Saggio Accounting+PLUS

11/02/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. Hard Pulls vs Soft Pulls: What Applying for Credit Really Costs
In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet focus on what an LLC actually changes for a growing freelancer, along with a new marketplace repayment rule, holiday pay-later plans, and credit applications.

In This Episode
✓ Marketplace open enrollment and the end of the repayment cap on excess premium credits

✓ Nearly 2 in 5 holiday spenders plan to use buy now, pay later

✓ Employers think workers have enough saved, and workers say otherwise

✓ What a hard credit pull really costs, and how ra...

In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet focus on what an LLC actually changes for a growing freelancer, along with a new marketplace repayment rule, holiday …

10/31/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. Don’t come after my people — I call out Instagram trolls
Big takeaway: don't yank hundreds of thousands from your retirement without talking to an advisor — the tax hit and IRMAA penalties can wreck a cash house deal. I reflect on the week’s wins and hard stuff, like a couple who thought they did great buying a house with cash but got nailed by an IRA distribution. I also canceled my iPhone pre-order after seeing foldy phones crack, and I shared a cringe Hummer trade-in story where I had to “stop the bleeding.” I got nostalgic about my grandpa and rem...

Big takeaway: don't yank hundreds of thousands from your retirement without talking to an advisor — the tax hit and IRMAA penalties can wreck a cash house deal. I r…

10/31/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. BFC Weekly Recap: Social Security 2032 Could Turn a $2,000 Check Into $1,560
In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet look back at the week's biggest money moments, from Ralph canceling his iPhone pre-order to what happens when Social Security's retirement fund runs short in 2032.

In This Episode
✓ Ralph picks needs over wants and skips his iPhone upgrade

✓ What $200 a month can grow to by age 67

✓ Social Security's 2032 shortfall and a $2,000 check that could become $1,560

✓ Fake Medicare ads and the one address to type yourself

✓ A $350 wedding Venmo bill an...

In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet look back at the week's biggest money moments, from Ralph canceling his iPhone pre-order to what happens when Social …

10/30/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. 704 Credit Score and $0 Savings: Where to Start
In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet answer a listener with a 704 credit score and nothing in savings, and explain where to start. They also cover paychecks that disappear, Halloween debt, and whether buying equipment for a tax write off makes sense.

In This Episode
✓ Denise has a 704 credit score, $6,000 across two cards, and $0 saved, so where does she start?

✓ Andre earns good pay and still waits on the next paycheck

✓ Halloween spending is projected at $13.5 billion, and 24% of ...

In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet answer a listener with a 704 credit score and nothing in savings, and explain where to start. They also cover paychec…

10/29/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. Why Your Credit Card Doesn't Count as an Emergency Fund and Banks Can Cut It
In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet explain why a credit card limit is not an emergency fund, plus what late tax filers owe and why a bride billed her wedding guests $350.

In This Episode
✓ Third-quarter GDP grows 3.4% as September inflation hits 3.6%

✓ What late filers owe after the October 15 extension deadline

✓ How a leaky toilet runs up your water bill

✓ A bride bills every wedding guest $350

✓ One Good Question: can a $12,000 card limit count as your emergency fund?

✓ An A...

In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet explain why a credit card limit is not an emergency fund, plus what late tax filers owe and why a bride billed her we…

10/28/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. Fake Medicare Ads, Down Payment Gift Letters, and the Fed’s Next Move
In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet talk through whether Social Security will be there for millennials and how an engaged couple should handle $42,500 in debt before the wedding.

In This Episode
✓ All 100 economists polled expect a Fed rate hike in December

✓ 40% of homeowners got family help with a down payment, and why lenders want a gift letter

✓ Fake Medicare ads can show up above the real site

✓ One Good Question: engaged with $42,500 in debt, where do you start?

✓ Side Hust...

In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet talk through whether Social Security will be there for millennials and how an engaged couple should handle $42,500 in…

10/27/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. Leaving a Job? Your 401(k) Options and What Cashing Out Really Costs
In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet focus on what to do with your 401(k) when you leave a job, and why cashing it out can cost far more than most people expect.

In This Episode
✓ The FTC sends $15.8 million in Cleo AI refunds by PayPal

✓ Consumer confidence jumps to 91.7 as gas prices ease

✓ Debt payments eat 52 cents of every dollar of income gain

✓ Carla’s $3,800 ER bill in collections and what to ask for first

✓ Your four 401(k) options after leaving a job

✓ Why cashing out c...

10/26/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. How Estimated Taxes Work When Your Freelance Income Jumps Around
In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet explain how quarterly estimated taxes work for freelancers with uneven income, plus how to get paid faster and why overdraft fees can hurt your credit.

In This Episode
✓ Average card balance hits $8,000 and one in five families are behind

✓ A $35 overdraft fee can follow you into credit denial

✓ Phone bill add-ons to look for

✓ Quarterly estimated taxes for uneven income

✓ Getting slow-paying commercial clients to pay faster

✓ Starting a 401(k...

In today’s episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet explain how quarterly estimated taxes work for freelancers with uneven income, plus how to get paid faster and why ov…

10/25/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. I Reflect on the Week: Wins, Tough Stuff, and 3 Numbers to Keep
This week was know your numbers week, so I’m here to tell you what stuck, what was hard, and three numbers to carry into next week. The big win was Mark Lawley’s “just in case” folder — a tidy place with passwords and instructions so his family won’t have to guess if something happens. The tough part was Mark grieving his mom and asking real questions about inheritance and IRAs, and we spent the time that needed to be spent. We hit some wild stats — like how a 1% fee can eat about 28% of your re...

This week was know your numbers week, so I’m here to tell you what stuck, what was hard, and three numbers to carry into next week. The big win was Mark Lawley’s “j…

10/24/2026

A new podcast episode has just been released. BFC Weekly Recap: Hidden 401k Fees, Forgotten Accounts, and a Mortgage Shortcut
In this week’s recap, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet look at why your Social Security raise is smaller than the headline, plus the 401(k) fees most people never see.

In This Episode
✓ Social Security goes up 3.6%, and what Medicare Part B may take back

✓ The viral $200 Social Security bonus is not real

✓ 401(k) fees, forgotten retirement accounts, and a bank text scam

✓ Biweekly mortgage payments and starting to invest early

✓ Inherited IRAs, stepped-up basis, and leaving a plan for your family...

Discover hidden 401k fees, Social Security updates, and mortgage shortcuts in this weekly financial recap with Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet.