The Elliot Omanson Show

Trump’s State of the Union Was a Masterclass… Here’s Why

Trump just delivered the longest State of the Union in modern history — nearly two hours — and it may have been the most strategically calculated speech of his presidency.In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, Elliot breaks down what stood out, from the economic messaging and “America First” framing to the direct callouts of Democrats during the speech. He explains why he believes this address was designed as a rallying cry ahead of the midterms, how it sets up future campaign ads, and what it signals about the political battles still ahead — including the possibility of another impeachment fight.

Estate Planning & Trust Planning Integrated Into Your Financial Plan | Vanilla

Estate planning shouldn’t sit in a drawer collecting dust. In this video, Elliot explains how we’re modernizing the estate planning process at OWLFI using the Vanilla platform and integrating it directly into the broader financial plan.Vanilla allows trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives to be created or restated inside a clean digital system that actually maps out how assets flow. Instead of just reading legal documents, you can see how everything connects. The platform also identifies potential duplication issues, keeps documents aligned with current state laws, and makes ongoing updates simple and efficient.If you already have an existing trust or will, it can be uploaded, reviewed, and restated under today’s regulations. From there, everything integrates into OWLFI Navigator so estate planning, tax planning, and income strategy work together in one coordinated system.If you’d like to learn more or get started, reach out to our office and we’ll walk you through the process via Zoom or in person.

How Social Security Is Taxed — And How to Avoid the Tax Torpedo

Social Security taxes are one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning — especially when it comes to how much of your benefits can actually become taxable.In this episode, we break down how Social Security is taxed at the federal level, why up to 85% of your benefits can be included as taxable income, and how the provisional income calculation determines what you owe. We explain how IRA withdrawals, pensions, and Required Minimum Distributions can unexpectedly increase taxes through the so-called “tax torpedo,” and why strategic planning matters.We also discuss Roth conversions, withdrawal sequencing, Qualified Charitable Distributions, recent state tax changes, and the long-term funding outlook for Social Security — and how all of it ties into building a more tax-efficient retirement strategy.📩 If you'd like a personalized Roth conversion analysis, reach out to our team. Link to the OWLFI website with our contact info: https://www.owlfi.com/contact

Introducing Glen Omanson: Tax Preparation & Planning Now Included for OWLFI Clients

Elliot is introducing his brother, Glen Omanson of United Team Tax, who will now provide individual tax preparation and proactive, year-round tax planning for OWLFI clients as part of your ongoing relationship with the firm.Glen has been in the financial services industry since 2009 and holds the IRS's highest credential, Enrolled Agent (EA). His expertise focuses exclusively on individual taxation. Throughout his career—including time at institutions such as JP Morgan and Wells Fargo—he saw firsthand how investment advice was often given without proper tax coordination. His approach is different: he works proactively with clients to evaluate the tax impact of financial decisions before they are made, with the goal of reducing long-term tax liability and avoiding costly surprises.This update replaces the previous $100 monthly service fee and integrates individual tax preparation directly into our service model for clients with standard individual returns. For those with more complex needs—such as business entities, extensive real estate holdings, oil and gas investments, trusts, or corporate returns—we will continue coordinating with specialized professionals in those areas.To get started, Glen will typically request a copy of your 2024 tax return for review and comparison. From there, you can upload your 2025 documents through a secure online portal. Communication is simple and flexible, whether through the portal, email, text, or Zoom meetings. Everything is designed to be organized, efficient, and seamless.

Murphy's Market Minute | February 20, 2026

U.S. stocks are positive for the week with the major indices in the green as of Friday, as investors digested mixed economic data and a notable legal development on trade policy. The Supreme Court struck down broad tariff authority in a ruling this week, reducing the risk of sweeping new trade measures and providing a modest boost to investor sentiment.On the economic front, fourth-quarter GDP was revised to 1.4% annualized, sharply below the prior quarter’s 4.4% pace and under expectations near 2.5–2.8%, underscoring moderating economic momentum. Inflation data came in firmer than forecast. The PCE price index rose 0.4% month-over-month in December, above expectations of 0.3%, while Core PCE also increased 0.4%, bringing the year-over-year core rate to 3.0% — still well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Persistent inflation continues to complicate the timeline for potential rate cuts.Labor market data remained solid, with initial jobless claims at 206,000 for the week ended February 14, below expectations and indicative of ongoing employment strength. Industrial production rose 0.7% in January, beating forecasts, and February flash PMIs remained in expansion territory, with manufacturing at 51.2 and services at 52.3, signaling continued, though modest, economic activity.Taken together, the data reflect an economy that is cooling but not contracting. Markets have responded positively this week as trade uncertainty eased and economic data suggested resilience, though inflation remains high enough to keep the Federal Reserve cautious.

