As U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran dominate headlines, Brian Wiley and Jeremiah Bates break down what a Middle East escalation could mean for oil prices, inflation, and the stock market. They analyze the risk surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, discuss how markets have historically responded to geopolitical shocks, and explain why panic-driven decisions often do more damage than the events themselves. Most importantly, they outline how proper liquidity planning and structured allocation can protect investors from being forced into bad moves during volatile periods.

The episode also features CPA Stephanie Helms, who unpacks the real details behind the new federal tax changes. From the fine print on "no tax on tips" and overtime pay to the new senior deduction for Social Security recipients and the complex auto loan interest deduction tied to VIN rules, the conversation exposes what actually qualifies and what doesn't. They also discuss state tax conformity issues, refund delays, and why some taxpayers may need to amend returns.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

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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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Jeremiah and Nic start with a volatile week in the markets following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Trump's tariff authority and the market's surprisingly calm reaction. They explain why uncertainty, not bad news itself, drives volatility and how diversified portfolios, including small caps, value stocks, and international exposure, help investors stay resilient when headlines shift.

The conversation then turns to one of the most overlooked areas of financial planning: estate planning and account titling. They walk through the differences between wills and trusts, why wills do not avoid probate, and how simple steps like beneficiary audits, TOD and POD designations, and proper account ownership can prevent costly delays and family conflict. They also discuss whether trusts should be named as beneficiaries on IRAs, how inheritance rules differ for individuals versus trusts, and when simplicity is often the best strategy.

Rounding out the show, the duo covers tax-season pitfalls, including corrected 1099s, K-1 delays, Roth conversions, backdoor Roth mistakes, and why rushing to file taxes can create unnecessary problems.

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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This Saturday, Brian and Jeremiah dig into a timely and controversial topic: self-representation in real estate. Using a real client example, they explore why some buyers and sellers are bypassing traditional agents, how commission structures affect negotiations, and when professional representation truly adds value, especially in complex or high-stakes transactions. The conversation expands into the broader real estate industry, MLS practices, and whether technology and AI are beginning to disrupt long-standing models.

The show also tackles a critical investing issue: overconcentration risk. Through real-world stories, from individual stock success to catastrophic losses, the hosts explain how having too much money tied to a single company, property, or asset can quietly put long-term financial security at risk, even when things appear to be working.

Rounding out the episode, Brian and Jeremiah revisit the BetterBuckets™ strategy and explain how separating money into protection, income, and growth buckets helps investors stay disciplined during market volatility. They discuss income-producing options, dividend stocks versus bond funds, yield traps to avoid, and why focusing on purpose rather than headlines leads to better long-term outcomes.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

—————————————————————

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Brian and Jeremiah talk about a volatile week in the markets with a deep dive into cryptocurrency, investor psychology, and why emotional reactions often lead to costly mistakes. The show breaks down Bitcoin's sharp pullback, putting it into historical context by explaining why 50%+ drawdowns have been a recurring part of its long-term behavior and why understanding your objective matters more than chasing momentum.

The conversation expands beyond crypto to examine broader market volatility, headline-driven fear, and the danger of reacting to short-term noise instead of sticking to a well-structured plan. Using real-world examples, the hosts explain how missing just a handful of the market's best days can dramatically reduce long-term returns and why disciplined investors are often rewarded after periods of panic.

The second hour shifts into practical planning topics, including how people actually buy and hold Bitcoin, ETFs versus direct ownership, and a candid discussion on annuities—when they may help, when they often don't, and how fear-based selling can lead to high fees and poor outcomes.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates

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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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This episode blends financial psychology with practical planning. Brian Alex open by discussing a core principle of advice: why seeking guidance only helps if you're willing to follow it, and how emotional decisions often lead to expensive outcomes.

They answer listener questions about investing in silver, explaining how precious metals can fit into a diversified strategy when used appropriately, while cautioning against overconcentration and fear-based investing. The conversation also tackles political and economic anxiety, reinforcing that reacting to headlines or administrations rarely leads to better long-term results than sticking to a disciplined investment plan.

The show delivers actionable retirement planning insight through a detailed discussion on Roth conversions. Brian and Alex break down whether to pay conversion taxes from outside savings or withhold from the IRA itself, the trade-offs involved, and how these decisions interact with future tax brackets, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and Medicare IRMAA thresholds. Additional listener questions cover college tax credits, 529 plan reporting, and foundational saving strategies.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts: Brian Wiley & Alexandra 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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One stock can change your life — and then quietly become your biggest retirement risk.

Nic Daniels breaks down the dangerous side of a "winning" portfolio: stock overconcentration. Using Micron's explosive run as a real-world example (currently over $390/share as of the recording date), he explains how employees, long-time investors, and families who inherit stock can wake up to life-changing wealth… only to realize one company now controls their entire financial future.

You'll learn how concentration risk happens (often by accident), why investors get emotionally stuck holding oversized winners, and why the fear of taxes and "missing out" can lead to retirement-threatening decisions. Most importantly, Nic outlines practical, repeatable strategies for trimming a concentrated stock position over time — without panic selling or trying to perfectly time the market.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Host: 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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Brian and Jeremiah tackle a fast-moving financial landscape—where market volatility, tariff headlines, and economic uncertainty can push investors into emotional decision-making. The show explores a proposed 10% cap on credit card interest rates, debating whether it's consumer protection or government overreach, and how limiting risk can also limit opportunity.

They connect today's headlines to long-term strategy, using the BetterBuckets® strategy to explain how separating money into stability, income, and growth "buckets" helps investors stay disciplined when markets fluctuate. Through practical examples, they show why reacting to short-term fear can derail long-term financial success.

The show also features in-depth retirement planning guidance, including Roth conversion strategy, required minimum distribution (RMD) planning, Medicare IRMAA impacts, and the decision of when to claim Social Security. Listeners learn how tax efficiency, cash-flow planning, and understanding the ripple effects of financial decisions can create flexibility and reduce surprises in retirement.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Brian Wiley

—————————————————————

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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Brian and Jeremiah dive one of the biggest questions investors should be asking: how do you know if your financial advisor is truly working in your best interest—or quietly profiting from hidden fees? This show starts by breaking down fiduciary vs commission-based advice, why transparency matters, and what listeners should ask to uncover all-in advisory costs—including mutual fund expense ratios, 12b-1 fees, and confusing share class structures like A, B, and C shares.

Plus, practical call-in planning: a homeowner selling property after decades in California learns how the $500,000 home-sale capital gains exclusion works for married couples, how improvements affect cost basis, and why moving states or turning a home into a rental can change tax outcomes. Finally, the hosts cover gig-economy tax basics—how DoorDash/1099 income gets taxed, the role of Schedule C, and why tracking deductions and mileage is essential.

Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask!

https://www.therealmoneypros.com

Hosts:

Jeremiah Bates & Brian Wiley

—————————————————————

Ataraxis PEO

https://ataraxispeo.com

Tree City Advisors of Apollon:

https://www.treecityadvisors.com

Apollon Wealth Management:

https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/

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