Un Eff Your Finances

The Tax Move Most W-2 Employees Are Missing in Their 40s and 50s

Most high-income W-2 employees are doing exactly what they were told to do: Max out the 401(k). Save aggressively. Keep building. The problem? Almost nobody is showing them what happens later. In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked tax strategies I see with professionals in their 40s and 50s—and why waiting too long to address it can create a massive tax problem in retirement. We cover: * Why “tax deferred” doesn’t always mean “tax efficient” * The hidden future risk of large pre-tax retirement accounts * How backdoor Roth strategies work * Why Roth conversion planning matters before RMDs begin * The difference between tax preparation and actual tax planning If you’re building wealth but haven’t thought about what your tax bracket could look like at 70… this episode is for you. Because retirement planning isn’t just about growing your money. It’s about keeping more of it.

Why I Only Work With People Who Haven’t Retired Yet

You don’t mess up retirement at 65… You lock in the mistakes at 45. In this episode, I break down why I focus on the Retirement Red Zone—the 10–20 years before you retire—and why that’s where the biggest financial decisions actually get made.

Fall Money Fire Drill Episode #26

🔥 FALL MONEY FIRE DRILL: TIME TO UN-EFF YOUR FINANCES 🍁💸 It’s that time again — the leaves are falling, pumpkin spice is attacking everything, and your money might be feeling a little… crispy around the edges. So here’s your 5-step Fall Money Fire Drill to go from Hot Mess Express to Game Day Ready: 1️⃣ Cash-Flow Reset – Give your money a job. Bills. Buffer. Goals. (No freeloaders allowed.) 2️⃣ Subscription Sweep – Those “free trials” that grew into $14.99 zombies? Time to cancel ’em. 3️⃣ Debt & Rate Reality Check – Anything over 7% interest is your enemy. Choose your weapon: Avalanche or Snowball. 4️⃣ Safety Nets You’ll Actually Use – Beneficiaries, insurance, credit freeze, digital vault. Do it before Netflix asks if you’re still watching. 5️⃣ Tax Moves Now, Not December – 401(k) match, HSA, Roth check, and maybe a DAF play if you’re feeling generous and strategic. 💥 Run this checklist and your finances go from chaos to calm — no New Year’s resolutions required. 👇 Comment “CHECKLIST” and I’ll send you the full Un-Eff Your Finances: Fall Money Fire Drill guide.

Open Enrollment Pop Quiz – Episode 25

💼 Open Enrollment: The Annual Game of “Guess What These Benefits Actually Mean” Every fall, HR drops that mysterious email: “It’s time for open enrollment!” And suddenly, you’re scrolling through options that sound like they were written by a committee of lawyers and robots. ☠️ “High-Deductible Health Plan” sounds scary. 💰 “Health Savings Account” sounds like a trap. 💡 And “Flexible Spending Account”? Not flexible enough when you forget to use it by December. That’s where planning actually pays off. In this week’s video, I break down how to make smart benefit elections that fit your financial plan, not just your employer’s brochure. Because open enrollment shouldn’t feel like a pop quiz you didn’t study for.

The Parent 529 Playbook: EP 24

The Parent 529 Playbook: How to Pull Money the Right Way (and What to Do with Leftovers) If you’re paying college bills with a 529, this is your 4-minute, no-nonsense guide. You’ll learn exactly when to take distributions, what actually qualifies, how to keep an audit-proof paper trail, and smart moves for leftover funds (yes, including the Roth IRA path). No fluff. No “my kid needed the laptop for Netflix.” What you’ll learn * Timing rules: Match the 529 distribution to the expense in the same calendar year * Qualified expenses: Tuition, required fees, on-campus room & board, school-billed meal plans, required books/software * Off-campus housing: Eligible up to the school’s published allowance * Two clean payment paths: 529 → school (simplest) or reimburse yourself (with prompt, documented receipts) * Paper trail that won’t crack under audit: Bills, confirmations, housing docs, receipts, 1098-T, and a simple spreadsheet log * Leftovers: Change beneficiaries, use for grad/trade programs, scholarship exception, and the 529 → Roth IRA strategy (within rules) * Pro tip: Coordinate grandparent-owned 529s to avoid financial-aid landmines