Fiscal Foxhole

Hosted by Army Veteran Rob Moore MQFP® , and Marine Veteran Omen Quelvog CFP® MQFP® , The Fiscal Foxhole is where military grit meets financial smarts. Whether you're active duty, a veteran, or retired, we dive deep into the money matters that matter most—from budgeting and investing to benefits and retirement planning. But don’t expect a dry lecture—we mix in humor, banter, and the occasional war story to keep things light while tackling serious financial topics. It’s finance with a foxhole twist: practical, patriotic, and just a little bit rowdy.

Fiscal Foxhole is a business podcast hosted by Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog, with 53 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog hosts Fiscal Foxhole, a business show with 53 episodes published.

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  Episode #54

  Personal Finance 201: 8 Next Level Concepts (and 2 most overrated)

  Sep 30, 20261h 15m

  Once the financial fundamentals are secure, thoughtful optimization can help you keep more of what you have built. Rob Moore, MQFP® and Omen Quelvog CFP®, MQFP® explore eight advanced planning strategies, challenge two commonly overemphasized tactics, and explain why the right decision must begin with your personal retirement-income picture. Email The Fiscal Foxhole at fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com Book a meeting with Rob Book a meeting with Omen Background: The Battle of Mogadishu On October 3, 1993, a planned raid in Mogadishu became an overnight urban battle after two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. Intel Update: The “Best” Portfolio A historical analysis of nine asset classes from 1972 through 2025 found that the S&P 500 produced the strongest real return, while gold was both a frequent winner and the most volatile asset. A Sharpe-ratio-optimized portfolio combined U.S. stocks, gold, long-term Treasuries, and REITs. Execution: Eight Advanced Planning Ideas 1. Step-up in basis at death 2. Military extension of the Section 121 exclusion 3. Qualified charitable distributions 4. Donor-advised funds 5. Tax-gain harvesting 6. Social Security claiming strategy 7. Tax-bracket Roth conversions 8. Reducing future RMDs ⚠️ Overrated Strategies Roth-ing everything Avoiding IRMAA at all costs Commander’s Intent Historical “optimal” portfolios change. Disciplined planning does not. Advanced strategies improve a sound plan; they cannot rescue weak fundamentals. Let your actual income, taxes, goals, and timeline drive the strategy, not FOMO. Links and Resources What Was the Best Portfolio Over the Last 50 Years? Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement Military Financial Advisors Association

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  Episode #53

  Backdoor Roth Club w/ Brian O'Neill CFP®, EA, MQFP®

  Sep 23, 20261h 11m

  Rob Moore, MQFP® and Omen Quelvog CFP®, MQFP® welcome former fighter pilot and financial planner Brian O’Neill, CFP®, EA, MQFP® to explain how high-income earners can continue funding a Roth IRA. They also discuss higher mortgage rates, home affordability, and why financial decisions should reflect your family’s goals rather than headlines. Email The Fiscal Foxhole at fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com Book a meeting with Rob Book a meeting with Omen Background: The Star-Spangled Banner During the 1814 bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key watched through the night to see whether the American flag remained. Intel Update: Mortgage Rates and Buying Power A $2,000 monthly principal-and-interest budget supports roughly a $475,000 mortgage at 3%, but only about $300,000 at 7%. Higher rates affect home prices, inventory, rents, and buyer competition. Backdoor Roth IRA Basics Confirm that you have no balance in any pre-tax traditional, rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA. Make a nondeductible cash contribution to a traditional IRA. Convert the contribution to a Roth IRA, generally without tax withholding. Report the transaction correctly, including on IRS Form 8606. ⚠️ The Pro Rata Rule The IRS generally views your pre-tax IRAs as one combined balance. If pre-tax and after-tax dollars are mixed, a conversion will include a proportional share of each, potentially creating a tax bill. Timing and Common Mistakes Completing the process early in the year can maximize time in the market. Contributions must be made in cash, not by transferring fund shares. Do not leave nondeductible contributions sitting unnecessarily in a traditional IRA. Commander’s Intent Run the numbers before deciding higher mortgage rates have priced you out. Consider the backdoor Roth process if your income prevents a direct Roth IRA contribution. Verify IRA balances, understand the pro rata rule, and ensure the transaction is reported correctly. When in doubt, work with a qualified tax or financial professional. Resources Winged Wealth Management and Financial Planning Military Financial Advisors Association https://getchipdrop.com/

