law

15:37 Giving Tips for Young Adults

17:57 Older Adults Money Needs

27:10 Late Life Entrepreneurship

33:01 Barbara's Two Cents

Show Note Links:

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Grab your copy of Barbara's book!  

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