Money: you make it, you want more of it, and you want to protect it. We are The Real Money Pros, a show hosted collaboratively by experts who specialize in investing, financial and estate planning, taxes, insurance, and any other way to grow wealth. Plus, we make it fun! We help you know good advice from bad – especially when everyone seems to want a piece of your money.
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October 26, 20261 hr 22 min
"Do I Have Enough to Retire?" Isn't the Right Question (10/24/2026)
You can spend decades saving for retirement, reach the number you had in mind, and still hesitate to spend a dollar of it. The question isn't necessarily whether you've saved enough. It's whether you understand what that money can actually do for you. Jeremiah and Alex discuss why retirement planning doesn't end when you accumulate enough assets. Knowing which accounts to draw from, how to manage taxes, and when to make certain financial decisions can be just as important as the investments themselves. They walk through a real-world planning example involving substantial retirement savings, Roth conversions, capital gains, and Medicare premiums. The challenge isn't simply growing the portfolio. It's figuring out how to access that money, minimize unnecessary complications, and confidently fund the retirement you've worked toward. Plus, Social Security filing decisions, including spousal and survivor benefits, before turning to a live caller concerned about technology concentration in his retirement accounts and the potential impact of geopolitical conflict involving Taiwan. Find an advisor that's best suited for you: https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
October 19, 20261 hr 22 min
Is the S&P 500 Still Diversified? Plus, Inheritance Planning (10/17/2026)
Is the S&P 500 still as diversified as investors think? And what should families know before distributing an inheritance... Hour 1: Market Concentration and the Future of Investing With a growing share of the S&P 500 concentrated in a handful of major technology companies, Brian and Jeremiah discuss what diversification really means today. They explore AI-related market volatility, the competition between the U.S. and China, changing bond yields, and potential opportunities in energy and infrastructure. Hour 2: Inheritance, Estate Administration, and Tax Planning Receiving an inheritance can involve more than simply transferring money. They explain how different assets are handled after someone passes away, including cash, taxable investments, inherited IRAs, and trust accounts. The guys also discuss the 10-year inherited IRA rule, required minimum distributions, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, and how families can avoid common mistakes when settling an estate. Find an advisor that's best suited for you: https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
October 12, 202641 min
Building Value in Blue-Collar Businesses with William Yex (10/10/2026)
For owners of HVAC, plumbing, electrical and construction companies, building a profitable business is one thing. Building a business that someone else would actually want to buy is another. This week, Jeremiah Bates welcomes William Yex, CFP®, a Wealth Management Advisor with Apollon Wealth Management who specializes in working with blue-collar business owners. William discusses why he chose to focus his practice on the trades and how the financial challenges facing these entrepreneurs differ from those of traditional employees and other professionals. A major focus is what makes a trade business valuable. Could the company operate for three weeks without its owner? How much revenue depends on a handful of customers? Are recurring service contracts in place? William explains how owner dependency, customer concentration, predictable revenue and clean financial records can influence what a buyer is willing to pay. They also examine why private equity has shown interest in acquiring businesses in the trades. Beyond valuation, Jeremiah and William discuss building personal wealth outside the company, retirement and tax strategies for business owners, and protecting the business through insurance, succession planning and buy-sell agreements. Find an advisor that's best suited for you: https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ ————————————————————— Tax Clarification: An S-corporation example in the original October 10 broadcast overstated potential payroll tax savings. Self-employment tax is based on net earnings rather than gross revenue, and the Social Security portion is subject to an annual wage limit. S-corporation distributions generally are not subject to employment taxes, but reasonable owner compensation remains subject to payroll taxes. Actual savings vary by circumstance. A recorded clarification has been added to the archived episode. ————————————————————— The Real Money Pros is hosted by team members of Tree City Advisors of Apollon, a DBA of Apollon Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Advisory services are offered through Apollon Wealth Management, LLC. This program is for informational and educational purposes only, may not be suitable for you, and is not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Apollon does not provide tax or legal advice; consult your tax or legal professional. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and no strategy can guarantee results. Examples and statistics are illustrative; tax and legal rules vary and are subject to change. Apollon and/or The Real Money Pros receive sponsorship or advertising compensation from certain guests and third parties, and Apollon and a sponsor may refer clients or prospective clients to one another. These arrangements create a conflict of interest. Views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the radio station. Nothing discussed should be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by Apollon or the station of any investment, product, service, or strategy. Additional information, including conflicts of interest, is in our Form ADV Part 2A. This is available on our website, www.apollonwealthmanagement.com .
