The Money Alchemist Podcast

By: Ben Jones & Brent Gargano
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  • Summary

  • Join two dudes, Ben and Brent, to discuss current market events and savvy financial strategies to build wealth consistently over time.
    The Money Alchemist 2023
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Economics Personal Finance
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Episodes
  • Is This Time Different?: America's Tariff Strategy and the Spectre of Recession

    Is This Time Different?: America's Tariff Strategy and the Spectre of Recession
    Apr 12 2025
    Fitful swings in equity and bond markets this past week have wrecked more sleepful nights than drunk neighbors on Independence Day. What can be done? The NASDAQ hourly chart resembles an EKG reading of a fibrillating heartbeat. Some fear this could be the heartbeat of the new American economy. Treasury Scott Bessent has been making the rounds on numerous media outlets with defibrillator pads at the ready. Perhaps the cold plunge into the tariff pool may have been too much for prediabetic markets accustomed to a diet of loose fiscal policy. Financial stimulus is as addicting as sugar, so say the economists. Though positive outcomes could arise out of the tariff negotiations, there are too many hands in the till that benefit from the status quo. Change is unwelcome when large sums of money are involved. Even the benchmark 10-year Treasury has come under attack with yields increasing by approximately 50 basis points. Strange for the sudden shift in risk-off sentiment. Almost as if a sovereign bond holder were dumping T-Bonds to apply strategic pressure on Washington D.C. But that is just silly speculation. Something is different about this selloff, but the principles of investing remain. Equity markets often temporarily decouple from their long-term fundamental purpose, which is to value the progress of human innovation, growth and trade. We can see equity markets plunge regularly by -10% or more. In fact, this happens most years. Bear markets occur every 5 years, on average. And yet, a recovery has never failed to materialize. What happens next is not without precedent. We believe it will be no different, despite cries to the contrary. Remember, hyperbole is usually wrong and this is why we call it hyperbole. The news demands your attention and will go to great lengths to get it. Balance out your newsfeed with Ben and Brent as they dive further into this topic. They discuss tariffs, recession worries, history of America’s major bear markets, and what to expect next. ______ About Your Hosts Ben Jones Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com  Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karastick.com  Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/   ____ Brent Gargano, CFPⓇ Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning  Brent's Website --> www.infinitewealthplanning.com Connect with Brent on Linkedin - > linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573 Sign Up For Brent's Newsletter -- > https://share.hsforms.com/1maVO0YZ0T3uIA80kyeGi1Any3h8   ______ Editor Trevor Gargano Email: Trevor@trevorgargano.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-gargano-72727b67/ Website: TheDigitalQuarterback.com ______ Follow our socials to support the podcast; see extra clips and announcements! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyalchemistpod/ X: https://twitter.com/moneyalchpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556458987483 ______  Disclosure: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.  Advisors associated with National Wealth Management Group may be either (1) registered representatives with, and securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisor representatives of National Wealth Management Group; or (2) solely investment advisor representatives of National Wealth Management Group, and not affiliated with LPL Financial. Investment advice offered through National Wealth Management Group, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or specific advice.
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    56 mins
  • Smart Tax Planning: Tax Tips for Investors and Business Owners

