Act now to remove the anxiety around tax season

Beyond "We Don't Need That": Aligning Wealth with Experience

In this episode of Living Your Wealth: Today and Tomorrow, Kelly Ennis, founder and president of Infinity Financial Strategies, explores what it truly means to live your wealth with intention. Through a simple but powerful story about a $21 parking decision, she examines how disciplined habits that built wealth can sometimes limit present-day experience. Kelly discusses friction points, time, energy, and alignment, encouraging listeners to evaluate spending not just by cost, but by impact. This episode challenges the automatic “we don’t need that” mindset and reframes responsible stewardship as thoughtful alignment between resources and what matters most.    ______________________________________________________________________    [00:00:00] Introduction to the concept of truly living your wealth  [00:02:16] The Connecticut-to-Florida trip and the $21 valet parking decision  [00:06:24] The snowy parking lot moment and the experiential cost of saving money  [00:08:33] The “we don’t need that” reflex and the DIY mindset  [00:11:08] Expanding prudence beyond finances to include time, energy, and experience  [00:12:04] Meal services and reducing mental load at home  [00:14:21] Hiring help as prioritization, not irresponsibility  [00:15:23] Evaluating friction points and the broader impact of spending decisions  [00:16:18] Time as a non-renewable resource and protecting energy  [00:17:54] Optimizing for overall experience versus lowest price  [00:19:27] Recalibrating work to support life priorities  [00:21:12] Wealth as optionality and small, intentional adjustments  [00:22:31] Modeling balanced stewardship for children  [00:24:05] A practical exercise to reconsider automatic spending refusals  [00:25:58] Alignment over extravagance: using money as a thoughtful tool      Links:    * Follow Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp]   * Subscribe, review, and share the show to help others live their wealth today and tomorrow:   * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategieshttps://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies [https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies]   * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2bhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b [https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b]    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠ [https://thepodcastconsultant.com/]https://thepodcastconsultant.com [https://thepodcastconsultant.com/]⁠ [https://thepodcastconsultant.com/])

Timing Isn’t Luck: Planning with Purpose

In this episode of Living Your Wealth: Today and Tomorrow, Kelly Ennis, founder and president of Infinity Financial Strategies, explores why when you take financial action matters just as much as what action you take. With the end-of-year deadline approaching, Kelly breaks down how timing can be used as a powerful tool—not just a constraint. She examines the real impacts of volatility, recovery time, income predictability, tax implications, and investment environment. From Roth conversions to required minimum distributions, Kelly explains how separating the decision from the action can improve outcomes and reduce stress. Learn how to structure your year with clarity and confidence, and make timing an intentional part of your financial strategy. ______________________________________________________________________ [00:00:00] Why year-end timing is more important than most people realize [00:01:04] Timing as a financial tool, not just a detail [00:01:52] Your financial life runs on a calendar, not in a vacuum [00:02:35] Good timing vs. poor timing: how it affects risk and outcomes [00:02:54] Matching timing to spending needs and dollar “jobs” [00:03:36] Risk capacity versus emotional risk tolerance [00:04:27] Why timeline is critical in handling investment volatility [00:05:10] The impact of market recovery time on financial actions [00:05:56] How much short-term loss can your portfolio handle? [00:06:44] Timing decisions for large financial actions and distributions [00:07:34] How tax implications affect timing—especially in Q4 [00:08:08] Key tax-sensitive actions that benefit from better year-end data [00:08:43] Tax optimization ≠ tax perfection [00:09:11] Evaluating whether your investment environment limits your options [00:09:48] Comparing employer plans vs. managed portfolios for RMDs [00:10:36] Separating the decision from the execution [00:11:07] Examples of actions that follow distinct timing windows [00:11:47] Making December a time of confirmations, not chaos [00:12:31] Annual structure: Plan, adjust, strategize, execute [00:13:29] Fourth quarter is for precision and clarity [00:14:00] Timing is intentional, not a guessing game [00:14:17] Reflecting on how timing supported your goals this year Links: * Follow Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp]  * Subscribe, review, and share the show to help others live their wealth today and tomorrow:  * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies [https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b [https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b]

