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.

The Fiscal Foxhole – Episode 14: QA Foxhole Christmas Story

Hosts: Rob Moore Omen Quelvog

Episode Summary

It’s Christmas Eve in the foxhole! Rob and Omen swap stories about military Christmases, family traditions, and the memories that matter most. From NORAD tracking Santa to ugly sweaters and spiked cocoa, this episode is all about the experiences that make the holidays special—whether you’re deployed, at home, or somewhere in between.

Highlights & Segments

• Festive Foxhole Vibes: The foxhole is decked out with lights, snow, and questionable operational security. Ugly Christmas sweaters and holiday mugs make their annual appearance.
• NORAD Tracks Santa: The hosts share the story behind NORAD’s Santa Tracker, its military roots, and why it’s one of the DOD’s biggest community outreach efforts. Show note link: NORAD Santa Tracker
• Favorite Christmas Memories:
  • Breaking the holiday travel rotation and starting new family traditions
  • Scavenger hunt for a drum set
  • Christmas morning cassette recordings
  • Deployed Christmas in Afghanistan
  • Christmas in NYC and England
  • Smoky Mountains cabin Christmas
  • The magic of Christmas with a newborn
• Best & Worst Gifts:
  • Tractor, Nintendo, and the elusive wristwatch walkie-talkies
  • When the best gift turns into the worst (Nintendo heartbreak stories)
• Trivia Time:
  • How many homes does Santa visit on Christmas Eve?
  • The answer may surprise you—and involves billions of cookies.
• Football & Bowl Season:
  • NFL and college football talk, retirement gifts, and team allegiances

Practical Takeaways

1. Traditions Matter: The best Christmas memories aren’t about money—they’re about showing up and making moments.
2. Every Season is Different: There’s no single “right way” to do the holidays. Each year brings its own “best Christmas ever.”
3. Let Good Judgment Take the Holidays Off: Sweater and drink choices prove it’s okay to have fun and be a little silly.

Connect & Share

• Contact the Hosts: Email: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Reach out to connect with Omen
• Reach out to connect with Rob
• Follow on Social Media:
  • Rob: @evermanprosperity
  • Omrn: @formerwealthmanagement
• Military Financial Advisors Association (MFAA): militaryfinancialadvisors.org

Legal Disclaimer

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

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Theme: Holiday spending, gift giving, and financial planning for the festive season

Episode Highlights

• Opening Banter: Rob and Omen kick off with holiday spirit, snowy Virginia weather, and a nod to their Christmas enthusiasm.
• Client Invitation: Both hosts are accepting new clients for financial planning in the new year. Free consultations available.
• Headline Discussion:
  • Vanguard’s Crypto ETF Move: The hosts discuss Vanguard’s decision to allow crypto ETFs, exploring the difference between investing and speculating, and the implications for long-term portfolios.

Main Topic: Holiday Money Traps & How to Avoid Them

• Emotional & External Pressures:
  1. The urge to overspend during the holidays, driven by sales, traditions, and the desire to give.
  2. The importance of thoughtful giving—don’t let guilt or reciprocity dictate your spending.
• Budgeting Wisdom:
  1. Start with a clear budget for the entire year, not just December.
  2. Use last year’s spending as a baseline; track expenses to avoid surprises.
  3. Allocate funds thoughtfully across concentric circles of relationships—spouse, kids, extended family, and others.
• Smart Gift Giving:
  1. Thoughtful, personalized gifts often mean more than expensive ones.
  2. Consider handmade or meaningful presents over generic gift cards.
  3. Experiences and memories can be more valuable than material items.
• Practical Takeaways:
  1. Crypto ETFs: Know what you’re buying, keep exposure small, and don’t risk money you can’t afford to lose.
  2. A Plan Beats Pressure: Set boundaries, budget, and prioritize thoughtful gifts over expensive ones.
  3. Avoid Mission Creep: Don’t let holiday spending spiral out of control—stick to your plan.

Off Duty

• Rob shares a memorable family outing to the Army Bands’ American Holiday Festival concert in DC, highlighting the value of experiences over material gifts.

Resources & Links

• Military Financial Advisors Association:
  • Visit https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org for more info.
• Contact the Hosts:
  • Questions or feedback? Email fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com.
  • Book a meeting with Omen
  • Book a meeting with Rob

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.

The Fiscal Foxhole – Episode 12: Financial Lessons in Christmas Movies

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Published: December 10, 2025

