The Money Alchemist Podcast

Does the 4% Rule Still Work? | Retirement Income, Safe Withdrawal Rates & Investing | Ep 60

The 4% Rule has guided retirement planning for decades, but does it still make sense in today's market? In Episode 60, Ben Jones and Brent Gargano break down the origins of the 4% Rule, Bill Bengen's original research, the Trinity Study, and how retirees can think about safe withdrawal rates and spending guardrails throughout retirement. The conversation also covers recent developments in the markets, including inflation concerns, the latest updates surrounding the SpaceX IPO, and what investors should be watching. To wrap up the episode, Ben and Brent share a practical tip on how to check for unclaimed funds that may be waiting for you.   Submit Your Questions: https://info.moneyalchemistshow.com/SubmitQuestion-Contact-AC?test=true Topics include: * The history of the 4% Rule * Bill Bengen's research * The Trinity Study * Safe withdrawal rates * Spending guardrails * Inflation updates * SpaceX IPO update * Market news * How to check for unclaimed funds   About your Hosts    Ben Jones, CFP®  Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group  www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com/]   Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com [http://www.karastick.com/]   Follow him on X @thekaratstick [https://x.com/TheKaratStick]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/]     Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning   www.infinitewealthplanning.com [http://www.infinitewealthplanning.com/]  linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp%C2%AE-2067b573]    Comments or questions?  Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com [comments@moneyalchemistshow.com]    Disclosure:  The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice.  The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com] or contact us directly. To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@themoneyaltchemistshow.com.

Wealth & IPOs: The SpaceX IPO, IPO Risks & The World's First Trillionaire | MAP Ep 59

In Episode 59 of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Brent Gargano and Ben Jones discuss one of the largest IPOs in history as SpaceX officially goes public, raising billions and pushing Elon Musk's net worth to unprecedented levels. The conversation explores how IPOs work, why companies go public, what investors should know about IPO volatility, and whether participating in high-profile public offerings is actually a good investment strategy. The episode also covers new stock market highs, recent developments in the Middle East, the growing debate around AI regulation, and what today's headlines may mean for investors. In Episode 59, topics include: • The SpaceX IPO • Elon Musk's Net Worth • How IPOs Work • IPO Risks & Volatility • Private vs Public Companies • Stock Market All-Time Highs • AI Regulation & Anthropic • Investing Psychology • Portfolio Diversification • Wealth Building Principles   About Your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com/] Sign up for Ben's newsletter at www.karatstick.com [http://www.karatstick.com/] Follow Ben on X @thekaratstick Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com [http://www.infinitewealthplanning.com/] Questions or comments? comments@moneyalchemistshow.com [comments@moneyalchemistshow.com]   Timestamps 00:00 Welcome Back & Episode Introduction 02:35 Recapping Episode 58 with Dr. Bryan Buechner 04:45 Consumer Psychology & Investing 12:00 Middle East Updates & Market Impact 15:00 Why Markets Keep Hitting New Highs 18:45 AI Adoption & Career Implications 22:15 Anthropic, AI Regulation & Government Intervention 30:00 SpaceX IPO Explained 34:30 How IPOs Actually Work 38:30 Elon Musk Becomes The World's First Trillionaire 46:30 Should Investors Participate In IPOs? 49:00 Why IPOs Often Struggle After Launch 53:00 Valuations, Dilution & Share Issuance 57:30 Concentration vs Diversification 59:30 Final Thoughts   Disclosure The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including Forms ADV and CRS, please visit www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com/].

Why We Buy Things We Don't Need: Consumer Psychology & Money with Dr. Bryan Buechner | MAP Ep 58

Have you ever bought something and immediately wondered, "Why did I spend money on that?" In Episode 58 of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Brent sits down with Dr. Bryan Buechner, marketing professor at Xavier University and expert in consumer psychology, to explore the hidden forces that influence our financial decisions every day. Together they discuss how marketing shapes behavior, why self-control is more complicated than simply "spending less," and how consumers can make better purchasing decisions in a world filled with endless choices, targeted advertising, social media, AI recommendations, and subscription services. They also dive into topics such as Costco's cult-like customer loyalty, the rise and fall of Peloton, the psychology of pricing, consumer biases, AI shopping assistants, decision fatigue, loyalty programs, and how understanding consumer behavior can ultimately help you become a better steward of your money. Whether you're trying to spend more intentionally, improve your financial habits, or simply understand why companies market the way they do, this episode offers practical insights that can help you make better decisions with your money. About your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com] Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com [http://www.karatstick.com] Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/] Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com [http://www.infinitewealthplanning.com] https://linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573 [https://linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp%C2%AE-2067b573] Comments or questions? www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com].

Organic Advisors Are Cooked: How AI Is Changing Financial Advice Forever

Is AI about to replace financial advisors? In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, we explore how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok are beginning to influence investing, financial planning, and the way people search for financial advice online. We compare how AI responds to both simple and complex financial questions and discuss where these tools may be useful — and where they can still fall short compared to experienced advisors. We also dive into markets, inflation, rising interest rates, prediction markets, consumer spending, and the growing role technology is playing across finance and decision-making. What’s happening in 10 minutes • Kevin Warsh confirmed by the Senate • Long-term Treasury yields spike above 5% • What higher bond yields could mean for mortgage rates • Consumer spending reaches new highs as inflation remains elevated • Bank of America insights on market behavior and spending trends • US-China summit developments and market implications • 60 Minutes segment on prediction markets and insider trading concerns About your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com] Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com [http://www.karatstick.com] Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/] Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com [http://www.infinitewealthplanning.com] https://linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573 [https://linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp%C2%AE-2067b573] Comments or questions? https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/i-asked-chatgpt-to-manage-a-stock-portfolio-heres-how-it-did-0d62900b [https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/i-asked-chatgpt-to-manage-a-stock-portfolio-heres-how-it-did-0d62900b] Bank of America Insights: https://institute1.bofa.com/C/?q=e4SyKUJSHPg [https://institute1.bofa.com/C/?q=e4SyKUJSHPg]   Disclosure The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including Forms ADV and CRS, please visit www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com].

The 5 Only Accounts You'll Ever Need: Simple Investing and Financial Planning Explained

What accounts do you actually need to build wealth? In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Ben and Brent break down the idea that simplicity often beats complexity when it comes to financial planning and investing. They discuss why many investors end up chasing gimmicks, opening too many accounts, and overcomplicating their finances....when in reality, only a handful of account types tend to do most of the heavy lifting over time. The conversation walks through the core account structures they believe are most important for long-term wealth building and why understanding the purpose of each account matters more than constantly searching for the next strategy.     What’s happening in 10 minutes • Earnings growth accelerating across the S&P 500 • AI hardware demand surging with renewed focus on infrastructure • Micron, Intel, AMD, and Broadcom seeing increased attention • GameStop’s reported interest in eBay and why the market reacted negatively • PCE inflation coming in hotter than expected • 30-year Treasury bond hovering around 5% • Fed rate expectations and the outlook for future policy decisions   About Your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com/] Sign up for Ben’s newsletter: www.karatstick.com [http://www.karatstick.com/] Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/] Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com [http://www.infinitewealthplanning.com/] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmj2PaxX24E [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmj2PaxX24E] FactSet Earnings Update: https://insight.factset.com/sp-500-earnings-season-update-may-1-2026 [https://insight.factset.com/sp-500-earnings-season-update-may-1-2026]   Comments or questions? Email us at: www.nwmgadvisors.com [http://www.nwmgadvisors.com/] or contact us directly. To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email: comments@themoneyalchemistshow.com