What Wealthy Americans Do Differently (And What You Can Copy) | Building Wealth for the Long Term

What Wealthy Americans Do Differently (And What You Can Copy) | Building Wealth for the Long Term

Millions of Americans dream about building wealth, but what do wealthy families actually do differently? In this episode, Brent Gargano and Ben Jones break down a recent survey of more than 1,400 Americans with over $3 million in invested assets. They explore the habits, decisions, and long-term mindset that consistently separate wealthy households from everyone else—and, more importantly, which of those habits anyone can begin applying today.   Topics include: • Why ownership is the foundation of wealth • The power of long-term investing and compounding • Why wealthy families value flexibility over lifestyle inflation • Legacy planning and thinking beyond your own retirement • Why successful people build a team of trusted advisors Plus, the hosts discuss current market headlines, including: • Trump's new investment accounts • Early Q2 earnings from major banks • SpaceX trading below its IPO price • The return of Anthropic's Fable 5 • Recent developments affecting global markets   Tip of the Week American Express Blue cardholders may be eligible for a monthly streaming credit. Brent and Ben explain how to take advantage of the benefit. If you enjoy conversations on investing, retirement planning, and building long-term wealth, subscribe to The Money Alchemist Podcast for new episodes every week. Have a financial question you'd like us to discuss on the show? Submit it through the link in our bio or leave a comment below.   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?  Submit to our link in our show bio    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.

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].