Episodes
March 15, 2025
LIVE SHOW REPLAY: What's Changing in Your 401(k) in 2025—and What Does It Mean for You?
Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of financial freedom, and spoiler alert: it’s all about breaking free from that pesky financial stress. Our financial evangelist, Ralph Estep Jr., is here to guide us through some ser...
March 14, 2025
Confused About How Your Rental Property Affects Your Taxes?
Are rental property taxes giving you a headache? Don’t worry, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of rental property taxes today! We’ll break down everything from dreaded IRS audits to those sneaky red flags you should avoid l...
March 13, 2025
Self-Employment Tax Got You Stressed? Learn Exactly What It Is and How to Pay Less
Are you self-employed and feeling the pressure of self-employment tax? Trust me, you’re not alone! This episode dives headfirst into the nitty-gritty of self-employment tax—what it is, how it works, and most importantly, how ...
March 12, 2025
Self-Filing Taxes: Are You Making These Common Errors That Could Land You In Trouble With The IRS?
Are you feeling like tax season is a beast you just can't wrestle? Well, buckle up, because we’re diving into the wild world of self-filing taxes! Today, we're uncovering the most common pitfalls that could send you straight ...
March 11, 2025
Are You Inviting Financial Trouble by Automatically Filing Taxes Jointly With Your Spouse?
Are you automatically filing taxes jointly with your spouse? Well, hold onto your calculators, because that might not be the best idea! Today, we’re diving deep into the potential pitfalls of joint filing and how it could lea...
March 10, 2025
How do you turn reasonable cause into IRS penalty forgiveness?
Are IRS penalties keeping you up at night? Well, today we're diving into the world of reasonable cause, where there's a chance to wipe those pesky penalties off the books! Our listener, Tiffany, reached out for some relief, a...
March 8, 2025
Can you truly live generously on a tight budget?
Are you feeling the squeeze on your wallet but still want to give? Well, you’re in the right place! Today, we’re tackling that big question: can you live generously on a tight budget? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes, and we’...
March 7, 2025
Is the 30% rule for housing costs still a wise guideline today?
Is the 30% rule for housing still practical in today’s economy? In this episode of the Ask Ralph Show , Ralph Estep, our financial evangelist, is joined by Craig Van Slyke to unpack this widely accepted guideline, exploring h...
March 6, 2025
Are you sacrificing your future by taking social security too soon?
Are you wondering if taking Social Security too soon could mess with your future? Today, we’re diving into a super important question that could totally shape your retirement game plan. We’ll break down how claiming Social Se...
March 5, 2025
Are you ready for the IRS when earning extra income?
Are you diving into the gig economy, raking in some extra dough from side gigs, freelance work, or selling stuff online? Well, buckle up, because we’re tackling the crucial topic of tax obligations that come with that newfoun...
March 4, 2025
Does divorce have to be painful? Avoiding financial and tax traps
Divorce can feel like a big ol' mountain, but today we're diving into how to make that climb a little less daunting. We're here to discuss about the financial and tax traps that can really catch you off guard during this toug...
March 3, 2025
Are you truly ready to retire or are these financial habits holding you back?
Ready to dive into the wild world of retirement? We're tackling the big question: Are your financial habits keeping you from the golden years you’ve been dreaming of? Spoiler alert: If you’re worried about outliving your savi...
March 2, 2025
What happens to your debt when you’re no longer here?
Losing a loved one is already an overwhelming experience, but discovering they left behind a mountain of hidden debt can make it even more challenging. In this episode, we tackle the tough realities of managing a deceased fam...
March 1, 2025
How Can Faith and Wisdom Break the Chains of Debt?
Feeling like you’re buried under a mountain of debt? Yeah, it can feel like a relentless thief robbing you of your peace and joy. Today, we’re diving into how your faith in God can help you break those chains of financial des...
Feb. 28, 2025
Could Diligence and Discipline Slash Your Shopping Bill?
It's all about breaking free from that pesky financial despair today! Ralph Estep Jr., our financial evangelist, tackles the real-world struggles of living paycheck to paycheck, crushing debt, and the dream of a stress-free r...
Feb. 27, 2025
Which Retirement Expenses Should You Never Cut Corners On?
Worried about running out of cash in retirement? Don’t sweat it! Today, we’re diving into the retirement expenses you absolutely should never skimp on. Spoiler alert: we’re talking healthcare, housing, utilities, and nutritio...
Feb. 26, 2025
How Do You Safeguard Family Wealth From the Grip of Slot Machines?
Today, we're diving deep into the wild world of slot machine addiction and how it can totally wreck your family's finances and well-being. If you or someone you know is caught in this whirlwind, you’re not just losing cash; i...
Feb. 25, 2025
Should You Always Pay Cash, or Is There a Better Way?
Are you stuck in the never-ending tug-of-war between cash and credit? Well, today we're diving headfirst into this financial dilemma, giving you the scoop on whether cash really is king or if credit cards can have a place in ...
Feb. 24, 2025
What If Achieving Financial Fitness Was as Easy as Your Daily Workout?
Feeling overwhelmed by your finances? You're not alone! Today, we're diving into how managing your money can be as easy as sticking to a daily workout routine. Just like getting fit takes consistent effort, so does achieving ...
Feb. 23, 2025
Overwhelmed by tax prep? How to decide between software and an accountant with confidence.
Tax season can be a total nightmare, right? We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of whether you should tackle your taxes with software or call in the pros. I mean, we've got some juicy tales from folks who thought they could DI...
Feb. 22, 2025
How do you trust God when your finances are falling apart?
Feeling like your bank account's disappearing faster than your last slice of pizza? You're definitely not alone! Today, we’re diving into how to trust God even when your finances are a hot mess. I mean, if you've ever found y...
Feb. 21, 2025
What’s the secret to deducting home equity loan interest? Find out now!
Feeling trapped by debt and living paycheck to paycheck? Well, there's a light at the end of that tunnel! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into how to break free from financial stress and align your cash flow with what r...
Feb. 20, 2025
Can my marriage survive the secret of my financial infidelity?
So, picture this: you discover your partner’s been hiding a mountain of credit card debt like it’s a secret family recipe. Yikes, right? Financial infidelity can hit just as hard as a physical affair, leaving you feeling all ...
Feb. 19, 2025
Lost a loved one and facing tax questions? Here’s everything you should know.
Got a heavy heart and a mountain of tax paperwork? You're not alone, my friend. Losing a loved one is tough enough, but then there's the challenge of navigating their tax affairs—yikes! In this episode, we dive into the nitty...