Money Tree Investing
Thomas J. Cryan joins us to discuss his new book Disrupting Taxes. He highlights how tariffs historically served as the primary source of U.S. federal revenue until the Civil War, after which income taxes took over. He criticizes the current tax system for its heavy reliance on individual salaries and argued for a more efficient, technology-driven approach. We also touch on the national debt, the need for a balanced budget, and concerns about government spending. Thomas advocates for a system that automatically adjusts tax rates to match expenditures. We discuss... Thomas J. Cryan...
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There have been some extreme overvaluations in this market and we are here to discuss them! Today we take a deep dive on market valuations and the relativity of valuation metrics, making sure you avoid the simplistic comparisons. We also examine market sentiment, noting the unusual dynamic of bearish sentiment despite record highs, and highlighted risks such as market concentration in major tech firms and declining free cash flows. We also talk about whether AI investments are currently yielding meaningful returns and exploring the broader implications for equity markets. We discuss: ...
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Charles Goodwin is here to talk about how to broaden your investment portfolio with fix and flip real estate. Charles discusses how he transitioned into real estate investing and acquired around 50 single-family homes. He shares insights on the current real estate market, skepticism about lower rates, and predicts a slow grind towards affordability. Today we discuss... Charles Goodwin shares his background in finance, tech sales, and real estate lending, now serving as VP of Sales overseeing $6.5 billion in loan origination. He started investing in real estate after seeing family...
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The Mar-a-Lago Accord could shake up the world economy. We also chat about resource efficiency, economic trends, geopolitical shifts, and the evolving global financial landscape. The Mar-a-Lago Accord, while still speculative, could reshape global markets, reinforcing the U.S.'s role in international finance and policy. Today we discuss... The high costs and artificial inflation surrounding Valentine's Day purchases. Wastefulness in modern consumerism, including the disposal of returned goods by major retailers. 3D printing as a less wasteful manufacturing process and its potential future...
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Graham Day joins us to talk about the best EFT diversification you can have in your investment portfolio. Graham shares his experience in the ETF world, from his start at PowerShares in 2008 to co-founding Innovator ETFs in 2017. Innovator introduced defined outcome ETFs, giving investors structured returns with protection against losses that were once only for the rich or through pricey products. They developed buffer ETFs, which limit potential gains but provide set protection against downturns, helping manage risk while keeping investments easy to sell and tax-friendly. The conversation...
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There a problem with the post election tariffs! Today we talk about all the breaking political developments following Trump's election, his rapid use of executive orders and his quick use of tariffs. We have cautious optimism about some policies, but there is still always potential risks, with inflation and interest rates. We also challenge the common belief that homeownership is always an investment. Maybe there's something else that works for you. Today we discuss... How Trump's election has led to rapid political changes, with new developments emerging daily. Media on both sides is...
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Today we talk The Soul of Wealth with Daniel Crosby, a behavior finance expert. Daniel shares his transition from clinical psychology to Wall Street due to burnout and his realization that finance is deeply rooted in human behavior. Highlighting the PERMA model from positive psychology, he emphasizes that true well-being requires balancing positive experiences, meaningful work, relationships, purpose, and personal growth—rather than just financial success. Daniel discussed how there has been a shift financial behavior, with younger generations prioritizing values-driven investing over pure...
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With all of the new Senate confirmations and executive orders from the past week, the 2025 stock market predictions continue! We explore how higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive and how a strong dollar challenges multinational corporations by making U.S. goods more expensive abroad. Rising oil prices further strain businesses by increasing transportation and production costs. Despite these fundamental factors, the market often disregards traditional economic signals, making price the ultimate determinant of value. Today we discuss... The week's news cycle was dominated by...
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Joe Kelly shares how he is unchaining the block chain through his company Unchained. He shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights on Bitcoin and its evolving role in finance. He detailed Unchained's services, which cater to long-term Bitcoin holders by addressing security, inheritance, IRAs, and financial tools like trading and lending. We talk Bitcoin's pivotal developments, including the approval of ETFs, institutional support, and the potential for a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve. We also explore mining economics and the broader industry's role in cementing Bitcoin as a foundational...
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Today we ask a burning question: is Donald Trump inflationary? We dive into the economic implications of Trump's policies, emphasizing their inflationary and deflationary effects. These measures could impact GDP, unemployment, wages, and inflation. We also explore the challenges of rising costs in basic necessities like food, transportation, and utilities, alongside broader concerns about the stock market's bullishness, potential corrections, and the need for sustainable economic growth. We also talk the commodity trends like coffee and the stock market's relationship to the Chinese...
info_outlineToday we cover a mix of festive holiday reflections and current Christmas trends. We debate the merits of artificial versus real trees, the Federal Reserve's recent decision to lower interest rates, market reactions, and the potential onset of a recession, and historical cases like Puerto Rico's bond defaults, and more! It's a Merry Christmas here!
Today we discuss...
- How Hanukkah's alignment with Christmas is rare due to differing solar cycles and offers a unique multi-year celebration opportunity for 2024-2025.
- A shift from real to artificial Christmas trees, driven by mold allergies.
- A personal tradition of year-end reflection, dubbed "Best Year Ever," emphasizing life evaluation and goal setting over a two-week holiday break.
- Fed Chair Powell's interest rate cuts and their implications for markets and economic confidence were analyzed, with insights on potential recession signals like the inverted yield curve.
- Economic indicators, including high-yield bond performance and confidence metrics, were examined to forecast recession risks and investor sentiment.
- The Puerto Rican bond default served as a cautionary tale for assessing risks in high-yield portfolios, drawing parallels to current market trends.
- Market bullishness is fueled by a strong economy, decent earnings, and optimism about new presidential policies perceived as pro-business.
- Concerns were raised about tariff policies potentially replacing income tax and their inflationary implications.
- The market appears overvalued, with current performance exceeding economic fundamentals, risking a potential correction.
- Reversion to the mean was discussed as a natural market dynamic, suggesting that extreme highs or lows eventually balance out.
- Rising money market assets reflect cautious investor behavior, with significant cash reserves awaiting better market valuations.
- Inflationary pressures are linked to reduced supply and increased money supply, paralleling market dynamics.
- Markets need a perceived value shift to attract sidelined liquidity.
- Year-end is a prime time to reassess portfolios and consider tax implications.
- Reflect on strong market performance and evaluate whether reallocating or profit-taking is prudent.
- December 31st and January 1st are pivotal market dates due to tax-loss selling and portfolio rebalancing.
- Diversification theory, while historically valuable, may now be less effective due to increased asset correlation.
- Risk is the permanent loss of capital, whereas volatility is short-term price fluctuation.
- The current bull market may soon rival the 1990s tech boom in duration and performance, though a mean reversion is expected.
- High-yield bonds should be viewed more like high-dividend equities due to their risk and reward profile.
- Online shopping has grown but still accounts for less than 20% of total retail sales.
- Men and women share similar preferences for holiday gifts, favoring money, clothing, and gift cards.
Today's Panelists:
Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners
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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/christmas-trends-671