Financially Free Era by SLP Wealth – Details, episodes & analysis

We sit down to recap what we saw this season and the fixes you can make before next year's return. You'll learn how Form 8606 keeps your backdoor Roth from getting taxed twice, why earned income still matters in community property states, and how Form 8958 should split income when you file separately. We get into Schedule C pitfalls, the line between a business and a hobby, the home office deduction, and why homeowners need to know about depreciation.

We also cover a safe harbor approach for 1099 earners, what to expect in your 2026 tax planning meeting, and how the new SALT cap deduction is opening up itemizing for more of our clients.

Key moments:

(02:36) Form 8606 and the backdoor Roth pitfalls we saw this season

(09:18) Community property, earned income, and Form 8958

(14:51) Schedule C and the line between a business and a hobby

(21:17) Quarterly estimated payments and safe harbor for 1099 income

(28:50) The new SALT cap: who it helps and how it changes standard vs. itemized deductions

Resources mentioned:

• IRS Form 8606, Nondeductible IRAs
• IRS Form 8958, Allocation of Tax Amounts Between Certain Individuals in Community Property States
• IRS Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates, and Trusts
• QuickBooks

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Feelings and headlines can easily influence the choices we make with money—often at our own expense. I walk through how relying on stories or vibes (instead of cold, hard stats) can impact everything from investment picks to whether you stick with a high-value loan strategy like PSLF. We get into cognitive biases that trip up even the smartest people, dig into major financial opportunities that exist in obscure rules (like the Augusta Rule), and break down how “bad trades” happen when you don’t understand the real value of what you have.

Key moments:

(06:28) What commitment bias, anchoring, confirmation bias, and loss aversion do to your investment choices

(13:11) The Augusta Rule explained: rent your home up to 14 days a year, tax-free

(17:37) The Vanderbilt hat trade: refinancing federal loans you shouldn't, selling at a loss, and chasing salary without weighing benefits

There’s no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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Going from DINKWAD (Dual Income, No Kids, With A Dog) to new parent is a wild ride. I'm sharing exactly what I did to financially prepare for birth and the first two weeks postpartum — from simplifying bills and meal planning to hospital supply hacks, Amazon returns, and freeing up mental space for the emotional ups and downs of new parenthood. If you're in the newborn stage (or almost there), this is your financial survival guide.

Key moments:

(02:10) What I did pre-birth so I could focus on my newborn, not my bills (11:30) How (and why) to maximize hospital resources covered by your insurance (14:40) Week 1 postpartum: What I bought, didn't use, and returned (20:11) Week 2 postpartum: medical bills, rewards program, and subscription services to reclaim time

Resources mentioned:

The Doctors Bjorkman Hello Fresh Similac Rewards Pampers Rewards College savings plan

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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What would you do if you were sliding backward down an icy mountain at 11 p.m. with your kids in the car? We walk through a terrifying near-miss and the powerful financial lessons that came from it: overconfidence bias, underinsuring your life and disability, and why preparedness isn't fear-based — it's freedom-based. You'll also hear why reflecting on your mortality might actually help you live (and spend) more intentionally. If you've ever found yourself on a slippery slope — literally or financially — this episode is for you.

Key moments:

(03:20) Why spending on safety, like snow tires or insurance, isn't optional

(06:37) No one should live in fear, but we should be better about being prepared

(08:39) Overconfidence bias and dangerous financial blind spots

(12:52) Balancing long-term savings with living fully in the present

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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Parent PLUS loans have always been complicated, and recent rule changes have made them even more confusing. Learn what's changed, what still works, and where parents need to take action now. You'll hear real-life experience from a Parent PLUS borrower, clear explanations of new deadlines, and practical strategies for families still paying for college — or getting ready to.

