The Fiscal Foxhole – Episode 14: QA Foxhole Christmas Story

Hosts: Rob Moore Omen Quelvog

Episode Summary

It’s Christmas Eve in the foxhole! Rob and Omen swap stories about military Christmases, family traditions, and the memories that matter most. From NORAD tracking Santa to ugly sweaters and spiked cocoa, this episode is all about the experiences that make the holidays special—whether you’re deployed, at home, or somewhere in between.

Highlights & Segments

• Festive Foxhole Vibes: The foxhole is decked out with lights, snow, and questionable operational security. Ugly Christmas sweaters and holiday mugs make their annual appearance.
• NORAD Tracks Santa: The hosts share the story behind NORAD’s Santa Tracker, its military roots, and why it’s one of the DOD’s biggest community outreach efforts. Show note link: NORAD Santa Tracker
• Favorite Christmas Memories:
  • Breaking the holiday travel rotation and starting new family traditions
  • Scavenger hunt for a drum set
  • Christmas morning cassette recordings
  • Deployed Christmas in Afghanistan
  • Christmas in NYC and England
  • Smoky Mountains cabin Christmas
  • The magic of Christmas with a newborn
• Best & Worst Gifts:
  • Tractor, Nintendo, and the elusive wristwatch walkie-talkies
  • When the best gift turns into the worst (Nintendo heartbreak stories)
• Trivia Time:
  • How many homes does Santa visit on Christmas Eve?
  • The answer may surprise you—and involves billions of cookies.
• Football & Bowl Season:
  • NFL and college football talk, retirement gifts, and team allegiances

Practical Takeaways

1. Traditions Matter: The best Christmas memories aren’t about money—they’re about showing up and making moments.
2. Every Season is Different: There’s no single “right way” to do the holidays. Each year brings its own “best Christmas ever.”
3. Let Good Judgment Take the Holidays Off: Sweater and drink choices prove it’s okay to have fun and be a little silly.

Connect & Share

• Contact the Hosts: Email: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Reach out to connect with Omen
• Reach out to connect with Rob
• Follow on Social Media:
  • Rob: @evermanprosperity
  • Omrn: @formerwealthmanagement
• Military Financial Advisors Association (MFAA): militaryfinancialadvisors.org

Legal Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives, but they are not your advisors. Please consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Theme: Holiday spending, gift giving, and financial planning for the festive season

Episode Highlights

• Opening Banter: Rob and Omen kick off with holiday spirit, snowy Virginia weather, and a nod to their Christmas enthusiasm.
• Client Invitation: Both hosts are accepting new clients for financial planning in the new year. Free consultations available.
• Headline Discussion:
  • Vanguard’s Crypto ETF Move: The hosts discuss Vanguard’s decision to allow crypto ETFs, exploring the difference between investing and speculating, and the implications for long-term portfolios.

Main Topic: Holiday Money Traps & How to Avoid Them

• Emotional & External Pressures:
  1. The urge to overspend during the holidays, driven by sales, traditions, and the desire to give.
  2. The importance of thoughtful giving—don’t let guilt or reciprocity dictate your spending.
• Budgeting Wisdom:
  1. Start with a clear budget for the entire year, not just December.
  2. Use last year’s spending as a baseline; track expenses to avoid surprises.
  3. Allocate funds thoughtfully across concentric circles of relationships—spouse, kids, extended family, and others.
• Smart Gift Giving:
  1. Thoughtful, personalized gifts often mean more than expensive ones.
  2. Consider handmade or meaningful presents over generic gift cards.
  3. Experiences and memories can be more valuable than material items.
• Practical Takeaways:
  1. Crypto ETFs: Know what you’re buying, keep exposure small, and don’t risk money you can’t afford to lose.
  2. A Plan Beats Pressure: Set boundaries, budget, and prioritize thoughtful gifts over expensive ones.
  3. Avoid Mission Creep: Don’t let holiday spending spiral out of control—stick to your plan.

