Tax season has a way of sneaking up on people, just like a late winter snowstorm. One minute you think you're in the clear… the next, deadlines are piling up, and forms keep showing up in the mailbox. In this episode, Don walks through the most important April 15 tax updates for 2026 and new rules that could impact higher earners. Whether you're filing, extending, contributing, or adjusting withholdings, Don provides a practical checklist to reduce stress and avoid costly mistakes before the deadline hits.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📅 Deadlines & Extensions: What must be paid by April 15 (even with an extension)

📊 Refund Shifts & Tax Law Changes: Why lower brackets may see bigger refunds

🏡 New Jersey Tax Updates: Property tax relief, retirement exclusions, and PAS-1 filing

🎁 Charitable & QCD Planning: Smart giving strategies before filing

💰 Catch-Up Contribution Changes: Roth requirements for higher earners

✅ Final April 15 Checklist: IRA, HSA, SEP, Solo 401(k), and tax credit review

Resources for this episode:

Tax estimates –

https://www.irs.gov/faqs/estimated-tax/individuals/individuals-2

OBBBA – Tax changes –

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/irs/tax-law-and-policy/one-big-beautiful-bill-taxes/?srsltid=AfmBOoocoe8Os9sGXLBBmzoSWSFq8guezLiJLObMGUi5UHfPQ4jK-HD3

SALT Deduction change –

https://blog.taxact.com/what-is-the-salt-tax-deduction/

What Tax Forms Do I Need to Keep for My Taxes –

https://share.google/aimode/Dir3OK4dgTglBT8rQ

NJ PAS – 1

https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/propertyreliefforms.shtml

QCD forms –

https://www.morningstar.com/retirement/irs-adds-new-reporting-code-charitable-ira-gifts

Paper Checks Going Away –

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-to-phase-out-paper-tax-refund-checks-starting-with-individual-taxpayers

Trump Accounts – 

https://trumpaccounts.gov/

Some investments shine brightly, until they burn the people holding them. Don explores how emotional decisions, flashy advertisements, and market hype can quietly derail long-term financial security. Protecting your future often means resisting what looks exciting in the moment.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧠 Emotional Investing: Fear and greed shape outcomes

📺 Financial Advertising: Hype versus real risk

₿ Crypto & Meme Stocks: Volatility and speculation

💰 Income Planning: Stability beyond market swings

⚖️ Risk Balance: Performance without overexposure

Resources:

Yrefy – Lawsuit

https://advertisinglaw.fkks.com/post/102jz6l/yrefy-enters-into-750k-settlement-with-massachusetts-over-use-of-celebrity-endor

Bitcoin Crash –

https://www.tradingview.com/news/newsbtc:aaa5b3d71094b:0-why-the-bitcoin-price-crash-toward-60-000-was-necessary/

Meme Stock Crash –

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/29/gamestop-meme-stocks-retail-investors-wall-street-young-investors.html

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

Winter storms have a way of revealing weak spots, just like life’s storms bring financial surprises in retirement. In this episode, Don uses recent winter weather events as a backdrop to highlight the expenses and risks that often catch retirees off guard. The focus isn’t on panic, but preparation, and planning ahead for when life’s storms hit.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

❄️ Financial Storms: Why unexpected costs hit harder in retirement

🧰 Storm Preparation: Planning before problems appear

🔌 Backup Systems: Home generators as a planning metaphor

🧾 Expense Pressure: Healthcare and insurance costs adding up

🏠 Insurance Coverage: Knowing what policies you actually need

🛡️ Long-Term Care: Planning for one of retirement’s biggest risks

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

Start the new year strong! In this episode, Don reframes 2026 resolutions around the intersection of health, relationships, and financial planning, and shows why ignoring one often undermines the others. If you want resolutions that support your life instead of competing with it, this episode sets a better foundation for 2026!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎯 2026 Reset: Rethinking resolutions with purpose and clarity

