171: COGS - Cost of Getting Sick

We recently met with a client family who was surprised to learn that they had become millionaires. Their ascension was not based on some singular great investment, but a series of tiny habits like avoiding credit spending, maxing out their 401ks every year, and not taking loans or withdrawals. The book Atomic Habits™ is about getting 1% better each day and creating small habits that lead to great results. This week’s show breaks down some key learnings from the book and applies them to building wealth.

Nearly 80% of Gen Z trusts the financial advice they receive on social media platforms like TikTok. While there are some good accounts to follow, some of the worst advice seems to get the most likes! This week, we will walk through some of the most egregious examples of bad advice we’ve seen online and outline a framework for separating the sage advice from the scams.

In a follow-up to last week's conversation with Repa Mekha, we are discussing the strategies Nexus Community Partners is using to uplift the Black community, including distributing $50 million in grants directly to Black families. 

We come to you today from “The Collective Sum,” a gathering of Black community leaders in Minneapolis. Join us in a conversation about community building through investing in “the Four ‘Ships” — Leadership, Authorship, Stewardship and Ownership.  Introducing Nexus Community Partners, a leading community building intermediary that is building engaged and powerful communities of color: www.nexuscp.org (https://nexuscp.org/about-nexus-community-partners/)

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York CIty’s mayor was controversial for some because he is a self-proclaimed “Democratic Socialist.” His policy ideas include things like free childcare and government-owned grocery stores — all to benefit the people. While Republicans are pointing fingers and name-calling, they are also moving the government in an equally contentious direction - towards “State Capitalism.” The federal government is quietly making equity investments in public corporations — in the name of national security but ultimately for profit.  This week, we are highlighting the sea change happening in American politics, and giving you practical advice for putting you in a position to win, regardless of which direction the wind blows.

Credit cards are a game of Pimp or Be Pimped, and the credit card companies are winning. Americans are sitting on a record $1.2 trillion of credit card debt, with an average interest rate of 22.8%! This episode exposes credit card traps and gives advice on how to turn your credit cards into treasure by taking advantage of rewards programs and cash back offers. We also walk through a framework for picking the right credit card.

This year's financial markets have been a roller coaster, delivering strong—yet volatile—returns. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell describes the current labor market as "low hiring and low firing," where job openings have dried up but mass layoffs haven't materialized. With a new wave of stimulus hitting the economy (tax cuts and lower interest rates), we break down our views on what happens next for investors. Unrelated, and just for fun, we also have a little fun describing the perfect PBNJ sandwich!

Are you a high-income earner who still struggles with money? You might be spending like a drug dealer—making it fast, and burning through it even faster. This episode reveals the shocking truth that high-income earners often make worse financial decisions than low-income earners. It all started when a new client was chastised by her friends for her low savings, despite her huge salary. We dive into the irrational mental traps that cause lifestyle creep and overspending, including a quiz that proves how your brain tricks you. More importantly, we break down rules of thumb for managing your spending so that you can learn from those who do more with less.

Stock options aren't just for Wall Street pros anymore. Last week's record trading volume proves everyday investors are diving in - but do they really know what they are doing?  Whether your goal is to trade options for speculation or to hedge a stock investment, we will educate you on these complex strategies with some simple analogies and memorable stories.

The government has shutdown every 2-3 years on average over the past 50 years. However, many people are worried that it feels different this time. While we may not be in a recession, we are experiencing a “growth scare” - a rise in economic anxiety. Join us this week as we break down strategies for surviving this crucial moment.