Episodes
How a Roth IRA Turns Dividends Into Tax-Free Income
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how dividend-paying stocks and funds inside a Roth IRA can generate truly tax-free income in retirement. They break down the mechanics of qualified dividends, the impact of the 0%, 15%, and 20% capital gains brackets, and why the Roth wrapper changes the math entirely. Using a concrete example of a $200,000 portfolio yielding 3%, they illustrate how tax drag on dividends in a taxable account compares to the tax-free growth in a…
How the Tax-Free Growth in a Roth IRA Compounds Over Decades
Lucas and Luna unpack the real engine of a Roth IRA: tax-free compounding. Using a concrete example, they walk through how a $6,500 annual contribution growing at 7 percent becomes over $1.1 million in 40 years — with zero tax on withdrawals. They explain the difference between tax-deferred and tax-free growth, why the Roth's lack of required minimum distributions matters for your legacy, and how even small early contributions can outpace larger later ones. They also touch on the 2026…
Why Your Roth IRA Should Be a Lifelong Emergency Fund
Conventional wisdom says an emergency fund belongs in cash. But for millions of Americans, the Roth IRA offers something better: tax-free growth, penalty-free access to contributions, and a safety net that grows with you. On this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna unpack the strategy of using a Roth IRA as a lifelong emergency fund. They walk through the mechanics of withdrawing contributions tax-free and penalty-free at any age, why the five-year rule doesn't apply to…
How to Use a Roth IRA for Tax-Free Roth IRA Withdrawals in Retirement
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dive into a strategy that often gets overlooked: using your Roth IRA to generate tax-free income during retirement by carefully timing your withdrawals. They break down the five-year aging rules, the ordering of contributions and earnings, and how to avoid the 10 percent early withdrawal penalty. Using a real-world example of a 55-year-old planner who wants to retire at 60, they show how to structure withdrawals to keep every dollar…
How to Use a Roth IRA for Tax-Free Charitable Giving
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known Roth IRA strategy: using your tax-free account to fund charitable donations in retirement. They break down how qualified charitable distributions from a Roth IRA work, the tax advantages for donors, and the potential to reduce your taxable income while supporting causes you care about. With a focus on the 2026 tax landscape, they discuss donor-advised funds, the 60% adjusted gross income limit for cash donations, and how to coordinate Roth…
How a Backdoor Roth IRA Works Without the Tax Trap
In this milestone episode 150 of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna tackle the backdoor Roth IRA—a strategy that lets high earners contribute to a Roth even when income limits block them. They walk through the mechanics step-by-step, from opening a traditional IRA to converting it to Roth, and explain why the pro-rata rule can turn a clean conversion into a tax headache. They also compare the backdoor Roth with its sibling, the mega backdoor Roth, and discuss what 2026 changes might mean for…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Tax-Free Travel for Retirement
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore an often-overlooked use of Roth IRA funds: tax-free travel in retirement. They discuss how you can use your Roth IRA to cover travel expenses without incurring taxes, the importance of having a travel budget within your retirement plan, and strategies to maximize your tax-free travel income. With real-world examples and practical tips, this episode helps you dream about your retirement travels while keeping your finances on track.…
How to Use Your Roth IRA to Cover Long-Term Care Costs
Episode 148 of the Roth IRA podcast with Lucas and Luna looks beyond the usual retirement income angle to a little-discussed but vital use: paying for long-term care. With health-care costs in retirement often underestimated, the hosts explain how a Roth IRA's tax-free withdrawals can be a strategic tool for covering assisted living, home health aides, or nursing home expenses without pushing you into a higher tax bracket. They walk through the math on a realistic scenario—how a married couple…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Tax-Free Childcare Costs
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising but practical use of a Roth IRA: covering childcare and education expenses tax-free. They break down the rules, the five-year holding period, and how contributions—not earnings—can be withdrawn anytime without penalty, making a Roth a stealthy savings vehicle for young families. Using a concrete example of a couple saving for preschool, they calculate the tax savings and discuss strategies for maximizing contributions while managing cash…
How to Estimate Your Roth IRA Lifetime Tax Savings
Episode 146 of Roth IRA with Fexingo looks at the often-overlooked math behind Roth IRA contributions: just how much in taxes can you actually save over a lifetime? Lucas and Luna break down a realistic scenario—a 30-year-old earning $70,000 who maxes out contributions until age 65—and compare two strategies: a traditional IRA with deductible contributions versus a Roth IRA with tax-free withdrawals. They walk through the assumptions, the estimated tax savings, and the flexibility factor, and…
Roth IRA Tax-Free Passive Income Streams for Retirement
