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Taxes are often treated as a once-a-year obligation, but they play a much bigger role in your overall financial life. In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Mike and Madison explore the difference between tax preparation and tax strategy—and why planning ahead can make a meaningful impact over time.

They discuss how a year-round, coordinated approach to taxes can help shape future outcomes, covering topics like income timing, retirement plan contributions, Roth decisions, charitable giving, tax-loss harvesting, and estate planning. Along the way, they highlight recent rule changes and explain why working proactively with your financial and tax professionals can help reduce surprises and better align taxes with your long-term goals. Obviously, this episode is for general educational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Please speak to your professional for specific tax or legal advice.

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As we head into 2026, what lessons can we take from a year of major change?

In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Mike and Madison break down the biggest developments of 2025 and what they mean for planning ahead. The discussion focuses on the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA), including permanent tax law changes, higher standard deductions, new benefits for seniors, expanded SALT caps, and important incentives for business owners.

Mike also explains the major increase in federal estate and gift tax exemptions and why this may be a unique window for advanced estate planning. The episode wraps up with a look at market performance, economic trends, and key factors to watch in 2026—highlighting why proactive, coordinated planning is more important than ever.

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Most people think financial advice is something you do once — get a plan, make a few changes, and move on. In reality, that mindset can cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over time.

In this episode, Mike and Madison unpack why ongoing financial planning matters far more than people realize. They dive into the hidden tax mistakes even smart retirees make, how withdrawal and Social Security decisions can quietly drive lifetime taxes higher, and why tax planning is a year-by-year strategy — not a one-time fix.

The conversation then shifts to the financial planning industry itself, including the rise of private equity, the decline of true independence, and what Bob Veres calls “the great stall.” Mike shares firsthand insight into why so many advisors sell, what actually happens after a firm is acquired, and why Yardley Wealth Management chose internal succession over private equity.

If you’ve ever wondered what real financial planning looks like — or what’s happening behind the scenes in the advisory world — this episode is for you.