The Preferred Way: A Retirement Podcast

Hosted by Preferred Trust Company

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Latest episode

Jan 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Unlock the full potential of your IRA with The Preferred Way, a retirement podcast that explores the often-overlooked powerhouse in the investment landscape: The Self-Directed IRA. Join us as we demystify this unique retirement account, offering insights into diverse investment options, alternative strategies, legal structures, and essential tax rules. Discover the untapped possibilities for maximizing your financial future through the world of Self-Directed IRAs. Disclaimer: Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice.

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60 recent

January 8, 202626 min

Hands-Off Real Estate Investing for Retirement | Connect Invest & Self-Directed IRAs

In this episode of The Preferred Way, host Alysia Ball sits down with Mason Weiler, Director of Operations at Connect Invest, to break down how investors can access hands-off real estate investing using both self-directed IRAs and cash accounts. Mason explains how Connect Invest structures fixed-income real estate notes that offer: Defined terms and exit dates Monthly interest payments Diversification across hundreds of real estate loans Competitive returns backed by real assets You’ll learn how these investments compare to rentals, CDs, bonds, and high-yield savings accounts—plus how retirement investors can deploy capital efficiently without tenant headaches or property management. This episode also covers: Using a Self-Directed IRA to invest in real estate notes Why defined payoff dates matter for retirement planning How diversification helps mitigate risk What happens in borrower defaults How easy it is to reinvest or redeploy funds Whether you’re exploring alternatives to Wall Street or looking for predictable income inside your retirement account, this episode provides a clear, practical overview of a modern real estate investment strategy. Learn more about opening a Self-Directed IRA: Visit PreferredTrustCompany.com to explore how retirement funds can be used for alternative investments. Explore Connect Invest’s investment platform: Visit ConnectInvest.com to learn more about their fixed-income real estate note offerings.

December 25, 202527 min

2026 Tax Season Prep Guide: How to Prepare for the 2026 Tax Season

If you wait until the last minute every tax season, this episode is your wake-up call. Preferred Trust Company CEO Carrie Cook sits down with CPA Larry Pendleton of The Investors CPA to break down why procrastinating your taxes is costly, what MUST be done before year-end, what extensions really mean, how retirement accounts and IRS Form 5498 work, why entity changes can't wait, and how to stay ahead of the April and October tax deadlines. ✔️ What CPAs actually expect from clients ✔️ Why extensions DO NOT delay payment ✔️ How procrastination leads to penalties & stress ✔️ Retirement contributions, IRAs, Form 5498 ✔️ Real stories of extreme procrastinators—and what happened ✔️ Practical checklist to stay ahead for the 2026 tax season Whether you're filing personal taxes, running a business, or managing investments, this conversation will help you stay organized, prepared, and protected when tax season hits. Connect with Preferred Trust Company Open a Self-Directed IRA, diversify into alternative assets, or get help understanding retirement strategies at: PreferredTrustCompany.com Connect with The Investors CPA Need a proactive CPA who understands strategy—not just filing? Visit: TheInvestorsCPA.com team@theinvestorscpa.com

December 11, 202536 min

Last-Minute Tax Saving Strategies CPAs Wish You’d Use

In this episode of The Preferred Way, CEO Carrie Cook sits down with CPA Larry Pendleton for a tactical deep dive into last-minute tax saving strategies you can still execute before the calendar hits 2026. From “machetes and steak knives” to cost segregation, entity elections, bonus depreciation, health reimbursement arrangements, retirement plans, family involvement, and the Augusta Rule — Larry breaks down real, actionable strategies that business owners and investors can use to materially reduce tax liability. If you’ve ever rushed to your CPA in March expecting miracles, this conversation is for you. Preparation, documentation, and smart planning are everything — and this episode gives you the roadmap. Learn more or open an account with Preferred Trust Company: https://preferredtrustcompany.com Connect with Larry Pendleton, The Investors CPA: https://theinvestorscpa.com Follow for more episodes of The Preferred Way covering tax strategy, SDIRAs, wealth building, and smart investor planning. #TaxSavingStrategies #EndOfYearTaxPlanning #LastMinuteTaxTips #TaxCPA #BusinessTaxPlanning #BonusDepreciation #CostSegregation #SDElections #RetirementPlanning #PreferredTrustCompany #Finance #MoneyTips #WealthBuilding #InvestSmart #PersonalFinance #BusinessOwners #EntrepreneurLife #TaxSeason #FinancialEducation #youtubelearning *Disclaimer* 2025 Preferred Trust. Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Preferred Trust is committed to safeguarding all non-public personal information provided to us by our customers. Preferred Trust collects, retains, and uses customer information where we reasonably believe that it will help administer our business or provide services to our customers. We collect and retain customer information only for specific business purposes and upon request will inform customers why we are collecting and retaining the information. PREFERRED TRUST, LLC “Preferred Trust” 6700 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.990.7892 888.990.7892 Financial Institutions Division of Nevada License No. TR10025.