Key moments:

(05:20) How double consolidation worked, and why it's now obsolete

(10:05) The June 30, 2026, deadline that locks you out of income-driven repayment

(13:31) How new rules impact PSLF for parents still borrowing

(29:26) Tax strategies, IRMAA, and when married filing separately helps

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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What if your tax return could quietly point out investing mistakes that are costing you real money? In this episode, we walk through the three most easily spotted investing blunders we find over and over. Learn why missing out on tax-loss harvesting, donating cash instead of appreciated stock to charity, and not maximizing backdoor Roth IRAs can slow your financial progress. If you've been DIY-ing your investments or feel a little lost during tax season, this is the episode you didn't know you needed.

Key moments:

(01:20) Tax loss harvesting and the problem with having brokerage accounts at different places

(04:20) Your Schedule A and charity donations

(05:44) Why actively managing your portfolio's cost basis is potentially genius

(06:47) Check your Form 1040 if you did a backdoor Roth IRA

(09:28) Even really smart, capable people make investing mistakes

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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Most people aren't doing anything wrong with their taxes, they're just missing a few key details that quietly add up. In this episode, I'm joined by Sim Terwilliger, CFP®, CSLP®, our chief tax planner at SLP Wealth, to break down the most common (and totally normal) tax mistakes we see that can cost people thousands. From backdoor Roth errors and brokerage account missteps to missed deductions and underpayment penalties, we cover what actually matters, what's fixable, and how to be more proactive heading into a new tax year.

Key moments:

(03:15) Why backdoor Roth mistakes trigger unexpected taxes

(15:27) How brokerage account defaults quietly increase your tax bill

(29:06) Underpayment penalties and how to avoid IRS interest

(43:37) Why SALT deduction changes matter more than you think

Resources mentioned:

• Monarch Money
• Daffy (donor-advised fund)
• IRS estimated tax payments

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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Why are colleges telling students to borrow less… while writing nine-figure checks for football coaches? In this episode, Travis Hornsby, CEO of SLP Wealth, joins me to pull back the curtain on the business of higher education through the lens of college football. We talk NIL money, massive TV contracts, coaching buyouts, and what all of this says about how universities actually operate.

We also connect the dots to student loan caps, ROI on degrees, and why it's more important than ever to approach college decisions with eyes wide open.

Key moments:

(06:20) How TV deals turned football into a cash machine

(09:08) What $100M+ coaching contracts teach us about leverage and negotiation

(17:01) Contract terms, non-competes, and exit options might matter more than salary

(22:43) Why loan caps could change which schools are actually worth attending

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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What you don't do with your money matters just as much as what you do. In this episode, I break down what's officially out in personal finance for 2026 — from late fees and unnecessary taxes to money shame and silent stress — and what we're intentionally replacing it with. We're focusing on habits, systems, and decisions that make money feel easier, calmer, and more aligned with real life.

If you want 2026 to be the year your finances feel calmer, clearer, and more aligned with your real life, this episode sets the foundation.

Key moments:

(05:58) Late fees and credit card interest: non-negotiables for 2026

(11:30) Avoiding unnecessary taxes and common planning mistakes

(20:23) Why estate planning, life insurance, and disability coverage matter

(38:21) What's in: automation, goal tracking, and values-based spending

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

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Credit card points can feel confusing, risky, or downright gimmicky. Listen in as I sit down with credit card rewards consultant Colin Stroud to break down what "points hacking" really is (and what it isn't). We talk about simple, realistic ways to use travel rewards without opening a dozen cards, wrecking your credit, or turning it into a part-time job. You'll learn how to think strategically about points, avoid common traps, and decide whether this is even worth your time.

Key moments:

(02:21) What credit card "hacking" really means and why it's misunderstood

(08:22) Why flexible travel cards beat airline or hotel cards for beginners

(14:57) How transferring points works (and when it's actually worth it)

(26:09) A simple 1–3 card system for earning points without constant card churn

(34:34) How business owners can unlock outsized value from everyday spending

Resources mentioned:

• Point.me - Flight search tool for points
• Monarch Money - Spending and tracking tool
• Go Somewhere - Find Colin Stroud online

There's no one-size-fits-all for wealth. Get the plan that fits you. Try SLP Wealth risk-free!

Like the show? There are several ways you can help!

• Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music
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