Your Money, Your Wealth

Making fun of finance. A "Top 10 Personal Finance Podcast" and "Top 12 Retirement Podcast" (US News & World Report, 2023). One of the "10 Best Personal Finance YouTube Channels" (CardRates, 2023). “Best Retirement Podcast With Humor” (FIPhysician, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Learn strategies that can help you retire successfully. Financial advisor Joe Anderson, CFP® and certified public accountant Big Al Clopine, CPA answer your money questions and spitball on your 401k, IRA, Roth conversions and backdoor Roth IRA, how to pay less taxes, asset allocation, stocks and bonds, real estate, and other investments, Social Security benefits, capital gains tax, 1031 exchange, early retirement, expenses and withdrawals, and more money and wealth management strategies. YMYW is retirement planning, investing, and tax reduction made fun, presented by Pure Financial Advisors - a fee-only financial planning firm. Pure Financial adheres to the fiduciary standard of care, in which we are required by law to act in the best interest of our clients at all times. Access free financial resources and episode transcripts, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air to get your Retirement Plan Spitball Analysis: http://YourMoneyYourWealth.com

How to Beat the “Fire Hydrant” of Future Taxes: YMYW Best of 2025 - 563 01/06/2026

How to Beat the “Fire Hydrant” of Future Taxes: YMYW Best of 2025 - 563 YMYW friends, welcome to 2026. What actually mattered most to you in 2025? It turns out to be tax-free gains on investments, retirement timing, and claiming Social Security. Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 563, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA break down the smartest tax moves, the biggest Roth mistakes to avoid, and how real people solve real retirement problems - with the help of special guests Susan Brandeis CFP® and the IRA guru, Ed Slott, CPA. Find out when Roth conversions help or hurt, how to lower lifetime taxes for you and your heirs, what it really takes to retire confidently, even without a massive portfolio, and more. Watch or listen and steal the financial strategies that made YMYW's most popular episodes of the year. Free Financial Tools & Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-563 (full show notes & episode transcript) - 3 free downloads in one! - YMYW TV (self-guided) (self-guided) (Meet with an experienced professional) LISTEN to the Best of the YMYW Podcast , , , LISTEN to the Top Funniest Moments from the YMYW Podcast , REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:54 - Roth IRA is “The Greatest Account Ever” Per Ed Slott. But Why? from : YMYW most listeners and plays in 2025 on , YMYW most downloaded in 2025 across 20:46 - Is There a Point Where Roth Conversions No Longer Make Sense? (Jerry, Phoenix, AZ) from : YMYW most views, watch time, and new subscribers in 2025 on , most engaged listeners in 2025 on 32:13 - Roth Conversions vs. Taking Advantage of Zero Percent Cap Gains (Skipper, CA) from : YMYW most consumed episode in 2025 on 43:06 - We're in Our Early 40s with $795K Saved. Can We Retire at 55? (Mr Buckeye, OH) from : YMYW longest average view duration in 2025 on 55:12 - Is My Husband Eligible for Spousal Social Security Benefits Now that WEP and GPO Are Gone? (Cherilyn, El Cajon, CA) from : YMYW most plays, most listeners, and most viewers in 2025 on 59:53 - Outro: 2025 Stats and Next Week on the YMYW Podcast /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/39610045

I'm 42 and Burned Out with $2.25M. Can I Retire Early from My Toxic Job? - 562 12/30/2025

Retirement Finances Whether You're Married, Separated, or Single - 561 12/23/2025

The Truth About High Income Investments and Retirement Safety - 560 12/16/2025

Will Buying Your Dream Home Ruin Early Retirement? - 559 12/09/2025

Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which is Better for Retirement Savings? - 558 12/02/2025

Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA: Which is Better for Retirement Savings? - 558 McDreamy Dempsey wants to know if converting to Roth in the 37% tax bracket ever makes sense, and Gary in La Crosse warns Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA about Roth conversion “lag” and when it DOESN’T make sense to convert, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 558. Plus, Wine Guy and Gal in Northern California want a spitball on whether they should protect their ACA subsidies or keep converting to Roth before Medicare kicks in. Then it's the classic question for Robert in Napa, Luke and Lorelai in Indiana, and Phil and Claire in California: should they save for retirement in their traditional, pre-tax, tax-deferred accounts, or their post-tax, tax-free Roth accounts? Different needs and situations, same big question: which strategy gives you the smarter tax outcome? Free Financial Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-558 (full show notes & episode transcript) - limited time special offer, download yours before Friday, Dec 5, 2025! - free download - free download - YMYW TV (self-guided) (Meet with an experienced professional) REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This week on the YMYW Podcast 00:57 - Should High Earners Do Roth Conversions in the 37 Percent Bracket? (McDreamy Dempsey) 06:50 - The Hidden Roth Conversion Lag: When Conversions Don’t Actually Pay Off (Gary, LaCrosse, WI) 18:03 - Should You Prioritize the ACA Subsidy Cliff or Roth Conversions Before Medicare? (Wine Guy & Gal, No CA) 26:27 - Traditional vs Roth Contributions: What’s Better When You Make $400K? (Robert, Napa) 33:09 - Roth or Traditional Contributions? Save More or Coast After Debt Payoff? (Luke & Lorelai, Indiana) 42:13 - Roth or Traditional at Age 48: Which Strategy Makes More Sense? (Phil & Claire, CA) 49:19 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/39162980

UGMA, 529, HSA, RMD, and Inherited IRA Tax Bombs Defused - 557 11/25/2025

UGMA, 529, HSA, RMD, and Inherited IRA Tax Bombs Defused - 557 Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA are defusing some confusing tax time bombs today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 557. George in Torrance wants to know the smartest way to deal with the giant UGMA account set up by his kids’ grandparents. Suzanne in Detroit has a twist on the new 529 plan to Roth rollover rule. Homer and Marge need a spitball on whether they can build huge 529 plans for college savings and still retire early. Plus, Bill in Chicago just inherited a $950K IRA and needs a withdrawal plan before he triggers a tax explosion. Aaron in Cincinnati wonders whether maxing out his health savings account every year as part of his overall pre-tax contributions is a good idea. Carl in Western Maryland has questions about the required minimum distribution age and HSA rules, and wonders whether those who make the tax code are on drugs. And finally, Marc wants to know how to avoid the tax kaboom from $the 4M sitting in his traditional IRAs at age 73. Free Financial Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-557 (full show notes & episode transcript) - limited time Special Offer, download yours by Friday November 28, 2025! - YMYW TV (self-guided) (Meet with an experienced professional) REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This week on the YMYW Podcast 01:07 - Best Tax Moves When Your Kid Has a Huge UGMA Account (George, Torrance, CA) 06:23 - 529 to Roth Rollover or Save for Grad School: What’s the Smarter Play? (Suzanne, Detroit) 14:47 - Can $650K High Earners Afford to Build Huge 529 Plans and Still Retire Early? (Homer and Marge, No CA) 24:01 - Inherited IRA Withdrawal Plan: How Much Should You Take Out Annually? (Bill, Chicago) 31:23 - Should You Really Max Out Your HSA Every Year? (Aaron, Cincinnati, OH) 33:07 - Do You Take RMDs at 73 or 75? Was the Government on Drugs When They Came Up with HSA Rules? (Carl, Western MD) 38:07 - 73 With $4 Million in IRAs: What’s the Best Tax Strategy? (Marc, 92024 - Encinitas, CA) 39:31 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/39146510

Roth Conversions vs. 0% Capital Gains Rate: a Retirement Tax Trap? - 556 11/18/2025

Retiring Before Social Security? Consider These Portfolio Changes - 555 11/11/2025

Change of Roth Plans for the New Senior Tax Bonus? Tax-Loss Wins? - 554 11/04/2025

Should You Convert to Roth Before or After You Retire? - 553 10/28/2025

Don’t Let Money Anxiety Ruin Your Retirement - 552 10/21/2025

Where Should You Take Retirement Money First If You’ve Saved $2M? - 551 10/14/2025

Where Should You Take Retirement Money First If You’ve Saved $2M? - 551 We’re playing “which comes first” today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 551 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. “Retired G-Man and Nurse Ratched” from Pennsylvania have saved $2 million. Should they withdraw money first from their IRA or their taxable accounts in retirement? “Mike and Carol in Florida” want to know when and how much to convert to Roth, but they’re also sitting on a mountain of company stock. Should they deal with that first? Mackey in Florida is 55 and wonders if he can retire now with $2.6 million and some lingering debt - but there’s an important first he’s missing too! Plus, Mike in Utah asks Joe and Big Al to spitball on a plan for his 90-year-old mom’s $1.9 million annuity, and Doc McMuffin in Minnesota asks for the fellas’ take on her plan to gift appreciated assets to her parents. Free Financial Resources in This Episode: (full show notes & episode transcript) - all our financial resources! Ask Joe and Big Al, blogs, workshops, financial guides, and 11 seasons of YMYW TV! - YMYW TV (self-guided) (Meet with an experienced professional) REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:00:53 - How to Retire at 55 With $2.6M and Debt? First, How to Write a Good Spitball Request (Mackey, FL) 00:03:46 - Sequence of Retirement Withdrawals: IRA First or Taxable First? (G-Man and Nurse Ratched, PA) 00:12:10 - Roth Conversions vs Concentrated Stock: Which Comes First? (Mike & Carol, FL) 00:29:27 - What to Do With 90-Year-Old Mom’s $1.9M Annuity? (Mike, UT) 00:40:59 - Is Gifting Appreciated Assets to Parents Tax-Smart or Risky? (Doc McMuffin, MN) 00:48:27 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/38535590

