Your Money & Your Life Podcast

Hosted by Donald Cash

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Episodes

175

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Oct 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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60 recent

November 12, 2026Episode 17534 min

The Stock Market Reacts to the News. You Don't Have To.

Elections, political headlines, and sudden market swings can make even experienced investors question their financial decisions. But just because the stock market reacts to the news doesn't mean your retirement plan should. In this episode, Don explains why predicting market reactions is nearly impossible and how fear and greed can lead to costly investment decisions. He also shares practical ways to stay focused on your long-term goals, plus important year-end planning opportunities to consider before December 31. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🗳️ Political Headlines: Don't let election results dictate your investment decisions 📉 Market Volatility: Understand why short-term reactions are unpredictable 🎯 Long-Term Planning: Keep your financial goals ahead of daily headlines 🧠 Investor Emotions: Keep fear and greed from driving financial decisions 🔍 Tax Planning: Evaluate Roth conversions and charitable giving opportunities 📋 Year-End Checklist: Review investments, taxes, and estate planning before December 31 Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

October 15, 2026Episode 17437 min

Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: Five Questions to Ask and Three Blind Spots You Might Not See Coming

Medicare Open Enrollment comes around every year, but simply sticking with last year’s coverage may not always be the best decision. Don walks through the questions retirees should be asking as they review their Medicare options for 2027 and highlights several blind spots that can create unwanted surprises later. Open Enrollment isn’t necessarily about changing your plan, but it is a time to make sure the plan you have is still the right one. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛣️ Coverage Paths: Compare two Medicare approaches 💵 Plan Costs: Look beyond monthly premiums 🏥 Healthcare Access: Consider doctors and travel 📋 Supplement Options: Understand cost and exposure ⚠️ Switching Later: Know the long-term limitations Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

October 1, 2026Episode 17328 min

4th Quarter Countdown: Smart Moves for Retirees in 2026

The fourth quarter is when a lot of financial planning opportunities start running out of runway. In this episode, Don walks through the year-end decisions retirees should be reviewing while there is still time to make adjustments. The bigger theme is focusing less on unpredictable headlines and more on the parts of your financial life you can actually control. Because January is a frustrating time to discover what you should have handled in December. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📰 Market Headlines: Keep news from driving decisions 🧾 Tax Planning: Review opportunities before year-end 🔄 Roth Conversions: Evaluate multi-year tax strategies 💼 Retirement Contributions: Check progress before deadlines 📅 RMDs: Complete required distributions on time ❤️ Charitable Giving: Coordinate year-end giving strategies 🏥 Medicare: Review coverage before auto-renewing Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

September 10, 2026Episode 17237 min

Don’t Get Too Comfortable: The Hidden Danger of Financial Complacency (Part 2)

Estate planning can feel “finished” once the documents are signed, but life has a way of changing the family faster than the paperwork. In this episode, Don uses the arrival of his first grandchild as a reminder that wills, trusts, beneficiaries, gifting strategies, and family wishes all need to evolve. A good estate plan shouldn’t just reflect what you owned years ago. It should reflect the family and priorities you have today. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📜 Wills vs. Trusts: Understanding the different roles these documents can play 🔑 Trust Control: Using the “vault and key” analogy to explain revocable and irrevocable trusts ⚖️ Probate: Why the process isn’t always as frightening as people assume 👥 Beneficiaries: Making sure account designations match the rest of the estate plan 🧾 Gift Taxes: Understanding annual exclusions, Form 709, and lifetime exemptions 💍 Personal Property: Preventing family conflict over sentimental possessions ✉️ Legacy Wishes: Passing along values, stories, and personal instructions—not just assets Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

August 27, 2026Episode 17130 min

Don’t Get Too Comfortable: The Hidden Danger of Financial Complacency (Part 1)

Financial complacency rarely announces itself. It tends to creep in while life feels comfortable and everything appears to be working. Don explains why retirement requires a different mindset and why a plan that worked years ago may no longer fit your life today. The real danger is assuming everything is still on track simply because nothing has forced you to look closer. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌞 Summer Mindset: “Later” thinking can linger 🔁 Accumulation Mode: Retirement requires new priorities 📉 Market Comfort: Strong returns can hide risk 💸 Tax Cliffs: Small changes may trigger high costs 📝 Estate Updates: Old, outdated documents can become a problem Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

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 📈 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 Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

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/