Your Money & Your Life Podcast

New Year’s Resolutions for 2026 — Where Health, Relationships, and Money Intersect

Start the new year strong! In this episode, Don reframes 2026 resolutions around the intersection of health, relationships, and financial planning, and shows why ignoring one often undermines the others. If you want resolutions that support your life instead of competing with it, this episode sets a better foundation for 2026!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🎯 2026 Reset: Rethinking resolutions with purpose and clarity
🏃‍♂️ Health as Wealth: Why wellness is a financial strategy
📵 Tech & Relationships: Using smartphones as tools, not substitutes
🛡️ Protection Over Growth: Reducing risk as retirement approaches
📜 Estate Plan Check: Updating beneficiaries before it’s too late
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

3 Holiday Conversations to Have About Money – Christmas 2025 Edition

The holidays bring something most families rarely get enough of: time together. In this special year-end episode, Don Cash highlights three important financial conversations that are often avoided, but could make a lasting difference for the people you love.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🎄 Talking with Parents About Money & Safety
🧓 The Growing Risk of Elder Financial Fraud
👨‍👩‍👧 Conversations with Kids & Grandkids
📄 Essential Documents After Age 18
💬 Spousal Conversations About Retirement & Purpose
 
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

Smart Year-End Planning Moves You Can Still Make in 2025

As the calendar races toward December 31, Don breaks down the year-end financial moves that can save retirees thousands- both now and for years to come. In this episode, he explains why December, not April, is the true “strategy season” for tax planning and highlights the opportunities that disappear once the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. From using Qualified Charitable Distributions to reduce taxable income, to unlocking the little-known 0% capital gains bracket, to timing Roth conversions within favorable tax ranges, Don shows how proactive planning creates powerful long-term benefits.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🔄 Tax Deadlines: Why December 31 is the real planning cutoff🎁 QCD Advantage: Donate smarter, reduce income, avoid IRMAA📈 0% Capital Gains Bracket: Sell appreciated assets with no federal tax🔵 Roth Conversion Sweet Spot: Staying within the 24% bracket💡 Medicare Fixes: How to appeal unexpected IRMAA surcharges📋 Year-End Checklist: RMDs, deductions, gifting, beneficiaries
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

Thanksgiving, Family & Signs They May Need Help: A Long-Term Care Planning Conversation

The holidays bring families together, and sometimes, they reveal things we’ve been too busy to notice. In this episode, Don talks about the subtle signs that a parent or loved one may need extra support and how Thanksgiving gatherings can spark important long-term care conversations. You’ll hear how the holidays are not just a celebration, but an opportunity to protect the people you love.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🦃 Thanksgiving & Family Time: what holiday gatherings reveal about aging loved ones
👀 Holiday Reality Check: noticing changes in behavior, mobility, or routines
📍 First Steps in LTC Planning: how to begin the conversation without overwhelming anyone
🏥 Medical & Care Options: understanding home care, assisted living, and higher-level care
💸 Financial Impact: preparing for the true cost of long-term care
📄 Essential Legal Documents: powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and protection strategies
 
Resources for this episode:
#InFocus: Local man spends 350+ days on beach in honor of late wife:
https://www.fox29.com/news/infocus-local-man-spends-350-days-on-beach-in-honor-of-late-wife
East of the Boardwalk: The Miracle of Ocean City’s #1 Beach Bum
https://a.co/d/a356HPv
 
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

Year-End Tax Planning: Above, Below, and Beyond the Line

As the year wraps up, it’s time to make smart moves that can lower your tax bill and set you up for a stronger 2025. Don breaks down key year-end planning strategies- covering deductions, charitable giving, and state-specific opportunities- that could help you keep more of what you’ve earned. Don’t miss these insights that might save you thousands before December 31!
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💼 New Deductions: key year-end tax updates and changes for 2025
📊 Above & Below the Line: understanding how different deductions impact your AGI
💰 End of Year Strategies: planning strategies for high earners under age 65
❤️ Giving Back: smart charitable and estate planning opportunities
🏛️ State Savings: unique New Jersey deductions and credits retirees should know
📅 Year-End Tips: what to do before December 31 to maximize savings
 
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

SALT, Seniors & the Big Year-End Bake-Off: Mixing Tax Law, Charity & Roth Conversions Before 2025 Closes

In this episode, Don and Marc huddle up for a fourth-quarter financial game plan to help you finish the year strong. With 2025 winding down, Don breaks down the key tax moves every retiree and pre-retiree should know before December 31st- including the expanded SALT deduction, the new Bonus Senior Deduction, and strategies for charitable giving and Roth conversions.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🏈 Finishing the year strong with smart tax planning
💰 SALT deduction jumps to $40K for many households
🎁 Bonus Senior Deduction for retirees 65+
🙌 Bunching vs. QCDs for charitable giving
🔁 Roth conversions before rates rise again
🗓️ Year-end checklist to act before Dec. 31
 
MyLight
https://morelamplight.com/about-morelamplight/
 
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

4th Quarter Countdown: Smart Moves for Retirees in 2025

The final months of the year are more than just football and holiday prep; they’re the most important time for financial strategy. As 2025 winds down, Don shares his year-end checklist for retirees and pre-retirees, covering the key moves that can save you money and set you up for success in 2026. From new tax law opportunities to shifting Medicare rules, this is the season to review, adjust, and make every dollar count.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💰 Tax Planning: Year-end opportunities under the new tax law
🧮 RMD Rules: Avoiding penalties and double distributions
🩺 Medicare Enrollment: Reviewing plans and prescription changes
❤️ Charitable Giving: Maximizing QCDs for tax-free generosity
🏡 NJ Tax Perks: Property tax breaks and “Stay NJ” benefits
 
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/

Millions Dropped: The Medicare Advantage Shake-Up for 2026

Medicare open enrollment is almost here, and this year it’s shaping up to be one of the most dramatic seasons ever. Millions of retirees are about to lose their Advantage plans or face major changes, while even those with traditional Medicare supplements could see higher costs ahead. In this episode, Don breaks down the why, what, when, and how of the Medicare shakeup.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🍂 Medicare open enrollment runs Oct 15 – Dec 7
⚖️ Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement
🚨 2 million people losing Advantage coverage this year
💊 Rising medical & prescription costs driving plan changes
📝 Don’s “3 M’s”: Mail, Map, and Math
 
Get in touch with Don and learn more: https://doncashpodcast.com/