The Veteran Finance Podcast

I outline the top three year-end tax planning strategies that can benefit you this fall. I emphasize the importance of assessing your tax situation as the year draws to a close, highlighting that by this time, you typically have a clearer picture of your income and taxes due to bonuses and other financial events. The first strategy I discuss is Roth conversions, which can be advantageous in years...

I dive into the critical components of employee benefits packages during open enrollment season. I walk through key considerations like health insurance options (HSA and PPO plans), life insurance, and disability insurance, explaining how they fit into both personal and family financial plans. I also touch on underutilized benefits like dependent care FSAs, 401k matches, and ESPPs, emphasizing how...

In episode 52, I welcome my wife, Shelley Baskin, to talk about how we handle finances in our marriage. We share our thoughts on joint versus separate finances, the importance of open communication, and how we balance our individual spending preferences. We also dive into managing our household finances while running a business and setting long-term financial goals. Shelley and I emphasize how cru...

In this podcast, I explore how to approach investing during election years, addressing the common questions I hear from investors about whether to adjust their portfolios as election season approaches. I discuss the historical performance of the U.S. stock market under different political parties, comparing returns during Democratic and Republican presidencies. Using examples from 1928 to the pres...

In this episode, I discuss options for managing your TSP after leaving the military: keeping it in the TSP, rolling it over to an IRA or an employer-sponsored plan, or taking a distribution or purchasing an annuity. Keeping it in the TSP is easy and low-cost but offers limited investment options and multiple account management. Rolling it into an IRA provides more investment choices and easier man...

I welcome Evan Kaufman from WeVetHomeLoans, a fellow Air Force Academy graduate and economics major, to discuss VA loan refinancing amidst the fluctuating mortgage market. Evan explains the current state of interest rates, specifically for VA loans, and how recent trends have made refinancing particularly advantageous. We cover the unique benefits of the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (...

I address common questions and concerns that arise before and after getting married, such as whether to change your name and how to update various accounts. I emphasize the importance of having open financial discussions before marriage to decide on joint or separate finances. I provide a detailed checklist, starting with the name change process at the Social Security Office, followed by updating...

I get into the hidden costs of car payments and their long-term financial impact. Using a hypothetical scenario, I illustrate how a large car payment can significantly diminish potential investment returns over a 40-year period. For example, purchasing a $30,000 car with a $15,000 down payment results in monthly payments of $296, which over five years totals $21,148, and leads to a lost opportunit...

In this episode, I delve into the concept of reverse budgeting as a stress-free approach to managing your finances. The idea is to automate savings and debt payments first, ensuring that your essential financial goals are met before any spending occurs. After prioritizing taxes, savings, and fixed expenses, establish a target checking account balance for your monthly spending, giving you the freed...

In this episode, I discuss the concept of having a "cowboy or cowgirl account" as a way to enjoy some speculative investing without jeopardizing your financial future. The idea is to allocate a small portion, ideally less than 5%, of your investable assets into high-risk, high-reward investments such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or individual stocks, while keeping the bulk of your assets i...

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Jamie and Spencer from the Military Money Manual. More of Baskin Financial Planning: Think you might be a good fit form my firm? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the waitlist here!⁠⁠⁠⁠ Questions or comments, drop me a note at:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I delve into the important decision of choosing the right savings account for your child's future, a critical step for new parents aiming to ensure financial security for their children. I cover essential account options such as 529 plans, UTMA accounts, taxable brokerage accounts, and Roth IRAs. Using a comprehensive analysis, I demonstrate how to evaluate these options, offe...

I tackle the frequently asked question of whether to buy or rent in a new location, which is especially pertinent for military families or those with jobs requiring frequent relocations. I cover essential considerations such as mortgage interest rates, down payments, and financial health. Using NerdWallet's calculator, I demonstrate how to evaluate these factors, offering a case study of a cli...

