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What happens when you inherit an IRA—and how can you make smart decisions before the 10-year clock runs out?

In this episode, Greg and Scott break down the rules surrounding inherited IRAs, including the differences between eligible designated beneficiaries, non-eligible designated beneficiaries, and non-designated beneficiaries. They explain when the 10-year rule applies, why annual required distributions may still matter, and how inherited traditional and Roth IRAs are treated differently.

They also explore practical planning strategies for several real-life scenarios: using an inherited IRA as a bridge to early retirement, increasing workplace retirement contributions while still employed, managing distributions during high-income years, coordinating charitable giving, and deciding whether it may make sense to name children, grandchildren, trusts, estates, or charities as beneficiaries.

The big takeaway: an inherited IRA can create a tax obligation, but it can also provide flexibility, opportunity, and a meaningful source of financial freedom when managed thoughtfully.

Topics include:

• The inherited IRA 10-year rule
• Required minimum distributions
• Spousal rollover options
• Traditional versus Roth inherited IRAs
• Early-retirement planning
• Tax-efficient distribution strategies
• Charitable giving and QCDs
• Estate, trust, and beneficiary planning
• Multi-generational wealth transfer

This discussion is educational and is not intended as individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult your financial, tax, and legal professionals before making decisions about an inherited retirement account.

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Some money myths are easy to dismiss. Others survive because they contain just enough truth to sound convincing.

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Hannah puts Greg and Scott on the spot with five popular claims about taxes, investing, insurance, and wealth—no preparation, no scripted answers.

They tackle questions like:

Do the rich really avoid paying taxes? Should you wait for the next market crash before investing? Are dividend stocks essentially free money? Is life insurance a smart investment? Does earning a high income automatically make you wealthy?

Along the way, Greg and Scott explain where these ideas come from, what they get right, and where they can lead investors astray. The conversation covers market timing, dividend yield, tax strategy, insurance costs, lifestyle inflation, savings rates, asset allocation, and the habits that actually help build long-term wealth.

Because when it comes to personal finance, the most popular advice is not always the most useful—and the truth is usually more nuanced than a headline.

This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized investment, tax, legal, or insurance advice.

A large inheritance can help the next generation—but timing may matter just as much as the amount.

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Scott and Greg explore the psychology and planning questions behind the Great Wealth Transfer. They discuss why many retirees are accumulating larger estates than previous generations, why younger adults may feel financially behind, and whether waiting until death is always the most effective way to pass wealth forward.

Listeners will hear a thoughtful discussion of lifetime gifting, inherited IRAs, Roth conversions, trusts, retirement timing, and the tension between helping children and preserving their independence. The episode also considers a broader question: who is the money ultimately meant to benefit?

This conversation is educational and general in nature. Tax, estate, legal, and investment decisions should be reviewed with qualified professionals who understand your individual circumstances.

The first half of 2026 reminded investors of an important lesson: markets don't always move the way headlines suggest.

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg and Scott break down the first six months of the year, discussing why equities posted solid returns despite geopolitical uncertainty, what drove performance beyond the biggest technology companies, and why today's bond market looks very different than it did just a few years ago.

You'll also hear their thoughts on:

• Mid-year market performance
• Stocks vs. bonds in today's interest-rate environment
• Small-cap and international markets
• Gold and Bitcoin as portfolio assets
• Why staying invested during volatility often matters more than making predictions

This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial, tax, legal, or investment advice.

In this solo episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg Ashcroft tackles one of the most popular—and often misunderstood—topics in personal finance: Roth accounts. From Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s to Roth conversions, conventional wisdom often treats Roth strategies as the obvious choice. Greg argues that the reality is far more nuanced.

Drawing on real-world retirement planning experience, Greg breaks down nine common Roth myths and explains why many of the arguments used to promote Roth contributions and conversions may overlook critical factors such as opportunity cost, tax efficiency, and long-term wealth accumulation. Topics include the famous "pay tax on the seed, not the tree" analogy, the belief that investment growth can overcome tax inefficiency, the role of cash-on-hand in Roth conversions, concerns about future tax rates, and the idea that tax-free income is always superior.

Greg also explores the often-overlooked advantages of traditional retirement accounts, including standard deduction planning, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), and strategies for managing required minimum distributions (RMDs). Along the way, he challenges several popular narratives surrounding Roth accounts and encourages listeners to think critically before accepting one-size-fits-all financial advice.

Whether you're considering a Roth conversion, deciding between traditional and Roth contributions, or simply trying to better understand the tax implications of your retirement savings strategy, this episode offers a thought-provoking perspective on one of the most debated topics in financial planning.

Topics Discussed:

• The "Seeds vs. Trees" Roth argument
• Why growth doesn't eliminate tax inefficiency
• The myth of "cash on hand" for Roth conversions
• Are taxes really destined to rise?
• Traditional IRA advantages many investors overlook
• QCDs, RMDs, and retirement tax planning
• The hidden opportunity cost of paying taxes early
• Why Roth accounts aren't automatically the best choice
• How to evaluate Roth strategies more objectively

As always, this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult your tax professional, attorney, or financial advisor before making decisions regarding your specific situation.

