The Personal Finance Project

Capital Gains: Friend or Foe?

Are capital gains really the "tax nightmare" retirees fear? Or are they actually one of the most tax-efficient sources of retirement income available? In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg Ashcroft and Scott Bartosh break down the myths, misunderstandings, and planning opportunities surrounding capital gains in retirement. The guys explain the critical differences between short-term and long-term capital gains, how the 0%, 15%, and 20% capital gains brackets actually work, and why most retirees never come close to paying the feared "20% capital gains tax" they hear about online. Through a series of detailed real-world case studies, Greg and Scott compare taking retirement income from traditional IRA distributions versus highly appreciated brokerage assets—and the results may surprise you. They also cover: * How capital gains stack on top of ordinary income * Why retirees often pay dramatically lower effective tax rates than expected * The hidden tax traps inside mutual fund capital gain distributions * The Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) explained simply * Why ETFs are often more tax efficient than mutual funds * How basis impacts your true tax liability * Why affluent retirees may still pay surprisingly low effective tax rates * The power of Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategies * The "golden window" of retirement before Social Security and RMDs begin * Why effective tax rates matter more than marginal tax rates The episode also explores how some retirees can potentially generate hundreds of thousands of dollars of retirement income while paying little—or even zero—federal income tax through strategic planning. Whether you're approaching retirement, managing appreciated investments, or simply trying to better understand how capital gains really work, this episode provides practical insight into one of the most misunderstood areas of retirement tax planning. Subscribe for future episodes covering Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, capital gain harvesting, retirement income strategies, and advanced tax planning techniques.

A Spinal Cord Injury, A New Baby, and a Financial Lesson We Will Never Forget

After a five-month hiatus, The Personal Finance Project is back — and a lot has changed. In this episode, Greg and Scott finally answer the question listeners have been asking: "Where have you guys been?" The last several months brought major life changes for the team, including Hannah welcoming her first child, Scott moving into a new home with his wife Kasyn, and Greg's family navigating a devastating spinal cord injury after his wife Camzin suffered a freak training accident. The experience reshaped the way the team thinks about risk, financial planning, emergency preparedness, and the importance of getting the fundamentals right. Greg and Scott also discuss: • Why risk management matters more than chasing "hot" investments • The real value of emergency funds and insurance planning • Lessons learned from personal crisis and recovery • Why they take a skeptical approach to financial trends and internet advice • Upcoming tax law changes and retirement planning topics • The future of the podcast and their return to weekly episodes This episode is equal parts life update, financial philosophy, and recommitment to helping listeners make thoughtful, practical financial decisions. Whether you're a longtime client, a loyal listener, or brand new to the show — welcome back. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Libsyn, and anywhere you get your podcasts.

Year-End Tax Planning

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg Ashcroft and Scott Bartosh break down the essential year-end tax moves for 2025—and the big changes coming in 2026. They cover: • How to handle your first RMD at age 73 • Using year-end IRA withholding instead of quarterly estimates • Safe harbor rules and avoiding penalties • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and why they can lower your AGI • Charitable bunching and donor-advised funds ahead of 2026 rule changes • New 2026 contribution limits for 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs • How changing brackets affect Roth conversions, Social Security timing, and retirement income planning If you want to minimize taxes and make smart year-end decisions, this episode is packed with practical guidance and clear explanations. For educational purposes only. Not tax or legal advice.

Breaking Down Active Management, AI, and the S&P 500 with Baird's SAM Team

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Greg and Scott sit down with Joe Hodes, Director of Research on Baird's Specialized Asset Management (SAM) team. With a decade of experience as a research analyst and his CFA designation, Joe brings a deep and practical perspective on how portfolios are built, how companies are evaluated, and what investors should understand about today's market environment. SAMTEAM Together, the group unpacks: * Why active management still matters after 15 years of "S&P 500 dominance" * How the SAM team builds customized large-cap portfolios around client needs * Why the S&P 500 today looks nothing like the index of decades past — and why that matters * How to think about valuation, earnings growth, and multiples in a market heavily influenced by a small group of mega-cap companies * The growing role of AI, where expectations may be too high (or too low), and how active managers navigate the hype cycle * Why focusing on your personal financial plan beats chasing benchmarks * How seasoned investors should think about risk, diversification, and protecting their nest egg in retirement Joe also shares insights on today's economic backdrop — from inflation and consumer behavior to global trends and the rise of a worldwide middle class. Whether you're a retiree managing distribution risk or an investor curious about today's market dynamics, this episode offers a clear, practical look into how disciplined portfolio management really works.

Tariffs, AI, Succession Planning & the Future of Financial Advice — Justin Nichols Returns

In this episode of The Personal Finance Project, Scott and Greg welcome back Justin Nichols, a nearly 30-year industry veteran, for a timely and expansive discussion on the economy, AI, and the future of financial advice. We begin with today's economic backdrop—from tariffs and inflation to interest-rate strategy and the growing importance of U.S. energy. Justin explains why tariff revenues are increasing, how energy markets intersect with AI and data-center growth, and why the economy has remained more resilient than many expected. We then explore the promises and limitations of artificial intelligence. Justin shares where AI is improving productivity, where it still falls short, and why over-reliance may leave the next generation of professionals under-trained. We also discuss the irreplaceable role of human judgment, especially in emotionally charged financial decisions. Finally, we dive into a crucial topic for investors: succession planning. Justin explains what clients should look for in an advisory team, why mentorship and continuity matter, how ownership structure shapes incentives, and why multigenerational teams are becoming essential to long-term client success. Episode Highlights: • Why the economy has remained resilient despite tariff pressures • How AI is reshaping productivity and corporate decision-making • The risk of losing skills when professionals rely too heavily on technology • Why human emotion still drives real-life investing decisions • What succession planning means for clients—today and decades from now • The benefits of team-based planning and shared incentives • How multigenerational advisory teams support continuity and trust Thank you for listening—and be sure to follow the show for future episodes.