Murphy's Market Minute | February 13, 2026

This week’s focus centered on the January employment report and the latest inflation data, both of which play a critical role in shaping Federal Reserve policy expectations.The labor market remains stable. The economy added 130,000 jobs, well above expectations, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Average hourly wages rose 0.4% month over month and are up 3.7% year over year, signaling continued strength without clear signs of overheating. A steady employment environment supports ongoing economic expansion and reduces immediate pressure on the Federal Reserve to ease policy.Inflation data showed continued but gradual progress. Headline CPI increased 0.2% for the month, bringing year-over-year inflation down to 2.4%. Core CPI rose 0.3% month over month and stands at 2.5% year over year, still slightly above the Fed’s 2% target. While the overall trend remains constructive, the data does not yet justify an accelerated shift toward rate cuts.Adding broader context, recent GDP growth came in at a strong 4.4% annualized rate, reinforcing the strength of consumer spending and overall economic activity. With growth solid, employment steady, and inflation moderating but not fully cooled, the Federal Reserve has flexibility to remain patient.Following this week’s data, expectations for near-term rate cuts eased slightly. The Fed’s most recent projections suggest roughly one rate reduction later this year and modest easing into 2026, but the timing will remain dependent on continued progress in inflation.Markets reacted cautiously, with major indices finishing lower from last Friday’s close as investors recalibrated rate expectations rather than responding to economic weakness.

Sam Darnold Owes MORE in California Taxes Than His Super Bowl Bonus?!

California taxes just hit the Super Bowl — and Sam Darnold’s bill shocked everyone.After spending eight “duty days” in California leading up to the Super Bowl, Darnold reportedly owes roughly $249,000 in state income taxes — more than the $178,000 Super Bowl bonus paid to players on the winning team.In this episode, we break down how the NFL “duty day” tax formula works, why California’s 13.3% top rate matters, how Washington’s zero state income tax plays into this, and what this means for athletes choosing where to sign.We also zoom out into tax incidence, corporate taxes, and how state tax policy influences behavior — whether you’re an NFL quarterback or a business owner.

Murphy's Market Minute | February 6, 2026

Equity markets experienced early-week pressure, concentrated in large-cap technology, as investors assessed elevated AI-related capital spending and its potential impact on margins and growth durability. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq weakened mid-week amid uneven sector performance, while small-cap stocks showed relative resilience as the week progressed.Markets stabilized toward week’s end as selling pressure eased and participation broadened modestly, allowing major indexes to recover from intra-week lows. The Russell 2000 outperformed broader benchmarks for the week, reflecting continued rotation away from mega-cap growth and toward more economically sensitive areas.On the economic front, the ISM Manufacturing PMI for January rose to 52.6, returning to expansion territory for the first time in a year and exceeding expectations. Strength in new orders and production pointed to improving activity following a prolonged period of contraction.Labor data suggested gradual cooling rather than deterioration. December job openings declined to approximately 6.5 million, marking a multi-year low and indicating softer hiring demand. Initial jobless claims increased to 231,000 but remain within a range consistent with a historically stable labor market. Investors continue to monitor upcoming labor reports for further confirmation of trend direction.Treasury yields remained elevated overall, though they eased modestly later in the week as equity markets stabilized. Rate expectations continue to reflect a cautious Federal Reserve stance, with limited near-term policy easing currently priced in.

Roth Conversions Explained | How to Avoid Retirement Tax Bombs

Roth conversions could be the most important retirement tax strategy most investors ignore.In this educational breakdown, we explain how Roth accounts work, why conversions matter, and how they can help you avoid Social Security taxation, IRMAA Medicare surcharges, and unnecessary tax bracket jumps in retirement.If you have an IRA, 401(k), or brokerage account, this strategy could significantly impact your retirement taxes.We cover the difference between tax-deferred accounts, brokerage accounts, and Roth accounts — and why the Roth may be the most powerful bucket of money you can own.📩 If you'd like a personalized Roth conversion analysis, reach out to our team. Link to the OWLFI website with our contact info: https://www.owlfi.com/contact

40% of Stanford Students Claim Disability — Universities Are Training Victimhood

Nearly 40% of Stanford undergraduates now claim disability accommodations — not because they can’t function, but because the system rewards it.In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, we break down a shocking article exposing how elite universities incentivize students to identify as “disabled” to gain advantages like single dorms, extra time on exams, and academic exemptions. What starts on campus doesn’t stop there — it follows students into adulthood, shaping identity, entitlement, and dependency.We also connect this trend to broader government systems that reward victimhood, drawing parallels to military disability abuse, Ivy League double standards, and how institutions create winners and losers by design.This isn’t compassion — it’s conditioning.