Your Money & Your Life Podcast

Hosted by Donald Cash

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171

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Financial and retirement planning guidance from Certified Financial Planner Donald Cash in Red Bank, NJ. Truly understanding what's happening inside your portfolio is so important to achieving retirement success. The planning process can be difficult if you tackle it alone, so make sure to listen to each episode to get great guidance and make the task much easier.

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August 13, 2026Episode 17027 min

The Stealth Taxes Draining Your Retirement

Some of the most expensive retirement taxes are not new at all—they are old rules that have quietly become more costly over time. Frozen income thresholds, rising home values, Medicare surcharges, and investment taxes can all combine to reduce what retirees actually get to keep. In this episode, Don Cash breaks down several of these stealth taxes and explains how one financial decision can trigger multiple tax consequences at once. The key is looking ahead before those hidden costs show up. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💣 Social Security Tax Torpedo: Frozen thresholds can expose more benefits to taxation over time 🏠 Home Sale Trap: Rising property values can outgrow the long-standing home sale exclusion Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/ 📈 Investment Income Tax: Additional taxes can stack on top of capital gains and other investment income 🎯 Domino Effect: One financial move can trigger several tax consequences at the same time 🏥 IRMAA Surprise: Decisions made today can affect Medicare premiums two years later

July 30, 2026Episode 16924 min

The 5 Long-Term Care Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Long-term care planning is not just about how much money you have. It’s about protecting your choices, dignity, and family relationships before a crisis occurs. In this episode, Don walks through five common mistakes involving care communities, Medicaid, insurance, and family caregiving. Through real-world stories, he shows how early preparation can reduce stress, preserve options, and help loved ones avoid unnecessary financial and emotional burdens. What could your family prevent by planning before care is needed? Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💡 Planning Matters: Preparation shapes outcomes more than wealth 🏡 Contract Traps: CCRC refund rules can delay access 🧾 Medicaid Planning: IRA assets can trigger costly tax problems ❤️ Protecting Dignity: Good planning preserves family roles 🥪 Sandwich Generation: Early planning reduces stress and chaos Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

July 9, 2026Episode 16828 min

The Storms You Don't See Coming

Life can change fast, and retirement is no different. In this episode, Don uses recent storms, outages, and unexpected disruptions as a powerful reminder that the biggest retirement risks are often the ones we never saw coming. Building a plan that gives you options also provides confidence and peace of mind when life takes an unexpected turn. The goal isn’t to predict every storm, but to be ready when one arrives. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 Physical Prep: Don’t wait for a crisis 🏥 Health Reality: Plan beyond the diagnosis 🤝 Care Support: Protect the healthy spouse ⏳ Healthy Years: Spend while you can ⚖️ Rule Changes: Build flexible retirement plans Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

June 25, 2026Episode 16722 min

Trump Accounts: Brilliant Idea or Future Headache?

A new savings vehicle is generating plenty of headlines, questions, and debate. But beyond the politics and buzzwords, what does this new opportunity actually mean for families trying to build wealth for the next generation? Don breaks down the mechanics, opportunities, and potential pitfalls of Trump Accounts and explores how they compare to other savings strategies. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🇺🇸 New Account: Understanding Trump Accounts basics 💵 Free Money: Government seed contribution explained 📈 Growth Potential: Long-term compounding opportunities ⚠️ Control Risk: Children gain ownership at 18 🎓 529 Comparison: Different tools, different goals 🎯 Know The Rules: Avoid costly mistakes Trump accounts – https://trumpaccounts.gov/ IRS Form 4547 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4547.pdf Different Account Options for Minors - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DcDS2WUh6G-Pn9iJYn9hVYF7_zjZqYP8/view?usp=sharing IRS Notice 2025-68 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-68.pdf Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

May 28, 2026Episode 16626 min

Why Everything Feels More Expensive — And Why Your Kids Feel Broke

A lot of families are asking the same question right now: why does everything feel so expensive? Don explores the growing financial pressure facing younger generations and why even high earners feel squeezed. He also highlights the importance of perspective, long-term thinking, and helping younger family members navigate financial stress in a world that often feels overwhelming. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💸 Middle-Class Squeeze: Even high earners feel pressure 🏠 Modern Expenses: Housing and childcare changed everything 📱 Social Media Pressure: Comparison fuels financial anxiety ⏳ Wealth Takes Time: Most fortunes build slowly 👨‍👩‍👧 Perspective Matters: Older generations can guide younger ones Wall Street Article: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/why-everything-feels-more-expensive-c6d216a8?st=hfN6cG&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

May 14, 2026Episode 16519 min

The $110 Trillion Wealth Transfer — Who Really Gets Your Money?

