Hidden Advisor Fees, Mutual Fund Traps, & How to Avoid Bad Money Advice (1/17/2026)

Brian and Jeremiah dive one of the biggest questions investors should be asking: how do you know if your financial advisor is truly working in your best interest—or quietly profiting from hidden fees? This show starts by breaking down fiduciary vs commission-based advice, why transparency matters, and what listeners should ask to uncover all-in advisory costs—including mutual fund expense ratios, 12b-1 fees, and confusing share class structures like A, B, and C shares.

Plus, practical call-in planning: a homeowner selling property after decades in California learns how the $500,000 home-sale capital gains exclusion works for married couples, how improvements affect cost basis, and why moving states or turning a home into a rental can change tax outcomes. Finally, the hosts cover gig-economy tax basics—how DoorDash/1099 income gets taxed, the role of Schedule C, and why tracking deductions and mileage is essential.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Brian Wiley

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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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