As 2025 winds down with markets near all-time highs, we focus on how investors can stay disciplined, tax-efficient, and emotionally grounded heading into 2026. Jeremiah Bates and Nic Daniels unpack why market volatility—driven by headlines, politics, and forecasts—shouldn't dictate financial decisions, and how time-based "bucket" strategies help protect lifestyle spending regardless of market swings.

The guys go into common mistakes made by high-income earners, including excessive cash holdings, poor tax withholding, misreported backdoor Roth contributions, and costly surprises from mutual funds held in taxable accounts. Also, explaining how capital gains are taxed, how they affect Modified Adjusted Gross Income, and why understanding this distinction matters for Medicare premiums and tax planning.

Listeners also got a detailed breakdown of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) versus state Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), including what expenses are eligible, when premiums can (and can't) be paid, and how HSAs can double as long-term tax-advantaged investment tools.

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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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It's the season of giving—but does generosity come with a tax bill? Not exactly.

In this solo episode, Nic Daniels breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in personal finance: the gift tax. From helping your kids with a down payment to giving cash to grandkids, he explains exactly how much you can give without involving the IRS.

You'll learn how the annual gift limit works, what Form 709 actually does (hint: it's not a tax payment), and how the lifetime gift and estate exemption keeps most people completely in the clear.

With current limits set at $19,000 per person and no taxes due for recipients, it's easier than you think to give generously without triggering tax consequences.

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https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Nic Daniels

Today, we focus on building smarter financial strategies for business owners, retirees, and long-term investors navigating a changing market environment. Jeremiah Bates and Alex Lundgren break down retirement plan options for the self-employed, including SEP IRAs, Individual 401(k)s, and SIMPLE plans—highlighting contribution limits, employee requirements, vesting rules, and costly mistakes business owners often overlook.

The conversation expands into the BetterBuckets® System, explaining how aligning cash, income, and growth assets can reduce emotional decision-making and create clarity during market volatility. The hosts discuss why understanding why you own certain investments matters just as much as what you own—especially when markets fluctuate.

They also examine recent market movement, interest-rate cuts, rotation between growth and value stocks, and what volatility really means for long-term planning. Rather than reacting to headlines, the episode emphasizes disciplined strategy, time horizon alignment, and using market pullbacks as planning opportunities—not panic moments.

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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We're in December so you know what that means... Actionable planning as the year closes — from Required Minimum Distributions to Roth conversions, backdoor Roth execution, QCD mistakes, and avoiding IRS withholding penalties. Jeremiah and Nic unpack overlooked tax traps, including misreported charitable transfers, improper Roth documentation, Form 8606 errors, and how retirees get hit with avoidable interest and penalties.

Also something new to look forward to: Trump Accounts. The guys break down how these federally seeded children's investment accounts work, eligibility timelines, contribution rules, investment limitations, tax treatment, distribution penalties, automatic setup, and whether politics should influence planning. They compare these to 529 plans, UTMAs, custodial IRAs, trusts, and simple brokerage accounts while showing when each shines — and when giving an 18-year-old control can be dangerous.

Plus, we get practical strategies for gifting, legacy planning, educating children about money, and using investment accounts as tools for skill-building rather than entitlement. Everything from tax efficiency, Social Security concerns, behavioral finance, and new policy mechanics.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Nic Daniels

—————————————————————

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 last weekend, Jeremiah and Nic walk through everything investors should be thinking about heading into year-end. They open with the uptick in market volatility and why short-term swings (especially after years of strong returns) should be expected rather than feared. From S&P 500 movement to speculation-driven selloffs and margin trading, the guys explain what's actually happening under the hood.

They then shift into the biggest year-end priorities: maxing out 401(k) contributions, coordinating Roth strategies, and using HSAs the right way—including the little-known double catch-up rule for couples over 55. The advisors outline practical moves for self-employed listeners too, especially when SEP IRAs unintentionally reduce their Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.

Listener calls round out the show with questions on spending down windfalls, tax-efficient Roth funding, managing debt, and how to plan confidently when you feel "behind."

