Who Deserves a Holiday Tip Best Year-End Tipping Practices

In this insightful clip from "Black Out with Ian & Rashad," hosts Rashad Bilal and Ian Dunlap dive deep into the important—yet often misunderstood—topic of year-end tipping. Responding to a listener question, they break down who should be on your tip list during the holiday season, how much you should give, and why showing appreciation to those who make your life easier is essential. Rashad shares common scenarios, highlighting everyone from sanitation workers, teachers, and valets, to barbers, school bus drivers, and even your building’s concierge. Ian provides real-life examples from his own life, pointing out the value of tipping your cleaning crew, building staff, and even the mailman. The duo discusses the nuances of tipping based on the service received, relationships built over the year, and the importance of recognizing excellent customer service. They also tackle those awkward gray areas: Is it necessary to tip your child’s high school teacher, or does it stop at preschool? What if the service was subpar? Both hosts agree that monetary gifts should go hand-in-hand with outstanding service and positive energy—but getting the etiquette right can sometimes confuse even the most well-meaning among us. Whether you live in a home or apartment, rely on daily or weekly help, or simply want to ensure you’re not missing an important gesture, this clip is packed with practical tips, etiquette reminders, and candid stories about why tipping matters—not just for gratitude, but for better service in the future. Ready to level up your holiday tipping game and show some love to those who support you all year long? Rashad Bilal and Ian Dunlap have you covered! *Hashtags:* #TippingEtiquette #HolidayTipping #YearEndGifts #ServiceWorkers #BlackOutPodcast #IanDunlap #RashadBilal #Gratitude #PodcastClip #LifeAdvice #BetterService #SupportYourCommunity #Appreciation #CustomerService #MonetaryGiftsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful clip from Market Mondays, hosts Rashad Bilal and Ian Dunlap dive into one of the most important lessons for traders and investors: the dangers of chasing fast wins and why true wealth is built with discipline and patience. Ian shares his futures trading tip of the week, reflecting on lessons from the recent trading tournament and highlighting the importance of letting trades “breathe” and strategically planning entries on volatile market days like when Powell speaks or economic reports drop. Rashad and Ian also explore the blurred lines between trading and sports wagering, referencing Robinhood’s innovative approach and how more traders are entering the world of in-game contract trading. The conversation turns critical as they unpack mistakes young investors often make—especially when trying to score fast gains in meme stocks or speculative sectors like NFTs. Ian warns that while hitting a quick win may seem rewarding, it often breeds poor discipline and risky habits, with most quick successes not repeating themselves in the markets. Rashad reinforces the pitfalls of following hype or hearsay without understanding companies or their industries, and both stress why relying on others for entry and exit signals is dangerous. Drawing on Warren Buffett’s philosophy, Rashad recalls a conversation with Jeff Bezos about the power of getting “rich slow”—and why this tried and true method remains unpopular despite its proven results. The key takeaway? While chasing overnight success is tempting, patience, discipline, and a solid plan will always outperform reckless speculation in the long run. *Key points in this clip:* Why you must let your trades breathe and use longer targets strategically How sports wagering platforms like Robinhood are attracting futures traders The biggest mistakes young investors make, from chasing meme stocks to lack of market discipline Why fast money often leads to long-term losses The timeless wisdom of building wealth slowly instead of seeking quick wins *Learn practical wisdom from Rashad Bilal and Ian Dunlap on becoming a smarter, more disciplined investor—because sometimes the slow road is the fastest way to lasting wealth.