Record Cash on the Sidelines, GDP Surprise, & The Best Investment Advice Ever

The guys are back with a new episode of Money Wise. As always, they kick the show off with a look at the numbers coming out of Wall Street last week. Unfortunately, the markets ended the week slightly lower on very light trading volume ahead of the Labor Day holiday, with the Dow down 0.2%, the S&P 500 down 0.1%, and the NASDAQ down 0.2%. That being said, year-to-date, all three indexes remain positive, led by the NASDAQ at +11.1%. The big economic highlight was the second reading of Q2 GDP, which surprised to the upside at 3.3%, showing […]

Maximizing 529 Plans: What Families Should Know This Year

Planning for a child’s education is one of the biggest financial commitments many families face. With college tuition and related expenses continuing to rise, finding efficient ways to save is more important than ever. For many parents and grandparents, 529 plans remain a cornerstone tool for education funding. But how can you get the most out of these accounts, especially with changing rules and evolving family needs? Let’s explore what families need to know about maximizing 529 plans in 2025 to build a thoughtful education savings strategy.

Jackson Hole Shifts the Tone, Small-Cap Momentum, & Equity Index Annuities

The Money Wise guys are back in the studio with some fresh takes on what’s happening on Wall Street. This week, the markets responded positively to Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell’s much-anticipated Jackson Hole speech. For the week, the Dow rose 686 points (1.5%), the S&P 500 gained 17 points (0.3%), while the NASDAQ slipped 106 points (-0.6%). Year-to-date, the Dow is up 7.3%, the S&P 10%, and the NASDAQ 11.3%. The discussion focuses on how Powell’s dovish tone signaled the likelihood of an interest rate cut in September, easing fears of more aggressive tightening. His comments also reframed […]

The True Driver of Inflation, Market Momentum & What Wall Street Won’t Tell You

This week on Money Wise, the conversation opens with a strong recap of Wall Street’s numbers: the Dow rose 771 points (1.7%), the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, and the NASDAQ added 0.8%. Year-to-date, all three indexes continue to show solid progress, led by the NASDAQ at 12%. The first half of the show drills into economic data, particularly the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI), and how the headlines don’t always tell the full story. While media outlets linked tariffs to inflation, a deeper look revealed that service costs, not goods, were the main driver. The […]

Smart Strategies for Managing Education Costs in 2025

Education is one of the largest financial commitments many families face, and in 2025, costs continue to climb. Whether you’re saving for a child’s college tuition, helping a grandchild pursue higher education, or planning for your own professional development, managing education costs can have a significant impact on your overall financial picture. The good news? With the right strategies, you can address education costs thoughtfully by balancing these expenses with your other long-term priorities like retirement planning and wealth preservation. It starts with understanding your options and making informed decisions that align with your financial goals. Here’s how to […]

Apple’s Big Investment, Market Momentum and RIA vs. Broker

The Money Wise guys are back in the studio and kick off this week’s episode by recapping a strong rebound for the markets, with the Dow up 1.3%, the S&P 500 climbing 2.4%, and the NASDAQ jumping 3.9%, reaching an all-time closing high on Friday. Despite factory orders falling 4.8%, markets largely brushed off the news, along with fresh tariff headlines involving chip manufacturing and India. Apple’s $100+ billion commitment to new U.S. facilities added to the upbeat sentiment. The guys put market gains in perspective, noting the S&P 500 is up only 6.6% without dividends since President Trump’s […]

Markets Slip, Economic Confusion Grows & The Best Investment Advice Ever

This week on Money Wise, the Davidson brothers break down a jam-packed week on Wall Street as all three major indices posted losses. The Dow slid 2.9%, the S&P 500 dropped 2.4%, and the NASDAQ dipped 2.2%. Despite the week’s red ink, year-to-date numbers remain positive. But the real story is the flurry of conflicting economic data. The second-quarter GDP came in hot at 3%, far above expectations, sparking debate about what that really means for the economy. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve opted to hold rates steady, just before two critical data releases: the PCE inflation measure and a […]