    Smart Tax Planning: Tax Tips for Investors and Business Owners
    Mar 29 2025
    America’s least favorite day is quickly approaching in a little over two weeks. Millions scramble to frantically count their beans while the oppressive Eye of ‘Providence’ lords over them. April 15 may usher in the Spring with all its good vibes, longer days, and the smell of outdoor barbecues with freshly cut grass. But it also marks a cumulative day of stress with the unholy combination of a strict deadline with complex accounting that exposes the consequences of last year’s financial decisions. The instinct is to bum rush the problem with brute force intensity, outsourcing as much work as possible to caffeine tweaked accountants. Mistakes are made, and tempers are bound to flare. Let 2025 be the year you get ahead of the problem. Good tax planning is a year-long process and Ben and Brent discuss what this entails. They highlight several common areas where they see mistakes so you can avoid them. The overarching message is to not rely on your accountant, accounting software, and definitely not the IRS to catch errors on your return. While tax calculations are formulaic, the results are only as accurate as the input. The art of tax planning involves optimizing and confirming accuracy of the inputs over all relevant tax years. It's a great way your financial advisor can add value! Topics discussed include: What is a 1040? Components of a tax return? Planning opportunities along the tax return:Maximizing above the line deductions, retirement plans, corporate benefitsBusiness deductions, strategic planning done to reduce taxable incomeBack door Roth IRA - Roth Capital gains - which bracket are you in? Strategic ways to use gains/lossesBeing aware of itemized vs standard deduction, can you “bunch”? Estimated payments, how does it work and opportunities to take advantageBorrowing from appreciated assets to defer tax - like the billionaires What are some of the common elements we see in client tax returns that are “high risk”?Don’t assume the tax return tells the whole story Back door Roth IRA’s - easily reported incorrectly RSU’s - underwithholding issues and basis reporting issuesQCD’s incorrectly reportedThings that don’t even generate a tax form (estimated payments) Looking to the future - TCJA expiration in 2026 and possible tax outcomes ______ About Your Hosts Ben Jones Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com  Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karastick.com  Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/   ____ Brent Gargano, CFPⓇ Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning  www.infinitewealthplanning.com linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573 Read Brent's latest newsletter --> https://40221980.hs-sites.com/infinite-wealth-plannings-february-newsletter-is-live?ecid=&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Efdxwvp3oso7SBWpKxOU7Rxa0wru_6V-AGrl_LgK7QRQR8XQhfQHlOLqA4xUUUKt9_Phs Sign Up For Brent's Newsletter -- > https://share.hsforms.com/1maVO0YZ0T3uIA80kyeGi1Any3h8   ______ Editor Trevor Gargano Email: Trevor@trevorgargano.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-gargano-72727b67/ Website: TheDigitalQuarterback.com ______ Follow our socials to support the podcast; see extra clips and announcements! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyalchemistpod/ X: https://twitter.com/moneyalchpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556458987483 ______  Disclosure: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.  Advisors associated with National Wealth Management Group may be either (1) registered representatives with, and securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisor representatives of National Wealth Management Group; or (2) solely investment advisor representatives of National Wealth Management Group, and not affiliated with LPL Financial. Investment advice offered through National Wealth Management Group, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or specific advice.
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • 2025 Recession Watch: How to Proactively Strategize

    2025 Recession Watch: How to Proactively Strategize
    Mar 15 2025
    The first few months of 2025 have produced mixed results for US equities. Despite efforts to coax out the full economic potential of the U.S., domestic markets have lacked confidence. Meanwhile, ‘safe haven’ assets such as Treasury Bonds and international stocks have broadly rallied. They say it’s been the worst start to a year since, well, 2022. With a ballooning Federal deficit and the potential for a more competitive overseas trade environment, recent moves seem a bit counter intuitive. The prevailing fear is that prolonged trade negotiations could discourage domestic capital deployment, thus triggering a cascade of negative consequences. The concern that tariffs will trigger another wave of uncomfortable inflation, while possible, is overblown. Especially considering the recent March 14 reading of CPI-U at 0.2% (2.43% annualized), a drop in energy prices and a modest decline in longer-term rates. It is reasonable for equity investors to experience a correction of –20% or more from highs once every four years on average. This happens when FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) dominates sentiment. International market valuations relative to US have been historically cheap with the S&P 500 coming off two back-to-back years of double-digit rallies. It is easier to turn an ankle stepping off first-place podium. So, is that it? Is the US no longer top contender? The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model revised its annualized growth in the current quarter from +2.3% to –2.4%. Keynesian free-trade fanatics are busy prostrating themselves on camera to abash any with a notion that tariffs could be a means to a positive end. All I can say is that it’s possible and they could be right. I offer no guarantees but remind you that we’ve been down scarier roads than this one. Yet here we are, living better than kings not so long ago. Not kings today. Charles has it pretty good. I invite you to join Brent and I as we elaborate on this topic. We discuss current markets, what we should be doing in response to these downturns and what you should be hearing from your advisor. __ We would appreciate it if you could follow our podcast and give it a five-star rating! This supports us in reaching a wider audience, allowing us to assist more individuals in their financial learning journey. ______ About Your Hosts Ben Jones Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karastick.com Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/ ____ Brent Gargano, CFPⓇ Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573 Read Brent's latest newsletter --> https://40221980.hs-sites.com/infinite-wealth-plannings-january-newsletter-is-live-1?ecid=&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email Sign Up For Brent's Newsletter -- > https://share.hsforms.com/1maVO0YZ0T3uIA80kyeGi1Any3h8 ______ Editor Trevor Gargano Email: Trevor@trevorgargano.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-gargano-72727b67/ Website: TheDigitalQuarterback.com ______ Follow our socials to support the podcast; see extra clips and announcements! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyalchemistpod/ X: https://twitter.com/moneyalchpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556458987483 ______ Disclosure: The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Advisors associated with National Wealth Management Group may be either (1) registered representatives with, and securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, and investment advisor representatives of National Wealth Management Group; or (2) solely investment advisor representatives of National Wealth Management Group, and not affiliated with LPL Financial. Investment advice offered through National Wealth Management Group, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. ​The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or specific advice.
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    52 mins
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