Don explores one of the biggest financial stories unfolding right now: the massive transfer of wealth from Baby Boomers to the next generation. But as Don explains, this won’t simply be a giant wave of money changing hands overnight. Longer life spans, healthcare costs, taxes, and poor planning could dramatically reshape how much wealth families actually keep, and who ultimately benefits from it. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💰 The Wealth Transfer Is Real: Trillions are expected to move between generations over time 🧾 Taxes Could Take More: Future policy changes may dramatically impact inherited wealth 🏥 Healthcare Changes Everything: Long-term care costs can reduce what families ultimately receive 🔄 Roth Strategies Matter More: Today’s tax environment may create unique planning opportunities 🧠 Behavior Drives Outcomes: Emotional decisions often create the biggest financial mistakes Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

April 30, 2026Episode 16416 min

The Capital Gains Tax Surprise- A Mistake That Can Cost Your Family Hundreds of Thousands

Sometimes the biggest financial mistakes aren’t made with bad intentions; they come from trying to do the right thing without the right guidance. When it comes to estate planning, one simple move can trigger massive, unexpected tax consequences for your family. Today, Don walks through a real-life case where a well-meaning decision led to a six-figure tax hit. You’ll learn how capital gains rules actually work and how proper planning can help you avoid costly surprises. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Cost Basis Basics: Understand gains and exemptions ⚠️ Planning Mistake: Real estate transfer gone wrong ✅ Correct Strategies: Preserve step-up benefits 🤝 Team Approach: Coordinate advisors effectively 🏁 Your Next Step: Keys to consider before you act Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

April 9, 2026Episode 16317 min

Artemis II & Your Retirement — Why Planning Matters More Than the Launch

Space missions and retirement might seem like worlds apart, but there’s a powerful connection between them. NASA’s Artemis II mission is a reminder that your retirement planning isn’t just about the day you stop working. It’s about what happens before—and after—your retirement date. In this episode, we’ll use the Artemis II mission to illustrate why the principles of space exploration mirror the best practices for achieving a successful retirement. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚀 Artemis II is a test mission, just like the first 5 years of retirement 💡 Small mistakes in planning can snowball into major problems later 🔑 Preparation and redundancy (like diversification) are key to success 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A strong retirement plan involves a collaborative team, just like space missions ⚖️ The goal of retirement isn’t the launch (or the finish line). It’s the long-term sustainability and legacy What is Artemis II – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_II Apollo 11 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11 Apollo 13 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13 Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

March 26, 2026Episode 16218 min

War, Markets & Your Money (Part 2) — Being Prepared

War headlines, rising oil prices, and market swings can make it feel like something bigger is unfolding. But while each situation feels unique, the pattern is often the same- markets react, investors worry, and emotions take over. In this episode, Don continues the conversation on how global conflict impacts markets and what that means for your financial plan. He focuses on what it means to be prepared- because the real question isn’t if volatility will happen, but whether your plan is built to handle it. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Conflict impact: Geopolitical events can trigger short-term market swings ⛽ Oil & markets: Rising energy prices influence inflation and sentiment 📚 Historical lessons: Every crisis feels new, but patterns repeat 🧭 Planning strategy: A well-built plan prepares for uncertainty 🧠 Emotional control: Discipline matters more than predictions Episode Links: Tariff Crash and Recovery – https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/markets-and-economy/top-market-takeaways/tmt-liberation-day-in-retrospect-6-things-that-surprised-investors Emotions and Investing – https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/article/the-science-behind-money-and-emotion https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/roller-coaster-of-emotional-investing/ Gas Prices – https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gas-prices-every-decade-since-110002903.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEzDn58B-vgIQAZ1BgK9Tl5l2kWz9H0oSs8JsLwqhPMznVi1SxTvYM7o1fLvwy2h0E_Pk5xcZu4gqt6jiP7S9RhfRjxA2fh8qI_BoAaLuP-1kb2nUGcu1JE-lvGecoq8pIcM0_Cdbmccmf21ELwbZ3_Y9HZLXQfIbaHhuMthN-FP The Ocean Gate Titan Story – https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/22/timeline-oceangate-founding-expedition-history/70344305007/ The Blues Brother’s Movie Clip – https://youtu.be/uHM9swoDTsw?si=oGQSmWLVU19QWkqV Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

March 12, 2026Episode 16122 min

War, Markets & Your Money (Part 1) — Why “This Time Is Different” Usually Isn’t

When global conflict breaks out, it often triggers a wave of anxiety among investors. Headlines warn of uncertainty, markets react sharply, and many people begin to wonder whether this time might truly be different. But history tells a very consistent story about how markets behave during periods of geopolitical tension. Don explains how markets have historically responded to global conflicts and why long-term investors should be cautious about reacting emotionally to short-term news. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌤️ Spring & March Madness: Unpredictability appears in markets too 🌍 Global Conflict Concerns: News about Iran raises investor anxiety 📈 Historical Recoveries: Markets often rebound after crises 🧩 Diversification Matters: Balanced portfolios reduce volatility risk 🎲 Speculation Risks: Emotional decisions can hurt long-term results 📰 Media Influence: Headlines often amplify fear and uncertainty Episode Links: 150 years of Market Drop and Recoveries – https://www.morningstar.com/economy/what-weve-learned-150-years-stock-market-crashes Too Much Concentration Risk in the Stock Market – https://russellinvestments.com/content/ri/us/en/insights/russell-research/2024/09/today_s-markets-are-extremely-concentrated-what-does-this-mean-f.html How well did a well-diversified portfolio in 2022 – https://www.morningstar.com/portfolios/why-portfolio-diversification-helped-investors-2022 Lessons over the past 50 years – https://www.boldin.com/retirement/history-of-market-downturns/ The Dalbar Study – https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/01/27/how-the-average-investors-returns-compare-to-the-market/ The Media Effect on the Investing – https://kayne.com/insights/why-investors-should-avoid-the-noise-of-everyday-media/ Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/