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Fiscal Foxhole

Fiscal Foxhole

By: Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog
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Hosted by Army Veteran Rob Moore MQFP®, and Marine Veteran Omen Quelvog CFP® MQFP®, The Fiscal Foxhole is where military grit meets financial smarts. Whether you're active duty, a veteran, or retired, we dive deep into the money matters that matter most—from budgeting and investing to benefits and retirement planning.

But don’t expect a dry lecture—we mix in humor, banter, and the occasional war story to keep things light while tackling serious financial topics. It’s finance with a foxhole twist: practical, patriotic, and just a little bit rowdy.

Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog
Economics Personal Finance Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Living Overseas after the Military w/ Spencer Reese
    Jun 24 2026

    This week in the Foxhole, Omen Quelvog and Rob Moore break down a high-profile IPO, honor a fallen hero, and welcome Spencer Reese from Military Money Manual for a powerful conversation on living—and thriving—overseas.

    🔗 Connect with us!

    • Book a meeting with Omen
    • Book a meeting with Rob
    • Check out our sponsors - MFAA

    🇺🇸 This Week in Military History

    In June 2005, Lt. Michael Murphy led a Navy SEAL team during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. Facing overwhelming enemy fire, he exposed himself to call for help—ultimately sacrificing his life.

    His legacy lives on through the Murph Challenge:

    • 1 mile run
    • 100 pull-ups
    • 200 push-ups
    • 300 squats
    • 1 mile run

    A humbling reminder of service and sacrifice.

    📰 Headline: SpaceX IPO Deep Dive

    Read it here: SpaceX IPO Deep Dive: The Hype, the Price, and the Opportunity -

    SpaceX enters the public market amid massive hype—and big questions.

    Key takeaways:

    • Valuation disconnect: ~$1.5T vs. ~$780B estimate
    • Demand + hype are driving price (not just fundamentals)
    • IPOs often spike early… then settle over time

    💡 Investor insight: If you own broad index funds, you’ll likely own SpaceX eventually—without chasing it.

    🌍 Guest Interview: Spencer Reese (Military Money Manual)

    Spencer brings a global perspective on military finances, sharing lessons from life overseas.

    🌎 Living Abroad as a Veteran

    • VA disability payments follow you anywhere
    • GI Bill can be used overseas (plus possible housing + local stipends)

    🏥 Healthcare Abroad

    • Many countries offer low-cost or free public care
    • Private insurance can be shockingly affordable

    ✈️ Before You Move Overseas

    • Test it first: live there for 1–2 months
    • Understand visa/residency requirements

    💬 Quality of Life

    • Lower cost of living (in many countries)
    • Less “hustle culture” and day-to-day stress

    💳 Trivia Time

    Which statement best determines if a premium travel card is worth it?

    ⚠️ Real Talk: Retirement Pay Delays

    Rob shares a candid look at post-military transition challenges:

    • Incorrect DFAS retirement pay
    • VA disability missing dependents
    • Local tax benefits delayed

    💡 Lesson: Even when you do everything right, delays happen. ➡️ Build a larger emergency fund (6+ months) before retiring.

    🎯 Key Takeaways

    1. FOMO is dangerous—stick to your strategy, especially with IPOs
    2. Living overseas can be a strategy, not just a dream
    3. Test before committing—experience a country firsthand before moving

    📩 Questions or topic ideas? Email: fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com 📅 Interested in working with Rob or Omen? Links are in the show notes

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Discipline in Investing: The Real Edge You Can Control
    Jun 17 2026

    This week in the Foxhole, Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog tackle one of the most overlooked—and most powerful—drivers of long-term success: discipline in investing.

    From S&P 500 concentration risk to behavioral traps that sabotage portfolios, this episode breaks down why success isn’t about predicting the market—it’s about controlling yourself.

    🔗 Connect with us!

    • Book a meeting with Omen
    • Book a meeting with Rob
    • Check out our sponsors - MFAA

    💡 Episode Summary

    Is “VOO and chill” really diversification? 🤔 We kick things off by unpacking a headline on the rising tech concentration inside the S&P 500—and what that means for investors who think they’re broadly diversified.