In this episode, we introduce the concept of "financial escape velocity"—a practical middle ground between traditional retirement and the extreme version of the FIRE movement. We discuss how to recognize when your investments begin doing the heavy lifting, reducing the need for continued high levels of saving, and what that inflection point can mean for your lifestyle decisions.

We explore key indicators, including when portfolio growth begins to exceed contributions, how early savings discipline can create long-term flexibility, and why not all additional saving has equal value over time. The conversation also touches on trade-offs between deferred consumption and enjoying income earlier in life, as well as how tools like traditional retirement accounts can help accelerate progress toward financial independence.

Ultimately, this episode is aimed at individuals who have built a strong financial foundation and are evaluating how to balance continued saving with the opportunity to live more fully today—without compromising long-term goals.

Trump Accounts are generating a lot of interest—but how do they actually work, and where do they fit within a broader financial plan?

In this episode, we walk through:

• Who qualifies and how contributions work
• Tax treatment and key differences vs. Roth IRAs and 529 plans
• Potential long-term growth implications
• Strategic considerations at key decision points
• Common risks, including tax complexity and behavioral pitfalls

We also discuss how families might think about coordinating Trump Accounts with existing savings strategies and why flexibility still matters when planning for future generations.

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg Ashcroft and Scott Bartosh provide an update on ExxonMobil pension segment rates and what recent interest rate movements could mean for employees and retirees evaluating their pension options.

The discussion covers how IRS segment rates are calculated, why geopolitical events and inflation expectations can influence pension lump sums, and what the latest April data may signal for upcoming retirement quarters. Greg and Scott explain why rising rates can reduce lump-sum pension values, but also why retirees shouldn't focus solely on segment rates when making retirement decisions.

They also explore the broader retirement planning implications of today's higher interest rate environment, including opportunities in fixed income, the tradeoffs between pension annuities and lump sums, and the importance of considering salary, bonuses, RSUs, and age-based pension accruals when determining the right retirement date.

Whether you're actively planning an ExxonMobil retirement, have already retired and deferred your pension election, or simply want to better understand how interest rates affect retirement planning, this episode provides practical context to help you make more informed decisions.

Topics covered: • How ExxonMobil pension segment rates are calculated • What the latest April rates may indicate for future quarters • The impact of rising interest rates on lump-sum pensions • Why "working for free" is often an oversimplification • Pension timing considerations for employees approaching retirement • The role of fixed income in today's retirement environment • Lump sum versus annuity considerations • Key factors retirees should evaluate beyond segment rates

Are capital gains really the "tax nightmare" retirees fear? Or are they actually one of the most tax-efficient sources of retirement income available?

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg Ashcroft and Scott Bartosh break down the myths, misunderstandings, and planning opportunities surrounding capital gains in retirement.

The guys explain the critical differences between short-term and long-term capital gains, how the 0%, 15%, and 20% capital gains brackets actually work, and why most retirees never come close to paying the feared "20% capital gains tax" they hear about online.

Through a series of detailed real-world case studies, Greg and Scott compare taking retirement income from traditional IRA distributions versus highly appreciated brokerage assets—and the results may surprise you.

They also cover:

• How capital gains stack on top of ordinary income
• Why retirees often pay dramatically lower effective tax rates than expected
• The hidden tax traps inside mutual fund capital gain distributions
• The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) explained simply
• Why ETFs are often more tax efficient than mutual funds
• How basis impacts your true tax liability
• Why affluent retirees may still pay surprisingly low effective tax rates
• The power of Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategies
• The "golden window" of retirement before Social Security and RMDs begin
• Why effective tax rates matter more than marginal tax rates

The episode also explores how some retirees can potentially generate hundreds of thousands of dollars of retirement income while paying little—or even zero—federal income tax through strategic planning.

Whether you're approaching retirement, managing appreciated investments, or simply trying to better understand how capital gains really work, this episode provides practical insight into one of the most misunderstood areas of retirement tax planning.

Subscribe for future episodes covering Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, capital gain harvesting, retirement income strategies, and advanced tax planning techniques.

After a five-month hiatus, The Personal Finance Project is back — and a lot has changed.

In this episode, Greg and Scott finally answer the question listeners have been asking: "Where have you guys been?"

The last several months brought major life changes for the team, including Hannah welcoming her first child, Scott moving into a new home with his wife Kasyn, and Greg's family navigating a devastating spinal cord injury after his wife Camzin suffered a freak training accident.

The experience reshaped the way the team thinks about risk, financial planning, emergency preparedness, and the importance of getting the fundamentals right.

Greg and Scott also discuss: • Why risk management matters more than chasing "hot" investments • The real value of emergency funds and insurance planning • Lessons learned from personal crisis and recovery • Why they take a skeptical approach to financial trends and internet advice • Upcoming tax law changes and retirement planning topics • The future of the podcast and their return to weekly episodes

This episode is equal parts life update, financial philosophy, and recommitment to helping listeners make thoughtful, practical financial decisions.

Whether you're a longtime client, a loyal listener, or brand new to the show — welcome back.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Libsyn, and anywhere you get your podcasts.