Wealthy Behavior

February may have been the shortest month of the year, but it delivered no shortage of market-moving events. Bob Weisse joins Sammy Azzouz to break down what’s driving today’s financial markets—and what it could mean for investors. A pessimistic report from Cetrini Research, 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis, raised concerns about artificial intelligence’s economic impact, sparking stock market sell-offs, sector rotations, and widespread debate. Sammy and Bob share their perspective on the findings and the broader implications of technological disruption.Escalating conflict in the Middle East prompted swift reactions in both stock and bond markets. We discuss what long-term investors should consider amid heightened volatility and uncertainty.Bond yields have risen while bond prices have declined. We explain what’s driving this unusual dynamic in fixed income markets. Visit us at www.heritagefinancial.net

In this month’s Market Update, CIO Bob Weisse joins Sammy Azzouz to unpack what’s driving today’s financial markets—and what it could mean for investors going forward.Tune in as they discuss:President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed ChairmanIf the economy appears strong, why are rate cuts still on the table?Where we are in the current market cycle—and how much longer markets could runUncharted territory: how sweeping technological change could reshape companies, economies, and investment opportunitiesWhy U.S. value stocks are leading the market (up ~5% YTD)A practical primer on foreign fixed income: what it is and when it may make sense in a portfolioSend your questions to [email protected]

In this first episode of the new year, Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, joins CEO Sammy Azzouz to reflect on 2025 market performance and share insights for the year ahead. 2025 was a strong year for investors. U.S. equities delivered a third consecutive year of double-digit returns, international equities finally outperformed the U.S., and fixed income produced solid positive returns. So, what’s in store for 2026? Bob examines emerging trends and outlines Heritage’s 2026 Capital Market Assumptions—our long-term return forecasts—and explains how to evaluate the data, balance risk and return expectations, and use these assumptions to inform portfolio allocation decisions. Plus, with gold shining brightly in 2025, Bob shares his perspective on investing in gold, including potential risks and returns, when it may add value, and when it may fall short.Send your questions to [email protected] us at www.heritagefinancial.net

Bob Weisse, Chief Investment Officer at Heritage Financial, joins President & CEO Sammy Azzouz for a timely conversation on private markets. Together, they break down private credit and private equity, explore emerging risks across these asset classes, and share expectations for what lies ahead.The discussion then turns to our 2025 market outlook—what was forecasted, what actually unfolded, and how current market and economic conditions are shaping future expectations. Bob offers his perspective on:What’s driving weakness in today’s labor marketWhether tariff concerns and Fed fears were overblownWhether we’re in an AI bubbleWhat the data suggests for the future of international equities—and moreSend your questions to [email protected] us at www.heritagefinancial.net

We often think of U.S. presidents as financially savvy and immune to money worries—but the truth is, they’re a lot like us: each striving in their own way to achieve the elusive “American Dream.” Some built wealth through discipline and strategy, while others struggled to manage it.In this episode, Megan Gorman, founding partner of Chequers Financial Management and author of All the Presidents’ Money: How the Men Who Governed America Governed Their Money, shares insights from her deep dive into the personal finances of more than 30 U.S. presidents.From frugal founders to big spenders, Megan reveals which presidents built fortunes, who faltered, and how some first couples balanced each other’s financial strengths and weaknesses.Tune in for a fascinating look at how America’s leaders handled their money—perfect for history buffs and personal finance fans alike.Send your questions to [email protected], don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Eight-digit passwords are out—randomized 20+ alphanumeric passwords are in. Cybercrime has exploded into a $10.5 trillion global industry, and experts estimate it will double in the next three years. Even more alarming: today’s most sophisticated schemes aren’t just coming from overseas. Local criminals are adopting the same high-level tactics, putting all of us at greater risk. Mark Hurley, CEO of Digital Privacy & Protection LLC, joins to break down the latest scams, the evolving role of AI in cybercrime, and the practical steps you can take to stay safer online.  How AI is reshaping cybercrime—and making attacks harder to spotWhy simply booking a hotel could end up costing you more than your stayWhether data protection services are worth the investmentIf some devices (iOS vs. Android) are truly more secureHow password managers work—and whether Google and Apple’s randomized passwords are safe to useSend your questions to [email protected], don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has officially become the longest in history, creating new uncertainties and economic pressure points. Yet, markets have remained surprisingly resilient. In this episode, Chief Investment Officer Bob Weisse joins to discuss:What true diversification looks like when global indices remain heavily weighted toward U.S. companies.Key insights from J.P. Morgan’s Capital Market Forecast, including Bob’s perspective on its findings and projections.Highlights from Heritage Financial’s recent Market Outlook webinar, covering the Fed’s latest moves, inflation trends, the weakening dollar, and more.Send your questions to [email protected], don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Heritage Financial is celebrating 30 years of helping clients build, protect, and enjoy their wealth. To mark this milestone, CEO Sammy Azzouz sat down with some of our seasoned financial advisors to share their favorite pieces of investing wisdom — the kind of timeless advice that can guide you through decades of market cycles and through life itself.Whether you’re just starting your investment journey or a seasoned investor, you’ll walk away with practical insights and enduring principles you can rely on for years to come.Send your questions to [email protected]And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

2025 has been a strong year for investors, and the third quarter kept that momentum going. Markets are viewing things through rose-colored glasses, pricing in plenty of good news—but risks remain.Heritage Financial’s CIO, Bob Weisse, joins CEO, Sammy Azzouz, to break down what’s fueling today’s market strength and what could challenge it. They discuss why investors shouldn’t ignore lingering risks like the ongoing government shutdown, which—if prolonged—could start to weigh on the economy.They also explore why investors should be cautious about chasing yield in the bond market, even amid strong performance, and share insights on today’s “gold rush,” including ways to gain exposure without buying the metal itself.Finally, as a preview of our next episode, Bob closes by sharing one of his favorite pieces of timeless investment wisdom.Send your questions to [email protected], don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.

Ken Shinoda, Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine Capital, returns to Wealthy Behavior to share his perspective on the current state of the bond market, today’s economy, and the outlook for mortgages. In this episode, he discusses: Key risks facing the bond marketThe Fed’s independence and policy expectationsThe weakening dollar and its impact on bondsThe rapid expansion of private creditWhat really drives mortgage rates—and what the new “normal” might look likeVisit us at www.heritagefinancial.net. Send your questions to [email protected],And, don’t miss our free ebook and video course, How To Build Your Next Million—packed with expert insights on saving, investing, and protecting your wealth.