Is Your Roth Conversion Timing All Wrong? (Financial Blunders) - 550 10/07/2025

Is Your Roth Conversion Timing All Wrong? (Financial Blunders) - 550 Joe and Big Al spitball on how to avoid screwing up the timing of your Roth conversions, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 550. Barrie from New York is 62 and single, and she’s been diligently converting pre-tax money each year for lifetime tax-free Roth growth. Should she continue after she retires next year? “Jerry and Elaine” want to retire in the next six years and still leave the kids an inheritance. When should they start Roth conversions? Alex in Pennsylvania is a 31-year-old software engineer. Should he convert his IRA to Roth all at once? Plus, how can he transition into a career as a financial planner? A clarification on the age plus 20 rule of thumb for retirement contributions from one of our YouTube viewers is very un-clarified for Joe, and the fellas let Lisa in San Diego know whether she can use her rental real estate income to fund a Roth 401(k). Free Financial Resources in This Episode: (full show notes & episode transcript) - YMYW TV (self-guided) (Meet with an experienced professional) REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:00:55 - Should I Keep Converting $20K a Year in Retirement? (Barrie, NY) 00:07:17 - Can We Retire at 62 and Still Leave an Inheritance? Roth Conversion Strategies for Big Accounts (Jerry & Elaine, KS) 00:17:05 - I'm 31. Should I Convert $57K Now or Spread It Out? (Alex, PA) 00:29:12 - Roth Conversion Timing Before Retirement (Mike, Philly Suburbs) 00:36:49 - Confused About Roth Withdrawal Rules at 60 (Lisa, Omaha NE) 00:40:05 - Clarification on the Age + 20 Rule of Thumb for Contributions (Matt, YouTube) 00:45:40 - Can Rental Property Income Fund a Roth 401(k)? (Lisa, San Diego) 00:47:24 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/38476625

What Retiring With $6 Million Really Looks Like - 549 09/30/2025

Is Financial Software Giving You False Retirement Confidence? - 548 09/23/2025

Is Financial Software Giving You False Retirement Confidence? - 548 Wendy and Joe in Colorado ran the numbers, and their financial planning software says they'll have over $10 million when they pass. Wendy's wondering if they should continue converting to Roth while working, despite their high tax bracket. But has the software lulled them into a false sense of security? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 548 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, which is smarter for "Kurt and Courtney" in New York: aggressively paying down their mortgage, or putting their extra money to work in the market before Kurt retires early in 20 years? Finally, when does it stop making sense for high-earners "Tim and Faith" in Boston to contribute to their Roth? The fellas duke it out on this one (and we figure out, based on our earliest musical interests, which era we’re each children of.) Free Financial Resources in This Episode: (full show notes & episode transcript) Pay Off the Mortgage? - - DOWNLOAD WATCH on YMYW TV (free, self-guided) (free, meet with an experienced professional) REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 01:11 - Financial Software Says We’ll Have $10M. Should We Continue Converting to Roth While Working, Despite Our High Tax Bracket? (Wendy, Loveland, CO) 16:35 - Watch 4 Hard Truths About Retirement You Need to Face on YMYW TV, Download the Retirement Readiness Guide 17:37 - What Are the Pros and Cons of Paying Off Our Home Before I Retire Early? (Kurt & Courtney, NY) 31:54 - Pay Off the Mortgage: YMYW Podcast Playlists on YouTube and Spotify, Calculate your free Financial Blueprint 32:51 - We're Late 40s With $3M + $2M RSUs. Continue Contributing to Tax-Deferred? Are We On Track for Retirement at 55 or 60? (Tim & Faith, MA) 46:15 - Next Week on the YMYW Podcast 46:37 - YMYW Podcast Outro /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/38302755