* #MarketMondays #TradingTips #Investing #WealthBuilding #IanDunlap #RashadBilal #StockMarket #FuturesTrading #Robinhood #Discipline #FinancialFreedom #GetRichSlow #MemeStocks #NFTs #LongTermInvesting #SportsWageringSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Market Mondays clip, Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, and Ian Dunlap break down the hottest crypto-related stocks and ETFs in today's market. The team dives deep into the strengths and weaknesses of Coinbase, IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust), and MicroStrategy—three major ways investors can get exposure to cryptocurrency through the stock market. Rashad starts the conversation by identifying each asset: Coinbase is the go-to platform for buying cryptocurrency, IBIT follows the price of Bitcoin as an ETF (backed by industry giant BlackRock), and MicroStrategy is a company that’s become synonymous with Bitcoin holdings—practically turning into a Bitcoin treasury. Ian highlights the importance of analyzing risk versus reward. He points out that while MicroStrategy once claimed the top spot due to its bold Bitcoin accumulation, current threats and volatility push it to the bottom of his ranking. Coinbase, with its strong leadership and lower perceived risk, gets his vote for number one. IBIT sits in the middle—reliable, but not quite on the same level as investment giants like Vanguard or BlackRock. Rashad pushes back, arguing IBIT deserves the top spot. He stresses the unprecedented security of a product backed by BlackRock, the largest asset manager ever. In his view, if you really believe in Bitcoin’s growth potential, IBIT offers the purest 1:1 exposure, removing the variables that platforms like Coinbase face during earnings reports or market downturns. Troy shares his perspective, agreeing IBIT is the best option for investors wanting direct bitcoin exposure. He explains that owning IBIT is not exactly the same as holding Bitcoin yourself, but it provides a simple route to gain exposure through a fund structure. Coinbase, meanwhile, earns revenue from transaction and subscription fees, making it a strong but somewhat cyclical contender. The trio concludes by ranking the three: IBIT first for its direct and secure Bitcoin exposure, Coinbase second for its business model, and MicroStrategy third due to its current risk factors. Throughout, they also briefly address their broader crypto confidence, with Rashad sharing that Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only coins he’s truly bullish on for the long term. If you're wondering how to get started with crypto investing—or want to understand which publicly traded options might suit your strategy—this clip is packed with insights, debates, and expert perspectives. *Hashtags:* #CryptoStocks #Coinbase #MicroStrategy #IBIT #BitcoinETF #MarketMondays #Investing #CryptoInvesting #StockMarket #BlackRock #BitcoinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with Sonny Adams and Dave Salvant, the co-founders of Squire, to break down how they built a barbershop tech platform into a $750 million company. They share how they met, landed their first customers, and built their first product without deep technical skills — including why they gave Squire away for three years before ever charging. The conversation dives into the realities of fundraising, from relying on angel investors to survive, taking 60 meetings to secure one VC, and how an $8 million Series A helped unlock massive growth. Sonny and Dave also explain the role Y Combinator played, the strings attached to outside capital, ownership dilution, and what investors truly expect when they invest. We also explore how Squire scaled to 32,000 barbers and 10 million customers, what their $750M valuation actually means, and the challenges of being two Black founders raising capital. Plus, we discuss Squire’s marketing strategy, deploying $100 million in one year, and whether AI or rising haircut costs could disrupt the barber industry. EYL University: https://eyluniversity.com #EarnYourLeisure #Squire #SonnyAdams #DaveSalvant #StartupJourney #Fundraising #VentureCapital #BlackFounders #Entrepreneurship #TechStartupsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Market Mondays clip, Ian Dunlap and Troy Millings dive into Oracle’s latest stock pullback and tackle the burning question: Is now the right time to buy Oracle shares? The conversation breaks down everything investors need to know—including the timing of Oracle’s cloud profitability, the challenges of CAPEX spending, and the shift in market sentiment. Ian Dunlap emphasizes patience, advising investors to wait until Oracle dips closer to $160 before considering an entry point. He highlights how the overall market environment has shifted, urging viewers not to expect every tech company to produce Nvidia-like returns. Troy Millings adds depth by dissecting the nature of cloud profitability, noting that significant returns are often “future dated”—it took Amazon and Google years to generate meaningful profits in their cloud divisions. He draws comparisons to Microsoft’s Azure, explaining that Oracle is following a proven path, even as it faces margin pressure and intense scrutiny. The duo also unpacks Oracle’s position as the fourth-largest cloud provider in the U.S., the spike in credit default swaps, and the impact of negative sentiment as the company’s massive investments raise eyebrows. Troy discusses how Oracle’s evolution—from enterprise software to subscriptions, to AI, and now cloud services—shows resilience, but also warns that market and government connections (like those with Larry Ellison) play a significant role in Oracle’s prospects. For anyone trying to navigate the choppy waters of tech stocks, this analysis offers historical insight, practical entry strategies, and candid takes on where Oracle might be heading next. Don’t miss out if you’re watching cloud stocks or considering Oracle for your portfolio. *Chapters Include:* Oracle’s Stock Pullback: Buy Now or Wait? Cloud Profitability: The Long Play for Investors Oracle vs. