Shows
The Money Alchemist PodcastFiduciary vs Finfluencer: When Consuming Financial Advice, Source MattersI will just say in general, I’ve said SO many times, 99% of you watching do not need a financial advisor. You need someone like me to teach you step by step how to invest for yourself”. So says Tori Dunlap, one of the many outspoken influencers brimming with financial opinions that cannot be contained.
Like a bottle of Diet Coke shaken up by outside forces, the froth of conjecture can only go one way once an outlet is found. There is no dialogue, only a microphone and a sermon. A tough position from which to deliver advice o...2025-06-211h 00The Money Alchemist PodcastKids and Capital: Navigating UTMAs, 529s, and Raising Financially Savvy InvestorsThe average child spends about eight hours a day in front of a video screen. We’ve now seen a generation of children raised on a digital cocktail of social media, video games, and streaming services. A panoramic window into the world, algorithmically tuned for your child’s wants and subconscious desires.
Ferraris turn more heads than Hondas, a human preference so intrinsic that it shows up in children. And wealth is more attractive than knowledge. Countless hours of affluence are processed by brains that can’t even comprehend a simple cash flow statement.
We’ve all encount...2025-06-071h 16The Money Alchemist PodcastThe Biggest Ripoff: Understanding the True Value vs. Cost of Your Financial AdvisorThe American proverb “you get what you pay for” is well understood but not commonly applied. Nowhere is this made more abundantly clear than in the food services industry, where people line up for cheap, borderline toxic calorie bombs to satiate their immediate cravings.
One should not ask why healthy food is so expensive but why fast food is so cheap. The idea that a drive thru diet is lower cost is an illusion once you factor in the long-term health consequences of indulgence.
This gets to the root of the question Ben and Brent discuss in...2025-05-2456 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastLessons From Warren Buffett: Key Takeaways on Management, Markets, and MindsetWarren Buffett to Retire As CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
When a person lives to the wise age of 94 and accumulates a networth of $168B, people tend to think he has some important things to say. Nearly 20,000 Berkshire shareholders gathered in Omaha Nebraska on May 3rd to hear the resident Oracle speak live. The annual tableau is something to behold. Thankfully there’s YouTube.
What does the 5th richest man in the world know about regular living? As it turns out, quite a bit. It can be easy to dismiss the musings of a billionaire as disconnect...2025-05-101h 01The Money Alchemist PodcastBuy The Dip: Building Wealth Through Consistent Strategy, Not Perfect TimingToo low to sell, too cash poor to buy the dip. So laments an X user over this past week as he describes his current state of financial affairs. No one wants to be a sucker yet prudent investing requires that you subject yourself to the fickle whims of the market - all in.
It’s hard not to feel like a sucker when you buy something only to watch it go on sale the next day. Unlike Costco, financial markets will not retroactively match pricing (for retail investors). This leads to a tendency to hold unproductive cash...2025-04-2651 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastIs This Time Different?: America's Tariff Strategy and the Spectre of RecessionFitful swings in equity and bond markets this past week have wrecked more sleepful nights than drunk neighbors on Independence Day. What can be done? The NASDAQ hourly chart resembles an EKG reading of a fibrillating heartbeat. Some fear this could be the heartbeat of the new American economy.
Treasury Scott Bessent has been making the rounds on numerous media outlets with defibrillator pads at the ready. Perhaps the cold plunge into the tariff pool may have been too much for prediabetic markets accustomed to a diet of loose fiscal policy. Financial stimulus is as addicting as sugar...2025-04-1255 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastSmart Tax Planning: Tax Tips for Investors and Business OwnersAmerica’s least favorite day is quickly approaching in a little over two weeks. Millions scramble to frantically count their beans while the oppressive Eye of ‘Providence’ lords over them.
April 15 may usher in the Spring with all its good vibes, longer days, and the smell of outdoor barbecues with freshly cut grass. But it also marks a cumulative day of stress with the unholy combination of a strict deadline with complex accounting that exposes the consequences of last year’s financial decisions.
The instinct is to bum rush the problem with brute force intensity, outsourcing as...2025-03-291h 08The Money Alchemist Podcast2025 Recession Watch: How to Proactively StrategizeThe first few months of 2025 have produced mixed results for US equities. Despite efforts to coax out the full economic potential of the U.S., domestic markets have lacked confidence. Meanwhile, ‘safe haven’ assets such as Treasury Bonds and international stocks have broadly rallied.
They say it’s been the worst start to a year since, well, 2022.
With a ballooning Federal deficit and the potential for a more competitive overseas trade environment, recent moves seem a bit counter intuitive. The prevailing fear is that prolonged trade negotiations could discourage domestic capital deployment, thus triggering a cascade of nega...2025-03-1552 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastFebruary Market Update: What To Do When Markets MeltThe engagement farmers masquerading as prognosticators have been busy this month! There’s so much doom to talk about. It’s all so very exciting, and you need to tune in. Ignoring the information so you don’t miss a perfectly timed nugget of information that will cost you everything.
Even so, three months later we’ll forget the stress of today like it was our first dirty diaper. We’ll move onto new stressors with potentially world-ending consequences. A constant attack on our psyche, forever testing our tenacity. Give in now and you just may avoid a black swan cata...2025-03-0143 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastMoney & MotivationsJourney > Destination.
Does the world run on envy? Charlie Munger, who once said, “the first rule of a happy life is low expectations”, argued that it does. We even have the adage ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ to encapsulate this ongoing economic arms race.
In-your-face financial flexing is difficult to ignore. A moment of boredom followed by a screen tap and a world of obscene wealth can be streamed directly into your consciousness.
Enough of this, and you begin to develop a subconscious crisis, sleepwalking your way into an unaffordably expensive situation. Worse, you could develop...2025-02-1550 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastHome & Auto Insurance TrendsThe Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes fires have affected 59 square miles of land in Southern California. Combined, they have consumed more than 16,000 homes and buildings and an uncounted number of automobiles.
This natural disaster comes hot off the heels of two hurricanes that wreaked havoc in Florida and North Carolina, from which residents are still recovering. Those who have been through the home building or remodeling process should have more than a modicum of empathy.
It’s difficult enough to find a good home builder. Now imagine doing this reactively without adequate funds and under intense competiti...2025-02-011h 06The Money Alchemist PodcastFinancial AnxietyWhy you have it and what to do about it.
Financial stress is a response to a specific, often temporary, financial problem that can be resolved through specific action. As an example, you are about to close on a home purchase and are uncertain if loan underwriting will be completed in time. These stressors can be quickly alleviated with the right course of action and often resolve themselves in time.
Financial anxiety involves more pervasive worry that can paralyze action, making it difficult to address the core of a financial issue. We may not even be...2025-01-1851 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastSetting & Hitting Your GoalsAnother year, different in how you make it.
2025 is here and so are the renewed pressures of the ego to break through yet another motivational barrier. The root of the word sublime stems from Latin to mean, roughly, high threshold. The things that are most worth doing are not easy.
Sublime is a subjective word. It’s true meaning found at that point where your aspirations meet the outset edge of your competency. To find it, you need to be introspective and self-aware.
This is the ethos of effective goal setting. Goals are not fun...2025-01-0456 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastU.S. Housing in 2024Ben and Brent wrap up 2024 with a conversation on the state of the housing market. Prices of single family homes continue to edge higher, being up 6% year over year. This is on top of a record increase in median single family home prices over the past decade which now totals 102% according to Freddie Mac.
While unaffordability infects already strained budgets, forcing some households to quarantine in low rate mortgages or rents, we continue to see enough demand on low inventories push prices higher. Homes are still selling quickly and people are moving despite 7% mortgage rates.
2024-12-2154 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastTalking Money With FamilyThere was a lot to discuss with family this Thanksgiving. The election, stocks ripping, the return of crypto mania, and, of course, the evergreen subject of ‘the culture war’. In many households, Thanksgiving takes its shape as thoughtsgiving as outspoken opinions crowd out any notion of contentment.
Few things can be as goading as that one relative who works in their trading fortunes into any conversation, conflating luck with genius. You’ll definitely know by the end of the conversation how much they claim to be worth. You’ll also know who will be the least generous...2024-12-0659 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastPreparing for 2025In this episode, Ben and Brent discuss some of the possible economic implications of the election along with common year-end best tax optimization practices. As we approach the end of the year and the start of 2025, one thing becomes clear: change is on the horizon. Like viewing a hurricane from the shoreline, it’s tough to gauge the strength of its winds and the endurance of the force, but we know it is coming.
