Money & Taxes from Bb to XYZ

Hosted by Financial Planning Fort Collins

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Money & Taxes from Bb to XYZ is the personal finance podcast for baby boomers as well as those in generations X, Y, and Z. Real financial planners break down a single money topic in each episode — and leave you with actionable takeaways at the end.

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June 11, 202619 min

What Can Your 2025 Taxes Tell You About Your 2026 Tax Year?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, explain why mid-year tax planning can be just as or even more valuable than year-end planning. With many 2025 tax returns now filed and many months left in the 2026 tax year, they discuss how listeners can use last year’s return to identify planning opportunities while there’s still time to act. The conversation covers key tax law changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including higher standard deductions, SALT deduction changes, expanded charitable giving opportunities, and above-the-line deductions. Jason also walks through where to look on your Form 1040 to review income, deductions, payments, credits, and withholding so you can make smarter tax decisions before year-end.TakeawaysUse your 2025 tax return as a roadmap to spot 2026 planning opportunities while there’s still time to make changes.Review income, deductions, and credits to understand what may be different this year.Don’t tip the IRS. Aim to withhold or pay in enough to avoid penalties while keeping your money productive throughout the year.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

May 26, 202620 min

We’re Insuring What, Now?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, focus on three key types of personal insurance protection: life, disability, and long-term care insurance. They explain how each type of coverage fits into a broader financial plan, when different policies may make sense, and why insurance should be used intentionally. The conversation covers term versus permanent life insurance, income protection through disability insurance, and the growing costs and evolving strategies surrounding long-term care coverage, including hybrid life-and-long-term-care policies. Jason and Regina also emphasize tailoring insurance coverage to your stage of life, financial goals, and family needs, rather than buying coverage simply because it's available.TakeawaysDisability insurance, or “income insurance,” is often the first coverage to prioritize among these three because protecting your ability to earn income is critical during your working years.Life insurance should be tied to a specific financial need, such as income replacement, debt payoff, estate liquidity, or legacy planning, rather than purchased without a clear purpose.Long-term care planning may involve a combination of insurance, personal assets, and home equity. Hybrid life-and-long-term-care policies can provide flexibility if long-term care is never needed.Have a tax question for the show? Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.Disclosures Jason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

May 14, 202620 min

Property, Sure, but What in the Heck is Casualty?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, go back to basics on property and casualty insurance: what it covers, why it matters, and how it fits into a broader financial plan. They explain the difference between property and liability protection, common policies like homeowners or renters, auto, and umbrella insurance. The conversation highlights how deductibles, premiums, emergency savings, and coverage limits all work together, and why your Emergency and Future Opportunities Fund (EFOF) should be strong enough to cover deductibles when claims arise. Regina and Jason also flag common insurance gaps, including too little umbrella coverage, low auto liability limits, missing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and insufficient dwelling coverage on a home.TakeawaysProperty and casualty insurance protects both your stuff and your liability if you cause financial harm to someone else.Your EFOF should be large enough to cover deductibles so you can choose higher deductibles and potentially lower premiums.Review coverage regularly for gaps in umbrella, auto liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and dwelling coverage.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

April 30, 202620 min

What To Ask Your Financial Planner

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, walk through the key questions to ask when choosing or re-evaluating a financial planning professional. They explain why titles, designations, and services can vary widely across the industry. They also review why it’s important to understand a planner’s qualifications, fiduciary status, planning scope, typical clients, fee structure, and investment philosophy. The conversation highlights potential conflicts of interest, the difference between advice and product sales, and how to check for disciplinary history using public regulatory tools. Whether you’re hiring a planner for the first time or revisiting an existing relationship, this episode helps listeners gain clarity and confidence in who they trust with their financial lives.TakeawaysAsk whether a planner is a fiduciary at all times, not just in certain parts of the relationship.Make sure their services, fees, client experience, and investment philosophy align with your needs.Use public tools like FINRA BrokerCheck or the SEC’s advisor database to look for potential red flags.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

April 16, 202618 min

Your Digital Safe Deposit Box

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, explore the idea of a digital safe deposit box: a secure, organized system for storing important personal, financial, and estate-related information in digital form. They explain the difference between physical originals that still need to be protected offline and the digital copies that can make life much easier for you and your loved ones. The conversation covers what to include, where to store it, and how tools like password managers, cloud storage, and legacy contact features can help create a practical system. They also emphasize that building a digital safe deposit box does not have to happen all at once; starting small and improving it over time can still make a meaningful difference for your own organization and for anyone who may need to step in on your behalf later.TakeawaysA digital safe deposit box can help organize important documents, passwords, and account access details in one secure system.Start simple: begin with basics like copies of your ID, Social Security card, estate documents, and recent tax return, then build from there over time.A well-organized digital system can make things much easier for loved ones or decision-makers during emergencies, incapacity, or estate administration.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