In hour two, the conversation turns to 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts—how they work, who they're right for, and the real trade-offs behind tax deferral. They finish with retirement psychology, planning clarity, and why understanding your strategy matters more than timing the market.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Nic Daniels

—————————————————————

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 week's Money Hour dives into one of the most volatile stretches the market has seen in months — and why investors are reacting the way they are. Brian welcomes Richard Davila of Profitscore Capital Management to break down the real drivers behind the market sell-off: stalled Fed rate cuts, a crypto crash shaking retail investors, shaky labor data, and sky-high expectations for Nvidia's upcoming earnings.

From there, the conversation shifts to what volatility actually signals, how ProfitScore uses "volatility regimes," and why the current neutral regime makes investing especially confusing for DIY investors.

Brian and Rich also dig into the emotional side of investing — why behavior, sentiment, and over-concentration are hurting more portfolios than bad stock picks. They walk listeners through long-term strategy, diversification, and how to avoid chasing AI or crypto without a plan.

The second half of the show widens the lens: the economic pressure on Idaho families, cost-of-living concerns, wage stagnation, health-care subsidy worries, and why newcomers with cash are reshaping Idaho's housing reality. Plus, they unpack the boom in AI, robotics, nuclear innovation, and quantum computing — including why the next decade will determine who leads the global economy and what investors can realistically expect.

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https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley

Guest:

Richard Davila, CTA | Profitscore Capital Management

This episode tackles some of the biggest financial decisions listeners are facing right now. Brian starts with a breakdown of upcoming ACA subsidy changes—why many families may see higher health insurance premiums next year and what planning steps to consider before open enrollment closes. We also cover challenges around financing a CBD/hemp-related business, why traditional banks often won't lend, and what alternative paths may still be available.

From there, we dive into real listener questions. One caller wants to know whether a Roth conversion makes sense alongside pension income and future retirement withdrawals. Brian walks through how conversions really work, the tax traps people overlook, and how withholding decisions impact your final bill. Plus, a question about pulling equity from a four-plex to refinance or reinvest. Brian explains the pros and cons of HELOCs, traditional refinances, and VA loan options in the current interest-rate environment.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

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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You've heard the controversial new idea making headlines — the 50-year mortgage. What started as a proposal from national homebuilders sparks a bigger conversation: Are we solving housing affordability, or just stretching debt for another generation?

Brian breaks down how amortization works, why stretching payments can look appealing but cost hundreds of thousands more in interest, and how it impacts the broader economy. He also shares personal stories about real estate mistakes, mortgage decisions, and how inflation and rising rates are reshaping homeownership for Millennials and Gen Z.

Listeners call in with their own real-life experiences — from first-time homebuyers juggling tight budgets to the emotional payoff of finally owning a place you can call your own. Along the way, Brian explains the math behind mortgage length, how income growth changes affordability over time, and why some debts may not be as "bad" as you think.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host:

Brian Wiley

This week, Jeremiah and Alex tackle the questions that real retirees are actually asking. From how to file for Social Security the smart way to how to unlock forgotten retirement money hiding in old accounts.

They dig into Social Security myths and strategies, including how to decide when to file, the difference between spousal and survivor benefits, how income limits affect your payments, and what happens when SSDI converts to regular benefits.

Callers share real-world dilemmas: a 64-year-old in cybersecurity weighing when to claim; a woman in California discovering a secret credit card in a community property state; and a couple debating whether to sell or rent a second home and how to avoid capital gains taxes using the Section 121 exclusion.

The unstoppable duo wrap with tips on finding unclaimed 401(k)s, old accounts, and missing funds, plus why year-end is the perfect time to revisit tax strategies and portfolio moves.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Alex Lundgren

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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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Pay taxes now or later? It's one of the biggest decisions in retirement planning and the Roth conversion strategy sits at the center of it.

We break down how Roth conversions work, why timing is critical, and how they can transform your retirement strategy. They explain how to move pre-tax dollars into a Roth account, what the short-term tax hit really means, and how to avoid common pitfalls such as triggering Medicare surcharges or penalties under the five-year rule.

We also touch on how to use Roth conversions strategically for long-term tax savings, including how they help protect surviving spouses from higher tax brackets and reduce required minimum distributions later in life. Understand how Roth conversions can turn your biggest liability—taxes—into your greatest long-term advantage!

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Nic Daniels