Phil's Tax Hacks

Gold Rush 2025: Should You Get In?

Gold prices are surging, JPMorgan is making a massive $4 billion gold delivery, and people are wondering if they should invest in gold. Gold has long been promoted as a safe haven in times of uncertainty, but with markets shifting, inflation concerns lingering, and a possible trade war on the horizon, is now the right time to add it to your retirement portfolio?
Here are some of the key topics discussed:
📈 Gold at record highs – Is it too late to invest?
💰 Physical gold vs. ETFs – Pros, cons & key differences
⚠️ FOMO investing – Why jumping in now could be risky
🔄 Gold as a hedge – Smart ways to use it in your portfolio
 
0:00 – Intro
1:03 – Gold on the rise
4:04 – Downsides
8:55 – Owning gold
9:56 – Portfolio diversification
12:35 – Final thoughts  
 
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Trade War 2.0 - What Could It All Mean

With so much happening domestically and abroad from a financial standpoint, this week’s show is going to look into the implications of Trade War 2.0 and its potential effects on the economy and markets. Phil will break down the latest economic data, tariff announcements, and which sectors might respond positively to the changes.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:08 – Market instability & tariffs
5:23 – Apple’s $500 Billion Investment
7:23 – Reactions to tariffs
13:11 – Tariff winners
16:46 – Gold
18:37 – Final thoughts
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96

Great Side Gigs for Extra Retirement Income & Fun

For some people, the idea of retiring and then getting another job is detestable. For others, they can’t sit still and have to go find some other job. For the latter crowd, there are plenty of popular “side gig” jobs for retirees.
This week on the podcast, Phil discusses the shifting mindset surrounding retirement. We explore the various avenues available for retirees to engage in rewarding side activities that not only provide financial benefits but also fulfill personal passions. Many individuals are not merely seeking to retire from their jobs; they are looking for ways to stay engaged and active in their communities.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:05 – Consulting
2:54 – Teaching
3:43 – Online marketplace
5:41 – Retiring to something
8:40 – What it means for planning
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96
 

Do Smart Investors Really Need a Financial Advisor?

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question we’ve heard from a number of different people. So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value? In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced investors might benefit from professional guidance and when they’re probably fine on their own.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:15 – What is a financial advisor?
3:51 – More than investing  
7:40 – DIY blindspots
12:05 – Value of an advisor
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96

What Do Proposed Tariffs Mean For Your Portfolio?

With the recent political landscape, tariffs have become a hot topic, often surrounded by confusion and misinformation. How do you sit through the noise to find out how this might impact you? In this episode, Phil breaks down what tariffs are and how they can affect your investment portfolio as you near retirement.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:42 – What is a tariff?
2:48 – Will costs rise?
7:02 – Has this happened before?
9:20 – Impact on economy
10:40 – Effect on the market
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96

Is Tech Overweighted? Understanding The Current Market Landscape

This week on Phil’s Tax Hacks, Phil and Marc dive into the current state of the stock market with a particular focus on the tech sector. They discuss the growing concerns around tech companies being overweighted in the S&P 500, and how recent news, including competition from a Chinese AI company, is shaking up the market.
Phil highlights key issues like price-to-earnings ratios, the potential risks of tech-heavy investments, and the challenges this new AI could bring to companies like Nvidia. We’ll also touch on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates and the impact of ongoing tariffs.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:25 – Tech sector performance
5:00 – Price-to-earnings ratio and market valuation
8:43 – Comparison to past market bubbles
13:21 – Fed policy and interest rates
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96
 

The New Retirement: Why Many Are Choosing Work Over Leisure

A recent article on Fortune highlights a growing trend among baby boomers: continuing to work well into their 60s and 70s. Surprisingly, this is not out of necessity, but for the mental stimulation, social connections, and fulfillment that work provides. With nearly 20% of Americans over 65 still employed, this shift is challenging traditional views of retirement and sparking important conversations about what it means to truly retire.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:20 – Loneliness and loss of purpose
4:53 – The impact of working in retirement on financial plans
8:09 – Generational differences toward work and retirement
11:21 – Technology and remote work in retirement
12:44 – Takeaways
The article that inspired this week’s show:
https://fortune.com/article/the-new-retirement-is-no-retirement-baby-boomers-are-keeping-jobs-well-into-their-sixties-and-seventies-because-they-like-going-to-work/
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96

How Will Trump’s Executive Orders Reshape the Economic Landscape

President Donald Trump wasted little time taking action once he returned to office, and people are wondering how these long list of Executive orders will reshape the economic and financial landscape. Join CPA and financial specialist Phil Putney as he breaks down the implications of these changes on inflation, energy costs, tariffs, and more.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:07 – Addressing inflation & cost of living
3:43 – Energy
5:53 – Trade and Tariffs
9:42 – EV mandate
14:05 – DOGE
15:37 – Stock market
20:26 – Technology
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96

Social Security Claiming Tips + New Legislation

Staying informed about Social Security changes is crucial for maximizing your benefits, and recent legislation will change benefits for a significant number of Americans. Today we’re going to bring you up to speed on the Social Security Fairness Act and explain how this legislation will be retroactive to 2024, potentially offering a financial windfall for affected retirees.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
0:48 – The Social Security Fairness Act
5:42 – Claiming strategies
10:22 – Strategies for dual-income households
14:03 – Previous marriages
18:31 – SSDI and SSI
 
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3WdDG96

Retirement Spending Strategies That Could Change Your Life!

It’s the beginning of a new year – a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. But how often do we resolve to improve the way we feel about our finances? In the latest episode, Phil explores the crucial transition from saving to confidently spending your hard-earned funds.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:51 – Spending with confidence
8:41 – Spending guardrails
12:02 – Tips for those who are afraid to spend
For more, visit us online: http://philstaxhacks.com
Watch the video podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGS8K5-iPEy6b7fu4pLNLtA