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

Executive and retirement coach Andrea Maizes prevents people from making terrible mistakes. Business founders, CEOs and executives may simply trust that they will figure out retirement when it arrives, but life’s transitions can easily blindside even the most capable among us. Andrea sat down with Eric Meermann, CFP®, CVA, EA and Paul Jacobs, CFP®, EA to talk about when someone is ready for retirement, the ways that modern retirement looks different from the cliched image many hold, and what to do if someone arrives in retirement only to discover that it isn’t what they thought it would be. Find out how Andrea helps her clients define retirement success and the steps she can help them can take to achieve it.

• Learn more about Andrea
• Andrea on LinkedIn
• “The Next Edit” on Substack
• “Your Next Edit” book cover reveal
• “Life Is in the Transitions” by Bruce Feiler
• RQ Assessment

Jonathan Stanley, the bestselling author of “Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading, and Succeeding,” unexpectedly went viral after connecting with a little girl and her mother at a book signing. But while TikTok success was a surprise, connection was already fundamental to Jonathan’s message for business leaders and employees alike. In a conversation with Paul Jacobs, CFP®, EA, and host Amy Laburda, Jonathan discusses his book at length. Discover why businesses need to identify their values and ensure they’re aligned with both employees and customers; why putting purpose ahead of profit leads to better long-term outcomes; how to help employees achieve and celebrate their successes, and much more.

Editor’s Note: Otto Frank’s name is accidentally transposed in passing as “Frank Otto” (at 38:12).

Links:

• Jonathan’s website
• Purposeful Performance (print or e-book)
• Purposeful Performance (audiobook)
• Taylor Mae’s TikTok
• Jonathan’s TikTok response
• "The Benefits Of Volunteering" ("Something Personal" S2E15, featuring Paul Jacobs)

Whether you’re buying a laptop, replacing a washing machine, or booking an international vacation, retailers are eager to sell you additional protection for your purchase. Whether it takes the form of a service plan, an extended warranty or trip disruption insurance, it can be hard to evaluate whether these add-ons are worth the price. Thomas Walsh, CFP®, joins host Amy Laburda for a deep dive into what these products involve, when they are and aren’t worthwhile, and alternative strategies for protecting your budget and your peace of mind. Learn how to think about your options like a financial planner, and why it’s important to avoid making decisions out of anxiety.

Links:

• “The Elusive Right-Sized Emergency Fund” by Benjamin C. Sullivan, CFP®, CVA, EA
• “Balancing Building Savings With Paying Off Debt” featuring Thomas Walsh, CFP®

Restaurateur Alex Kuk’s great-grandfather founded Wan’s restaurant roughly 60 years ago. When Alex’s aunt decided to retire last year, Alex and his cousin stepped in to make sure that Fort Lauderdale didn’t lose a long-standing part of its culinary community. In this conversation with Melinda Kibler, CFP®, EA, and “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda, Alex talks about what it takes to keep a restaurant running in the rapidly changing South Florida market. Listen in to learn about the power of digital marketing, why a food truck is a bad idea for a first restaurant venture, how important it is to make guests feel like family, and much more.

“Something Personal” will be taking a break for the holidays, but we will return in January 2026! Wishing all of our listeners a very happy new year.

• Wan’s
• Wan's on Instagram
• Wan's on TikTok

Rachel Schuster is an employment lawyer. She has also danced for the Golden State Warriors and cheered for the San Francisco 49ers. Far from being a contradiction, her experiences in both arenas have complimented one another. Rachel sat down with Palisades Hudson Client Service Manager Brianna Aviles, Financial Planning Manager (and Broncos Stampede member) Ashley Luhmann, and “Something Personal” host Amy Laburda for a deep dive into her career, from the challenges of law school during COVID lockdown to the highs of cheering at the Super Bowl. Learn why, as she wrote for Law360, cheering made her a better lawyer — and how negotiation tactics came in handy with at least one young and enthusiastic fan.

Links:

• More about Rachel
• “Cheered Up: You Can Be a Dancer and a Lawyer,” California magazine
• “Cheering In The NFL Makes Me A Better Lawyer,” Law360 (paywall)
• Pro Cheerleading Podcast