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft in the Cloud Race CAPEX and Margin Pressures Explained Market Sentiment & Credit Default Swaps: What Investors Should Know The Larry Ellison Factor: Government Ties & Future Outlook *Drop a comment below:* Are you bullish or bearish on Oracle? Do you agree with Ian Dunlap’s price target or see a different opportunity? *Subscribe to Market Mondays for more sharp investing insights every week!* *#Oracle #CloudComputing #IanDunlap #TroyMillings #TechStocks #MarketMondays #Investing #OracleStock #LarryEllison #StockMarket*See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this clip legendary musician and entrepreneur Ryan Leslie breaks down how he made $2 million off an independent album that only sold 17,000 copies. #RyanLeslie #independentartist #musicbusiness Full Episode:    • Ryan Leslie discuses tech, text management...   EYL University: https://www.eyluniversity.com EYL University 40% off Annual Tuition Code: EARNERSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful clip, Vlad Tenev, co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, sits down with Rashad Bilal to discuss the rapidly evolving world of crypto, the transformative potential of bitcoin, and how Robinhood is pioneering innovative prediction markets. Vlad explores the next decade of crypto, emphasizing its role in making high-quality U.S. financial tools accessible globally. He highlights how stablecoins, especially US dollar-based ones, have brought financial stability to people in countries with unreliable banking systems and unstable currencies. According to Vlad, the future lies in extending this access—with crypto and tokenization enabling users anywhere to invest in U.S. stocks and other global assets, leveling the financial playing field. When Rashad asks about bitcoin specifically, Vlad acknowledges its unique status and enduring influence, even as he remains bullish on the broader crypto ecosystem rather than being a “bitcoin maxi.” Vlad shares his thoughts on price predictions, noting the surprises in bitcoin’s journey and its deep-rooted prominence among enthusiasts. The conversation then pivots to Robinhood’s innovative prediction markets, where Vlad explains how Robinhood has quickly become a leader. From just one contract about the presidential election to over 1,500 diverse contracts, prediction markets have become the company’s fastest-growing business segment. These markets not only cover politics but also expand into sports and emerging fields like AI model performance, drawing in traders and market participants from traditional finance backgrounds. Vlad breaks down how prediction markets differ from traditional sports betting—enabling live, dynamic trading as events unfold, thus introducing a new "wagering" experience. This disrupts conventional betting and offers users a way to trade based on real-time market information, making sports betting companies reconsider their strategies. From AI to sports and elections, prediction markets are changing how information is shared and traded. Vlad predicts these markets will become a new, valuable source of crowd-sourced intelligence, enabling individuals to leverage their unique insights and move beyond conventional wisdom. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation about the intersection of technology, finance, and the future of trading. Vlad Tenev explains why Robinhood is defining a new wave of innovation—making global finance accessible and reimagining prediction markets for everyday traders. *Hashtags:* #Crypto #Bitcoin #Robinhood #VladTenev #PredictionMarkets #Stablecoins #Investing #FinanceInnovation #Tokenization #AI #SportsBetting #GlobalFinance #EYL #RashadBilal #FutureOfFinanceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this exclusive Market Mondays clip, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings welcome back Caleb Silver, editor in chief of Investopedia, to break down one of the biggest stories shaking up the entertainment and financial worlds: Netflix’s potential $72 billion acquisition of Warner Brothers’ streaming assets. Was this deal ever real? And what does it mean for the power dynamics of streaming giants? Caleb Silver explains exactly what a monopoly is, tracing its history from the era of the railroads and the origin of U.S. antitrust laws to today’s streaming wars. The trio discusses how monopolies work, why the government steps in with antitrust