November 26, 202530 min

The Trust Mistakes That Cost Families Millions | Family Legacy with Larry Pendleton Part 2

In Part 2 of our Family Legacy series, Carrie Cook and CPA Larry Pendleton dive deeper into the real-life challenges families face when building, protecting, and transferring wealth. If you’ve ever wondered when to establish a trust, how to protect your assets, or how to avoid family conflict after you're gone, this episode will open your eyes. From irrevocable trust misconceptions to the emotional realities of inheritance, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone serious about safeguarding their family’s future. In this episode you’ll learn: • When to set up a trust and how to fund it responsibly • The biggest mistakes people make when titling assets • Why communication is critical for preventing family fractures • How trusteeship actually works (and why many people regret accepting it) • What happens when estates exceed federal tax thresholds • How to prepare your heirs emotionally and financially Open a Self-Directed IRA today at PreferredTrustCompany.com or Schedule a consultation to learn how to build a stronger long-term legacy with alternative investments. Subscribe to follow every episode of The Preferred Way, where retirement savers meet alternative investments. #FamilyLegacy #EstatePlanning #TrustPlanning #CPAAdvice #WealthTransfer #GenerationalWealth #PreferredTrustCompany #SelfDirectedIRA #RetirementPlanning #AlternativeInvesting #FinancialLiteracy #LegacyPlanning #WealthManagement #Taxes #Trusts *Disclaimer* 2025 Preferred Trust. Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Preferred Trust is committed to safeguarding all non-public personal information provided to us by our customers. Preferred Trust collects, retains, and uses customer information where we reasonably believe that it will help administer our business or provide services to our customers. We collect and retain customer information only for specific business purposes and upon request will inform customers why we are collecting and retaining the information. PREFERRED TRUST, LLC “Preferred Trust” 6700 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.990.7892 888.990.7892 Financial Institutions Division of Nevada License No. TR10025.

November 13, 202533 min

What Your CPA ISN'T Telling You, Real Estate, IRAs and Family Legacy

How do you decide between buying property with cash or through your IRA? And more importantly—how do you turn those investments into a lasting family legacy? In this episode of The Preferred Way, Carrie Cook sits down with CPA Larry Pendleton to reveal powerful tax strategies, pitfalls to avoid when investing through an IRA, and practical steps to protect your family’s financial future. From cost segregation and short-term rental loopholes to setting up living trusts, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone serious about generational wealth. What You’ll Learn: When to buy property with cash vs. your IRA How cost segregation can unlock major tax savings Common IRA real estate mistakes (and how to avoid them) Building a legacy that truly benefits your family Open an account today at PreferredTrustCompany.com or Schedule a free consultation to learn how to diversify your retirement portfolio with alternative investments. Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow for more insights from the Preferred Trust team!

October 30, 202522 min

IRS Red Flags & Fair Market Valuations: What Every SDIRA Investor Should Know Part 2

In this continuation of The Preferred Way’s two-part series on Audits, Recordkeeping & Reporting, CEO Carrie Cook dives deeper into what happens after an audit begins — including fair market valuations, UBIT/UDFI taxes, custodian recordkeeping responsibilities, and the true meaning of “transparency” in financial services. You’ll discover: ✅ Why accurate tax reporting and fair market valuations protect your IRA ✅ Which documents custodians must keep — and which are your responsibility ✅ What makes a “good custodian” truly great (hint: transparency and training) ✅ How Preferred Trust ensures client security and compliance in every transaction Ready to take control of your retirement? Open a Self-Directed IRA today at PreferredTrustCompany.com

