Should You Stay Past 20? Military Retirement, Career Choices & Market Lessons with guest Brandon Lovingier

🎙️ Hosts

• Rob Moore
• Omen Quelvog

Episode Summary

In this episode, Rob and Omen kick off the new year with reflections on career decisions, market lessons from 2025, and a deep dive into military retirement choices. They welcome back their first-ever guest, Brandon Lovingier, for a candid conversation about the decision to stay in the military past 20 years—and what really matters when making big life changes.

Featured Guest

• Brandon Lovingier (EnlistedMoney.com)
  • Army Veteran/financial educator

Topics Covered

• New Year’s Resolutions & Quitter’s Day: How to stick with goals and why January 9th matters
• US Independence & History: Fun fact—Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784
• Market Review 2025:
  • Tariffs, volatility, and surprising returns
  • Why staying invested beats market timing
  • Sector highlights: Tech & Communications
  • The Callan Periodic Table and asset class rotation
• Military Retirement Decisions:
  • Should you stay past 20 years?
  • Financial vs. personal factors
  • The value of knowing your expenses
  • Building a “retirement to” career, not just retiring from one
  • Family conversations and impact
  • The reality of promotions, pensions, and career flexibility
• Trivia Challenge:
  • MRE favorites—Chili Mac wins!
  • Fun stories from military life

Key Takeaways

1. Past performance isn’t a predictor: Markets rarely follow forecasts; staying invested matters more than timing.
2. Career flexibility vs. financial upside: Promotions and extra years often offer less benefit than expected; retiring sooner can create more options.
3. Values first: Decisions about staying in or getting out should start with your values, purpose, and family—not just money.

CONNECT!

• Brandon Lovingier: EnlistedMoney.com
• Military Financial Advisors Association: https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org
• Book a meeting with Omen
• Book a meeting with Rob
• Email questions to: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives, but are not your advisors. Consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Hosts: Omen Quelvog & Rob Moore Release Date: January 7 2026

• Student Loan Crisis:
  • Wage garnishment for federal student loans resumes in January
  • What “default” means (270+ days behind) and how to avoid it
  • Actionable steps for borrowers in trouble:
    1. Seek help—reach out to financial counselors, advisors, or trusted professionals
    2. Update your contact info with loan servicers
    3. Apply for income-driven repayment plans
    4. Consider consolidation
    5. Explore disability discharge options for veterans (tax-free for 100% P&T VA ratings)
    6. Last resort: loan rehab/consolidation
• New Year, New Limits:
  • Deep dive into the latest IRS contribution limits for 2026:
    1. 401(k), 403(b), TSP, 457(b), and IRA updates
    2. Special catch-up rules for ages 50+ and the “super catch-up” for ages 60–63
    3. Roth catch-up requirements for high earners ($150,000+ FICA wages)
    4. Annual additions limit ($72,000) and how it aggregates across multiple plans
• Military & Financial Planning:
  • PSLF for military service and how Army forgiveness differs (taxable vs. non-taxable)
  • Strategies for maximizing workplace and IRA contributions when juggling multiple plans
• Order of Operations:
  • How to prioritize workplace plans vs. IRAs
  • Spousal IRA eligibility and maximizing family contributions
  • Avoiding over-contributions and understanding “true-up” provisions
• Trivia Challenge:
  • What percentage of U.S. civilian workers with access to a workplace retirement plan actually participate?
• Off-Duty Segment:
  • Reflections on military leave, business refreshes, and favorite movies (including “Nobody 2” and Netflix’s “Elway” documentary)

💡 Practical Takeaways

1. Student loan wage garnishment is back—take action now if you’re at risk.
2. Know your contribution limits and plan aggregation rules to avoid penalties and maximize employer matches.
3. Plan your contributions and taxes deliberately—don’t “wing it” and risk costly mistakes.

📝 Resources & Links

• Forbes: Wage Garnishment for Student Loans Starts in January
• Military Financial Advisors Association
• Savings Cascade Article
• Book a meeting with Rob Moore
• Book a meeting with Omen Quelvog

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives, but are not your advisors. Consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Episode 15 - New Years Predictions!

Episode Title: New Year’s Predictions & Financial Twists for 2026 Hosts: Omen Quelvog & Rob Moore

Episode Overview

Cheers and Happy New Year from the Fiscal Foxhole! In this special New Year’s Eve episode, Omen and Rob kick off 2026 with a lively round of predictions, financial headlines, and a friendly competition—pitting their own forecasts against those of an AI chatbot. From mortgage rates and Super Bowl picks to the fate of Bitcoin and Taylor Swift’s relationship, this episode blends financial insight with fun, banter, and a look ahead at what might shape the coming year.

Key Segments

Opening Banter & Reflections

• Hosts share personal New Year’s stories, including family traditions and memorable moments.
• Reflections on the past year’s growth, both for the podcast and personally.

Headlines of the Week

• Mortgage Rates: Discussion of stagnant rates, the likelihood of returning to 6%, and the factors influencing borrowing costs.
• Military Pay & Benefits: NDAA passes with a 3.8% pay raise for troops; BAH rates see a 4.2% nationwide bump.

2026 Predictions Competition

• Format: Omen, Rob, and an AI chatbot each make predictions on a series of questions, with plans to revisit results next year.
• Sample Questions:
  • How many times will President Trump say “tremendous”?
  • Who wins the Super Bowl?
  • Will the Fed cut rates more than it hikes?
  • Will the US experience a technical recession?
  • How many days will the government be shut down?
  • Will Bitcoin break $125K and $50K in the same year?
  • What’s the risky investment fad of 2026?
  • Speed round: Mortgage rates, OpenAI vs. Microsoft revenue, military pay raise, home prices, and the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce relationship.

Key Takeaways

• The real risk in home buying isn’t the rate—it’s delaying a decision that fits your life.
• Predictions are fun but highlight how much is outside our control; sound planning is about preparation, not guessing.
• Markets don’t care about your predictions, but it’s still worth thinking ahead.

Listener Engagement

• Questions: Send your questions to fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on the show.
• Work With Us:
  • Connect with Omen
  • Connect with Rob

Disclaimer

Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog are registered investment advisor representatives. This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing you hear should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation.