The One Big Beautiful Bill Act preserved some tax provisions, altered existing rules, and introduced entirely new ones. Now that it is income tax preparation season, how should you navigate the ins and outs? Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA, has decades of tax experience to draw on for the answer. In this episode, Eric walks listeners through the major tax provisions of last summer’s omnibus legislation. Beyond details on tips, overtime, state and local tax deductions and the many other changes in play, Eric offers some broader suggestions about staying ahead of deadlines and keeping things organized.

Links:

• “Tariffs, Taxes And ‘All That Government Stuff’” (featuring Larry Elkin, Paul Jacobs and Ben Sullivan)
• “Big, But How Beautiful?” by Eric Meermann
• “GOP frustrations grow over lackluster ‘big, beautiful bill’ sales pitch,” The Hill
• Occupations that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024 (IRS)
• “Why Estate Planning Is For Everyone” (featuring David Walters)
• Q&A about qualified expenses for 529 plans (IRS)
• “Building Community Around Mission” (featuring Ben Hall and Ben Sullivan)

In a special behind-the-scenes episode of “Something Personal,” host Amy Laburda chats with the show’s director, editor and mixer, Joseph Ranghelli. Joe offers listeners a window into what he does for this podcast, as well as his experiences on other podcasts and on television. Amy and Joe then dive into Joe’s film background and his experiences working for productions in New York City. To wrap up, Joe shares his opinions on the upcoming Academy Awards: what should have been nominated, why “Sinners” broke through despite its genre roots, how to predict which way best picture will break and more.

Links:

• Art Movez
• BRIC TV
• "Chill"
• National Board of Review (history)
• Billy Crystal's opening monologue, the Academy Awards (1998)
• “Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler”

Between entertainment services, meal kits, online storage and more, most of us pay for a host of subscriptions. But when you continue to pay for services you no longer use, “undead” subscriptions can take a nasty bite out of your budget. Kasey Radney, CFP®, sits down with host Amy Laburda to talk about why subscriptions are everywhere. They discuss how to fend off zombies before they multiply, strategies for keeping yourself honest about which subscriptions you choose to pay for, and how to make sure your subscriptions don’t sneak up on you in the future. Listen in to learn how to prevent your bank statement from becoming a home for the walking dead.

Links:

• “Attack of the Zombie Subscriptions!” by Kasey Radney, CFP®
• “Why One Man Is Fighting for Our Right to Control Our Garage Door Openers” (NYT, subscription required)
• “Financial Foundations: Budgets And Credit Scores,” featuring Rebecca Pavese, CPA