Download Our 2024 Year End Checklist - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LoVkEDMscu6Lo-u91u-NxVh2cYdeQdKL/view?usp=sharing
...2024-11-2255 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastGiving & LegacyAs we approach the end of the year and the season of generosity, it is appropriate to address the topic of gifting. Gifting money and assets is not as straightforward as it may seem. Assuming you will receive a tax deduction for charitable contributions is often incorrect and can result in a reduced charitable contribution than otherwise intended.
Also, there’s no hard and fast rule that you must give to 501(c)(3) organizations. Sometimes effective giving means looking beyond the tax savings so see how you can effect the most good for the people around you. J...2024-10-2551 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastHow to Increase Your IncomeWhat is your default setting when confronted with the prospect of saving more? Do you immediately think about how you can cut expenses or do you think about different ways to increase your income? There is a limit to how much you can reduce your expenses, especially if you have dependents. Your ability to earn, on the other hand, is open ended. There are realistic limits, of course, but many never reach their true income potential. Join Ben and Brent as they discuss some different ways you can do this.
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About your Hosts
...2024-09-271h 05The Money Alchemist PodcastThe Future Of AdviceLow cost investment providers such as Vanguard have commoditized investing, pushing wealth managers to broaden their scope to deliver value. When “S&P and chill” effectively summarizes a sensible approach to wealth building, what more is there for advisors to do? Just as Warren Buffett’s advice “be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful” is easy in concept, difficult in application, so is optimal wealth management.
Managing wealth effectively involves much more than selecting investments. It involves managing emotions, career, tax liabilities, and purpose. Growing advice practices have embraced all aspects of manag...2024-09-0750 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastSpending in RetirementSaving for retirement is a challenge, perhaps one of life’s greatest challenges. It requires a sacrificial mindset that favors tomorrow over today. This mindset can eventually calcify, becoming an ingrained personality trait. Shifting this mindset in retirement can be an even greater challenge, but is necessary to live with an optimal quality of life.
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About your Hosts
Ben Jones
Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group
www.nwmgadvisors.com
Author, www.karastick.com
@thekaratstick
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben...2024-08-2459 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastRunning From BearsWhat should you do when market volatility spikes to the downside? We’ve heard to never run from a bear but lie down and play dead. The same holds true in bear markets, more or less. Ben and Brent go a few steps further on what to do. First, they elaborate on what’s behind the August 2024 spike in volatility.
The market may have calmed down for now, but a listen might help you prepare for the next correction.
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Follow our socials to support the podcast; see extra clips and...2024-08-1846 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastFortunes Into the FutureBen and Brent sit down to discuss how wealthy families can preserve legacy through generational gifting using strategic planning. Everyone has an estate plan, the default option usually being the worst one. It’s important to think about what impact your money will have on people after you die. It’s an uncomfortable reality to face, but a failure in doing so can cost you what would otherwise be a wonderful legacy.
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About your Hosts
Ben Jones
Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group
www.nwmgadv...2024-08-0259 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastMarket Seasonality: Fact or FictionSome investors seek to cool off their portfolios by sitting on the sidelines under the shade. Is market seasonality still a thing, and what should investors do about it? Ben and Brent shed some sunlight on the old “sell in May and go away” sentiment and break down the phenomenon and the login therein.
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Today’s Host
Ben Jones
Managing Director of National Wealth Management Group, LLC
www.nwmgadvisors.com
Author of karatstick.com
Follow him on X @thekaratstick
2024-07-2640 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastAn Insider’s View of Social SecurityIn today’s episode, Ben Jones sits with Jim Blair, Vice President/Co-Founder of Premier Social Security Consulting, to discuss all things Social Security. Jim pulls from more than 35 years of experience working for the Social Security Administration.
From when to file to the financial health of the program, they cast a wide net. Whether you’re about to file for your benefit or you’re just curious about how it works, this is worth a listen!
