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.