Phil's Tax Hacks

Caring for aging parents is something many of us will face—but few are fully prepared for the financial, emotional, and logistical challenges that come with it. In this episode, we will tackle this common scenario for Baby Boomers and discuss what happens when you're part of the “sandwich generation”—caring for both kids and aging parents. Our question today comes from someone whose 93-year-old mo...

Are HSAs one of the best tax-advantaged accounts out there? Can you really stockpile a massive balance and use it tax-free in retirement? This is what a listener wants to know so we’ll analyze whether that’s a potential pitfall or if she’s maximizing this planning tool. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💰 HSA = A Supercharged Roth IRA? – Why it’s better than traditional retirement a...

Gold prices are surging, JPMorgan is making a massive $4 billion gold delivery, and people are wondering if they should invest in gold. Gold has long been promoted as a safe haven in times of uncertainty, but with markets shifting, inflation concerns lingering, and a possible trade war on the horizon, is now the right time to add it to your retirement portfolio? Here are some of the key topics dis...

With so much happening domestically and abroad from a financial standpoint, this week’s show is going to look into the implications of Trade War 2.0 and its potential effects on the economy and markets. Phil will break down the latest economic data, tariff announcements, and which sectors might respond positively to the changes. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:08 – Market in...

For some people, the idea of retiring and then getting another job is detestable. For others, they can’t sit still and have to go find some other job. For the latter crowd, there are plenty of popular “side gig” jobs for retirees. This week on the podcast, Phil discusses the shifting mindset surrounding retirement. We explore the various avenues available for retirees to engage in rewarding side a...

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question we’ve heard from a number of different people. So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value? In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced investors might benefit from professional guidance and when they’re probabl...

With the recent political landscape, tariffs have become a hot topic, often surrounded by confusion and misinformation. How do you sit through the noise to find out how this might impact you? In this episode, Phil breaks down what tariffs are and how they can affect your investment portfolio as you near retirement. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:42 – What is a tariff? 2:48...

This week on Phil’s Tax Hacks, Phil and Marc dive into the current state of the stock market with a particular focus on the tech sector. They discuss the growing concerns around tech companies being overweighted in the S&P 500, and how recent news, including competition from a Chinese AI company, is shaking up the market. Phil highlights key issues like price-to-earnings ratios, the potential...

A recent article on Fortune highlights a growing trend among baby boomers: continuing to work well into their 60s and 70s. Surprisingly, this is not out of necessity, but for the mental stimulation, social connections, and fulfillment that work provides. With nearly 20% of Americans over 65 still employed, this shift is challenging traditional views of retirement and sparking important conversatio...

President Donald Trump wasted little time taking action once he returned to office, and people are wondering how these long list of Executive orders will reshape the economic and financial landscape. Join CPA and financial specialist Phil Putney as he breaks down the implications of these changes on inflation, energy costs, tariffs, and more. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 –...

Staying informed about Social Security changes is crucial for maximizing your benefits, and recent legislation will change benefits for a significant number of Americans. Today we’re going to bring you up to speed on the Social Security Fairness Act and explain how this legislation will be retroactive to 2024, potentially offering a financial windfall for affected retirees. Here’s some of what we...

It’s the beginning of a new year – a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. But how often do we resolve to improve the way we feel about our finances? In the latest episode, Phil explores the crucial transition from saving to confidently spending your hard-earned funds. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:51 – Spending with confidence 8:41 – Spending guardra...

Are ​future ​retirement ​worries ​causing ​you ​mental ​health ​issues ​today? ​That's ​happening ​to ​a ​lot ​of ​folks ​right ​now. ​There's ​so ​much ​stress ​going ​on ​out ​there ​that ​we ​certainly ​​panic ​about ​some ​of ​these ​things ​and ​maybe ​sometimes it’s justifiable. ​So ​let's ​talk ​about the mental health challenges tied to future retirement worries and the ​ways ​we ​can ​hop...

One of the most difficult scenarios for investing is what to do with money you know you’re going to need within a few years for a large expense. You don’t want that money to be stagnant during that time but you also can’t afford to take on much risk either. Today we’re going to talk about strategic planning for short-term needs and explore the best ways to invest money you’ll need in the next thre...

We’ve finally reached the final part of our three-part series on what financial advisors wish every investor knew. Phil will discuss four more big things that will make planning for retirement with their advisor even smoother.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:25 – Know what you are paying 4:22 – Understanding that there will be some risk involved 8:03 – The risks th...

Today is part two on the things financial advisors wish investors knew. These are the things that can set you up for success in retirement but most people don’t have a great grasp on. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 2:10 – Financial decisions are emotional 6:03 – The true significance of diversification 9:17 – Having an advisor is for everyone 13:48 – The importance of...

This week, Phil and Marc dive into the potential financial impacts of tariffs, tax cuts, and immigration policies following the 2024 election. While early speculation should be taken with caution, they’ll discuss what could be in store for 2025. With changes in policy possibly affecting everything from taxes to housing, the duo breaks down what these shifts could mean for your financial future. Th...

Imagine you could read your financial advisor’s mind before you even walked through the door for the first time. What would they want you to know? This week, we kick off a three-part series on the things we wish people knew about investing and planning. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:48 – Setting realistic financial goals 6:37 – Long-term vs short-term planning 8:26...

Dividend investing has long been a staple in retirement planning, providing a predictable income stream for many retirees. However, the landscape is shifting. The concept of incidental income, which relies on the rebalancing of a portfolio and the cash flows it generates, is gaining attention. This week we want to tackle the question: Is dividend investing dead? A recent article came out explainin...

Social Security is the backbone of retirement for millions of Americans, but big changes may be coming. There’s plenty of speculation about what might change to improve the solvency of the program, and one simple fix would be to change the retirement age. On this episode, we dive into the recently released proposal to raise the full retirement age from 67 to 69 and what it means for your benefits,...

Every firm has distinct principles that guide its approach to financial planning. When searching for an advisor, you want to find someone who aligns with your needs. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes to explore the core values and unique processes that set AFS Financial Group apart.    Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 0:54 – Phil’s core values 2:34 – Being...

As the election season heats up, understanding the tax proposals of the presidential candidates is important. While we don’t talk politics on this show, policies can have a direct impact on our finances. In this episode, we dive into the contrasting tax proposals of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:36 – Trump’s corporate taxes 4:01 –...

Ever wonder how your financial advisor really gets paid and what that means for you? Whether it’s a fee, a commission, or a salary, the way your advisor earns money could be influencing the advice they give you. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the different pay structures of financial advisors, revealing the benefits, the potential biases, and what you need to know to make sure your money...

Are you and your spouse on the same page when it comes to what retirement is going to look like? If not, it’s time to talk. Phil has all kinds of experience helping couples work together on their retirement plans because, after all, retirement is a team sport. You and your spouse are a team, and while you might not agree on everything when it comes to money, you still need to be on the same page....

A YouTube video about retirement regrets has been getting a lot of attention lately and it showcases retirees sharing their biggest regret so far. It might be surprising to hear people wanting to do things much differently, but we see and hear these things often when folks are prepared for retirement. Today we’re going to share five of the biggest regrets and talk about how you can avoid looking b...