Thinking about gifting money or assets to your kids or other family members? Before you write that check or transfer that stock, there are some important tax rules and planning pitfalls you need to understand.

In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, Nate, Evan, and Polly break down everything you need to know about lifetime gifting — from the 2026 annual gift tax exclusion ($19,000 per recipient) to the lifetime gift tax exemption ($15 million individual / $30 million for married couples). They explain when you need to file Form 709, what types of assets you can gift, and why gifting appreciated stock can actually backfire thanks to the step-up in basis trap.

The conversation goes beyond tax rules into the real-world side of gifting that most people overlook. How do you talk to your kids about receiving a large gift? What happens to your child's college financial aid if you gift them money at the wrong time? And why does relinquishing control over the gift matter more than most people realize?

They also cover custodial accounts vs. 529 plans, the tax implications of gifting real estate, and the most common pitfalls advisors see when clients try to gift without a plan. Whether you're thinking about helping your kids with a down payment, funding a grandchild's education, or simply passing along wealth while you're alive to see it enjoyed, this episode gives you the framework to do it the right way.

Topics covered:

- What assets you can gift (cash, stock, real estate, and more)

- 2026 annual gift tax exclusion ($19,000) and when to file Form 709

- Lifetime gift tax exemption ($15M individual / $30M married)

- The step-up in basis trap when gifting appreciated stock

- Real estate gifting considerations

- Why communication with gift recipients matters

- How gifting affects college financial aid and FAFSA

- Custodial accounts vs. 529 plans

- Why relinquishing control is essential

- Where to start before you gift

- Common gifting pitfalls to avoid

Check out the related blog post for additional information - https://walknercondon.com/blog/gifting-to-family-members-what-to-know-before-you-give/

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Evan's CFP Journey

1:49 – Polly's Milestone: First Tooth & the Tooth Fairy Economy

3:03 – What Assets Can You Gift?

4:50 – 2026 Annual Gift Tax Exclusion ($19,000) & Form 709

6:13 – Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption ($15M Individual / $30M Married)

6:50 – Gifting Stock: The Step-Up in Basis Trap

9:04 – Real Estate & Other Asset Gifting Considerations

9:57 – Why Communication with Recipients Matters

11:37 – Impact on College Aid & FAFSA

12:41 – Custodial Accounts & 529 Plans

14:52 – The Importance of Relinquishing Control

15:47 – Where to Start Before You Gift

18:13 – Common Gifting Pitfalls to Avoid

21:16 – Best Gifts We Ever Received

21:56 – Closing Thoughts & Contact Information

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What really happens when you retire? In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, hosts Nate Condon and Clint Walkner pull back the curtain on the social and financial realities of retirement — the identity shifts, emotional challenges, and money complexities that most people never see coming.

Retirement isn't just a financial milestone — it's a major life transition. From the identity crisis that hits when you no longer have a job title, to the emotional weight of watching your portfolio balance go down instead of up, Nate and Clint explore the retirement planning topics that financial advisors rarely talk about. They cover the psychological phases of retirement, how to build structure and purpose after leaving work, why the distribution phase is the most complex part of financial planning, and how stress testing your retirement plan can bring real peace of mind.

Whether you're 10 years out from retirement or stepping into it now, this conversation will help you understand what to expect — and how to prepare for the emotional and financial realities of life after work.

Topics covered: retirement identity crisis, emotional phases of retirement, retirement planning psychology, building routines in retirement, losing work community, retirement portfolio drawdown anxiety, retirement spending planning, financial advisor for retirees, distribution phase financial planning, non-linear retirement spending, stress testing retirement plan, retirement readiness.

📌 Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Why Retirement Is Harder Than It Looks

1:46 – The Phases of Retirement — When the "Vacation" Feeling Wears Off

2:00 – The Retirement Identity Crisis: Who Are You Without Your Job?

3:06 – Scheduling Your Day & Building New Routines After Work

4:06 – Losing Your Work Community & Why It Hits Harder Than Expected

6:29 – The Emotional Burden of Watching Your Portfolio Balance Decline

7:38 – Could You Be Retired Longer Than You Worked?

9:58 – Why You Need a Financial Advisor in Retirement & What to Look For

11:38 – The Distribution Phase: The Most Complex Part of Financial Planning

16:11 – Non-Linear Retirement Spending: Budgeting for Big Unexpected Expenses

18:37 – The Psychology of Big Money Movements in Retirement

21:14 – Stress Testing Your Retirement Plan for Peace of Mind

22:21 – Wrapping Up Part 1 & What's Coming in Part 2

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Visit our website for more financial planning resources and educational information: https://www.walknercondon.com

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In this episode of Gimme Some Truth, we explore the massive shift happening in the markets. For over a decade, Growth stocks have dominated, but Artificial Intelligence might be the very catalyst that brings Value Investing back to the forefront.

We break down the "AI Build-out" and why sectors typically labeled as "Value"—like Energy, Utilities, and Industrials—are becoming the backbone of the AI revolution. If you are worried about S&P 500 concentration risk and being too heavy in Big Tech, this episode is a must-watch.

What we cover in this episode:

- The Growth vs. Value Trade: Why the tide is turning after 15 years.

- AI Disruption: How AI is actually challenging the valuation of traditional growth companies.

- Concentration Risk: The dangers of a tech-heavy portfolio in today's market.

- The AI Infrastructure Play: Which value sectors stand to gain the most from the AI build-out.

- Market History: Lessons from past bubbles (2000, 2008) and how they apply to the AI boom.

Don't let recency bias dictate your strategy. We discuss why now is the time to review your portfolio and ensure you aren't over-exposed to a single trade.

🕒 Timestamps:

00:00 Value vs Growth Returns01:22 AI Shakes Up Markets01:59 Hazel AI Fintech Example03:43 S&P 500 Concentration Risk06:02 Data Centers Favor Value07:12 Jobs Fed and Deflation10:44 Valuations Small Caps13:51 Index Funds Need Rebalance17:27 Pasta Picks Break20:21 Diversify Before Storms21:24 Disclosures and Outro#ValueInvesting #GrowthStocks #AIInvesting #StockMarket2026 #PortfolioDiversification #TechBubble #S500 #FinancialAdvice #GimmeSomeTruth #MarketRotation #ValueVsGrowthSubscribe @walknercondon Visit our website for more financial planning resources and educational information: https://www.walknercondon.com ————————————————ADD US ON:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/walkner-condon-financial-advisors-llc Facebook: https://facebook.com/walknercondon

#ValueInvesting #GrowthStocks #AIInvesting #StockMarket2026 #PortfolioDiversification #TechBubble #S500 #FinancialAdvice #GimmeSomeTruth #MarketRotation #ValueVsGrowth

Subscribe @walknercondon

Visit our website for more financial planning resources and educational information: https://www.walknercondon.com

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