Roth Conversions: When to Make 'Em, When to Take 'Em - 547 09/16/2025

Roth Conversions: When to Make 'Em, When to Take 'Em - 547 A YMYW listener from Missouri and his wife are retired at 69 and 67, with less than $2 million dollars. Should they continue converting retirement savings to Roth for the tax-free growth? What should they do about long term care insurance? More importantly, is our listener’s name (Cousy) pronounced "Cuzzy" or "Koozy"? Speaking of Roth conversions, must “Peggy Hill” wait five years to withdraw her conversion money, or only its earnings? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 547 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, is Skipper’s retirement payout plan the killer deal he thinks it is? How can Jeff in Dallas pay less capital gains tax on his 3 million dollar single stock, million dollar 401(k), and potential eBay income? Is selling on eBay still a thing? Does Dolly in Tennessee need to empty her inherited IRA within the next 10 years due to the SECURE Act? And finally, HSA vs. HRA: how should Larry in Rhode Island navigate switching from his current employer’s health savings account to his future employer’s health reimbursement arrangement? Free Financial Resources in This Episode: (full show notes & episode transcript) (newly updated with One Big Beautiful Bill changes) - YMYW TV (self-guided) (Meet with an experienced professional) REQUEST your DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Connect With Us: : Subscribe and join the conversation in the comments : subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite : leave your honest reviews and ratings Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 01:11 - Should We Continue Roth Conversions in Retirement? What About Long-Term Care? (Cousy, MO) 13:03 - Must I Wait 5 Years to Withdraw My Roth Conversion, Or Only Its Earnings? ("Peggy Hill", MN) 21:50 - Is My Retirement Plan Payout the Killer Deal I Think It Is? (Skipper) 28:07 - How to Minimize My Capital Gains Tax? (Jeff, Dallas, TX) 33:37 - Must I Empty My Inherited IRA Within 10 Years With The SECURE Act? (Dolly, Bristol, TN) 37:50 - HSA and HRA: Health Savings Account vs. Health Reimbursement Arrangement (Larry, RI) 40:48 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/38190740

How to Accomplish Your Retirement Goals - Even Without a Fat Wallet - 546 09/09/2025

What The New Law Means For Your Roth IRA! - 545 09/02/2025

What's the Tax Triangle and How to Find Out if Yours is Lopsided - 544 08/26/2025

Can You Retire at Age 57 and Spend Big? - 543 08/19/2025

Can You Retire at Age 57 and Spend Big? - 543 Is it possible, common even, to spend a lot early in retirement to celebrate your financial freedom? How do Roth conversions and withdrawals work if you do plan to call it quits around age 57, and spend big early on? Should you convert retirement funds to tax-free Roth after you stop working? Joe Anderson CFP® and our special guest co-host, Marc Horner, CFP® spitball on these topics for "Beavis and Daria" in Texas and "Clark Kent" in Pennsylvania, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 543. Plus, the sooner 56-year-old "Tony Soprano" in New Jersey can retire, the better. What tips do Joe and Marc have for him? By the way, Marc is one of the newest principals here at Pure Financial Advisors. He’s the founder of Fairhaven Wealth Management, which has just become the newest Pure Financial Advisors Chicagoland office in Wheaton, Illinois - so help us welcome him for his YMYW debut. Free financial resources & episode transcript: Complete the for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw) DOWNLOAD the for free WATCH on YMYW TV ASK Joe & Big Al for your SCHEDULE your LEAVE YOUR HONEST RATINGS AND REVIEWS on SUBSCRIBE or FOLLOW on JOIN THE CONVERSATION DOWNLOAD READ WATCH SUBSCRIBE to the Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 01:00 - Spending Higher Earlier in Retirement to Celebrate? How to Convert? Where to Withdraw? (Beavis & Daria, TX) 12:30 - Watch Withdrawal Trap Doors on YMYW TV and Download the Withdrawal Strategy Guide for free 13:36 - Can I Retire at 57 Even With a High Draw Down Rate? Should I Convert After Retirement? Should I Consider an Annuity? (Clark Kent, PA) 28:23 - Complete the 8th Annual YMYW Podcast Survey for your chance at a $100 Amazon e-gift card! (secret password: ymyw) 29:09 - When Can I Retire? The Sooner the Better. (Tony Soprano, NJ) 37:43 - Next Week on the YMYW Podcast 38:01 - YMYW Podcast Outro /episode/index/show/yourmoneyyourwealth/id/37858860