I explore the common question of whether to keep a house as a rental property or sell it. Using a recent case study of a 39-year-old client from Virginia, I break down the detailed financial analysis involved. The client's home, valued at $480,000 with a $431,000 mortgage at a 5.63% interest rate, would result in a monthly deficit of $1,074 if rented out. My comprehensive walkthrough includes...

Let’s discuss how to take a holistic view on finding a mortgage that works for your situation. There are various mortgage types, including 15-year and 30-year conventional loans, 5 year adjustable rate mortgages, 30 year VA loans, all with different down payment options, and FHA loans. With buying a house being such a large decision, let’s examine these options, emphasizing the importance of consi...

I tackle the common question, "Should I stay in the military or get out?" by diving into a real client case study. And I promise, if you do, you don’t have to live under a bridge or eat cat food the rest of your life. My client, an Air Force major with 13 years of service, is contemplating leaving the military and is exploring three scenarios: immediately transitioning to a civilian job,...

I discuss the 'Profit First' system by Mike Michalowicz, which helps business owners and individuals manage their finances effectively. The concept involves setting predetermined and strategically assigned percentages for various financial categories such as profit, operational expenses (OPEX), taxes, and owner’s compensation. I explore how to apply 'Profit First' principles to bot...

I dive into the complexities of understanding tax returns. I share my yearly process of reviewing every client's tax return to identify forward-looking planning opportunities and to correct any errors from previous reporting. I discuss the importance of Roth contributions, the implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and strategies for managing business and personal taxes, including the use...

In this episode, I delve into the benefits and mechanics of donor advised funds (DAFs) and their role as a savvy tax strategy for charitable giving. If you're a high-income earner who's both charitably inclined and invested in the stock market, this is for you. I'll break down how DAFs function, highlighting their tax advantages, especially in light of the 2017 tax changes, and identif...

I'll share my financial journey from a second lieutenant fresh out of the Air Force Academy to a successful veteran business owner. I'll discuss the investment accounts I utilized at different stages, my strategy for allocating excess cash, and how my goals and priorities have shifted over time. Initially, I was focused on retirement accounts like Roth IRAs and Roth TSPs, but later on, I c...

In this episode, we delve deep into the topic of disability insurance and its critical role in financial planning. Disability insurance is often overlooked, especially among military families and veteran business owners, despite the statistics showing that one-fourth of individuals are expected to become disabled before retirement age. Let's talk about the essential features of disability insu...

In this episode, I talk about the superpowers of the often overlooked Roth IRA account. I go through what it is, the rules around it, and the three main benefits that it provides. Time Stamps: 00:00-01:47: Intro 01:47-06:06: The Benefits of a Roth IRA 06:06-08:55 : Withdrawal Rules 08:55-11:20: Tax Free Compound Growth Example 11:20-14:30: Retirement Income Diversity Example 14:30-16:07: Wrap Up w...

In this episode, I walk through my financial order of operations to give you a framework for how to allocate your money in a way that makes sense on a quantitative and qualitative basis. Time Stamps: 00:00-01:53: Intro 01:53-06:02: Emergency Fund, 401(k) Match, and High Interest Debt 06:02-09:04 : HSA, Roth IRA, and Children's Education 09:04-11:43: Max 401(k), Rental Real Estate, Lower Intere...

In this episode, I discuss the recent $418 Million settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and it's impact on your personal financial planning situation. Time Stamps: 00:00-01:40: Intro to the Settlement 01:40-02:25: Background on the Settlement 02:25-07:39: The Changes Coming 07:39-11:56: Financial Planning Impacts and Wrap Up www.baskinfp.com/post/32-financial-planning-impli...

In this episode, I talk with 2018 USAFA Graduate and Air Force Veteran Business Owner Jason Lee from Murphy Home Buyers. Jason and I discuss his journey to and passion for entrepreneurship, how Murphy plans to buy 12 homes a month this year, and what Jason sees as the future for the business. Time Stamps: 00:00-06:42: Intro to Jason 06:42-14:10: What Jason Does at Murphy Home Buyers 14:10-20:36: H...