In Episode 145 of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how to build tax-free passive income within a Roth IRA, focusing on dividend stocks, REITs, and covered call strategies. They break down the math behind a hypothetical $500,000 portfolio generating $20,000 a year in tax-free dividends, discuss the rules around unrelated business income tax (UBIT) for REITs, and explain why a covered call ETF like JEPI might fit into a Roth. The episode also touches on the 2026 contribution limits…
The Roth IRA Five-Year Clock Explained and Simplified
The five-year rule is one of the most misunderstood parts of a Roth IRA, and it can trip up even careful savers. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the rule with a concrete example: a listener who converted a traditional IRA to a Roth in 2020 and is now eyeing a tax-free withdrawal in 2026. They walk through the five-year clock for conversions, the separate clock for contributions, and the penalty exceptions that matter. They also clear up the difference between the five-year rule for…
The Five-Year Rule for Inherited Roth IRAs
Inheriting a Roth IRA comes with a maze of rules, and the five-year clock is the trickiest part. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down how the inherited Roth IRA five-year rule works, who it applies to, and how to avoid a surprise tax bill. They walk through the key distinction between the original owner's five-year period and the beneficiary's own holding period, and explain what happens if you inherit a Roth that hasn't met the five-year test yet. Using a concrete example of a sibling…
How to Pass a Roth IRA to Your Spouse Tax-Free and Keep the Benefits
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore what actually happens to a Roth IRA when one spouse dies — and why the surviving spouse has options that no other beneficiary gets. They walk through the spousal rollover versus the inherited IRA choice, the key difference between treating the account as your own versus keeping it as an inherited account, and how the five-year clock and required minimum distribution rules apply differently in each case. They also discuss why a Roth IRA is the single most…
How to Open a Custodial Roth IRA for Your Child
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how parents can open a custodial Roth IRA for their children, turning a summer job into decades of tax-free compounding. They break down the earned income requirement, the 2026 contribution limits (the lesser of the child's earnings or $7,000), and the logistics of setting up a custodial account at major brokerages. Using a concrete example of a 16-year-old earning $3,000 from a part-time job, they show how that $3,000 could grow…
How to Use a Roth IRA for Tax-Free Royalties from Intellectual Property
In Episode 140 of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a powerful but overlooked strategy: using a self-directed Roth IRA to own intellectual property and collect tax-free royalties. They walk through how a patent holder or author can assign licensing income to their Roth IRA LLC, the IRS rules around prohibited transactions and UBIT, and a concrete example of a freelance writer who directed book royalties into her Roth IRA. If you have a creation that generates passive income, this…
How Your Roth IRA Can Fund a First Home Down Payment Tax-Free
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the rules for using your Roth IRA to fund a first-time home purchase tax-free. They cover the five-year rule, the $10,000 earnings limit, the difference between contributions and earnings withdrawals, and when this strategy makes sense versus a 401(k) loan. With a practical example for a couple aiming to buy in late 2026, they show how to tap your Roth without derailing your retirement. If you're a first-time buyer considering…
How to Do a Roth IRA Conversion in 2026 Avoiding the Tax Trap
Episode 138 of Roth IRA with Fexingo breaks down the Roth conversion mistake that costs investors thousands: the pro-rata rule. Lucas and Luna walk through a concrete example of a $100,000 traditional IRA with after-tax contributions, explaining why you can't convert only the tax-free portion. They cover the optimal timing for conversions, how the five-year rule applies, and whether converting in 2026 makes sense given potential marginal rate sunsets. Plus: the SEPP exception for early…
How to Self-Direct Your Roth IRA into Alternative Assets Tax-Free
Most Roth IRA owners limit themselves to stocks, bonds, and ETFs. But the IRS allows you to self-direct your Roth IRA into a much wider range of assets—real estate, private company shares, cryptocurrency, precious metals, even vending machine routes. In this episode, Lucas and Luna walk through the mechanics of a self-directed Roth IRA, using a real-world example of an investor who bought a small vending machine business inside her Roth, generating tax-free income. They discuss the role of a…
Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA How to Choose in 2026
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the classic retirement dilemma: traditional IRA vs Roth IRA. Using the 2026 tax brackets and contribution limits, they walk through a concrete example of a single filer earning $70,000 and show how the decision hinges on your current versus expected future tax rate. They cover income phaseouts, the backdoor Roth strategy, and the power of tax diversification. By the end, you'll know which account makes sense for your…
How the Roth IRA Five-Year Rule Works and How to Plan Around It