AI in your Life

In this episode of Living Your Wealth: Today and Tomorrow, Kelly Ennis, founder and president of Infinity Financial Strategies, unpacks the real-world role of artificial intelligence in our daily lives. From personalized travel planning to managing inbox overload, and even research for personal financial planning, Kelly shares both the power and the pitfalls of AI, revealing how it can become a helpful assistant—or a risky shortcut. Through practical examples and cautionary tales, this episode explains how context, privacy, and discernment are essential for using AI safely and effectively in your financial and personal routines.   Key Points From This Episode:  [00:00:00] Introduction to AI’s growing influence in everyday life  [00:01:00] Common examples of embedded AI tools  [00:01:42] Accessibility and rise of generative AI  [00:03:00] Benefits vs. risks of using AI at home  [00:03:23] Story illustrating the importance of context in AI prompts  [00:06:22] Why vague questions lead to misleading results  [00:07:34] Privacy considerations when using AI tools  [00:08:48] The risk of vague financial questions to AI systems  [00:11:22] AI’s knowledge cutoff and the danger of outdated information  [00:13:25] Accuracy and bias in AI-generated responses  [00:15:26] Using AI as a starting point, not a final authority  [00:16:22] 13 practical ways AI can simplify daily life  [00:25:05] Real-world story: using AI to plan a complex day in NYC  [00:26:03] Real-world story: AI-assisted apartment move-in logistics  [00:27:33] Responsible use: balancing convenience with caution  [00:30:15] Final reflection on using AI to enhance intentional living      Links:  Learn more at: https://infinityfinancialstrategies.net  [https://infinityfinancialstrategies.net/]  Follow Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp]  Subscribe, review, and share the show to help others live their wealth today and tomorrow:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies [https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b

Roth conversions: controlling your future

In this episode of Living Your Wealth: Today and Tomorrow, Kelly Ennis, founder and president of Infinity Financial Strategies, explores the powerful tax strategy of Roth conversions. Kelly breaks down the differences between traditional and Roth retirement accounts, outlines when and how conversions work, and highlights advanced approaches like backdoor and mega backdoor strategies. She shares how timing, income levels, and changing tax laws can all influence your financial outcomes. Tune in to learn how Roth conversions can help you reduce future tax burdens, increase flexibility, and build a more secure legacy.  Key Points From This Episode:  [00:00:18] Introduction to Roth conversions and why they matter.  [00:00:46] Tax treatment of Roth vs. traditional retirement accounts.  [00:02:02] The problem with large pre-tax balances and future tax risk.  [00:04:07] Income limits for direct Roth contributions vs. conversions.  [00:06:25] Having both Roth IRA and Roth 401k for future flexibility.  [00:08:34] When IRA contributions become non-deductible.  [00:10:20] Importance of proper tax reporting for backdoor Roths.  [00:13:34] Why Roth conversions provide long-term tax control.  [00:16:19] Required minimum distributions (RMDs) and their tax impact.  [00:17:43] Taking advantage of today’s historically low tax rates.  [00:19:01] Importance of timing and the five-year rules.  [00:21:33] Tax rate history and today's lower tax environment.  [00:23:06] Opportunity presented by current low tax rates.  [00:24:26] Strategies for spreading conversions and managing IRMA.  [00:25:57] Roth conversions as a tool for legacy planning.  [00:28:43] Coordinating with your advisor and accountant.  [00:30:29] Final message and encouragement to explore Roth options.  Links:  Learn more at: https://infinityfinancialstrategies.net  [https://infinityfinancialstrategies.net/]  Follow Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp]  Subscribe, review, and share the show to help others live their wealth today and tomorrow:   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies [https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b

Act now to remove the anxiety around tax season

In this episode, Kelly Ennis, founder and president of Infinity Financial Strategies, explains how to reduce stress at tax time with a clear, repeatable year-end planning process. With a few months left in 2025, there's still time to take meaningful action. Kelly discusses the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the value of tax projections, and how steps like Roth conversions and charitable giving can help align your finances with your goals—and replace anxiety with clarity. Key Topics: • What to gather before year-end • How a tax projection helps reduce uncertainty • What’s changed under OBBBA • Roth conversions and pre-tax strategies • Charitable giving in 2025 • Aligning savings and investments with your goals • A practical checklist to finish the year strong Links: Learn more at: https://infinityfinancialstrategies.net  Follow Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ennis-cfp  Subscribe, review, and share the show to help others live their wealth today and tomorrow:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfinityFinancialStrategies Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RKP0s0AO24KsLOqHe6ULD?si=f2f916d5f8964f2b