Phil's Tax Hacks

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? In a world of volatile markets, tax surprises, and rising longevity,...

Target-date funds seem like the ultimate “set it and forget it” retirement strategy, but are they really as simple and safe as advertised? In today's episode, Phil unpacks these popular, automatic investment options that now hold over $4 trillion in assets. If you’re like many people, your 401k automatically funnels your money into these funds based on your retirement date. Convenient? Definitely....

Graduation season is an exciting milestone, not just for the grads, but for parents and grandparents who have supported them along the way. Today, Phil wants to share practical ways you can help your graduate make smart financial decisions early, along with actions that could have a lasting impact on their future. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 The tools that make budgeting eas...

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, Phil is walking through five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck.   Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💸 The hidden cost o...

Today Phil’s talking about Type A personalities. If you’re driven, competitive, and goal-oriented then you’re part of the club that often struggles during difficult markets. When things get tough, your instinct is to work harder, push more, and fix the problem. But in investing, that instinct can sometimes backfire. In this episode, Phil unpacks the tension between action and restraint when market...

Today Phil’s kicking off his new Financial Book Club with The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. This book isn’t just about money strategies. It’s about why we make the choices we make, even when they don’t seem to make sense. You might find that your mindset is a bigger advantage than any investment tip. If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so hard to stick to the “smart” plan, this conversation m...

Can real estate actually boost your retirement plan? Is renting a property a reliable source of income, or just added stress? The short answer: it depends. In this episode, Phil breaks down the many ways real estate can support- or complicate- your retirement strategy. From rental properties and house flipping to reverse mortgages, REITs, and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), this episode cove...

You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and now you’ve got a solid 401(k) and a few other accounts... but now what? In this episode, Phil answers a common question submitted by one our listener’s: How do I turn my savings into a real retirement plan? We’ll walk through how to shift from accumulation to distribution, and explains how to organize your financial "stuff," take inventory, and define what...

Thinking about retiring in 2025? You're not alone, but the timing might feel a little... complicated. With stock market swings, whispers of a recession, economic uncertainty, federal layoffs, and tariffs making headlines, it's no wonder many are feeling uneasy. But what if you had 2025 circled on the calendar long before all this? Is it still a smart time to step away, or could it be the worst pos...

How much support is too much when it comes to helping your adult children financially? A growing number of retirees are facing the dilemma of supporting adult kids at the expense of their own retirement goals. Let’s talk about how to prioritize your finances and why keeping your kids on the payroll could erode away everything you’ve worked for. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 👨‍👧...

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...