    From there, we dive into the core topic: what disciplined investing actually looks like in practice. It’s not flashy. It’s not exciting. And that’s exactly why it works.

    We cover the behavioral side of investing (panic selling, chasing returns), the power of dollar cost averaging, and how to stay the course when markets feel like a combat zone. If you’ve ever second-guessed your strategy—or felt tempted to “do something” when markets move—this one’s for you.

    🎯 Key Takeaways

    1️⃣ Diversification ≠ number of funds It’s about what’s actually driving your returns. Know your exposures before adding complexity.

    2️⃣ Discipline beats prediction You don’t need to guess the market—you need a plan you can stick with when it surprises you.

    3️⃣ Systems win over time Automate your investing, define your goals, and stay out of your own way.

    🧠 Topics Covered

    • The hidden risk of S&P 500 tech concentration
    • “VOO and chill” vs true diversification
    • Behavioral biases:
      • Loss aversion
      • Recency bias
      • Herd mentality (FOMO)
    • Dollar cost averaging as a “boring superpower”
    • Why staying invested matters more than timing the market
    • Building your own investment discipline system:
      • Automation
      • Goal alignment
      • Investment Policy Statements (IPS)
      • The “sleep test”

    ⚔️ Today in Military History

    June 17, 1775 – Battle of Bunker Hill “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” A pivotal moment proving colonial forces could stand against a professional army.

    🧩 Trivia

    Which early Adam Smith work introduced ideas about disciplined capital accumulation before The Wealth of Nations?

    😂 Off-Duty Segment Highlight

    Omen officiates a wedding… and realizes mid-ceremony he doesn’t have the rings 😳 A four-minute song, a sprinting best man, and perfect timing later—the show goes on.

    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Roth Rules! Important Details About the Swiss Army Investment Tool
    Jun 10 2026

    🎯 Episode Summary

    Roth accounts get all the hype—and for good reason. Tax-free growth, flexible withdrawals, and powerful planning tools. But here’s the reality: that flexibility only works if you do the behind-the-scenes admin correctly.

    In this episode, Rob Moore and Omen Quelvog break down the often-missed rules that make Roth IRAs work the way they’re advertised. From tracking contributions to avoiding costly tax mistakes, this is your practical guide to staying in control—and staying out of trouble.

    📬 Connect With Us

    Have a question or topic idea? Email us at fiscalfoxhole@gmail.com

    • Book a meeting with Omen
    • Book a meeting with Rob

    🪖 This Week in Military History

    On June 8, 1944—just two days after D-Day—Allied forces pushed inland into the challenging hedgerow terrain of Normandy. What looked straightforward on maps quickly became brutal, close-quarters fighting. A reminder that even the best plans face reality—and adaptability wins.

    📰 Headline of the Week - Link to the article

    A new USAA Educational Foundation study highlights ongoing financial pressure on military families due to inflation, PCS moves, and high spouse unemployment. While challenges persist, there are also structural advantages—like income stability and military-specific hiring preferences—that can help offset them.

    💡 Main Topic: Roth IRAs — Flexibility Requires Responsibility

    The biggest myth about Roth accounts? That someone else is tracking everything for you. They’re not.

    If you want the full benefits, here’s what you must stay on top of:

    ✅ Contributions

    • Contributions can be withdrawn anytime, tax- and penalty-free
    • Custodians and the IRS are not keeping a running total for you
    • Use Form 5498 as a reference—but maintain your own records

    🔄 Conversions

    • Conversions are taxable in the year they occur
    • Each conversion creates its own 5-year clock
    • Requires filing Form 8606 to avoid double taxation

    🚪 Backdoor Roth Strategy

    • Used when income is too high for direct Roth contributions
    • Involves after-tax contributions → immediate conversion
    • Simple in practice, but reporting must be precise

    🧠 Pro Tip

    No one is keeping score for you—not your custodian, not the IRS. If you don’t track it, you can’t prove it.

    🎯 Key Takeaways

    • Military families face unique financial pressures—but also unique advantages
    • Roth accounts are powerful tools—but require active recordkeeping
    • Tax mistakes are avoidable if you stay organized and intentional

    🎲 Trivia

    How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
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