Money & Taxes from Bb to XYZ

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, tackle employee benefits open enrollment and how to make sense of that intimidating benefits guide before the deadline arrives. They walk through health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with some of the tempting extras that may or may not be worth the paycheck deduction. Rather than simply renewing last year’s choices or signing up for everything available, Regina and Jason explain how to compare what’s changed with what you actually expect to need in the coming year.TakeawaysStart with what's changed. Your current benefits, premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, and employer contributions may be different next year.Consider both a best-case and worst-case year when comparing health plans, while factoring in known life changes or expected medical expenses.Don’t automatically enroll in every benefit offered. Evaluate insurance and optional benefits against your actual financial situation and needs so you’re paying for protection that provides meaningful value.Have a question for the show?Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, continue their equity compensation series with a look at incentive stock options (ISOs) and non-qualified stock options (NSOs). They explain how these employer-granted options work, what happens when you exercise them, and why the tax consequences can look very different depending on which type you have and when you sell. From cashless exercises and capital gains to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), Regina and Jason show why stock options can offer valuable opportunities but also require careful financial and tax planning.TakeawaysNSOs and ISOs are taxed differently, especially when you exercise your options, making it important to understand exactly what type of grant you have.ISOs can offer preferential tax treatment, but taking full advantage of it may require navigating AMT and meeting specific holding-period requirements.Stock options shouldn’t be considered in isolation. Your exercise strategy should account for taxes, cash flow, diversification, and the risk of becoming overly concentrated in your employer’s stock.Have a question for the show?Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

In this special mini-episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, trade financial planning for a little financial-themed music. With the FPFoCo team heading to San Diego for their annual company retreat and an industry conference, they’ve assembled the perfect soundtrack for the trip: FPFoCo Favorite$, a team-curated playlist featuring songs about money from across genres and generations. From Wu-Tang Clan to whatever other money-minded tracks made the cut, consider this your invitation to turn up the volume and follow the money.Hear the Spotify playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ONSSqJuWSCKwlAdh8Z3Vd?si=msayp6m8SUaM_SkkYCyw0w<iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6ONSSqJuWSCKwlAdh8Z3Vd?utm_source=generator&si=130b707cd18e428a" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>Have a question for the show?Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, introduce the newest member of the FPFoCo team, Kelli Mickley! As the three of them chat, Kelli shares what she’ll be doing as FPFoCo’s new Client Service Specialist, from account paperwork and client support to keeping filing systems organized and supporting the rest of the planning team behind the scenes. The conversation also covers her 15-plus years of experience in financial services, her recent client service certification, and why attention to detail and continuing education matter so much in her role. And, of course, there’s time to get to know Kelli beyond the office, including life on the North Carolina coast, football season, and some very exciting family news.Have a question for the show?Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo

In this episode of Money and Taxes from BB to XYZ, Jason Speciner, CFP®, EA, and Regina Neenan, CFP®, ABFP®, break down restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs). These two common forms of equity compensation can quickly turn into a complicated mix of vesting schedules, taxes, trading restrictions, and investment decisions. They explain the important differences between restricted stock and RSUs, when each becomes taxable, and why RSUs can often be viewed much like receiving a cash bonus. The conversation also explores the risks of accumulating too much employer stock and how a thoughtful strategy can turn equity compensation into cash for other financial goals, investments, or tax-planning opportunities.TakeawaysAsk yourself: If your employer gave you the same amount as a cash bonus, would you use it to buy company stock? If not, selling vested shares and redeploying the money may make more sense.Remember the risk of double concentration: your salary and benefits already depend on your employer, so holding substantial employer stock can concentrate even more of your financial life in one company.Build equity compensation into your financial and tax plan before shares vest so you know how you’ll handle withholding, potential tax liabilities, and the cash — rather than reacting after the fact.Have a question for the show?Email [email protected], and Jason or Regina might answer it in a future episode! New episodes drop every other Thursday, and they’re always ad-free with no subscription required. Learn more about FPFoCo at fpfoco.com and connect with us on social media @fpfoco.DisclosuresJason Speciner and Regina Neenan are investment advisor representatives of FPFoCo, a registered investment advisor. The information in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It may not apply to your individual circumstances and should not be considered financial, investment, or tax advice.© 2026 FPFoCo