Bedroom Real Estate: How This Unique Rental Strategy Earns $50,000 a Month
Money Tree Investing
Ryan Chaw shares his bedroom real estate rental property strategy. As a pharmacist-turned-real estate investor Ryan shares how he built a successful portfolio of 14 rental properties generating $50,000/month in income by renting out homes by the bedroom to students and professionals near college campuses. Now financially free, he spends his time coaching others and maintaining a disciplined approach to growth while avoiding low-quality competition and preserving strong tenant relationships. Today we discuss... Ryan Chaw transitioned from a pharmacist to a real estate investor inspired...
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2025 End of Quarter Performance… How Did You Do
Money Tree Investing
Today we talk the end of quarter performance for quarter two of 2025. How did you do? We also cover a wide range of economic and market topics, beginning with the complexities of investing in artificial intelligence, lessons on succession planning, leadership transitions, and the importance of understanding demographic and power dynamics in both politics and investing. We note that large-cap growth, tech, and industrials led Q2 performance, while energy and real estate lagged. Mounting debt, rising delinquencies, and wage garnishment were cited as signs of economic stress, especially among...
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The Art of Shaving with Eric Malka
Money Tree Investing
Eric Malka shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. as a 17-year-old immigrant with $100 to co-founding The Art of Shaving, a brand that redefined men’s grooming by turning shaving into a premium ritual experience. He explains how a chance job in men’s grooming and exposure to traditional shaving culture in London inspired him to bring the concept to the U.S., where he and his wife opened their first store using natural ingredients and a four-step shaving system. Eric attributes their rapid growth and eventual acquisition by Procter & Gamble to their emotional connection with...
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AI Just Taught Me This Cool Thing… It is Amazing
Money Tree Investing
AI just taught me this cool thing... keep on listening to find out what it is! Today we talk about the massive and fast-moving implications of AI. We share the personal experiences with how AI challenges traditional business structures and workflows, requiring users to reimagine how work is done. We also explores how AI may replace many functions within organizations, from marketing to operations, while still lacking in areas like math accuracy and sales conversations. We also talk about Mary Meeker’s AI report, noting unprecedented user adoption, the rapid rise of global competitors like...
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Commodity Cycles And Investor Sentiment Secrets
Money Tree Investing
Mukarram Mawjood is here to share on commodity cycles and investor sentiment secrets. He discusses his focus on alternative assets including precious metals, crypto, and real estate, highlighting silver as his top current pick due to its price lag behind gold and significant upside potential. He explains how gold’s recent surge has largely priced in geopolitical risk, while silver remains undervalued despite industrial demand. He also touches on market psychology, gold-to-silver ratios, and how cryptocurrencies are increasingly competing with gold as alternative stores of value. We...
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War in the Middle East. Is AI the Cause?
Money Tree Investing
There is war in the middle east again! Today we talk about the recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran, with speculation that the U.S. may be involved indirectly. Media narratives are particularly frustrating, with uncertainty and conflicting reports make it difficult to know what’s truly happening. This definitely parallels the financial markets, particularly with how differing narratives shape reactions during times of volatility with many often making moves on perception rather than confirmed facts. The war could potentially impact on oil prices and inflation among other...
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Breaking Finance with Blockchain with Matthew Le Merle
Money Tree Investing
Matthew Le Merle joined the podcast to discuss his journey from a consulting background to breaking finance with blockchain. He explains how he and his wife Alison pivoted to blockchain after recognizing it as the next major wave of digital value creation following the internet era. He breaks down the differences between blockchain, crypto, and DeFi, and shares how the financial industry is slow to adapt due to outdated systems and vested interests. While adoption may seem slow, it's actually progressing rapidly by historical standards, and transformation remains inevitable no matter...
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The #1 Investment You Can Make in AI is…
Money Tree Investing
AI is causing a big disruption but the number 1 investment you can make in AI is learn it before you get left behind! Today we talk on the cultural, societal, and economic disruption caused by AI, comparing its transformative potential to that of the industrial age. While traditional frameworks—like working for purpose, identity, and productivity—are deeply ingrained in modern life, AI is rapidly eroding these norms by replacing jobs and altering what it means to be valuable in the workforce. Despite the uncertainty and anxiety around obsolescence, the best current investment is learning...
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The Money-Smart Solopreneur with Laura Adams
Money Tree Investing
Laura Adams shares her journey into personal finance, podcasting, and authorship with her new book Money-Smart Solopreneur. She shares how she transitioned from corporate finance aspirations to helping individuals improve their money management through writing and podcasting. She discusses the evolution of book publishing, the growing need for supplemental income due to inflation and stagnant wages by starting side businesses, and practical advice on identifying marketable skills. We discuss... Laura Adams has worked in personal finance for nearly 15 years, transitioning from a corporate...
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AI Will Change Your Life in Surprising Ways
Money Tree Investing
AI will change your life! Are you ready? Today we dive into the evolving landscape of AI, the capabilities and limitations of current AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini, and why most users don't get the results they truly want. While AI is a very powerful but immature tool, learning how to use it effectively will help you to stay relevant in the workforce and can benefit your personal life as well. AI disruption is inevitable and potentially beneficial but it also raises serious questions about human adaptability for a rapidly changing future. We discuss... Douglas Heagren | ...
info_outlineIs your social security safe from DOGE? Today we talk about the big changes coming to the Social Security Administration and how (or if) they impact you! We talk about social securities origins as a safety net, its current insolvency trajectory by the early-to-mid 2030s, and the political challenges of reform. We critique the past government inaction and explores potential solutions. Don't worry, your social security won’t disappear overnight so make rational decisions rather than reacting to media-driven fear.
We discuss...
- Market volatility and the significance of quarter-end movements.
- Tax-loss selling at year-end can lead to market bottoms in certain assets.
- Social Security was originally created as a safety net for those unable to support themselves.
- A demographic imbalance is stressing Social Security’s financial stability.
Without intervention, Social Security is projected to be insolvent by the early-to-mid 2030s. - Potential solutions include extending eligibility ages and adjusting benefits.
- Some proposals suggest cutting administrative costs rather than benefits.
- Future reforms may involve income-based benefit reductions or delayed eligibility.
- The likelihood of Social Security disappearing entirely is extremely low.
We advise against making rash Social Security decisions based on media fear-mongering. - Social Security planning remains a critical topic, with past loopholes removed as the government adapts to prevent system exploitation.
- Previously, retirees could take Social Security early at 62, repay it later, and reset their benefits, but this strategy has been eliminated.
- The decision to take Social Security early or delay it depends on individual financial needs and life expectancy.
- Break-even analysis suggests waiting until full retirement age (67) can be beneficial for those with longer life expectancy.
- Raising the full retirement age to 70 could extend Social Security solvency by billions of dollars.
- Adjustments to cost-of-living calculations have historically been used to slow benefit inflation and extend program viability.
- The current Social Security payroll tax cap of $160,000 could be raised or removed to increase funding.
- Increasing payroll tax rates slightly could help stabilize the program’s finances.
- Social Security has one of the lowest administrative costs among government programs, with about 99% of funds going directly to benefits.
- Historical tax changes under Reagan and Clinton increased Social Security taxation thresholds, and further increases remain possible.
- Legislative changes to Social Security, including benefit reductions or age increases, can happen quickly with little warning.
- Market volatility continues to be a major concern, with seasonal patterns and large equity inflows despite broader uncertainty.
- Investors should be cautious of overpaying for stocks with declining growth while seeking undervalued opportunities.
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/social-security-safe-from-doge-699