Money & Taxes from Bb to XYZ

Hosted by Financial Planning Fort Collins

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Aug 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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60 recent

August 20, 202619 min

FIRE Up Your Cash Flow, and Coast Into Retirement!

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ , Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, explore Coast FIRE, a retirement strategy built around saving aggressively earlier in life and then allowing those investments to compound toward retirement with little or no additional retirement contributions. They discuss how reaching a “Coast” point can create more flexibility to work less, change careers, spend more intentionally, or redirect savings toward other goals while existing retirement assets continue to grow. The conversation also covers the risks of relying on long-term assumptions — including inflation, taxes, and sequence-of-returns risk — and why regular financial planning and cash flow check-ins remain essential. Regina and Jason also highlight different versions of Coast FIRE, from continuing full-time work without retirement contributions to stepping away from work entirely while relying on non-retirement-specific assets. Takeaways Coast FIRE relies on saving heavily early, giving those dollars more time to compound toward a future retirement goal. Reaching your Coast point can create greater flexibility with work, spending, and other financial goals, but it still requires careful planning. Because returns, inflation, taxes, and spending can change, regular cash flow and financial planning check-ins are essential to staying on track. Have a 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

August 6, 202615 min

Will Social Security Soon Be a Thing of the Past?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ , Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, examine the latest concerns surrounding the future of Social Security and what potential benefit changes could mean for retirement planning. They discuss the projected depletion of the Social Security trust fund and three potential solutions outlined by the Social Security trustees: increasing payroll taxes, reducing benefits for everyone, or reducing benefits for future claimants. The conversation also explores why fear alone should not drive an early claiming decision and how financial planning tools can stress-test different Social Security, inflation, tax, health care, and longevity scenarios. Rather than trying to predict exactly what lawmakers will do, Regina and Jason emphasize preparing a flexible retirement plan that can adapt as the system changes. Takeaways If no legislative action is taken, Social Security could continue paying benefits from incoming payroll taxes, but at a reduced level once trust fund reserves are depleted. Potential solutions include higher payroll taxes, benefit reductions, later claiming ages, or a combination of changes. Don’t make a Social Security claiming decision based on headlines alone. Stress-test your retirement plan and adjust your savings, investments, or income strategy as new information becomes available. Have a 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

July 23, 202616 min

Why Do You Invest?

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ , Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, explore one of the foundational questions of financial planning: Why do you invest? Using investment risk as the starting point, they explain that risk isn’t simply about stock prices rising and falling; it also includes factors like liquidity, inflation, savings rates, income needs, and the possibility of not reaching your financial goals. They distinguish between risk tolerance (the amount of investment risk you’re willing to accept) and risk capacity (the amount of risk your financial circumstances can reasonably support), then show how those concepts drive asset allocation and even where investments should be held for maximum tax efficiency. Takeaways Understand your risk tolerance first. Determine how much investment risk you’re personally comfortable taking before choosing an investment strategy. Evaluate your risk capacity. Your timeline, financial goals, available resources, liquidity needs, and overall circumstances may require you to take more (or less) risk than your tolerance alone suggests. Match investments to the right accounts. Once your asset allocation is determined, use asset location strategies by placing growth and income-producing investments in the most tax-efficient account types to maximize long-term results. Have a 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

July 9, 202617 min

Tolerate This: Your Risk & Your Investments

In this episode of Money and Taxes from Bb to XYZ , Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, unpack what "investment risk" really means and why it goes beyond simply watching account values rise and fall. They explain the difference between risk tolerance, or how much risk you’re willing to take, and risk capacity, or how much risk your financial circumstances can support. The conversation explores how goals, timelines, liquidity needs, savings rates, and retirement plans all shape an appropriate investment strategy. Regina and Jason also discuss how risk translates into asset allocation and why asset location — placing the right investments in the right types of accounts — can add tax-savvy efficiency to a portfolio. Takeaways Risk tolerance measures how much investment risk you're emotionally willing to take. Risk capacity considers your real-life circumstances, including goals, timelines, liquidity needs, and available resources. Smart investing also means using asset location to place growth and income-producing investments in the most tax-efficient accounts. 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

June 25, 202617 min

Tax Planning Changes You Can Make Now

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ , Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, discuss what to do when a mid-year income boost — like a raise, bonus, RSU vest, or ESPP benefit — creates new tax planning opportunities. They explain why more income can mean more taxes, but also more ways to strategically reduce taxable income and redirect cash flow. The conversation covers bonus withholding, pre-tax employer retirement plan contributions, HSAs, deferred compensation, RSUs, ESPPs, charitable giving, and donor-advised funds. Regina and Jason emphasize that the key is building a tax projection early enough in the year to understand what’s changing and make smart decisions before year-end. Takeaways Start by looking for ways to reduce taxable income at the source, such as 401(k), HSA, IRA, or deferred compensation options. Consider selling RSU or ESPP shares when they vest so you can diversify, manage tax exposure, and redeploy the cash intentionally. After source-level planning, review tax-return strategies like charitable contributions, appreciated stock gifts, and donor-advised funds. 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

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. Takeaways Use 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. 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 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. Takeaways Disability 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. Takeaways Property 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. 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

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. Takeaways Ask 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. 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

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. Takeaways A 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. 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