October 12, 202641 min
When Bond Prices Fall, What Should Investors Do? (10/10/2026)
Higher bond yields can look attractive to investors seeking income, but they also come with a tradeoff: when market yields rise, the prices of existing bonds generally fall. So what does that mean if you're already holding bonds, particularly as you approach or enter retirement? In the first hour of the show, Jeremiah runs solo to break down the relationship between bond prices and yields using a straightforward example of a $1,000 bond paying $50 annually. He explains why that same bond can trade at a premium or discount, how its effective yield changes with the purchase price, and why an investor holding an individual bond to maturity may view price fluctuations differently from someone planning to sell. Jeremiah also examines how changing interest-rate expectations affect fixed-income investments, why higher dividend yields aren't necessarily an invitation to buy a falling stock, and what happens when investors prioritize current income without accounting for inflation. Along the way, he discusses the financial adjustments business owners face after selling their companies and replacing business income with investment income. Ultimately, the conversation comes back to retirement planning: how much money needs to remain liquid, how much income the portfolio must produce, and how much growth is necessary to maintain purchasing power over time. Find an advisor that's best suited for you: https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ ————————————————————— The Real Money Pros is hosted by team members of Tree City Advisors of Apollon, a DBA of Apollon Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Advisory services are offered through Apollon Wealth Management, LLC. This program is for informational and educational purposes only, may not be suitable for you, and is not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Apollon does not provide tax or legal advice; consult your tax or legal professional. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and no strategy can guarantee results. Examples and statistics are illustrative; tax and legal rules vary and are subject to change. Apollon and/or The Real Money Pros receive sponsorship or advertising compensation from certain guests and third parties, and Apollon and a sponsor may refer clients or prospective clients to one another. These arrangements create a conflict of interest. Views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the radio station. Nothing discussed should be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by Apollon or the station of any investment, product, service, or strategy. Additional information, including conflicts of interest, is in our Form ADV Part 2A. This is available on our website, www.apollonwealthmanagement.com .
October 9, 20261 hr 0 min
The Business Sale: From Valuation to Closing
Selling a business isn't one decision. It's a process that can begin years before the transaction actually closes. Jeremiah Bates and Nic Daniels are joined by Jeff Szczypinski of WR Valuations to walk through that process, from establishing what a business is worth and identifying what could improve its value to dealing with buyers, due diligence, deal structure, taxes, and the eventual closing. They also look at the sale from the owner's side of the table. How much do you actually need from the business to fund the next stage of your life? What happens when business income disappears? And how should the proceeds fit into your retirement, tax, investment, and estate planning? For business owners considering an exit, this episode is a look at both sides of the transaction: getting the business sold and making sure the sale actually works for you. Find an Advisor That's Best Suited For You https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ ————————————————————— This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or individualized investment advice; Apollon Wealth Management, LLC ("Apollon") does not provide tax or legal advice, so consult your CPA or attorney. WR Valuations and its representatives are not affiliated with Apollon; the guest's views are his own, and Apollon has not independently verified them. Neither party receives compensation for referrals. Examples are illustrative; individual results vary, and no strategy can guarantee results or protect against loss. Apollon and its affiliates may benefit financially if you become a client. See Apollon's Form ADV Client Disclosure Brochure for information about risks and considerations relating the services offered through Apollon. This is available on our website, www.apollonwealthmanagement.com .
October 5, 202641 min
The Tax Domino Effect (10/3/2026)
A financial decision can make perfect sense on its own and still create an unexpected consequence somewhere else. This week, Jeremiah and Nic look at that tax domino effect through situations they're dealing with in actual planning. A rental property is sold for needed liquidity, but the capital gain could affect the owner's wife's ACA health insurance subsidy. A Roth conversion could improve the long-term tax picture while increasing income today. And a deduction that reduces taxable income may not necessarily reduce the MAGI number you're trying to manage. They also discuss Roth vs. pre-tax contributions, partial 1031 exchanges, SEP IRAs vs. individual 401(k)s, accelerating business expenses and building tax diversification before retirement. The question isn't simply whether any one strategy is a good idea. It's what else changes when you use it. With the fourth quarter underway, Jeremiah and Nic explain why now is the time to start putting those pieces together, especially for strategies that need to be completed before year-end. Listen, Watch, & Connect! https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
September 29, 20262 hr 3 min
Private Infrastructure, Private Equity, & Liquidity with Christian McCormick (9/26/2026)
Private markets have historically been dominated by pensions, endowments and other large institutional investors. But as access expands, individual investors are increasingly encountering private equity, private credit and other investments outside the traditional public markets. This week, Jeremiah Bates and Alex Lundgren are joined by Christian McCormick, CFA, Head of Client Portfolio Management at Meketa Capital , for a three-hour deep dive into how private markets actually work. Christian explains the differences between public and private investments, why companies are staying private longer, and how private equity firms invest in and work with businesses. They also break down venture capital, growth equity and buyouts, along with the due diligence involved in evaluating private investments. Then, the conversation turns to the investor's side of the equation: liquidity, long holding periods, drawdown funds, evergreen and interval funds, portfolio allocation and the tradeoffs that come with investing in assets that can't simply be sold with the click of a button. Finally, Christian takes a closer look at private infrastructure , including power generation, transportation, pipelines, digital infrastructure and data centers. They discuss why infrastructure has attracted more investor attention, how these projects can generate income and returns, and where inflation protection and diversification can fit into the picture. Listen, Watch, & Connect! https://www.therealmoneypros.com Christian McCormick & Meketa Capital https://meketacapital.com/profile-mccormick ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
September 24, 202615 min
When Higher Interest Rates Hit Your Retirement Plan
Treasury yields are rising, but what does that actually mean for your money? Nic dives even deeper into what a Treasury yield is, why bond prices and yields move in opposite directions, and why higher yields can affect more than just the bond market. From stock valuations and cash yields to mortgage rates and retirement income, changes in interest rates can work their way into several parts of a financial plan. The bigger question isn't whether Treasury yields are up. It's whether the change actually matters to your plan. Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
September 21, 20261 hr 22 min
Selling a Business & Investing Beyond Wall Street (9/19/2026)
Selling a business can be one of the biggest financial events of an owner's life, but getting a good deal takes more than simply finding a buyer. This week, Jeremiah Bates is joined by Rob Wolfe, Managing Director at Apollon Wealth Management , to discuss what makes a business attractive to potential buyers and how owners can prepare years before an exit. They cover the difference between owning a practice, a business and an enterprise, along with owner dependency, recurring revenue, customer concentration, clean financials, due diligence and the factors that can ultimately influence what someone is willing to pay. They also answer real questions from business owners approaching a sale, including how to determine what a company is actually worth, who should be involved before responding to an offer, taxes after a sale and how to turn the proceeds from a business into long-term financial independence. Then, the conversation shifts to investing beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Jeremiah and Rob break down private equity, private credit and other private-market investments , how access to these investments has expanded, where they may fit within a portfolio and one of their biggest tradeoffs: liquidity. Listen, Watch, & Connect! https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
September 14, 20261 hr 22 min
Rising Treasury Yields, Social Security & Year-End Tax Moves (9/12/2026)
What do rising Treasury yields actually mean for your portfolio, and should market volatility change the way you're investing? This week, Nic Daniels and Alex Lundgren start with September market volatility, rising Treasury yields and the relationship between bond prices and yields, while explaining why investors should be careful about making long-term portfolio decisions based on elections, geopolitical events or short-term market swings. A listener preparing to retire after 37 years with the Postal Service asks about using a Social Security survivor benefit while delaying her own benefit, along with coordinating her pension and inherited IRA. Later, Nic and Alex cover year-end tax surprises from bonuses, vested RSUs, property sales and other windfalls, including estimated-tax penalties and why Form 2210 and Schedule AI can matter when income arrives unevenly during the year. They also share a real retirement-planning case involving a federal employee deciding how to sequence her pension, TSP and Social Security, before wrapping up with open enrollment and life insurance considerations. Listen, Watch, & Connect! https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————
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