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.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

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.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

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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