Off Duty

• Rob shares a memorable family outing to the Army Bands’ American Holiday Festival concert in DC, highlighting the value of experiences over material gifts.

Resources & Links

• Military Financial Advisors Association:
  • Visit https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org for more info.
• Contact the Hosts:
  • Questions or feedback? Email fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com.
  • Book a meeting with Omen
  • Book a meeting with Rob

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

The Fiscal Foxhole – Episode 12: Financial Lessons in Christmas Movies

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Published: December 10, 2025

🎙️ Episode Highlights

• Opening Banter:
  • Reflections on service, military retirement, and the “advent calendar” of C&P appointments.
  • Home repair stories—drywall, plumbing, and the aches that come with DIY projects.
• Listener Shout-Out:
  • Thanks to listeners for recent reviews.
  • Call to action: Please leave a review and share the podcast!
• News Headline:
  • Kiplinger’s “Snowbirds: Avoid These Three Sneaky Insurance Issues.”
  • Key tip: If your home is left unoccupied for 30+ days, your insurance may not cover damage.
  • Practical advice: Have someone check your home regularly, insulate pipes, and consider smart home cameras for security.
• Top 10 Christmas Movies – Snake Draft Style:
  • Each host picks five movies with a financial lesson.
  • Highlights include:
    • It’s a Wonderful Life: Money means nothing without community; the power of the money multiplier.
    • The Grinch: Don’t confuse materialism with happiness; value experiences and service.
    • Elf: Family over career; be true to yourself.
    • Home Alone: Protect against financial “break-ins”—credit monitoring, cybersecurity, insurance, and emergency funds.
    • A Christmas Carol: Generosity and the true meaning of wealth.
    • The Santa Claus: Prepare for unexpected career transitions; importance of estate planning.
    • Die Hard: Physical and financial security; diversify where you keep assets.
    • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Don’t rely on bonuses; plan for windfalls.
    • 8-Bit Christmas: Delayed gratification builds discipline; service over material gifts.
    • Arthur Christmas: Retirement transitions; adapt your financial plan to new technology.
• Trivia Segment:
  • Fun facts about holiday movies and their box office success.
• Off-Duty Story:
  • Scams and text message fraud—how to spot and avoid them.

Helpful links

• Email FiscalFoxhole@gmail.com with questions, feedback, or comments.
• Snowbirds: Avoid These 3 Sneaky Insurance Issues
• Book a meeting with Omen: https://www.4myndr.com/connect
• Book a meeting with Rob: https://www.prosperwitheverman.com/contact

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Release Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with reflections on recent tax-focused episodes and a humorous “mea culpa” about financial jargon. The hosts then dive into a timely headline about federal employee health benefits, followed by a deep listener question on planning civilian income after military service. The show wraps up with a festive debate on the top Christmas movies.

Headlines

• FEHB Premium Spike Alert: Over 30,000 federal employees may face a >200% premium increase next year due to eight discontinued health plans. If affected, take action before open season ends December 8th to avoid auto-enrollment in a costly plan.

Listener Question: Planning Civilian Income After Military Service

Question from Traver: How can soon-to-be separating service members plan for civilian income that maintains or exceeds their current active duty military income, considering the loss of tax protections and entitlements?

Discussion Highlights:

• Military pay includes untaxed benefits (BAH, BAS) that boost net income.
• Civilian equivalents require higher gross pay to match military take-home.
• State taxes, cost of living, and VA disability can dramatically affect the calculation.
• Online calculators (like Charles Schwab’s) are a good starting point, but miss key variables.
• Track your expenses now to understand your true standard of living.
• Practice “retirement dry runs” to test your budget before separation.
• Use calculators, but sanity-check results and adjust for your unique situation.

Off Duty: Top 5 Christmas Movies (and Most Overrated)

Rob & Omen share their definitive Christmas movie rankings, including classics and new favorites, plus their picks for most overrated holiday film.

Connect & Subscribe

• Charles Schwab Military vs Civilian Pay Calculator
• Dinkytown tax calculator
• Send your questions: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Book a meeting with Omen
• Book a meeting with Rob
• Learn more about MFAA
• Subscribe & share: If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and share The Fiscal Foxhole with others!