October 16, 202525 min

IRS Audits & Self-Directed IRAs: What Every Investor Should Know

Ever wondered what could trigger an IRS audit on your self-directed IRA? In this episode of The Preferred Way, CEO Carrie Cook and Client Service Agent, Alysia Ball pull back the curtain on IRS red flags, prohibited transactions, and the critical importance of accurate recordkeeping. Learn how to: Avoid prohibited transactions that could disqualify your IRA Identify warning signs when choosing a custodian Maintain compliant records that protect your retirement savings Understand your role vs. your custodian’s role in due diligence At Preferred Trust Company, transparency isn’t just a promise — it’s a policy. Discover what makes a truly qualified custodian and how to protect your retirement funds the preferred way. Ready to invest with confidence? Open an account today at PreferredTrustCompany.com #SelfDirectedIRA #IRAAudit #IRSCompliance #AlternativeInvesting #RetirementPlanning #IRARules #FinancialEducation #IRAInvesting #PreferredTrustCompany #CarrieCook #IgniteFunding #TaxReporting #AuditTips #Custodian #RetirementSecurity *Disclaimer* 2025 Preferred Trust. Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Preferred Trust is committed to safeguarding all non-public personal information provided to us by our customers. Preferred Trust collects, retains, and uses customer information where we reasonably believe that it will help administer our business or provide services to our customers. We collect and retain customer information only for specific business purposes and upon request will inform customers why we are collecting and retaining the information. PREFERRED TRUST, LLC “Preferred Trust” 6700 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.990.7892 888.990.7892 Financial Institutions Division of Nevada License No. TR10025.

October 2, 202540 min

From Setup to Payoff, The Timeline of a Self-Directed IRA

Ever wondered how long it actually takes to fund an investment inside your Self-Directed IRA? In this episode of The Preferred Way, we sit down with Alysia Ball from the investment department to break down the step-by-step timeline of using an SDIRA—from transferring funds, gathering documents, compliance reviews, to ultimately funding your investment. Whether you’re investing in trust deeds, promissory notes, real estate, precious metals, or digital assets, this episode will help you understand exactly what to expect. ✅ Open an account today with Preferred Trust Company #SelfDirectedIRA #AlternativeInvesting #RetirementPlanning #RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #InvestSmart #PassiveIncome #IgniteFunding #PreferredTrustCompany #wealthbuilding *Disclaimer* 2025 Preferred Trust. Preferred Trust performs duties of a custodian and as such, does not sell investments or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Preferred Trust is committed to safeguarding all non-public personal information provided to us by our customers. Preferred Trust collects, retains, and uses customer information where we reasonably believe that it will help administer our business or provide services to our customers. We collect and retain customer information only for specific business purposes and upon request will inform customers why we are collecting and retaining the information. PREFERRED TRUST, LLC “Preferred Trust” 6700 Via Austi Parkway, Suite 301, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702.990.7892 888.990.7892 Financial Institutions Division of Nevada License No. TR10025.

September 18, 202529 min

Inside Oil & Gas Investing: Mineral Rights, Returns & Red Flags

In this episode of The Preferred Way, Carrie sits down with Troy Eckard of Eckard Enterprises to discuss the opportunities and pitfalls in oil & gas investing, mineral rights, and how technology is reshaping the energy industry. You’ll learn: Why Eckard Enterprises has stayed private and thrived The truth about mineral rights vs. real estate Red flags every investor should watch for in oil & gas deals How new technology has eliminated dry holes and improved predictability Eckard’s $10 billion vision for the next decade Ready to take control of your retirement? Open your account today with Preferred Trust Company → https://preferredtrustcompany.com Explore Eckard Enterprises’ current projects → https://eckardenterprises.com Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow so you never miss an episode of The Preferred Way!

September 4, 202521 min

Self-Directed IRAs & Tax Strategies for the Next Generation with Larry Pendleton | Part 2

In this episode of The Preferred Way Podcast, Carrie Cook continues the conversation with CPA Larry Pendleton on how both younger and older generations can strategically use self-directed IRAs, manage debt, and prepare for retirement that leaves a legacy. Larry shares insights on: Why it’s never too late to start retirement planning (even at 50+) The difference between good debt vs. bad debt The true cost of raising kids (and why it impacts your financial strategy) Why the younger generation may shift 80% of their portfolios into alternative assets like crypto & real estate How small businesses are reshaping retirement plan offerings The importance of using a real tax advisor (not just filing software) Open a Self-Directed IRA today with Preferred Trust Company and take control of your retirement: www.preferredtrustcompany.com Connect with Larry Pendleton, The Investor’s CPA for tax strategy & consulting: www.linkedin.com/in/larry-pendleton-jr-cpa-msa-493aa249 ✅ Like this episode ✅ Follow the channel