Is the Middle Class Getting Squeezed? Wages vs. the Cost of Living

How to Prepare Financially for a Layoff Before It Happens

The best time to prepare for a layoff is before it ever happens. In this episode, Ryan walks through a step-by-step plan to get financially ready, starting with your survival number, the bare-minimum amount your household needs to cover each month. From there he covers building an emergency fund that fits that number, trimming fixed costs ahead of time, and knowing your options for health coverage like COBRA and what to do with a 401(k) when you leave a job. The point is to replace fear with a plan, so a job loss becomes a setback you are ready for instead of a crisis. This is education, not personal advice, so tailor the steps to your own situation. Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fiscal-Physical-Becoming-Financially/dp/B0CMTN59M9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZA4IWMBJLO8Q&keywords=fiscal+physical&qid=1702328858&sprefix=Fiscal+phy%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1] If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com And, as always, Stay the Course!

Money in Your 20s: What I'd Do Differently If I Started Over

If you could restart your financial life at 22, what would you do differently? In this episode, Ryan answers that honestly, and the takeaways work for anyone who wants to build wealth, not just recent grads. His list is refreshingly simple: start investing early so time does the heavy lifting, automate your savings so good habits run on autopilot, always capture your full employer match, keep lifestyle creep in check as your income grows, and lean on Roth accounts while your tax rate is low. Aaron adds his own take, and the two keep it practical. This is education, not personal advice, so build your own plan around your situation. Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fiscal-Physical-Becoming-Financially/dp/B0CMTN59M9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZA4IWMBJLO8Q&keywords=fiscal+physical&qid=1702328858&sprefix=Fiscal+phy%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1] If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com And, as always, Stay the Course!

Is the Middle Class Getting Squeezed? Wages vs. the Cost of Living

Is the middle class really getting squeezed, or is that just a headline? In this episode, Ryan looks at what has actually happened to middle-class buying power over the past few decades and why housing has become the single biggest pressure on most family budgets. He and Aaron separate the real strain from the noise, including why your personal inflation rate can look very different from the number you see on the news. The goal here is perspective, not panic. Understanding where the squeeze is real, and where it is overstated, helps you focus your budget and your plan on the things that actually move the needle for your household. Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fiscal-Physical-Becoming-Financially/dp/B0CMTN59M9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZA4IWMBJLO8Q&keywords=fiscal+physical&qid=1702328858&sprefix=Fiscal+phy%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1] If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com And, as always, Stay the Course!

The Paper Ceiling: Why Degree Requirements Are Changing in Hiring

The paper ceiling is the invisible barrier that keeps qualified workers without a college degree from being considered for jobs they are fully capable of doing. Ryan explains how it compares to the glass ceiling, which typically involves race or gender bias, and why degree inflation, the practice of adding degree requirements to roles that do not actually need one, has made the problem worse over time. Ryan and Aaron look at the issue from both sides. From the candidate's perspective, it is a filter that removes you before you get a shot at the interview. From the employer's perspective, it is a practical screening tool that may be cutting out the best person for the job. Skills-based hiring is the alternative gaining traction. Ryan notes that some roles genuinely require formal credentials, but many others do not, and employers who screen by skills rather than degrees tend to build stronger teams. Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fiscal-Physical-Becoming-Financially/dp/B0CMTN59M9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZA4IWMBJLO8Q&keywords=fiscal+physical&qid=1702328858&sprefix=Fiscal+phy%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1] If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com And, as always, Stay the Course!

BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street: Do They Really Own the Market?

BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street manage trillions of dollars, but they do not own the market. Ryan explains what asset managers actually are: intermediaries who run funds on behalf of investors. When you put money into a Vanguard index fund, Vanguard holds the underlying shares in trust for you. They charge a fee to do it; they do not own what is inside the fund. The more legitimate concern Ryan raises is not ownership but influence. Because these firms hold voting rights on behalf of massive pools of assets, they have significant say in corporate governance. Ryan and Aaron walk through why this matters, how it compares to how any advisory firm operates, and why low-cost, diversified investing in these funds is still a sound strategy for most people. A calm, clear response to something that often gets exaggerated online. Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Your-Fiscal-Physical-Becoming-Financially/dp/B0CMTN59M9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZA4IWMBJLO8Q&keywords=fiscal+physical&qid=1702328858&sprefix=Fiscal+phy%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1] If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com And, as always, Stay the Course!