The Elliot Omanson Show

The U.S. labor market remained surprisingly strong this week, with employers adding 172,000 jobs in May compared to expectations of just 80,000. Wage growth also remained elevated, reinforcing the idea that the economy continues to show resilience despite higher interest rates. While strong employment is generally positive, it also reduces the likelihood of near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts, whi...

Chris Smith has officially joined OWLFI as our new Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this conversation, Elliot sits down with Chris to discuss his background, from military deployments in Iraq to building and scaling multi-million-dollar businesses. They also share why now was the right time for Chris to join the firm and how his expertise in systems, processes, and organizational growth will help...

What actually happens to your money when you die? Most people procrastinate estate planning — and many make costly mistakes that create family conflict, probate headaches, unnecessary legal fees, or even send assets to the wrong person. In this episode, Elliot Omanson and Nathaniel Vossman break down estate planning in plain English: wills, trusts, probate, beneficiary designations, powers of atto...

If you’re selling a business, highly appreciated real estate, cryptocurrency, or another major asset, capital gains taxes could take a massive portion of your wealth. In this episode, Elliot Omanson and Nathaniel Vossman explain how properly structured trusts may help defer capital gains taxes, improve flexibility, and potentially help you keep more of what you’ve earned. The conversation covers b...

U.S. stocks moved higher this week, supported by a stronger-than-expected April employment report. The economy added 115,000 nonfarm payrolls — well above consensus expectations near 55,000 — while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Wage growth also came in softer than expected, with average hourly earnings rising 0.2% for the month and 3.6% year-over-year. Cooler wage growth is viewed pos...

Social Security may be one of the largest retirement assets most Americans will ever own — yet many people make claiming decisions without fully understanding the long-term consequences. In this educational discussion, Elliot Omanson and Nathaniel Vossman break down how Social Security actually works, including when to claim benefits, how delaying impacts retirement income, how Social Security is...

Growth vs dividend stocks is one of the biggest debates in investing — especially when it comes to generating income. Most investors assume dividends are the best way to create income, but that’s not necessarily true. In this episode, we break down how dividend income actually works, why it’s often misunderstood, and how you can create income by selling shares instead. We also walk through the tax...

Most people assume capital gains taxes are unavoidable — but in reality, you can legally reduce them to 0% if you structure your income correctly. In this episode, we break down how capital gains are taxed, why your income (not your portfolio size) determines your rate, and how retirees can use smart strategies to minimize taxes over time. From capital gains harvesting to tax loss harvesting and i...

The S&P 500 finished the week at a record 7,126, the Nasdaq posted its 13th consecutive winning session — its longest streak since 1992 — and the Russell 2000 also closed at a fresh all-time high. The Dow gained sharply on the week but did not reach record territory. While Q1 earnings have been solid — particularly from large-cap banks — this week's move was driven more by geopolitics than fun...

Markets rebounded this week following a sharp drop in oil prices tied to a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East. While the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all pushed higher, the move was largely driven by relief that a worst-case geopolitical scenario may be avoided—at least for now. On the economic side, inflation data came in hotter than expected, with headline CPI rising to 3.3% year-over-year....

How much money do you actually need to retire? The truth is, there is no “magic number” — and most people get this wrong. In this episode, we break down why traditional retirement advice often fails and what actually determines how much you need. We cover the biggest factors that impact your retirement plan, including spending habits, lifestyle expectations, taxes, healthcare costs, and inflation....

Most high earners overpay taxes. Here’s how they fix it. High-income earners are often told there’s nothing they can do to meaningfully reduce their tax bill. That’s not entirely true. In this episode, Elliot sits down with Steve Blackwell, CEO of Invito Energy Partners, to break down how oil & gas investments are used as a tax strategy to offset ordinary income. They explain how intangible dr...

What really happens financially after losing a spouse? The “widow’s penalty” is one of the most overlooked risks in retirement—and it can result in higher taxes, lower income, and less flexibility, all at the worst possible time. In this episode, we break down why a surviving spouse can end up paying more in taxes despite earning less income. From losing a Social Security benefit to being pushed i...

Why do retirement plans fail, even for people who saved diligently for years? In this episode, Elliot Omanson and Nathaniel Vossman break down the biggest reasons retirement plans fall apart, including overspending, poor tax planning, panic selling, bad withdrawal timing, inflation, healthcare costs, and being too conservative with investments. They also explain how emotions can wreck a financial...

The week’s key focus was inflation. February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% month-over-month and 2.4% year-over-year, with Core CPI up 0.2% MoM and 2.5% YoY. The Fed’s preferred gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index released today, increased 0.3% MoM and 2.8% YoY, while Core PCE rose to 3.1% YoY. These readings were broadly in line with expectations and suggest inf...

CNN’s Jake Tapper brought on an Iranian activist expecting criticism of Trump’s actions toward Iran — but the interview completely backfired. Instead of attacking Trump or the U.S., the activist explained why many Iranians actually hope the regime is finally removed. In this Elliot Omanson Show short, Elliot reacts to the moment the narrative collapsed on live television. When Tapper tried to fram...

The 60/40 portfolio and the 4% rule have long been considered the standard formula for retirement planning. But do these strategies still work in today’s market environment? In this educational video, Elliot and Nathaniel explain how the traditional 60% stocks / 40% bonds portfolio structure became the industry standard and why the famous 4% withdrawal rule gained popularity after the Trinity Stud...

Iran’s leaders have repeatedly called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.” Is it political rhetoric — or a real threat? As Iran advances its nuclear capabilities, the stakes are rising fast. In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, Elliot shares his perspective on Israel’s military strategy, the history of modern warfare, failed nuclear negotiations, and the difference between bureaucratic dip...

The main data release this week was Producer Price Index (PPI), which rose 0.5% versus expectations of 0.3%. Year-over-year PPI is now 2.9%, continuing its broader cooling trend despite the monthly bump. Mortgage rates dipped below 6% for the first time in over three years, with the 30-year fixed rate hovering around 6%. Some qualified borrowers are seeing mid-5% rates, though typically with point...

Trump just delivered the longest State of the Union in modern history — nearly two hours — and it may have been the most strategically calculated speech of his presidency. In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, Elliot breaks down what stood out, from the economic messaging and “America First” framing to the direct callouts of Democrats during the speech. He explains why he believes this addre...

Estate planning shouldn’t sit in a drawer collecting dust. In this video, Elliot explains how we’re modernizing the estate planning process at OWLFI using the Vanilla platform and integrating it directly into the broader financial plan. Vanilla allows trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives to be created or restated inside a clean digital system that actually maps out how assets...

Social Security taxes are one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning — especially when it comes to how much of your benefits can actually become taxable. In this episode, we break down how Social Security is taxed at the federal level, why up to 85% of your benefits can be included as taxable income, and how the provisional income calculation determines what you owe. We explain how...

Elliot is introducing his brother, Glen Omanson of United Team Tax, who will now provide individual tax preparation and proactive, year-round tax planning for OWLFI clients as part of your ongoing relationship with the firm. Glen has been in the financial services industry since 2009 and holds the IRS's highest credential, Enrolled Agent (EA). His expertise focuses exclusively on individual taxati...

U.S. stocks are positive for the week with the major indices in the green as of Friday, as investors digested mixed economic data and a notable legal development on trade policy. The Supreme Court struck down broad tariff authority in a ruling this week, reducing the risk of sweeping new trade measures and providing a modest boost to investor sentiment. On the economic front, fourth-quarter GDP wa...

This week’s focus centered on the January employment report and the latest inflation data, both of which play a critical role in shaping Federal Reserve policy expectations. The labor market remains stable. The economy added 130,000 jobs, well above expectations, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Average hourly wages rose 0.4% month over month and are up 3.7% year over year, signali...