The Veteran Finance Podcast

Hosted by Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA

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Jul 2026

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About the show

The Veteran Finance Podcast delivers actionable weekly financial planning strategies to help Veterans optimize their money to build purpose past the 9-5. Host Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA is an Air Force Academy Graduate turned financial planner and the founder of Baskin Financial Planning.

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60 recent

July 8, 202616 min

Why I'm NOT Recommending Trump Accounts and How To Save For Kids Instead | E80

In this episode, I talk about why I am not recommending Trump Account contributions beyond any free money, and how to save for your kids instead. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and What Trump Accounts Are 03:56 Problem 1: Kiddie Tax 07:07 Problem 2: Inflexibility 08:44 Problem 3: State Taxes 10:24 How to Save for Kids 15:14 Summary and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned: Trump Account Website to Open and Manage Accounts $250 Dell Foundation Contribtuon Zip Code Lookup ‍ 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/80

March 25, 202612 min

Impacts of the Iran War on Markets and Personal Finance | E79

In this episode, I talk about the Iran War and its' implications on markets and personal finance. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:47 How Markets React to Wars 04:20 Oil, Inflation, and Interest Rates 8:01 Personal Finance Takeaways 11:40 Wrap Up and Disclaimer Resources Mentioned: Investopedia article on the impact of war on markets across time Inflation Adjusted Barrel of Oil History Price Chart U.S. Gas Per Gallon Price over history Mortgage Rate Chart ‍ 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/79

January 21, 20269 min

The Top 5 Most Impactful Personal Finance Books I've Ever Read | E78

In this episode, I talk about the top 5 most impactful personal finance books I've ever read that I would recommend you check out in the new year! ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 Intro and Top 5 Personal Finance Books Overview 00:51 Book 1: The Psychology of Money 02:05 Book 2: Your Money or Your Life 03:25 Book 3: Die With Zero 05:29 Book 4: A Random Walk Down Wall Street 06:37 Book 5: The Millionaire Next Door 07:57 Conclusion and Additional Resources ‍ Resources Mentioned: Psychology of Money- Morgan Housel Your Money or Your Life - Vicki Robin Die With Zero- Bill Perkins Random Walk Down Wallstreet- Burton Malkiel The Millionare Nextdoor- Dr. Thomas Stanley Follow me on Goodreads 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/78

November 19, 202511 min

Investments That are Too Good to be True | E77

‍In this episode, I talk about red flags to look for in investments that are too good to be true, including three real life examples I've seen in my financial planning practice. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Announcements 01:20 Core Principles of Sound Investing 02:20 Identifying Red Flags in Investment Opportunities 04:34 Real-World Examples of Investment Scams 09:02 Protecting Yourself from Investment Scams 09:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned: Bernie Madoff FBI Case Paul Regan Fraud Scheme 2024 ‍ 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/77

November 5, 202510 min

The Most Tax-Efficient Ways to Give to Charity |E76

‍In this episode, I go through the three tax-efficient strategies for maximizing the value of your charitable giving. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:25 – Standard deduction explained 04:40 – Strategy 1: Bunching 05:46 – Strategy 2: Donor-Advised Funds 07:04 – Strategy 3: QCDs 08:41 – Recap & final thoughts Resources Mentioned: Episode 37 on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) ‍ 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/76

October 22, 202511 min

3 Things That Need to be True to Keep Your House as a Rental | E75

In this episode, I go through the three things that need to be true for it to make sense to keep your house as a rental property. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:49 – 1. The Math 03:31 – 2. Qualitative Fit 05:21 – 3. Long-Term Fit 09:06 – Recap & Final Thoughts 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/75

October 8, 202513 min

The Power of Term Life Insurance: Why It Beats Whole, SBP, and VGLI for Veterans |E74

‍In this episode, I discuss the basic principles of term insurance and why for most families it is the preferred method of life insurance over permanent insurance, SBP, and VGLI. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & why term life insurance 01:10 Principles of Term Insurance 03:35 How much term insurance do you need? 05:35 Calculating your coverage 07:10 Comparing Term vs. Permanent, VGLI, and SBP 12:09 Final thoughts & summary ‍ Resources Mentioned: Episode 22: Whole vs. Term Life Insurance VGLI Costs ‍ 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/74

September 24, 202511 min

The Art of the Backdoor Roth IRA for High Earners | E73

In this episode, I discuss the art of the backdoor Roth IRA for high income earners. We walk through what it is, how to do it, and key mistakes to look out for. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Backdoor Roth IRA 02:21 Step-by-Step Guide to Backdoor Roth IRA 04:51 Key Caveats and Pro-Rata Rule 07:26 Fixing Past Contribution Mistakes 10:06 Conclusion and Final Tips 10:47 Additional Resources and Disclaimer ‍ ‍ 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 ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/73 ‍

September 10, 202511 min

When Does it Make Sense to Refinance the Mortgage? | E72

In this episode, I dive into when it makes sense and does not make sense to refinance your mortgage when rates are falling. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Is Now a Good Time to Refinance?00:55 Understanding Refinancing Basics02:03 VA Loan Refinancing: Uncle Earl Explained03:12 When Refinancing Makes Sense06:06 When Refinancing Doesn't Make Sense08:02 Veteran-Specific Provisions for Refinancing09:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned: Episode 16: VA Loans with Evan Kaufman Episode 50: Refinancing VA Loans with Evan Kaufman 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 ⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/72

August 27, 202521 min

Unpacking Unpacking the New Tax Bill the OBBBA: What it Means for Your Taxes | E71

In this episode, I dive into the provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed on July 4, 2025 and how it is likely to impact your tax bill this year and for the years to come. Key Timestamps: 00:00-Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act 01:22- Understanding the Tax Rate Extensions and Standard Deductions 02:43- Charitable Giving and Itemized Deductions 04:53- State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction Changes 06:45- Child Tax Credit and Senior Deduction 08:55- Tax Exemptions on Tips, Overtime, and Business Provisions 11:16- Estate and Lifetime Gift Tax Exemptions 12:55- Vehicle-Related Tax Provisions1 5:40- Education and Trump Accounts 17:31- Actionable Takeaways and Conclusion 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 www.baskinfp.com/post/71