Many Roth IRA owners assume all withdrawals are tax-free, but the five-year rule can trigger unexpected taxes and penalties. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the two five-year rules — one for contributions and one for conversions — using a concrete example. You'll learn why each conversion has its own clock, how to avoid the 10% penalty, and how to plan withdrawals so you don't get caught off guard. If you've ever considered a Roth conversion or plan to tap your Roth before…
How to Save Over 76000 Tax-Free with a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the mega backdoor Roth IRA strategy—a powerful but often overlooked way to stash more than $76,000 in Roth accounts in 2026. They explain the two-step process: making after-tax contributions to your workplace 401(k) and then converting them to a Roth IRA. You'll learn which employer plans allow it, how to avoid the pro-rata trap, and whether this strategy makes sense for high earners who have already maxed out their regular…
How Your Roth IRA Can Fund a Small Business Startup Tax-Free
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how you can use your Roth IRA to fund a small business startup without triggering taxes or penalties. They break down the key distinction between withdrawing contributions (always tax-free) versus earnings (subject to rules). Using a concrete example of a $50,000 withdrawal for a bakery launch, they walk through the opportunity cost, the importance of maintaining retirement savings discipline, and how to treat the business as an…
How Your Roth IRA Can Fund Professional Certification Tax-Free
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Roth IRA contributions can be used to pay for professional certification fees and exam costs completely tax-free. They break down the rules: contributions can be withdrawn anytime without taxes or penalties, making them ideal for one-time expenses like the CFA, PMP, or CPA exams. Using a concrete example of a $3,000 certification for a project management credential, they show how tapping Roth contributions avoids the double taxation of using a taxable…
How a Roth IRA Creates a Tax-Free Legacy for Your Heirs
Episode 131 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores a powerful yet often overlooked benefit: leaving a tax-free inheritance. Lucas and Luna break down the mechanics of the Roth IRA as an estate-planning tool, using a concrete example of a couple who turned $600,000 in contributions into $1.2 million for their children — all tax-free. They discuss the five-year rule for beneficiaries, the difference between Roth and traditional IRA inheritance, and strategies like using a stretch IRA (post-SECURE Act)…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Tax-Free Home Renovations
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how you can use your Roth IRA to pay for home renovations completely tax-free. They walk through the rules around qualified distributions, the five-year waiting period, and how contributions (but not earnings) can be withdrawn anytime without penalty. Lucas shares a real example: a listener who used $30,000 in Roth contributions to remodel a kitchen, saving thousands in capital gains taxes. They also discuss how to plan major…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Tax-Free Real Estate Syndication Investments
In Episode 129 of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a fresh angle for experienced investors: using a self-directed Roth IRA to invest in real estate syndications tax-free. They walk through the mechanics of a self-directed IRA custodian, the due diligence required for syndication deals, and a concrete example of a $50,000 investment growing to $200,000 over five years with zero taxes owed on distributions. Lucas explains the difference between passive syndication (limited partner)…
How to Use a Roth IRA for Tax-Free Early Retirement Withdrawals
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore the strategy of using a Roth IRA to fund early retirement through tax-free withdrawals of contributions. They break down the five-year rule, the ordering rules for contributions vs. earnings, and how a 45-year-old can access their Roth funds penalty-free before age 59 and a half. The hosts walk through a concrete example: someone who retires at 45 with $200,000 in Roth contributions and needs $30,000 a year for five years until…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Tax-Free Long-Term Care Insurance
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a powerful but overlooked use of Roth IRA funds: paying for long-term care insurance premiums tax-free. With the median annual cost of a private nursing home room now exceeding $108,000 according to Genworth's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, long-term care represents one of the biggest uninsured risks in retirement. Lucas breaks down how Roth IRA contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time for any reason without taxes or…
How Your Roth IRA Can Fund a Family Emergency Tax-Free
Episode 126 of Roth IRA with Fexingo: Tax-Free Retirement Accounts and Long-Term Investment Strategy. Lucas and Luna explore how a Roth IRA can serve as a powerful emergency fund for unexpected family crises—from urgent home repairs to medical emergencies. They break down the rules for penalty-free withdrawals of contributions, the five-year rule for earnings, and why a Roth IRA might be a better backup than a traditional emergency savings account. Lucas shares a real example: a listener who…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Tax-Free Adoption
