We're Back: Roth Conversions, AI That Negotiated a Car Deal, and What We've Been Up To (Ep. 125)

After a long break from the studio, Brent, Matthew, and Josh are back — and they've got a lot to catch up on. First up: Roth conversions. They're everywhere on social media, and clients are walking in the door asking about them. But should you actually do one? The guys break down when a Roth conversion makes sense, when it doesn't, and why paying the tax bill out of pocket changes the entire equation. Matthew shares a recent client projection that showed a million-dollar difference in inherited wealth — but it's not a slam dunk for everyone. Then the conversation shifts to AI — and it gets real. Brent tells the full story of how he used Claude to negotiate a car purchase entirely through text messages, landing the best price, the best rate, and catching a $3,000 paperwork error the dealership missed. Matthew talks about using AI to analyze his genetics and build a kid-friendly meal plan. And the team discusses how AI is already replacing medical scribes, editing podcasts, and doing the day-to-day work that used to take hours. They also get into the darker side of AI and social media — bots, AI slop, dead internet theory, and why arguing in comment sections might mean you're talking to a computer. The episode wraps with personal updates: Matt's reffing AYSO soccer, Josh's son just started T-ball on the Dodgers, and Brent's savoring his last season as Little League president before his son ages out. Timestamps 0:00 — Intro 1:00 — We're back! What happened and why 4:00 — Roth conversions: When they make sense (and when they don't) 5:00 — The social media hype around Roth conversions 7:00 — Writing a check to the IRS: The real test 8:00 — A million-dollar Roth conversion projection 9:30 — AI beyond ChatGPT: Where things are headed 11:00 — The leap from late 2025 to today 12:30 — How Matthew used AI to refresh the podcast 14:30 — Clients showing up with ChatGPT-generated financial plans 16:00 — AI for meal plans, grocery lists, and travel booking 17:00 — Brent's car negotiation story (using Claude) 21:00 — Human + AI vs. human alone 23:00 — AI in medicine: Scribes replaced, blood work analyzed 25:00 — AI fears vs. AI reality 27:00 — Dead internet theory and AI slop 29:00 — Why companies using AI are actually working more 31:00 — Paid vs. free AI models: Why it matters 33:00 — Personal updates: Kids, sports, and Orangetheory 39:00 — Closing Key Takeaways Roth conversions aren't for everyone — the real question is whether you can afford to write the tax check out of pocket, and whether inheritance planning is a priority for you. AI has leaped past "fix my email" — it can now negotiate, analyze, plan meals, and handle complex multi-step tasks in your daily life. If you're still using the free version of an AI tool, you're working with technology that's 2-3 years behind the paid models. The human + AI combo beats a human alone every time — for now. Social media drove the Roth conversion craze, and the tax cuts ended up getting extended anyway. Links & Resources Evermont Wealth: https://evermont.com Show Notes: https://retirementplanplaybook.com Call Us: (909) 296-7977 Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify