Gary Acosta's Podcast

Ten Predictions of What America Will Be Like in Ten Years

The country is experiencing significant disruption, unlike anything we've seen since the end of World War II. A perfect storm of demographic changes, AI advancements, and political upheaval will reshape the nation forever. Some changes will be beneficial, while others will be less clear. Here's my perspective on what to expect in the next decade.    The country will be more socially liberal, but economic policy will trend more conservatively, causing wealth to become more consolidated.    While the country has historically faced short-term civil rights and multiculturalism setbacks, social policy has consistently trended more liberal. In ten years, America's heartland will be much more diverse, fostering a more inclusive mentality among the majority of Americans.    Economic policies will fluctuate, but America's image as the land of opportunity will keep them trending more conservative. Wealth will, for the most part, remain in the hands of the educated and the connected.         AI will bring down prices in many sectors, including healthcare.   Artificial intelligence will improve productivity in every sector of the economy, keeping inflation for most goods and services relatively low. Americans will have universal healthcare like every other major country worldwide. AI will make healthcare more efficient and less expensive.    Misinformation will replace nuclear war as the greatest threat to civilization.    Social media giants will be dismantled, yet people will continue to receive news and information from online sources, making it increasingly difficult to access accurate, straightforward information. Misinformation will ignite military conflicts, fracture families, and lead individuals to seek guidance from trusted sources who may not always have honorable intentions. To maintain unity within the nation, a constitutional amendment that defines free speech for the modern era and allows for the criminalization of misinformation will be ratified. Following this, social media companies will face numerous billion-dollar lawsuits.    There will be only two viable cryptocurrencies, but they will be extremely valuable.   Yes, crypto will be a big thing. The transparency of it will make it more appealing, and regulation and the market will eliminate most of the crap. Only two viable currencies will remain and will be worth trillions.    Theater, concerts, and other live performance art will become more popular, as will sports.   Video games will begin to replace films and television as the primary source of visual entertainment. Theater, sports, and live concerts will provide human connection and a refreshing alternative to electronic entertainment.      Weight loss drugs and surgical advancements will cause obesity rates to go down, and plastic surgery will be more common.    Weight loss drugs will get better with fewer side effects, reducing obesity but making people less healthy because drugs will replace healthy lifestyles for many. Social media addiction will cause cosmetic surgery to become more common.     Real estate values will outpace other asset classes – but not all types.   Malls will focus less on shopping and more on social activities and entertainment. Residential real estate will remain valuable, but mixed-use properties with a combination of residential and commercial will outpace standard apartment buildings in demand and value. Because of jobs and human connections, America's top 10 largest cities will have the strongest real estate markets.     Creativity will..

It's Time For a New Look With This blog

I have been writing this blog for almost eight years. In two weeks, the format will change. I will start a video series on social media titled "The Latino Brand." I will supplement the videos with a weekly news sheet emailed to my database that includes links to the video series. The videos will focus on Latino unity, leadership, and wealth building.     I have a few tips for anyone considering writing a blog. The most critical factors are patience and consistency. You don't need to be perfect, especially in the beginning, but you must remain consistent. Your content will improve over time.    After that, I recommend finding a niche, something you are recognized for. Become a subject matter expert. It's good to be provocative, but only when it's authentic. It's easy to tell when someone is trying too hard to be controversial.    Finally, be original. This is the most challenging part. Have something new to say. Most people express ideas on social media that we have all heard a hundred times. If you are a subject matter expert and consistently share content with a fresh perspective, you will find your audience over time.    Thank you for following my blog. Something new is coming.   Gary

Could Trump’s Policies End Up Helping the Latino Brand?

An Alternative Perspective on Mass Deportations   I expect to get some heat for the title of this blog, but I hope you hear me out. Deportations could ultimately benefit Latinos in the long run, and here is how.    Donald Trump’s central promise throughout his presidential campaign was to enact mass deportations on a scale the country has never seen. Trump repeatedly characterized undocumented people as criminals and animals. I hated that because, for one, it’s not true. The large majority of undocumented immigrants are decent, hard-working people desperate for a better life in America.    However, there are also some bad apples, violent criminals that not only terrorize our communities but also damage the image of Latinos in America. Trump promised to prioritize criminals in his deportation plans. In the first few weeks in office, the data shows that about half of the people deported thus far have criminal records – so it’s unclear if things are playing out the way he said they would, but I hope they do. I also hope he deports white undocumented criminals, not just Black and Hispanic ones.    Latinos are the only ethnic group that has fought for the U.S. in every war since the Revolutionary War. They also have the highest workforce participation rate among all demographics. Latinos are God-fearing, hard-working, and patriotic people; however, if you weren’t aware and relied solely on the media and politicians for information about Latinos, you might think Latinos are a community filled with troubles—plagued by a mountain of legal and financial problems. When, in reality, the opposite is true. Let’s be honest; undocumented criminals contribute to the persistence of this negative narrative.     About 4% of America’s workforce is undocumented. They are not the problem. Removing these essential workers is hurtful and mean-spirited. It will also undermine our economy in more ways than we can imagine. If a large number of them are deported, this administration or the next will have no choice but to find a legal way to get them back. However, few argue that removing undocumented criminals from our streets and jails is a bad idea. It could also be a good thing for the Latino brand.    Reviewing DEI Can Be Good for Latinos   Little debate exists about whether companies with cultural and language skill sets will gain a competitive advantage in the coming years. The Trump administration also understands this reality. To their credit, the Trump campaign likely spent more money on Spanish language ads than any other presidential campaign in history. They understood the value of Latino voters more than their opposition did, and so do the smartest companies.    This week, there was a lot of news about Pam Biondi, the United States Attorney General, who has directed her team to initiate criminal investigations into private companies and universities with DEI programs, which, let me be clear, I believe is unfortunate. Still, ironically, the net result of this investigative process will be more clarity and transparency to the current administration and corporations on their respective boundaries. In other words, both sides will know what they legally can and cannot do.    Biondi points to the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions as the legal basis to force the end of private DEI programs. Last fall, Yale University reported that in their first year after the elimination of affirmative action, Black and Hispanic freshman enrollment actually increased slightly. While there will be some short-term setbacks, I expect a similar outcome for corporate America.    I would even double down. If companies are required to substantiate their investments in Hispanic markets, they will like