In episode 125 of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a fresh angle: using Roth IRA contributions to cover adoption expenses tax-free. They break down the IRS rules, the specific ordinary and necessary costs that qualify, and how early-withdrawal exceptions work for qualified adoption expenses. Lucas shares a real example of a couple who pulled $15,000 from their Roth to cover agency fees and legal costs without tax penalties. Luna asks about the distinction between contributions and…
How Your Roth IRA Can Fund a Pet Emergency Tax-Free
Episode 124 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores using Roth IRA contributions for veterinary emergencies. Lucas and Luna break down how the 5-year rule and contribution basis work when your dog needs surgery or your cat has a sudden illness. They walk through a real scenario: a $3,000 emergency vet bill for a golden retriever named Max, showing how to access funds without triggering taxes or penalties. The hosts clarify the difference between withdrawing contributions versus earnings, and why a…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Gap Year Travel Tax-Free
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the strategy of using your Roth IRA to fund a gap year or extended travel tax-free. They break down the specific rules: contributions can be withdrawn at any time without taxes or penalties, but earnings require a five-year wait and age 59½. Using real-world numbers, they show how a 30-year-old could save $30,000 in contributions over five years to finance a $3,000-per-month, 10-month trip. They contrast this with a traditional IRA or 401(k) withdrawal…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Tax-Free Graduate School Tuition
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the rules for using Roth IRA contributions and earnings to pay for graduate school tuition tax-free. They break down the five-year rule, the difference between contributions and earnings, and how a typical MBA student might structure withdrawals to avoid penalties. Using a concrete example of a 29-year-old with $80,000 in Roth IRA contributions and $20,000 in earnings, they show how the first $80,000 of tuition is always tax-free, and the earnings can be…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Career Change Tax-Free
Thinking of switching careers but worried about the financial hit? In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how a Roth IRA can be a strategic tool to fund a mid-career pivot. They break down the rules around withdrawing contributions (not earnings) tax- and penalty-free, and walk through a concrete example: a 35-year-old marketing manager who wants to spend two years retraining as a data analyst. They discuss the 5-year rule for conversions, the importance of keeping…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Sabbatical Tax-Free
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore an underused strategy: using Roth IRA contributions to fund a career break or sabbatical. They walk through the rules—contribution withdrawals are always tax- and penalty-free, while earnings have restrictions—and discuss how one listener, a marketing manager named Sarah, used $45,000 in contributions to travel for 12 months without tax consequences. The hosts compare this to other funding methods like 401(k) loans and savings…
Using Your Roth IRA to Pay for a Wedding
Episode 119 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores a little-known strategy: using your Roth IRA contributions to cover wedding expenses tax-free. Lucas and Luna break down the five-year rule, the difference between contributions and earnings, and how to plan ahead if you're a parent or couple funding a wedding. They walk through a real example using the average US wedding cost of $30,000 and show how disciplined Roth contributions over 5–7 years could cover a big chunk of that bill. They also…
How to Use Your Roth IRA for Tax-Free Backdoor Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a little-known strategy: using a self-directed Roth IRA to invest in real estate tax-free. They walk through the mechanics of a self-directed IRA custodian, the rules against self-dealing, and how to structure an LLC-owned rental property inside your Roth. Using a concrete example—a $150,000 duplex in Cleveland with an 8% cap rate—they show how $30,000 in annual rental income could grow to over $1 million tax-free in 20 years.…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Down Payment on a Second Home
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how you can use your Roth IRA to fund a down payment on a second home. They break down the key rules: contributions can be withdrawn anytime tax-free and penalty-free, while earnings may be penalized if taken before age 59.5. The hosts discuss a case study of a listener who tapped their Roth IRA to buy a vacation rental in Sedona, Arizona, using contribution withdrawals to avoid penalties. They cover the five-year rule for…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Your Emergency Fund Tax-Free
Episode 116 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores a strategic but under-discussed use of the Roth IRA: as a dual-purpose account that can serve as both a retirement vehicle and an emergency fund. Lucas and Luna break down the rule that allows tax- and penalty-free withdrawals of contributions at any time, and how that makes the Roth IRA uniquely suited to cover unexpected expenses like job loss or major car repairs. They walk through a concrete example: someone with a $50,000 salary who contributes…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Family Vacation Tax-Free
