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(502) 426-0000 ∙ Roberts.cpa 201 Townepark Circle, Ste B-1 Louisville, KY 40243 163 Dennis Drive Lexington, KY 40503 EGG ROLLS AND HUMBLE HONORS Smart Money Monthly November 2025 THE TRUE GIFTS OF GRATITUDE
With how things are in the world these days, “thank you” is often the phrase you’ll likely hear the least. Many people’s days move faster than ever, and most of us have plenty of demands to contend with all day. In the hustle to get through the 16 or so hours on our plates every day, it’s very easy to lose sight of everything we’re thankful for and forget to express our gratitude to others for the positivity they add to our lives. Fortunately, I’m humbled to say this is rarely an issue at Roberts CPA Group. As a tax professional, I help my clients better understand their finances and guide them toward a clearer path to economic security. Some situations are easier to work through than others, and it’s always rewarding to know my clients trust me to sort things out for them. Knowing I’ve provided them with great care is enough to keep me going in this business, but the expressions of thanks I’ve received from many of them over the years have helped convince me I made the right choice in pursuing this profession.
words help, and it means a lot to me to know I’ve earned them. If you’re happy with my work, please consider letting others know about your experience via a few kind words in a review. It would help me immeasurably. Thinking about my clients’ appreciation makes me even more grateful for my current place in life. I have the great fortune of having a business and still like what I do. I’m healthy at 54, and my loved ones are doing well. My adult children have great spouses and are enjoying good lives. I can always make things better, like finding time to exercise more, but I write this cover article from a good place. There aren’t enough words to express how happy I am to know that. When you’re sitting at the table this Thanksgiving, enjoy every moment with those dearest to you. Take the time to reflect on everything (and everyone) that brings hope, peace, and contentment to your life. Even if
“DOING TAXES MAY NOT BE GLAMOROUS WORK, BUT IT’S ALWAYS GRATIFYING.”
Even during some of the busiest times of the year, I have clients who make it a point to thank me for what I do for them. One client sends me a handwritten thank-you note whenever we communicate throughout the year, and a couple always arrive at the office with freshly baked bread or treats. Another client treats me to homemade egg rolls, which are the best in the world! Doing taxes may not be glamorous work, but it’s always gratifying. Receiving these gifts and words of thanks is always a joy. I’d also like to thank everyone who’s thought enough of my services to post a positive review online. I can’t tell you how much that matters, especially as most people use the internet first to find businesses in their area. Your
you’re going through a rough time and may not identify these things easily, I assure you they still exist. Embrace them and say “thank you.” Our world is changing, but those words will never lose their meaning. —Kevin Roberts
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DO BUDGETING APPS ACTUALLY HELP OR JUST FEEL PRODUCTIVE?
That kind of visibility makes it easier to spot patterns, adjust habits, and make smarter financial choices day to day, often leading to better savings or faster debt payoff. Behavioral Change Made Easier Many apps teach a mindset and help users understand and align spending with values. They work on embracing true expenses, letting money age, and teaching individuals how to roll with the punches of stocks and other investments. Motivation Through Goal-Setting Whether you're saving $1,000 or planning a vacation, watching progress visually in an app keeps you motivated. Like fitness trackers, financial apps reward steady efforts with reports and nudges that reinforce positive habits. But are you just getting busier? T ime Sink or Digital Chore? Digging into your budget with an app can feel like opening a can of worms. There’s always another category to adjust, a mislabeled transaction to fix, or settings to fine-tune. While
many users appreciate the flexibility apps offer compared to traditional spreadsheets, the constant need to review and manage the details can still drain your focus and energy. Subscription Costs and Privacy Fears Premium features aren’t free. Apps like YNAB, Simplifi, or PocketGuard cost upward of $3–$15 a month. Some free apps monetize via data sharing or ads. Even with encryption, there’s always a risk when sensitive financial data is stored digitally. Restrictive Mindsets and Stress Budgeting tools that rigidly enforce every dollar allocated can sometimes foster anxiety around spending. Users may feel guilty even for small wants, or experience friction in social settings when budget limits feel oppressive rather than helpful. The choice is yours! Many users find the sweet spot: Use an app for automatic tracking, but limit deep interaction to weekly reviews. This approach combines insight without turning your budget into a marathon slog.
Keeping track of your money used to mean balancing checkbooks or jotting down expenses in a notebook. Today, it's as simple as downloading an app. Budgeting tools like YNAB and Monarch promise clarity, control, and smarter spending from your phone. But as more people use these digital money managers, a fair question arises: Are these apps helping us take control of our finances, or are they just another thing to manage in an already busy life? The case for ‘You’re better with apps.’ Instant Awareness and Insight Connect your accounts, and your entire spending picture comes into focus. You'll see real-time updates as purchases roll in, budget categories fill up, and savings goals progress.
Swift and Schwarzenegger’s Power-Play Secrets
THE BILLIONAIRE BLUEPRINT OF 2 ICONS
There’s rich, and then there’s Taylor-and-Arnold rich. Two of this decade’s most recognizable additions to the billionaire’s club demonstrate how skill in reviewing spreadsheets is sometimes more valuable than talent on stage or screen. Here’s how they each turned their popularity into empires. Swift’s Symphony of Success While decades past were filled with mega-selling music superstars ranging from Michael Jackson and Madonna to The Beatles and The Eagles, few professional music acts from the internet era have reached Taylor Swift’s jaw-dropping sales figures and wealth. Her 2024 album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” sold approximately 3.5 million copies, accounting for more than 6% of the entire music industry’s annual sales. As of June 2025, her net worth is an estimated $1.6 billion.
in recent years has benefited from her shrewd decision to re-record much of her back catalog, thus retaining control over the rights and royalties from the use of this newly recorded music in movies and other media forms. With her popularity at an all-time high as she approached her 20th anniversary as a recording artist in 2026, her foresight in securing the rights to her work will likely generate even more impressive profits in future years. Schwarzenegger’s Flex to Fortune
Whether wielding a sword on the big screen or steering the world of politics as a governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger has been a cultural mainstay for more than four decades. Last spring, he added “billionaire” to his list of impressive achievements. While at least half of his fortune can be credited to his foresight in negotiating percentages of the grosses from his hit films instead of settling for flat acting fees, his knack for investing in high-profile corporations like Starbucks and appearing in paid commercials helped him reach his current $1.1 billion rainy day fund.
Two critical factors have dramatically influenced the singer’s financial ascent in recent years. In 2023, she became a bona fide billionaire thanks to the overwhelming success of her “Eras” tour, a series of concerts that generated
more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Additionally, her income
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Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
Apple-Cranberry Salad
• 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette • 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
TAX TIME TWEAKS With today’s news cycle spinning faster than ever, many people may have missed the official word on whether their taxes may change sooner rather than later. The much-discussed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law in July. Now that we have more than mere speculation about how the law will impact taxpayers, here’s a quick overview of two pertinent new provisions recently enacted. New Rules for Tips and Overtime Under the new law, eligible employers and self-employed individuals can now deduct up to $25,000 in qualified voluntary cash or charged tips received from customers or through tip sharing in occupations where such tips are customary as defined by the IRS. For the self-employed, the deductions may not exceed the net income derived from their businesses. According to the IRS, these tip deductions are phased out for individuals with modified adjusted gross income over $150,000 (or for joint filers with more than $300,000). Self-employed individuals in a Specified Service Trade or Business (SSTB) under IRS Section 199A are not eligible for the deduction. Additionally, individuals can now deduct qualified premium overtime pay (the “half” portion of “time-and-a-half”) up to $12,500 for individuals and $25,000 for joint filers. This deduction phases out for individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is over $150,000 and for joint filers whose combined modified adjusted gross income exceeds $300,000. The new tip and overtime provisions remain in effect through 2028. New Deductions for Seniors Passage of OBBBA will soon affect seniors, as individuals aged 65 or older can now claim an additional $6,000 deduction on top of the standard one provided under existing rules. The new senior deduction jumps to $12,000 for married couples with two qualifying spouses and phases out at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers. Taxpayers must reach 65 by the last day of the taxable year to utilize the additional deduction. Additional information on these and other tax provisions passed through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is available at IRS.gov/newsroom/one-big- beautiful-bill-provisions. New Deductions to Know
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
SUDOKU
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 The Power of Thanks 2 Are Budgeting Apps Making Us Smarter or More Stressed? Celebrity Smarts Spark Empires 3 Big Budget Breaks Apple-Cranberry Salad 4 Navigating Life With Your Grown-Up Kids
When Parenting Grows Up Building a New Bond With Your Adult Children
When your kids grow up, the relationship inevitably shifts. Gone are the days of setting curfews and packing lunches. Instead, you face a new and sometimes awkward role: figuring out how to stay close without overstepping boundaries. But here’s the good news: A stronger, more fulfilling relationship is possible. It just takes some recalibration. Start seeing them as adults. Your child may still be “your baby” in your heart, but they also pay bills, make career decisions, and navigate adult relationships. Respecting their autonomy means holding back on unsolicited advice and treating their choices with the same respect you'd offer a close friend. Shift from manager to mentor. Parents are used to taking control, but once your child is grown, your role isn’t to direct; it’s to support. Think of yourself as a trusted advisor rather than a supervisor. Offer wisdom when asked, not directives, and when they choose differently than you would, support them even if it means learning by trial and error.
Let go of old baggage. Every parent-child relationship has its history: the highs, mistakes, and things you wish you’d done differently. Don’t let unresolved pain linger. Instead, create space for honest, judgment-free conversations. Apologize when needed and forgive generously. Remember, you’re not trying to rewrite the past. Your adult child might become a great friend, and that transition can be incredibly rewarding. Share parts of your life you might’ve once kept private: your struggles, passions, and dreams. When both sides show vulnerability, the relationship deepens. Stay curious. You’re building a better future. Embrace the new dynamic. Don’t assume you know everything about them. Ask open-ended questions. What lights them up? What stresses them out? Show genuine interest in their world, and they’ll be more likely to keep inviting you into it.
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