Self-Employed Retirement Plans, BetterBuckets & Investing Through Market Volatility (12/13/2025)
Release Date: 12/16/2025
Estate Planning Failures, HSA Tax Strategies, & When DIY Backfires (4/18/2026)
The Real Money Pros
Most people don’t have a money problem—they have a follow-through problem. Brian Wiley and Jeremiah Bates use real-life case studies, including a massive estate mess left behind by Brian’s own father, to show why DIY financial planning often leads to incomplete or broken outcomes—especially when trusts aren’t properly funded or plans aren’t kept up to date. The conversation goes into estate planning mechanics, breaking down how wills vs. trusts actually work, why co-trustee structures can create logistical nightmares, and how poor coordination leads to delays, legal...
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Certainty vs. Flexibility in Retirement Income Planning
The Real Money Pros
Guaranteed income is often seen as the goal in retirement, but it comes with trade-offs that many investors don’t fully understand. This podcast breaks down what you’re actually giving up when you exchange a lump sum for a fixed income stream. While guaranteed income can provide predictability and peace of mind, it often comes at the cost of flexibility, control, liquidity, and long-term planning opportunities. Nic walks through how these decisions impact your ability to adapt to life changes, manage taxes, respond to market opportunities, and leave assets to heirs. He also explains why...
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Iran Market Reversal, Estate Planning Pitfalls, & Annuity Income Debate (4/11/2026)
The Real Money Pros
A volatile stretch tied to the Iran conflict quickly reversed last week, giving us a real-time example of how fast markets can swing and why reacting to short-term headlines can backfire. Jeremiah and Alex tackle listener questions, starting with whether apps like Acorns are a legitimate way to build wealth and leave money behind for family. That conversation turns into a deeper look at estate planning basics, including when simple tools like transfer-on-death designations work—and when they fall short. A standout segment features a real listener story about naming multiple co-trustees,...
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Pension Lump Sum vs. Monthly Income: What's the Right Choice?
The Real Money Pros
If you have one, choosing between a pension lump sum and monthly income may seem simple, but it’s one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make in retirement. Nic breaks down the key differences between taking a guaranteed monthly pension and opting for a lump sum payout. While many people approach this decision based on whether they “need income,” Nic explains why that thinking often falls short. From investment responsibility and market risk to tax flexibility and long-term income planning, both options come with trade-offs that extend far beyond the initial decision. He...
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Why Is Paying Taxes So Complicated? Roth Conversions, Rollovers, & Expensive Mistakes (4/4/2026)
The Real Money Pros
With tax deadlines approaching, we talk about the real-world complexity of Roth conversions—starting with a detailed caller scenario that highlights how confusing the rules can actually be. Brian and Jeremiah walk through how taxes are paid on conversions, when estimated payments are required, and unpack lesser-known strategies like the “withhold and replace” approach and the 60-day rollover rule. The show also covers a second caller navigating a pension lump sum, breaking down rollover options, how to access funds without unnecessary penalties, and strategies like 72(t) distributions....
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Are You Getting Real Financial Planning… or Just Investment Management?
The Real Money Pros
Many investors believe they have a financial plan. When in reality, they simply have an investment account... Nic Daniels and Alex Lundgren break down the critical difference between investment management and true financial planning. While investment management focuses on selecting funds and tracking performance, real planning goes much deeper—covering tax strategy, retirement income, risk management, estate coordination, and life transitions. They discuss common scenarios where portfolios have grown successfully over time, but clients lack a clear plan for how to turn those assets into...
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Handling Market Pullbacks, Reduce Taxes, & Know If Your Advisor Is Doing Enough (3/28/2026)
The Real Money Pros
With markets entering correction territory, Brian and Jeremiah break down what recent volatility actually means and how investors should respond without making emotional mistakes. They explain how rising oil prices, inflation expectations, and interest rate uncertainty are driving market swings, and why having a strategy in place matters more than reacting to headlines. The conversation then shifts into actionable tax and investment planning. The guys walk through strategies like tax-loss harvesting, managing concentrated stock positions, and why reducing taxes can be just as impactful as...
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Widow’s Tax Penalty: The Retirement Tax Bomb Couples Miss
The Real Money Pros
Most couples assume taxes will decrease when one spouse passes away, but in many cases, the opposite happens. In this podcast, Nic focuses on the often-overlooked “Widow’s Tax Penalty” and why it can create a significant tax burden for surviving spouses. When filing status shifts from married filing jointly to single, tax brackets shrink—often resulting in higher taxes on similar or even reduced income. Nic explains how income sources like IRAs, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and certain pensions may remain unchanged, while Social Security benefits are reduced. This combination...
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Tax-Loss Harvesting, Gifting Strategies, & IRA Rules Every Investor Should Know (3/21/2026)
The Real Money Pros
As markets flirt with correction territory and geopolitical tension continues to drive uncertainty around oil, inflation, and interest rates, Brian and Jeremiah focus on what investors should actually do when volatility rises. Rather than reacting to headlines, they explain why market pullbacks create opportunities—from tax-loss harvesting to strategic gifting—and how disciplined planning can turn short-term declines into long-term advantages. The show then shifts into practical, real-world financial planning conversations. The hosts walk through how to handle inheritances, including what...
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Oil Over $100, Roth Conversion Strategy & Big Retirement Planning Decisions (3/14/2026)
The Real Money Pros
With oil prices pushing above $100 amid escalating Middle East tensions, Brian Wiley and Jeremiah Bates open the show by breaking down what geopolitical shocks can mean for markets, inflation, and investor sentiment. They discuss more about how headlines surrounding energy prices and global conflict can amplify volatility, but also explain why long-term investors should focus more on portfolio structure and diversification rather than reacting emotionally to short-term news cycles. The conversation then shifts into deeper retirement planning strategy. Using real-world experiences, the guys...
info_outlineToday, 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
Tree City Advisors of Apollon:
https://www.treecityadvisors.com
Apollon Wealth Management:
https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/
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