🏃‍♂️ Health as Wealth: Why wellness is a financial strategy

📵 Tech & Relationships: Using smartphones as tools, not substitutes

🛡️ Protection Over Growth: Reducing risk as retirement approaches

📜 Estate Plan Check: Updating beneficiaries before it’s too late

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

The holidays bring something most families rarely get enough of: time together. In this special year-end episode, Don Cash highlights three important financial conversations that are often avoided, but could make a lasting difference for the people you love.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎄 Talking with Parents About Money & Safety

🧓 The Growing Risk of Elder Financial Fraud

👨‍👩‍👧 Conversations with Kids & Grandkids

📄 Essential Documents After Age 18

💬 Spousal Conversations About Retirement & Purpose

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

As the calendar races toward December 31, Don breaks down the year-end financial moves that can save retirees thousands- both now and for years to come. In this episode, he explains why December, not April, is the true “strategy season” for tax planning and highlights the opportunities that disappear once the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. From using Qualified Charitable Distributions to reduce taxable income, to unlocking the little-known 0% capital gains bracket, to timing Roth conversions within favorable tax ranges, Don shows how proactive planning creates powerful long-term benefits.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🔄 Tax Deadlines: Why December 31 is the real planning cutoff

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

The holidays bring families together, and sometimes, they reveal things we’ve been too busy to notice. In this episode, Don talks about the subtle signs that a parent or loved one may need extra support and how Thanksgiving gatherings can spark important long-term care conversations. You’ll hear how the holidays are not just a celebration, but an opportunity to protect the people you love.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🦃 Thanksgiving & Family Time: what holiday gatherings reveal about aging loved ones

👀 Holiday Reality Check: noticing changes in behavior, mobility, or routines

📍 First Steps in LTC Planning: how to begin the conversation without overwhelming anyone

🏥 Medical & Care Options: understanding home care, assisted living, and higher-level care

💸 Financial Impact: preparing for the true cost of long-term care

📄 Essential Legal Documents: powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and protection strategies

Resources for this episode:

#InFocus: Local man spends 350+ days on beach in honor of late wife:

https://www.fox29.com/news/infocus-local-man-spends-350-days-on-beach-in-honor-of-late-wife

East of the Boardwalk: The Miracle of Ocean City’s #1 Beach Bum

https://a.co/d/a356HPv

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

As the year wraps up, it’s time to make smart moves that can lower your tax bill and set you up for a stronger 2025. Don breaks down key year-end planning strategies- covering deductions, charitable giving, and state-specific opportunities- that could help you keep more of what you’ve earned. Don’t miss these insights that might save you thousands before December 31!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💼 New Deductions: key year-end tax updates and changes for 2025

📊 Above & Below the Line: understanding how different deductions impact your AGI

💰 End of Year Strategies: planning strategies for high earners under age 65

❤️ Giving Back: smart charitable and estate planning opportunities

🏛️ State Savings: unique New Jersey deductions and credits retirees should know

📅 Year-End Tips: what to do before December 31 to maximize savings

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

In this episode, Don and Marc huddle up for a fourth-quarter financial game plan to help you finish the year strong. With 2025 winding down, Don breaks down the key tax moves every retiree and pre-retiree should know before December 31st- including the expanded SALT deduction, the new Bonus Senior Deduction, and strategies for charitable giving and Roth conversions.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏈 Finishing the year strong with smart tax planning

💰 SALT deduction jumps to $40K for many households

🎁 Bonus Senior Deduction for retirees 65+

🙌 Bunching vs. QCDs for charitable giving

🔁 Roth conversions before rates rise again

🗓️ Year-end checklist to act before Dec. 31

MyLight

https://morelamplight.com/about-morelamplight/

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

The final months of the year are more than just football and holiday prep; they’re the most important time for financial strategy. As 2025 winds down, Don shares his year-end checklist for retirees and pre-retirees, covering the key moves that can save you money and set you up for success in 2026. From new tax law opportunities to shifting Medicare rules, this is the season to review, adjust, and make every dollar count.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💰 Tax Planning: Year-end opportunities under the new tax law

🧮 RMD Rules: Avoiding penalties and double distributions

🩺 Medicare Enrollment: Reviewing plans and prescription changes

❤️ Charitable Giving: Maximizing QCDs for tax-free generosity

🏡 NJ Tax Perks: Property tax breaks and “Stay NJ” benefits

Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/