Today’s Host
Ben Jones
Managing Director of National Wealth Management Group, LLC
www...2024-06-071h 00The Money Alchemist PodcastArt Of A Good Realtor: How To Thoughtfully Construct An Attractive Offer In A Competitive Real Estate World Ft. Todd FinchJoin Brent and special guest Todd Finch as they sit down to talk about real estate. Why now may be a good time to buy, and what you can do to be more effective when buying your next home.
For more questions, email us at Trevor@nwmgadvisors.com
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Special Guest:
Todd Finch - Realtor
513-785-9994
Tfinch@comey.com
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Infinite Wealth Planning:
www.InfiniteWealthPlanning.com
National Wealth Management:
www.nwmgad...2024-04-0557 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastSchooling America: Education Preferences Are Changing, And So Are The Funding StrategiesBen and Brent take a stroll across the shifting landscape of education in the US. The demand for private education is increasing as popular college funding plans become much more flexible. College tuition inflation seems to have hit some resistance as high school graduates become more discerning. Things are changing and mostly for the better!
Join your hosts of The Money Alchemists podcasts to learn more about the state of education in America.
For more questions, email us at Trevor@nwmgadvisors.com
Infinite Wealth Planning:
www.Infin...2024-03-2258 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastAmerica Can’t Retire : The State of Retirement in AmericaBen and Brent dive deep into Vanguard’s 31-page study on America’s retirement readiness released in 2023. The news isn’t great, as the title of the episode implies. Most Americans will be forced to make less-than-comfortable decisions during their golden years to keep solvent. They discuss what this means for people in this situation and what investors can do today to set themselves up for a retirement full of options.
In today’s episode, we talk about:
How much to people need?
How much to people have?
Why the difference?
What can you do to be suc...2024-03-081h 06The Money Alchemist PodcastVote Red, Blue or...Green?Election season is upon us and the question plaguing investor minds is: what should I do in reaction to outcome “X” or outcome “Y”. Brent and Ben tackle this question head on and discuss what some of the ramifications of the election could be.
While culturally impactful, as it pertains to which flavor of freedom you want, the economic ramifications do not justify a radical shift in investing principles. Keep your head clear, your chin up, and stay focused on the wondrous spirit of human innovation.
For more questions, email us at trevor@nwm...2024-02-231h 01The Money Alchemist PodcastHow Small Business Owners Can Accelerate Growth With Anthony Lewis (Part 3 of 3)Ben and Brent team up with a local tax planning and business consulting powerhouse, Anthony Lewis, for a three-episode series on small business planning in the post-COVID environment.
Kirsch CPA - https://kirschcpa.com/
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Disclosure:
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC, A Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial LLC.
The content shared in this podcast by Kirsch CPA Group is based on our own experiences, research, and opinions...2024-02-1638 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastHow Small Business Owners Can Accelerate Growth With Anthony Lewis (Part 2 of 3)Ben and Brent team up with a local tax planning and business consulting powerhouse, Anthony Lewis, for a three-episode series on small business planning in the post-COVID environment.
Kirsch CPA - https://kirschcpa.com/
____________________________________________________
Disclosure:
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC, A Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial LLC.
The content shared in this podcast by Kirsch CPA Group is based on our own experiences, research, and opinions...2024-02-161h 05The Money Alchemist PodcastHow Small Business Owners Can Accelerate Growth With Anthony Lewis (Part 1 of 3)Ben and Brent team up with a local tax planning and business consulting powerhouse, Anthony Lewis, for a three-episode series on small business planning in the post-COVID environment.
Kirsch CPA - https://kirschcpa.com/
____________________________________________________
Disclosure:
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC, A Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial LLC.
The content shared in this podcast by Kirsch CPA Group is based on our own experiences, research, and opinions...2024-02-1635 minThe Money Alchemist PodcastHow to Be An AdvisorIn this episode, Ben and Brent take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing on their personal journeys that led them to careers in the financial services industry. The industry has changed substantially since they entered the business, prompting them to consider how young professionals today can pursue a financial services career.
Disclosure:
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. Economic forecasts set forth may not...2024-02-0547 min
The Money Alchemist PodcastThe Equity for Liquidity TradeoffBen & Brent join you this week, navigating different perspectives on how to view the asset almost all of us have, our homes.
Join us for a blend of insightful discussions and the occasional touch of dry humor.
Disclosure:
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. Economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee tha...2024-01-3059 min