Episode 115 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores a little-known strategy: using Roth IRA contributions to pay for a big family vacation without penalties or taxes. Lucas and Luna walk through the rules—contributions can be withdrawn anytime tax-free and penalty-free—and a specific example: a family of four planning a $15,000 trip to Japan. They discuss the five-year rule for earnings, the importance of keeping receipts, and how this fits into a broader financial plan. Listeners will learn one…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Cross-Country Move
Episode 114 explores a niche but powerful use of Roth IRA funds: financing a cross-country relocation. Lucas and Luna break down the mechanics — contributions can be withdrawn anytime tax-free and penalty-free, while earnings withdrawals for first-time home purchases ($10,000 lifetime limit) can help with moving costs if buying a new home. They discuss a hypothetical couple, Jen and Mark, who moved from Chicago to Austin for a job, using $15,000 in contributions and $10,000 in earnings for a…
How a Roth IRA Can Pay for Your Childs Special Education
Episode 113 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores an often-overlooked provision: using Roth IRA contributions to fund special education expenses tax-free. Lucas and Luna break down the IRS rules on qualified education expenses, the critical distinction between contributions and earnings, and the real-world case of a family in Ohio who used $24,000 in Roth contributions to pay for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and a specialized tutor for their child with dyslexia. Learn how to document…
Using Your Roth IRA to Fund a Small Business Startup
Episode 112 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores a powerful but often overlooked strategy: using your Roth IRA to fund a small business startup. Lucas and Luna break down the mechanics—how contributions can be withdrawn tax- and penalty-free at any time, and how the 5-year rule applies to conversions. They walk through a concrete example: launching a food truck with $30,000 in Roth contributions, showing exactly how the math works and what the IRS allows. They also cover the risks: opportunity…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund a Child's Private School Tuition
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a powerful but little-known strategy: using your Roth IRA to pay for a child's private elementary or high school tuition tax-free and penalty-free. They break down the specific IRS rules that allow withdrawals for qualified education expenses, including K-12 tuition, and compare it to 529 plans. Lucas explains the contribution-order rules that make this possible — contributions come out first, always tax-free — and Luna questions…
How a Roth IRA Can Pay for Adoption Expenses Tax-Free
Episode 110 explores a little-known provision: using Roth IRA contributions to cover qualified adoption expenses tax-free and penalty-free. Lucas and Luna break down the IRS rules, including the maximum annual contribution limits for 2026 ($7,000, or $8,000 if age 50+), the five-year account aging requirement, and how contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time for any reason. They walk through a realistic scenario: a couple adopting a child, facing $30,000 in adoption agency…
How Roth IRA Contributions Can Fund a Home Renovation
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a lesser-known rule: using Roth IRA contributions (not earnings) to pay for a home renovation tax-free and penalty-free. They walk through the five-year rule, the distinction between contributions and conversions, and a concrete example of a couple funding a $30,000 kitchen remodel. They also compare this strategy to a home equity loan and highlight the opportunity cost of withdrawing contributions early. The episode closes with a forward-looking question…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Your Childrens Custody Legal Fees
Episode 108 of Roth IRA with Fexingo explores an often-overlooked provision: using your Roth IRA contributions to pay for child custody legal fees tax-free and penalty-free. Lucas and Luna break down the difference between contributions and earnings, the five-year rule for conversions, and how to document withdrawals to avoid IRS complications. They walk through a realistic scenario: a single parent needing $15,000 for a custody modification, showing exactly how the math works and what traps to…
How a Roth IRA Can Pay for Your Family's Medical Bills Tax-Free
In this episode of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a little-known but powerful use of Roth IRA funds: paying for qualified medical expenses tax-free. They walk through a real-world scenario involving a listener named Priya, who used her Roth IRA to cover a $12,000 emergency surgery without incurring penalties or taxes. Lucas explains the key IRS rules around medical expense withdrawals, including the five-year rule and what counts as a qualified medical expense. Luna shares a…
How a Roth IRA Can Fund Your Digital Nomad Lifestyle
In episode 106 of Roth IRA with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how a Roth IRA can fund a digital nomad lifestyle tax-free. They walk through the specific rules: contributions can be withdrawn anytime without penalty, but earnings require a five-year aging period and age 59½. Using a concrete example of a 35-year-old freelancer who saved $40,000 in contributions over five years, they explain how that money could cover a year of travel while the remaining growth compounds untouched. They also…
Showing the latest 50 episodes. The full archive of 155 is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every major podcast app — or via the RSS feed above.