policies, and how proximity to political power plays a bigger role in the stock market than ever before. You’ll get expert insights into: Why "Assets over Liabilities" is more than just a hoodie slogan—it's the ultimate metric in the current market. How and why the Federal Trade Commission cracks down on monopolies. The real meaning behind antitrust cases and how they protect consumers and competitors. The surprising influence of presidential administrations in shaping business deals and market outcomes. What the Netflix x Warner Brothers mega-deal could signal for the future of entertainment and investing. Whether you’re a budding investor, an industry insider, or just a fan of Market Mondays’ fresh takes, this clip offers a crash course in market mechanics, business strategy, and why your proximity to power could make or break your portfolio. Drop your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to hit subscribe for all the latest Market Mondays insights! *Hashtags:* #MarketMondays #Investing #Netflix #Monopoly #Antitrust #WarnerBros #StreamingWars #AssetsOverLiabilities #CalebSilver #FinancialEducation #Stocks #BusinessNewsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this clip from Market Mondays, hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings sit down with financial analyst Caleb Silver to break down the current economic landscape and what lies ahead for 2026. The conversation starts with a historic event—the cancellation of the American jobs report—and what it signals for business journalists, policymakers, and everyday investors. Caleb Silver explains why, despite the anxiety over inflation and consumer confidence being at lows reminiscent of the Great Financial Crisis, the U.S. economy is in better shape than most people feel. The clip dives into key data points like updated unemployment rates, wage growth, and the impact of underreported layoffs and AI-driven changes in the job market. The discussion pivots to stock market trends, especially the dominance of the "Mag 7" mega-cap tech stocks. Troy Millings asks the crucial question: If the Mag 7’s run slows, can the rest of the S&P 500 pick up the slack? Caleb Silver provides deep insights into what breadth in the market really looks like, highlighting why recent rallies in healthcare, financials, and commodities matter for investors seeking diversification. Walmart’s shift to the Nasdaq and its surprising outperformance versus other tech giants is put under the spotlight. Caleb Silver explains why Walmart's move is strategic, aiming for a spot among elite growth stocks and inclusion in popular indices. Looking ahead, the clip identifies where opportunities may exist for investors going into 2026, including sector rotation, the resurgence of healthcare and biotech, and the importance of looking at undervalued mid- and small-cap stocks. Caleb Silver explains the difference between small, mid, large, and mega-cap companies, and how those categories affect investment strategies in a world dominated by trillion-dollar giants. If you want to understand where the U.S. market, consumer sentiment, and investor behavior are heading, this clip is packed with actionable analysis. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what investors and financial researchers are really looking up as we close out the year. *Hashtags:* #MarketMondays #CalebSilver #EconomicOutlook #2026Forecast #StockMarket #Investing #Walmart #Mag7 #MidCapStocks #SmallCapStocks #FinancialAnalysis #ConsumerConfidence #Inflation #JobMarket #SectorRotation #WallStreet #Nasdaq #S&P500 #BullMarket #InvestopediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode of Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev for one of the most important conversations of the year. Fresh off a historic run that tripled Robinhood’s stock price, Vlad opens up about his proudest moment of 2025, the biggest misconceptions about the platform, and why he believes the retail investor is now the sophisticated investor. We also dive deep into the future of artificial intelligence, the evolution of predictive markets, the role of crypto in global access, and Robinhood’s mission to build a complete financial ecosystem. Vlad breaks down how AI is creating opportunity—not eliminating it—why he doesn’t believe we’re in an AI bubble, and how their new “Legend” model has transformed productivity at scale. From billion-dollar opportunities to the new Treasury-backed $1,000 investment accounts for every child born in the U.S., this episode is packed with insights on investing, innovation, and the future of finance. Whether you’re a trader, entrepreneur, or long-term investor, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. #EarnYourLeisure #VladTenev #Robinhood #Investing #ArtificialIntelligence #Crypto #PredictiveMarkets #MarketMondays #FinancialEducation #WealthBuildingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.