Disclaimer: Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing here should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation.

The Fiscal Foxhole – Roth Conversions: Tax Nerdery Finale

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Release Date: November 26th,, 2025

Episode Summary

In this jam-packed episode, Rob and Omen celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, share Thanksgiving plans, and dive deep into two hot financial topics: the proposed 50-year mortgage and Roth conversions. They break down the math, the myths, and the practical strategies for listeners navigating today’s housing market and retirement planning.

Key Topics & Segments

1. Celebrations & Listener Questions

• Marine Corps birthday shoutout.
• Thanksgiving plans and family traditions.
• Announcement: First listener question received! Tune in next episode for answers.

2. Headline: The 50-Year Mortgage Gambit

• The math behind longer-term loans: Lower monthly payments, but nearly double the lifetime interest.
• Why stretching loan terms doesn’t solve housing affordability—and could inflate prices further.

3. Roth Conversions:

• Roth vs. Tax-Deferred: Quick refresher on the differences..
• Roth conversions explained: Moving money from tax-deferred to Roth, paying taxes now for future tax-free growth.
• Timing matters: Low-income years, deployments, and the “retirement valley” are prime opportunities.
• Special considerations for military families and surviving spouses (“widow’s tax”).

4. Practical Roth Conversion Strategies

• Partial conversions: Fill up your tax bracket year by year.
• Planning for tax impacts: Always have cash on hand to pay conversion taxes—don’t use IRA funds if under 59½.

5. Fun Tax Facts

• Molasses Act of 1733: Rum trade and sneaky taxes.
• Townshend Act of 1767: 63 types of paper taxed!
• Estate tax for the Navy (1797–1802): Funding battleships with document stamps.

6. Trivia Challenge

• Mortgage history: What was the required down payment in 1782?

7. Off Duty: Dog Stories & Life Updates

• Rob and Omen share updates on their dogs, including surgery, recovery, and puppy growth.

Connect & Subscribe

• Questions for the show? Email: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Book an appointment with Omen
• Book and appointment with Rob
• Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, write a review, and share The Fiscal Foxhole with friends!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives, but are not your advisors. Nothing in this episode should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Rob and Omen dig into the world of tax loss and gain harvesting, break down the essentials of car insurance, and share some off-duty culinary adventures. Whether you’re a military family, a financial planning enthusiast, or just here for the banter, there’s something for everyone.

Key Topics & Highlights

1. Car Insurance Deep Dive

• How your car’s make and model can impact insurance premiums
• Why recent years have seen a spike in rates (up 12% in 2025)
• The importance of tailoring coverage to your needs—not just picking the cheapest option
• Understanding state minimums, liability, and umbrella policies
• Special considerations for families with teenage drivers

2. Tax Loss & Gain Harvesting Explained

• What is tax loss harvesting? How can it offset gains and reduce your tax bill?
• The “final four” analogy for matching short-term and long-term gains/losses
• Carrying forward losses and the $3,000 annual deduction rule
• The wash sale rule: what it is, how to avoid it, and why it matters
• Tax gain harvesting: when and why to intentionally realize gains in low-income years
• Practical tips for tracking cost basis and managing lots

3. Fun Tax Facts

• The beard tax of 1698 (thanks, Peter the Great)
• The cat food deduction for junkyard owners
• The famous “Chesty Love” case: breast implants as a business expense

4. Off-Duty & Trivia

• Smoked sausage fatty recipe and BBQ talk
• Trivia challenge: wild hedge fund tax loss strategies (and a zero-point streak for Rob)
• Outtakes and behind-the-scenes laughs

Key Takeaways

1. Car Choice Matters: The car you drive can seriously impact your insurance bill. Check how your dream car scores with insurers before you buy.
2. Tax Loss Harvesting: Selling investments for less than you paid can offset other gains and up to $3,000 of regular income each year.
3. Wash Sale Rule: You can’t buy the same or substantially identical investment within 30 days, or the IRS cancels your loss. Track your trades carefully.

• Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share The Fiscal Foxhole with a friend!
• Send Us Your Questions: Email fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com with questions or topics you’d like covered.
• Book a Consultation:
  • Book a meeting with Omen
  • Book a meeting with Rob

Disclaimers

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives, but they are not your advisors. Nothing you hear on The Fiscal Foxhole should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a qualified professional.

Episode Summary

Welcome to the Foxhole! Hosts Omen Quelvog and Rob Moore kick off a three-part miniseries on tax nerdery, starting with the surprisingly complex world of tax withholdings. Whether you’re a military veteran, retiree, or just someone who wants to keep more of your paycheck, this episode is packed with practical advice, fun tax facts, and actionable steps to help you avoid giving the IRS an interest-free loan.

Key Topics Covered

• Why Withholdings Matter: How underpaying or overpaying taxes throughout the year can impact your finances—and why a big refund isn’t always a win.
• Safe Harbor Rules: What they are, why they matter, and how to use last year’s tax return to avoid penalties.
• W-2 vs. Self-Employed: Strategies for managing withholdings across multiple jobs, pensions, and self-employment income.
• Fun Tax Facts: From England’s window tax to Missouri’s bachelor tax, plus ABBA’s glittery costumes and the “vanishing children” of 1987.
• How to Check Your Withholdings: Step-by-step breakdown of the basic tax formula, plus recommended online calculators (IRS and Dinky Town).
• Action Steps: When and how to adjust your W-4, and what to do if your life changes (marriage, divorce, new dependents, moving states, bonuses).

Featured Resources & Links

• IRS Withholding Estimator (note: may not be updated for the latest tax law)
• Dinky Town Tax Calculator
• Email your questions: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Book a free consultation with Rob
• Book a free consultation with Omen

Practical Takeaways

1. Lifelong savers often struggle to spend in retirement. Identify what matters most and spend intentionally with a plan.
2. Your tax refund or bill isn’t a grade. Aim to break even—no big refund, no big liability.
3. Tax planning is a year-round habit. Review withholdings and estimated payments after major life changes.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend—especially fellow military veterans and retirees who could benefit from smarter tax planning. Rate and comment wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and keeps the educational mission alive!

Disclaimer

Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing you hear should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation.

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this episode, Rob and Omen welcome Heather Walrath to the foxhole. Heather shares her expertise on VA benefits and disability claims along with other valuable VA benefits. In the news segment, Rob and Omen discuss recent headlines about gold and precious metals, their role in investment portfolios, and how market hype can influence investor behavior.

🗝️ Key Topics Covered

• Gold & Precious Metals:
  • Recent volatility in gold prices and what it means for investors.
  • The importance of low correlation assets in a diversified portfolio.
  • Why emotional investing can derail your financial plan.
• VA Benefits & Disability:
  • Heather’s background and credentials.
  • How to get started with VA benefits.
  • Navigating the VA system and avoiding scams.
  • The value of working with accredited experts.
• Personal Stories:
  • Rob and Omen’s marathon training and running anecdotes.
  • Reflections on podcasting, editing, and the value of sharing financial education.

💡 Main Takeaways

1. Market Hype vs. Fundamentals: Emotion-fueled rallies can turn quickly. Gold’s fundamentals are strong, but corrections happen when sentiment overshoots reality.
2. Getting Started with VA Benefits: Begin early and stay organized. Use va.gov and veteran service organizations to guide you through eligibility and paperwork.
3. Navigating the VA Maze: Work with trusted, accredited experts to avoid scams and get the benefits you deserve.

Links

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, share it with a friend, and subscribe to The Fiscal Foxhole. Questions for the show? Email us at fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com. Interested in financial planning? Rob Moore and Omen Quavo are accepting new clients.

• Schedule a free consultation with Rob at Everman Prosperity
• Schedule a free consultation with Omen Formermynder Wealth Management:
• Connect with Heather Walrath

Disclaimer: Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing you hear should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation.