Putting the wrong investments in your taxable brokerage account can quietly cost you thousands in taxes every year. In this episode, I break down 5 types of investments you should never hold in taxable accounts—and what to use instead for smarter, tax-efficient investing.
Want personalized advice? Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/snewhouse/discovery
Rising long-term care costs can drain retirement savings fast, but choosing the right account to pay for care can save you thousands in taxes. In this episode, I explain the smartest withdrawal order (to fund care, reduce taxes, and protect your legacy.
Want personalized help? Book a call: https://calendly.com/snewhouse/discovery
The government just created a brand new investment account type called "Trump Accounts" (yes, that's the real name). Here's what you need to know:
✅ $1,000 government seed money for eligible babies
✅ Parents can contribute up to $5,000 annually (ages 0-18)
✅ Low-cost index funds only (expense ratios under 0.1%)
✅ Works like a traditional IRA starting at age 18
I break down how this compares to 529 plans for college savings and share a potential Roth conversion strategy that could be helpful for young adults in low tax brackets.Trump Accounts launch July 2026 - but if you're having a baby between now and 2028, this could be a game-changer for their financial future.
Disclaimer: There will be more details coming as the government releases additional information.
If you want to get personalized advice, book a call with me at https://forthrightfinances.com/start-my-retirement/
The U.S. stock market has delivered extraordinary returns over the past decade, but this remarkable run won't last forever. In this video, I share 5 key strategies to prepare your portfolio before the cycle turns: when to start derisking, why global diversification matters, and how to avoid dangerous recency bias. Whether you're approaching retirement or already in retirement, these tips will help you with whatever comes next in the market.
In this video, I break down the triple tax benefits of Health Savings Accounts, what happens to your HSA when you pass away, and the key differences between HSA inheritance rules vs Roth IRA inheritance.You’ll learn:• The 3 unique tax advantages of HSAs• What happens if your spouse or children inherit your HSA• Why Roth IRAs often make better legacy tools• A smart strategy for spending your HSA before death
If you want to get personalized advice, book a call with me at https://forthrightfinances.com/start-my-retirement/
Retiring soon? There's a window between stopping work and starting Social Security/RMDs that could help lower your lifetime tax burden.
In this episode, I break down the "gap years" strategy and share 2 powerful moves you can make during this period, as well as common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're planning to retire at 62 or already in your gap years, this episode could help you keep more of your hard-earned money.If you want to get personalized advice, book a call with me at https://forthrightfinances.com/start-my-retirement/
In this video I'll discuss why I want you to at least consider retiring sooner than you've anticipated. While I don't want you to be reckless, I do want you to appreciate that time is your most precious asset, and it's running out faster than you think. I'll share a story that changed my perspective on retirement timing, break down some math that might help if you're a little short on retirement funds, and help you think through what's really keeping you tied to that corporate job.
After reading a disturbing New York Times investigation, I removed myself from the organ donor registry. The report revealed how organ procurement organizations are, in my humble opinion, prioritizing quotas over patient safety. It includes a case where a woman was about to have her organs harvested despite showing signs of consciousness. I break down the key findings, explain why the federal quota system is creating dangerous incentives, and share why I made this difficult decision. Read the full investigation here: https://archive.ph/tjp1gBook a call with me for personalized financial and retirement planning advice: https://forthrightfinances.com/start-my-retirement/
President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" brings major tax changes, with some even scheduled to start this tax year. In this video, I break down the 9 most important provisions that could impact your finances, including:-Permanent TCJA tax rates and standard deductions-$6,000 senior bonus deduction (with income limits)-SALT deduction increase to $40,000-Estate tax exemption boost to $15M per person-New charitable deduction for non-itemizers-Trump Accounts: $1,000 government-funded investment accounts for newborns-Expanded HSA access through ACA bronze plans-Roth conversion strategies remain intactWhether you're planning for retirement, or already in retirement, these changes will have an impact on your tax and retirement planning. For personalized financial planning help, you can book a call with me at https://forthrightfinances.com/start-my-retirement/
Planning for long-term care is one of the most overlooked aspects of retirement planning. In this video, I share 10 real-world lessons learned from watching my three grandparents navigate their final years, each with completely different health journeys and care needs.
There is some good news for anyone planning Roth conversions. If you've been feeling pressured to maximize conversions before year-end, or if you've been putting off getting started, this episode will explain why you can finally breathe easier.
I'll walk through what the recent legislation means for your conversion timeline, why the urgency around 2025 has disappeared, and the new strategic considerations you need to keep in mind. Plus, I'll share why "permanent" tax cuts aren't as permanent as they sound and what planning window you can actually count on.
In this episode I reflect on lessons individuals investors should take away from the stock market crash/correction that we experienced earlier this year. I do it through reading quotes from actual investors as the downturn was happening.
The full article is here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/market-turmoil-many-afraid-check-085823657.html
If you'd like my help with your own finances, you can reach out to me at ForthrightFinances.com
In 2005, President Bush proposed reforming Social Security by allowing younger Americans to invest a portion of their payroll taxes in personal retirement accounts. The plan was ultimately rejected and no changes were ever made to the program.20 years later, the data shows Bush was absolutely right. Workers would be significantly wealthier in retirement under his plan compared to the current system, which faces 23% benefit cuts by 2034.This video breaks down:•Bush's actual proposal and its safeguards•Real-world retirement calculations based on his proposal•Why the plan failed politically•The cost of inactionThe failure to reform Social Security when we had the chance represents a massive missed opportunity.Interested in working with me?
Visit my website at ForthrightFinances.com to learn more about my financial planning services.
In this episode, I go through the top 6 investment mistakes I've seen retirees make over my 10 years as a financial advisor.
With all the debate about spending cuts in the "Big Beautiful Bill" that is making its way through Congress, there is one significant yet very meaningful omission from the conversation.
As technology evolves and becomes more impressive, unfortunately, a number of losers are elevating their ability to scam people of their money and also their property. As I researched this episode, I realized that the number of stories on this kept growing and is becoming a big issue for cities and counties. In this episode I go through some of the schemes these scammers use to steal property, as well as how to mitigate the risk of deed fraud.
Links mentioned:
Arizona scam: https://tucson.com/life-entertainment/local/home-gardening/tucson-deed-fraud-homeowners-scam/article_cd4fdfd6-d5ca-11ee-be25-6b2f7d96a3e4.html
Queens scam: https://qns.com/2025/03/four-charged-deed-fraud-scheme-queens-da/https://www.businessinsider.com/scammers-use-ai-deed-fraud-title-theft-to-steal-homes-2024-10
Business insider article: https://archive.ph/5VXzp
I know no one wants to need long term care. But the likelihood that we will use it is fairly high, and that's especially true if we live long enough. In this episode I talk about one long term care solution that isn't talked about enough and has a number of benefits.
Article referenced in the video is here: https://apnews.com/article/adult-day-care-long-term-older-americans-a64fd581f2a5cfe7c1e943341d69cb10
Friends, the stairs are one of the leading causes of falls and injuries, especially as we get over 75 years old. It happens more frequently, it hurts more, the recovery time is longer, and it could even lead to something worse than an injury or broken bone. If you (or your parents) are over 80, I would recommend avoiding the stairs every chance you get.
How to make your home easier as you age: https://forthrightfinances.com/5-ways-to-make-your-home-easier-as-you-age/
Legendary actor Gene Hackman passed away in February. Coincidentally, he passed away just 7 days after his wife. Yet it gets even worse than that. Gene, who had Alzheimer's, lived in his home with his deceased wife for 7 days before he passed away. And it took an additional week for their bodies to be discovered. In this episode I discuss what happened and how you can prevent this happening to you (or your parents).
It's been a bad month in the markets, which inevitably leads people to want to sell their stocks and head to cash. I don't love that idea (okay, I hate it). But there is one minor exception I'm okay with. Here's what it is.