The Veteran Finance Podcast

Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA
  • 5.0 (18)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Veteran Finance Podcast delivers actionable weekly financial planning strategies to help Veterans optimize their money to build purpose past the 9-5. Host Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA is an Air Force Academy Graduate turned financial planner and the founder of Baskin Financial Planning.

  1. 11/19/2025

    Investments That are Too Good to be True | E77

    ‍In this episode, I talk about red flags to look for in investments that are too good to be true, including three real life examples I've seen in my financial planning practice. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Announcements 01:20 Core Principles of Sound Investing 02:20 Identifying Red Flags in Investment Opportunities 04:34 Real-World Examples of Investment Scams 09:02 Protecting Yourself from Investment Scams 09:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned: Bernie Madoff FBI Case Paul Regan Fraud Scheme 2024 ‍ More of Baskin Financial Planning: Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call⁠⁠ with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: ⁠⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/77

    11 min

  2. 11/05/2025

    The Most Tax-Efficient Ways to Give to Charity |E76

    ‍In this episode, I go through the three tax-efficient strategies for maximizing the value of your charitable giving. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro01:25 – Standard deduction explained04:40 – Strategy 1: Bunching05:46 – Strategy 2: Donor-Advised Funds07:04 – Strategy 3: QCDs08:41 – Recap & final thoughts Resources Mentioned: Episode 37 on Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) ‍ More of Baskin Financial Planning: ⁠⁠Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call⁠⁠ with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: ⁠⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/76

    11 min

  3. 10/22/2025

    3 Things That Need to be True to Keep Your House as a Rental | E75

    In this episode, I go through the three things that need to be true for it to make sense to keep your house as a rental property. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction00:49 – 1. The Math03:31 – 2. Qualitative Fit05:21 – 3. Long-Term Fit09:06 – Recap & Final Thoughts More of Baskin Financial Planning: ⁠⁠Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call⁠⁠ with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: ⁠⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/75

    12 min

  4. 10/08/2025

    The Power of Term Life Insurance: Why It Beats Whole, SBP, and VGLI for Veterans |E74

    ‍In this episode, I discuss the basic principles of term insurance and why for most families it is the preferred method of life insurance over permanent insurance, SBP, and VGLI. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & why term life insurance 01:10 Principles of Term Insurance 03:35 How much term insurance do you need? 05:35 Calculating your coverage 07:10 Comparing Term vs. Permanent, VGLI, and SBP 12:09 Final thoughts & summary ‍ Resources Mentioned: Episode 22: Whole vs. Term Life InsuranceVGLI Costs‍ More of Baskin Financial Planning: ⁠⁠Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call⁠⁠ with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: ⁠⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/74

    14 min

  5. 09/24/2025

    The Art of the Backdoor Roth IRA for High Earners | E73

    In this episode, I discuss the art of the backdoor Roth IRA for high income earners. We walk through what it is, how to do it, and key mistakes to look out for. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Backdoor Roth IRA 02:21 Step-by-Step Guide to Backdoor Roth IRA 04:51 Key Caveats and Pro-Rata Rule 07:26 Fixing Past Contribution Mistakes 10:06 Conclusion and Final Tips 10:47 Additional Resources and Disclaimer ‍ ‍ More of Baskin Financial Planning: ⁠⁠Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call⁠⁠ with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: ⁠⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/73 ‍

    11 min

  6. 09/10/2025

    When Does it Make Sense to Refinance the Mortgage? | E72

    In this episode, I dive into when it makes sense and does not make sense to refinance your mortgage when rates are falling. Key Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Is Now a Good Time to Refinance?00:55 Understanding Refinancing Basics02:03 VA Loan Refinancing: Uncle Earl Explained03:12 When Refinancing Makes Sense06:06 When Refinancing Doesn't Make Sense08:02 Veteran-Specific Provisions for Refinancing09:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned: Episode 16: VA Loans with Evan Kaufman Episode 50: Refinancing VA Loans with Evan Kaufman More of Baskin Financial Planning: ⁠Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call⁠ with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: ⁠erik@baskinfp.com⁠ ⁠www.baskinfp.com/post/72

    12 min

  7. 08/27/2025

    Unpacking Unpacking the New Tax Bill the OBBBA: What it Means for Your Taxes | E71

    In this episode, I dive into the provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed on July 4, 2025 and how it is likely to impact your tax bill this year and for the years to come. Key Timestamps: 00:00-Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act 01:22- Understanding the Tax Rate Extensions and Standard Deductions 02:43- Charitable Giving and Itemized Deductions 04:53- State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction Changes 06:45- Child Tax Credit and Senior Deduction 08:55- Tax Exemptions on Tips, Overtime, and Business Provisions 11:16- Estate and Lifetime Gift Tax Exemptions 12:55- Vehicle-Related Tax Provisions1 5:40- Education and Trump Accounts 17:31- Actionable Takeaways and Conclusion More of Baskin Financial Planning: Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: erik@baskinfp.com www.baskinfp.com/post/71

    21 min

  8. 08/13/2025

    529 Plans Demystified: A Smarter Way to Save for College | E70

    In this episode, I dive into the essentials of college savings, focusing on 529 plans and how to decide the best approach for your family. I cover the pros and cons, recent rule changes, and practical tips for making smart education funding decisions. ‍ Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Personal Update 01:56 - Philosophy of Education Savings 04:12 - 529 Accounts Overview 06:48 - What 529 Plans Cover 08:27 - Pros of 529 Plans 11:54 - Cons of 529 Plans 14:09 - Making the Right Decision 16:41 - Outro and Resources ‍ ‍ More of Baskin Financial Planning: Download the Ultimate Military Finance Checklist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, with 7 pages of critical things to be thinking about to clarify your journey to financial freedom. Think you might need some financial help? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book an intro call with me to see if we would be a mutual fit. Questions or comments, drop me a note at: erik@baskinfp.com www.baskinfp.com/post/70

    18 min
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5
out of 5
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About

The Veteran Finance Podcast delivers actionable weekly financial planning strategies to help Veterans optimize their money to build purpose past the 9-5. Host Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA is an Air Force Academy Graduate turned financial planner and the founder of Baskin Financial Planning.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Erik Baskin, CFP®, CEPA®, MBA
  • Show Website
    The Veteran Finance Podcast