TreMonte

What if a portion of your digital ad budget is being wasted... and you don't even know it?
In this part of the episode, we talk about ad fraud and the staggering amount of money businesses lose to it every year.

One takeaway really stood out to me: it's no longer about whether you have ad fraud—it's about figuring out how much.

Before spending more on ads, it might be worth taking a closer look at where your traffic is actually coming from.

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Planning a vacation? You might be able to make part of it a tax deduction.

Here’s how it works:
• Attend a 3-day business seminar and stay an extra 2 days for vacation
• Flights, hotel, and meals for the business days may be deductible
• Vacation days are not deductible

Example: A $600 flight and $300/night hotel for 3 business days could create a $1,500 write-off (if properly documented).

Before booking your next trip, consider whether part of it can serve a legitimate business purpose. This video breaks it down step by step.

Many small business owners skip retirement plans because they think they’re just for big corporations. But the right setup doesn’t just build your future. It lowers your taxes today.

Three options for 2026:
(1) SEP IRA:
Contribute up to 25% of net income — deduct it all from taxes.

(2) SIMPLE IRA:
Great for small teams; contribute $17,000 plus a small company match.

(3) Solo 401(k):
The gold standard for solopreneurs — up to $72,000 in total contributions.

Retirement plans aren’t just for big companies. With the right plan, you can slash taxes and grow wealth simultaneously.

Most families assume a will is enough BUT it often doesn’t avoid probate.

A Revocable Trust acts like a “legal switch”.

• While alive:
You maintain full control — add, change, or cancel assets at any time.

• After passing:
The trust flips to irrevocable, transferring assets privately and instantly — no court delays, no public record.

Protect your home, business, and investments while keeping your family out of months of probate stress.

We break down why revocable trusts are essential for homeowners and business owners.

It’s amazing how one step toward entrepreneurship can change everything.

In this episode of Balance Your Wealth, Molly Rose Speed talks about how she started her journey and eventually built the Virtual Assistant Academy. She’s now helping tons of people turn freelancing into a real career and thrive in the online business world.

If you’ve ever thought about starting something of your own or creating more freedom in your work life, you’ll love this episode.

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Still filing as a sole proprietor? You might be leaving $6,000+ on the table each year.

Switching to an S-Corp allows you to legally reduce self-employment taxes. Here’s how it works...

• Salary:
Pay yourself a reasonable wage — this portion is subject to 15.3% Self-Employment Tax.

• Distribution:
Take the remaining profit as owner distributions — no 15.3% tax.

Example: On $100k profit, labeling $40k as distribution could save over $6,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes.

We break down the math and shows how to do this legally and strategically.

Going to a conference soon? Don’t just rely on luck to get results.

In this episode, we talk about a three-step approach that makes conference attendance much more effective. First, have a solid strategy. Next, make sure your owned content—like your website, messaging, and unique value—is clear. Then, collect earned media like testimonials and credibility. Only after that should you think about paid marketing.

This approach changed the way I look at conferences—and it can do the same for you.

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Business meals aren’t as straightforward as they used to be, but knowing the rules can save you big on taxes.

2026 Business Meal Deductions:
• 50% Deductible: Client lunches, travel meals, office coffee and snacks
• 100% Deductible: Company parties, team events, marketing meals for the public
• 0% Deductible: Social dinners with friends, entertainment, convenience meals

Example: Spending $1,000 on the right mix of meals could yield a $750 tax deduction.

STOP GUESSING. Start maximizing your deductions.

Katie Brinkley said she knew she “made it” when she took her first laptop-free vacation.

Not a revenue milestone.
Not an award.
Not a big client.

Just the ability to leave… and not check her phone.

That’s the entrepreneur journey. In the beginning, you’re answering messages everywhere (even in the hospital). But real success is when you can finally unplug.

What does success look like for you?

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This quote stopped me in my tracks: “You happen to the world, not the other way around.”

Lisa Even talks about how if you want something to be different, better, or even just possible, you have to get out there and do it. No waiting. No hoping someone else will fix it. That’s leadership, whether it’s at work or in life.

If that idea resonates with you, this part of the episode is worth a listen.

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