My advice to Latinos in 2025 is to Collaborate, Pull Someone Else Up, and Go and Get the Money

It has been said that government policy resembles a game of "whack-a-mole," meaning when the government tries to tackle a specific issue with a policy, it often causes new variations of the problem to emerge in different areas. In other words, "any action has an equal and opposite reaction." When taxes and regulations are reduced, as is expected in 2025, two things tend to happen: those at the bottom economically have it tougher because there are fewer safety nets and protections. Those at the top make a killing. There will always be a debate about what makes good or bad public policy, but the writing is on the wall for 2025, so let's make the most of it.    Go, Get The F-ing Money   Homeownership is the gateway to the middle class, but business ownership is the path to prosperity. Latinos are inherently entrepreneurial; now is the definitive time to focus on business ownership. Consider investing in a dull but profitable company, starting a construction business, enhancing your side hustle, or discovering new ways to utilize AI or assist others in doing so. Corporate and capital gains taxes are anticipated to decrease further, making business ownership more attractive. I favor businesses with high margins and low operating costs. Stay lean, yet be aggressive. Consider this: A great plumber can make $300K in a year, but if that same person purchased a plumbing business and flipped it for a $600K profit, they would pay roughly the same in taxes. In 2025, the environment for building wealth through business ownership may reach an all-time high.     Support Each Other's Businesses   DEI has become the convenient scapegoat for all failures. The irony in the criticism of DEI is that legacies and nepotism have influenced about a thousand times more college admissions, coveted internships, and C-suite appointments than DEI ever did. Many individuals throughout our economy currently hold very senior positions because of it, but that is the reality, and it's probably not going away. We can complain about it or learn to play the game. In actuality, I don't blame people too much for hiring their family and friends. You have to be intelligent about it, but I've done it, and it has generally worked out for me. With less help from government, we have no choice but to make a stronger effort to support one another. Whether it involves patronizing each other's businesses, forming partnerships, offering jobs, or simply sharing ideas, we are all stronger when we help each other. If Latinos did 10% more business with each other than they currently do, the impact on our collective wealth would be in the billions.    Pull Someone Else Up   As stated above, reducing taxes and regulations will leave some people behind. If you are one of the beneficiaries, commit to helping someone else. Find someone to mentor or help. Give someone a fish, and they will eat for a day, but teach someone to fish, and they will eat for a lifetime.    My goal for 2025 is to help create an even larger army of wealth-building warriors while encouraging a culture of collaboration and mentorship. Last year, I wrote a blog titled "Your Ideas Without Money Are Just Noise." In a nutshell, it said that the ones with the money make the rules. It sounds cynical, but it's probably more true now than ever. Let's get the money in 2025 so we can save the world later

Why Realtors are the Best People (A Short Love Letter to Our Industry)

Their Work is Important Realtors are in the business of making dreams come true. Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American dream. Realtors help families navigate the largest and most intimidating financial transaction of their lifetime. They serve as guides, counselors, cheerleaders, and protectors. Many of them remain friends of their clients for life. America is at its best when its citizens are stakeholders. The idea of an ownership society is one where all Americans have an ownership stake in our nation and, therefore, are vested in the nation’s well-being. Homeownership is the primary way people become stakeholders. Realtors make that happen.    They Bring Optimism and Positive Energy Sales is not for the weak of heart. Rejection is a daily experience. Success in sales requires an almost irrational sense of optimism. Optimism brings positive energy to virtually any situation. Realtors are trained to reject negative thinking and surround themselves with individuals who share a positive mindset. They share these disciplines with their families, creating an environment of gratitude and positivity at home and work.      They are Dreamers Realtors believe they can achieve the unachievable. They have vision boards and spend time thinking about a life of abundance. They believe in daily affirmations and reward themselves when they hit milestones. They rarely complain about things they can’t change. They mastermind with like-minded individuals and are grateful that they live in a country that rewards hard work and innovation.     They are Lifelong Learners  Realtors are lifelong learners, constantly consuming books, seminars, and podcasts that give them an edge. They are continually seeking motivation and breakthrough information that can get them an inch closer to their goals. They wake up early each day, ready for battle and eager to learn something new.    I have been blessed to work with realtors for most of my life and will continue to make it my career to honor and advocate for them.