Real Money Pros

AI Scams, 401(k) Tax Mistakes, & Expensive Financial Missteps to Avoid (5/16/2026)

Financial problems don't always come from bad decisions—they often come from not understanding the rules. Jeremiah Bates and Nic Daniels break down the costly financial mistakes people make when acting without a clear strategy. The conversation starts with the growing threat of AI scams, wire fraud, romance scams, and why even younger, financially savvy individuals are getting caught off guard. From there, the show moves into retirement planning mistakes—how improper 401(k) rollovers can trigger unnecessary taxes and penalties, why understanding account rules matters, and when consolidating scattered retirement accounts makes sense. The hosts also tackle highly appreciated stock positions, Roth conversion strategy after age 65, Medicare premium impacts, Social Security coordination, and tax-efficient ways to unwind concentrated positions. The broader theme throughout the episode is simple: many of the most expensive financial mistakes are completely avoidable with proper planning… Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com [https://www.therealmoneypros.com] Hosts: Jeremiah Bates & Nic Daniels ————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com [https://ataraxispeo.com] Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com [https://www.treecityadvisors.com/] Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ [https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/] —————————————————————

I'd Retire Tomorrow… If It Weren't for Health Insurance

"I'd retire tomorrow… if it weren't for health insurance." It's one of the most common concerns we hear from people approaching retirement, especially those hoping to leave work before Medicare begins at age 65. In this podcast, Nic Daniels breaks down the real planning considerations behind retiring before Medicare eligibility. From COBRA and Affordable Care Act marketplace plans to spouse coverage, bridge employment, and self-funding healthcare costs, Nic walks through the high-level options people should be aware of. But this conversation goes beyond just healthcare, because depending on how retirement income is structured, healthcare costs may be impacted by ACA subsidies, tax strategy, and withdrawal planning decisions. Nic also shares a real planning example involving a household looking to retire early and how outside assets—not retirement accounts—helped create flexibility in bridging the gap to Medicare. Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com [https://www.therealmoneypros.com/] Hosts: Nic Daniels ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com [https://ataraxispeo.com] Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com [https://www.treecityadvisors.com] Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ [https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/] —————————————————————

Medicaid Myths, IRMAA, & Proper Long-Term Care Preparedness (5/9/2026)

Jeremiah Bates and Alex Lundgren spent Mother's Day weekend tackling one of the biggest financial issues many families avoid until it's too late: long-term care and the cost of aging. The show opens with Brooke Baker and Jessica Young, Co-Founders of Legacy Navigation, breaking down how Medicaid actually works, what it really covers, and the biggest misconceptions families have around qualifying for benefits. The conversation covers in-home care, assisted living, memory care costs, spousal asset protection strategies, the five-year lookback rule, and why certain estate planning decisions can accidentally create Medicaid problems later on. Going into the second hour, Jeremiah and Alex pivot into another major planning blind spot: letting taxes dictate investment decisions. They discuss concentrated stock positions, large unrealized gains, rental property sales, 1031 exchanges, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and why many investors hold onto assets longer than they should simply because they fear the tax consequences. Throughout the show, the bigger theme remains the same: most financial problems become significantly harder when planning is delayed. Whether it's long-term care, estate coordination, taxes, or investment decisions, this show focuses on why proactive planning matters before life forces the issue. Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com [https://www.therealmoneypros.com] Hosts: Jeremiah Bates & Alex Lundgren Guests:Brooke Baker, RN & Jessica Young, MSW Co-Founders of Legacy Navigation https://legacynavigate.com [https://legacynavigate.com/] ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com [https://ataraxispeo.com] Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com [https://www.treecityadvisors.com/] Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ [https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/] —————————————————————

Micron's 600% Surge: Why Large Gains Don't Solve Cash Flow (5/2/2026)

What happens when your 401(k) suddenly surges and your lifestyle starts rising with it? This week, Brian and Jeremiah uses a real example of Micron stock climbing over 600% in about a year to show how quickly investor behavior can change. They break down how rising account balances lead to increased spending, more confidence, and a shift away from the original concern many had just a year ago: how to generate reliable income in retirement. The conversation centers on a key idea: Growth doesn't solve income. Without a plan, big gains can actually increase risk by creating dependency on account values rather than sustainable cash flow. A caller dealing with Boeing stock highlights another real-world issue: confusion around ownership, dividends, and managing investments held outside traditional custodians. Plus, when to reassess, how to convert gains into income, and why protecting what you've built matters just as much as growing it. The guys also introduces the concept of "insuring" investments and recognizing the cycle between fear, growth, and overconfidence. Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com [https://www.therealmoneypros.com] Hosts Brian Wiley & Jeremiah Bates ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com [https://ataraxispeo.com] Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com [https://www.treecityadvisors.com/] Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ [https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/] —————————————————————

Taking Money Out of Retirement Isn't So Simple

Taking money out of your accounts sounds simple… but it's usually not as simple as it seems. In this episode, Nic walks through why withdrawals are more than just getting cash. They're actually one of the biggest tax decisions you'll make, especially in retirement. From understanding the difference between pre-tax, Roth, and brokerage accounts to seeing how each one impacts your taxes over time, this conversation focuses on how small decisions today can create bigger consequences down the road. He also shares real examples, including helping a child with a down payment and a situation where a "0% interest" car purchase ended up costing a couple thousands in additional Medicare premiums—all because of how the money was taken out. The goal here isn't to avoid taxes completely. It's to think more intentionally about when you deal with them, and how those decisions fit into your overall plan. Because it's not just about getting money out—it's about getting it out the right way. Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com [https://www.therealmoneypros.com/] Host: Nic Daniels ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com [https://ataraxispeo.com] Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com [https://www.treecityadvisors.com] Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ [https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/] —————————————————————