🎙️ Episode Highlights

• Opening Banter:
  • Reflections on service, military retirement, and the “advent calendar” of C&P appointments.
  • Home repair stories—drywall, plumbing, and the aches that come with DIY projects.
• Listener Shout-Out:
  • Thanks to listeners for recent reviews.
  • Call to action: Please leave a review and share the podcast!
• News Headline:
  • Kiplinger’s “Snowbirds: Avoid These Three Sneaky Insurance Issues.”
  • Key tip: If your home is left unoccupied for 30+ days, your insurance may not cover damage.
  • Practical advice: Have someone check your home regularly, insulate pipes, and consider smart home cameras for security.
• Top 10 Christmas Movies – Snake Draft Style:
  • Each host picks five movies with a financial lesson.
  • Highlights include:
    • It’s a Wonderful Life: Money means nothing without community; the power of the money multiplier.
    • The Grinch: Don’t confuse materialism with happiness; value experiences and service.
    • Elf: Family over career; be true to yourself.
    • Home Alone: Protect against financial “break-ins”—credit monitoring, cybersecurity, insurance, and emergency funds.
    • A Christmas Carol: Generosity and the true meaning of wealth.
    • The Santa Claus: Prepare for unexpected career transitions; importance of estate planning.
    • Die Hard: Physical and financial security; diversify where you keep assets.
    • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Don’t rely on bonuses; plan for windfalls.
    • 8-Bit Christmas: Delayed gratification builds discipline; service over material gifts.
    • Arthur Christmas: Retirement transitions; adapt your financial plan to new technology.
• Trivia Segment:
  • Fun facts about holiday movies and their box office success.
• Off-Duty Story:
  • Scams and text message fraud—how to spot and avoid them.

Helpful links

• Email FiscalFoxhole@gmail.com with questions, feedback, or comments.
• Snowbirds: Avoid These 3 Sneaky Insurance Issues
• Book a meeting with Omen: https://www.4myndr.com/connect
• Book a meeting with Rob: https://www.prosperwitheverman.com/contact

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Consult a qualified professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Release Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with reflections on recent tax-focused episodes and a humorous “mea culpa” about financial jargon. The hosts then dive into a timely headline about federal employee health benefits, followed by a deep listener question on planning civilian income after military service. The show wraps up with a festive debate on the top Christmas movies.

Headlines

• FEHB Premium Spike Alert: Over 30,000 federal employees may face a >200% premium increase next year due to eight discontinued health plans. If affected, take action before open season ends December 8th to avoid auto-enrollment in a costly plan.

Listener Question: Planning Civilian Income After Military Service

Question from Traver: How can soon-to-be separating service members plan for civilian income that maintains or exceeds their current active duty military income, considering the loss of tax protections and entitlements?

Discussion Highlights:

• Military pay includes untaxed benefits (BAH, BAS) that boost net income.
• Civilian equivalents require higher gross pay to match military take-home.
• State taxes, cost of living, and VA disability can dramatically affect the calculation.
• Online calculators (like Charles Schwab’s) are a good starting point, but miss key variables.
• Track your expenses now to understand your true standard of living.
• Practice “retirement dry runs” to test your budget before separation.
• Use calculators, but sanity-check results and adjust for your unique situation.

Off Duty: Top 5 Christmas Movies (and Most Overrated)

Rob & Omen share their definitive Christmas movie rankings, including classics and new favorites, plus their picks for most overrated holiday film.

Connect & Subscribe

• Charles Schwab Military vs Civilian Pay Calculator
• Dinkytown tax calculator
• Send your questions: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Book a meeting with Omen
• Book a meeting with Rob
• Learn more about MFAA
• Subscribe & share: If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe and share The Fiscal Foxhole with others!

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

The Fiscal Foxhole – Roth Conversions: Tax Nerdery Finale

Hosts: Rob Moore & Omen Quelvog

Release Date: November 26th,, 2025

Episode Summary

In this jam-packed episode, Rob and Omen celebrate the Marine Corps birthday, share Thanksgiving plans, and dive deep into two hot financial topics: the proposed 50-year mortgage and Roth conversions. They break down the math, the myths, and the practical strategies for listeners navigating today’s housing market and retirement planning.

Key Topics & Segments

1. Celebrations & Listener Questions

• Marine Corps birthday shoutout.
• Thanksgiving plans and family traditions.
• Announcement: First listener question received! Tune in next episode for answers.

2. Headline: The 50-Year Mortgage Gambit

• The math behind longer-term loans: Lower monthly payments, but nearly double the lifetime interest.
• Why stretching loan terms doesn’t solve housing affordability—and could inflate prices further.

3. Roth Conversions:

• Roth vs. Tax-Deferred: Quick refresher on the differences..
• Roth conversions explained: Moving money from tax-deferred to Roth, paying taxes now for future tax-free growth.
• Timing matters: Low-income years, deployments, and the “retirement valley” are prime opportunities.
• Special considerations for military families and surviving spouses (“widow’s tax”).

4. Practical Roth Conversion Strategies

• Partial conversions: Fill up your tax bracket year by year.
• Planning for tax impacts: Always have cash on hand to pay conversion taxes—don’t use IRA funds if under 59½.

5. Fun Tax Facts

• Molasses Act of 1733: Rum trade and sneaky taxes.
• Townshend Act of 1767: 63 types of paper taxed!
• Estate tax for the Navy (1797–1802): Funding battleships with document stamps.

6. Trivia Challenge

• Mortgage history: What was the required down payment in 1782?

7. Off Duty: Dog Stories & Life Updates

• Rob and Omen share updates on their dogs, including surgery, recovery, and puppy growth.

Connect & Subscribe

• Questions for the show? Email: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com
• Book an appointment with Omen
• Book and appointment with Rob
• Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, write a review, and share The Fiscal Foxhole with friends!

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. Nothing in this episode should be taken as specific investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.