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  Episode #51

  Three Buckets, One Mission

  Sep 9, 20261h 13m

  Rob Moore, MQFP® and Omen Quelvog CFP®, MQFP® explain how the three-bucket strategy can make investing and retirement income decisions easier to manage. They also explore state tax benefits for 529 plans, the enduring legacy of the Cobra attack helicopter, and why financial resilience is more important than predicting the market. Contact The Fiscal Foxhole Email The Fiscal Foxhole at fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com Book a meeting with Rob Book a meeting with Omen Background: The Cobra Takes Flight The Bell Model 209 first flew in September 1965 and became the foundation for the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. Intel Update: Understanding 529 Tax Benefits 529 contributions grow tax-free, and qualified education withdrawals avoid federal capital-gains taxes. State deductions and credits vary considerably. Start by checking the rules of the state where you pay income tax, especially after a PCS or domicile change. Execution: The Three-Bucket Strategy ️ Bucket One: Short-Term Stability Before retirement, this is typically an emergency fund. In retirement, consider holding approximately three years of the spending gap. Favor liquid, stable options such as high-yield savings, money-market funds, or the TSP G Fund. Bucket Two: Midterm Goals This bucket can support goals roughly four to 10 years away. A taxable brokerage account may provide useful access and moderate growth. Bucket Three: Long-Term Growth This is the portfolio’s growth engine, typically emphasizing equities held in accounts such as the TSP, IRAs, or a brokerage account. Its job is to outpace inflation and support spending later in retirement. Putting the Buckets to Work During strong markets, withdrawals or gains from the growth bucket can refill short-term reserves. During downturns, spend from the stable bucket and give long-term investments time to recover. Commander’s Intent Evaluate 529 benefits based on the state where you actually pay income tax. Match each account and investment to the timeline for using the money. Review the next 12 months of cash needs every year to reduce the risk of selling long-term investments at the wrong time. Links and Resources Understanding Your Federal and State 529 Tax Benefits Military Financial Advisors Association

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  Episode #50

  Not all Advisors Wear the Same Combat Patch

  Sep 2, 20261h 31m

  In this episode, Rob Moore, MQFP® and Omen Quelvog CFP®, MQFP® tackle one of the most requested topics: financial designations, fiduciary duty, advisor compensation, and how to evaluate financial professionals. They also discuss retirement cash reserves, military-specific planning, and the red flags that should make you pause before taking financial advice. Contact & Booking Email The Fiscal Foxhole at fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com Book a meeting with Rob Book a meeting with Omen ️ Opening Salvo Fiscal Foxhole new home: fiscalfoxhole.com . Listener suggestion / name: The Foxhole Frontline . ✈️ Background Brief: SR-71 Blackbird The SR-71's 1974 New York-to-London speed record still stands. Discussion of the famous "LA Speed Story" from former SR-71 pilot Brian Shul. Intel Update: The "401Rich and Cash Poor" Trap Keeping 1-3 years of retirement spending in a conservative reserve can reduce sequence-of-returns risk. ️ Understanding Financial Designations CFP® : Comprehensive financial planning. ChFC® : Broad planning similar to CFP®. AFC® : Financial behavior coaching. MQFP® : Military-specific planning. CPA, EA, CFA, RICP® and other specialty designations. How Advisors Get Paid Fee-Only: Paid only by clients. Fee-Based: Mix of fees and commissions. Commission-Based: Compensation tied to product sales. Key lesson: Understand exactly how an advisor gets paid before taking advice. ️ Fiduciaries & Red Flags Warning signs: Unclear fee explanations. Pressure to make decisions. Fear-based sales tactics. Product recommendations before understanding your goals. "Tax-free retirement" marketing claims. Using military affiliation primarily as a sales tool. Resources Mentioned Fiscal Foxhole: https://fiscalfoxhole.com Military Financial Advisors Association: https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org

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  Episode #49

  Trump Accounts Deep Dive

  Aug 26, 20261h 10m

  In this episode, Rob Moore, MQFP® and Omen Quelvog CFP®, MQFP® take a full deep dive into the newly launched Trump Accounts, separating the facts from the hype and discussing how these accounts actually work now that they're available. They also revisit emergency fund planning for military families and explore what happens when a child eventually takes control of a Trump Account. Contact Us: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com Book a meeting with Rob: https://www.prosperwitheverman.com/contact Book a meeting with Omen: https://www.4myndr.com/connect ️ Background The hosts recount the burning of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812. Intel Update: Emergency Funds for Military Families Military.com : How Much Money Should Military Families Have in an Emergency Fund in 2026? Standard recommendation remains 3-6 months of expenses , but transitions may require more. Trump Accounts: The Nuts and Bolts Opening an Account Requires IRS Form 4547 election and account activation Eligible children must be age 17 or younger during the election year. Contribution Rules Annual contribution limit: $5,000 per child . Contributions are after-tax and create basis Employer contributions can be made up to $2,500 per employee and count toward the annual limit. What Happens at Age 18? Account transitions to traditional IRA treatment. Assets can remain in the account, move to another custodian, or potentially be converted to Roth. The Roth Conversion Opportunity Hosts highlight Roth conversion as one of the strongest planning opportunities. Beware of kiddie tax rules and tax implications while children remain dependents. Are Trump Accounts Better Than Other Options? 529 plans remain superior for education funding. Taxable brokerage accounts offer greater flexibility. Trump Accounts appear most useful as a long-term retirement head start . Employer contributions and future Roth conversion strategies improve the account's attractiveness. Resources Trump Accounts Guide (courtesy of Omen): Trump Accounts Are Open: “Currently” Complete Guide to Contributions, Taxes, and Everything in Between MFAA: https://militaryfinancialadvisors.org Trump Accounts: https://www.trumpaccounts.com/

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