April 2, 202616 min

Estate Planning Basics

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, walk through estate planning from a financial planning standpoint. It's important to note that neither Jason nor Regina is an attorney, and the information provided in this episode is not legal advice. They explain why it's crucial to work with a licensed attorney to create and update estate planning documents and touch on why so many people delay this important task. Jason and Regina also discuss the emotional and financial barriers that can make estate planning feel intimidating, while emphasizing that having something current in place is far better than having nothing at all. The conversation covers the core documents that make up a basic estate plan — including a will, financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and living will — along with the role of trusts and why those decisions often require legal guidance. Regina and Jason also highlight the importance of coordinating beneficiary designations and account titling with your estate plan so your executor can carry out your wishes as you intended.TakeawaysA basic estate plan usually includes a will, financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and living will.Something is better than nothing. Even a simple, updated set of documents can be far more helpful than outdated or missing estate documents.Don’t overlook beneficiary designations, since they can override what is written in your will.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

March 19, 202621 min

The Dirty Dozen: Tax Scams to Avoid

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, break down the IRS’s annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams and schemes to watch out for during tax season. They cover common threats like IRS impersonation by text, email, and even AI-generated phone calls, along with fake charities, misleading tax advice on social media, ghost preparers, and fraudulent tax credit schemes. The conversation also highlights newer issues on the IRS radar, including abusive capital gain claims and misleading offer-in-compromise marketing. Throughout the episode, Regina and Jason emphasize the importance of protecting your personal information, reviewing your return carefully, and working with qualified tax professionals to avoid costly mistakes or fraud.TakeawaysBe cautious of IRS impersonation scams, especially by email, text, or phone. The IRS usually contacts taxpayers by mail first.If something on a tax return or refund promise seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always review your return before signing it.Working with a qualified tax professional, such as a CPA or enrolled agent, can help you avoid scams, bad advice, and risky tax positions.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

March 5, 202621 min

So Many Tax Forms, So Little Time!

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, step inside Jason's "tax bunker" to break down the sometimes seemingly overwhelming world of tax documents. From W-2s and 1099s to K-1s and 1098s, they explain what forms to expect, why some arrive later than others, and why filing too early can sometimes create more problems than it solves. The conversation highlights the importance of patience during tax season, especially when waiting on brokerage statements or partnership K-1s that may trigger the need for an extension. They also emphasize that not all tax documentation comes in the mail. Many records, such as property tax payments, charitable donations, and self-employment expenses, are your responsibility to track and organize. Whether you file yourself or work with a professional, staying organized and understanding the timeline can make tax season far less stressful.TakeawaysNot all tax forms arrive by January 31. Some brokerage statements, K-1s, and revised forms may take weeks or even months, so patience is key.Some of your most important tax documents are self-created records, like expense logs, charitable receipts, and property tax payments, so good recordkeeping matters.If taxes feel overwhelming, use a structured questionnaire or work with a qualified preparer, but be cautious of anyone promising results that sound too good to be true.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

February 19, 202614 min

Is Your Lifestyle Creeping Up On You?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, dive into the subtle but powerful impact of lifestyle creep and inflation on your financial plan. They explore how rising income, combined finances, or even small “reward” spending habits can gradually increase your cost of living, often without you noticing. Jason and Regina highlight the importance of tracking expenses, recognizing spending patterns, and making intentional adjustments before lifestyle creep begins to derail long-term goals. They also discuss the difference between lifestyle inflation (which you can control) and economic inflation (which you can’t), and how keeping your dollars productive through smart saving and investing can help protect your purchasing power over time.TakeawaysLifestyle creep happens quietly, so tracking your spending is the first step toward identifying and correcting it.You can’t control inflation, but you can combat it by keeping your money productive in high-yield savings and investments.Intentional spending matters: If income increases, plan one mindful “treat” instead of letting expenses gradually expand across the board.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

February 5, 202614 min

Why Reset Your Budget in February?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, explain why February — not January — is the ideal time to reset your budget and cash-flow plan. With holiday spending behind you and a clearer picture of your real monthly expenses available from January, February offers the opportunity to make meaningful, realistic adjustments early enough to influence the rest of the year. The conversation covers practical steps like reviewing subscriptions, right-sizing recurring expenses, planning for large upcoming purchases, as well as aligning savings with short- and long-term goals. Regina and Jason also emphasize that cash flow planning isn’t about restriction. Instead, iit’s about intentionality, balance, and aligning spending with your values while supporting the rest of your financial plan.TakeawaysFebruary is the ideal time to reset your budget with a clearer view of real spending after the holidays.Cash-flow planning is about intentional, values-based spending — not simply cutting costs.Align savings and upcoming large expenses with your plan by moving near-term money away from investment risk and into cash.Have a tax question for the show?Email podcast@fpfoco.com, and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo