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This week's blogpost - https://bahnsen.co/3RwqRr9 Trevor Cummings hosts the Thoughts on Money (TOM) podcast with Blaine Carver and blog author Matt Gregory to discuss Matt’s article on lifetime gifting versus waiting to transfer wealth at death. They explain the annual gift exclusion ($19,000 per person, doubled for married couples) and how repetition can move substantial amounts without using the federal lifetime exemption (about $15 million per person), especially when gifts are invested outside the taxable estate and annual limits may rise. They cover practical gifting methods such as direct payments for education and medical costs, using notes and annual loan forgiveness for home purchases, and trusts with guardrails to avoid harming children’s motivation. The conversation addresses state-level estate taxes (noting 13 states and Illinois’s $4 million threshold), the importance of communication, and cautions about AI advice and gifting appreciated stock due to basis and capital gains implications. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:37 Why Give While Living 02:41 What Holds Families Back 03:53 Client Conversations Driving It 05:47 Creative Gifting Strategies 06:54 Repetition Builds Wealth 09:42 Avoid Ruining the Kids 12:10 Training Wheels and Family Talks 14:14 Balancing Transparency and Prudence 18:36 Communication and Expectations 22:24 State Estate Tax Nuances 28:09 AI Advice and Hidden Pitfalls 32:22 Final Takeaways and Wrap Up Links mentioned in this episode: http://thoughtsonmoney.com http://thebahnsengroup.com