It’s a few weeks past the red wave sweeping election, and the hype has all but died down. David takes a deep dive into potential outcomes as President Trump fills roles for the cabinet. And speaking of big changes to come, David unpacks a mandate for change from his favorite economist, Brian Wesbury.

David explains the importance of the 10-year Treasury Bond in how it helps to give an overview of the economy, particularly inflation levels, and how David believes Capitalism works by raising the standard of living across the board.

What’s going on with all the cash Berkshire Hathaway is stockpiling? Is now a good time to invest in NVIDIA? And if someone has multiple IRAs, what’s the best method to obtaining the RMDs? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

With the election now past, there is brief window of opportunity to take advantage of estate planning strategies that may only be around for the next four years. To expand on that, financial advisor and Estate Planning specialist, Mike Shudel, joins as guest in today’s episode.

The hype of the 2024 election is finally behind us, and for the majority, it was a win for America, but David Brooks elaborates on how there is much work to be done, especially with an inevitable recession on the horizon. David also unpacks a Tweet put out by economist, Brian Wesbury, on how he no longer trusts the data put out by statistical agencies.

David reacts to the recent government department cutting tactics of the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, and says America should be taking notes. Also, why Suze Orman swears by using one retirement account, no matter the tax bracket you’re in.

What is the consensus for Amazon telling workers they must return to the office? At what age does the 401(k)-withdrawal rule take effect? And why does David like working with people in retirement? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

Derrick Flores, Medicaid Planner with Senior Asset Solutions, talks with David on the importance of being proactive in planning ahead for assisted living and how Senior Asset Solutions can offer advantages and advice through the application process.

It’s election day! In today’s episode, David shares his outlook on the current race with the aid of prediction markets. More and more retailers are closing their doors because the consumers are running dry. And how the current state of crude oil in our economy is a possible sign for an early recession.

Today, David talks on how with more regulations being signed in California, Phillips 66 oil refinery is set to close in LA by end of 2025. And with the misery index being higher than the FED funds rate, consumers aren’t getting any happier.

Will a Harris victory and proposed tax increases to follow send us into a 1930s style depression? What is Stanley Druckenmiller doing with treasury bonds? And is there a change coming that will allow people to put more into their 401(k)s? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

The U.S. has reached a new low by accruing so much debt that the annual interest on it has surpassed the trillion-dollar mark, and there seems to be no sign of slowing down. In the last 3 weeks, the U.S. contributed ANOTHER half-trillion to our national debt. David elaborates on this staggering pace of new debt.

It’s a major crisis for U.S. banks. According to Cryptopolitan, U.S. banks’ unrealized losses soar to 7 times their crisis levels back in 2008! David Brooks shares what this means for the economy and markets.

David expands on recent federal reserve data showing that commodities are on the rise, yet again, and how eggs have taken a massive hit. Plus, a fun breakdown of the top ten rudest, and least rude, cities in the US.

Should the Department of Justice break up the alleged monopoly, that is Google? Are we seeing today a repeat of the S&P Index, as it was in 2007? And now that we’re halfway through the season, is David Brooks sticking with his prediction for the Huskers? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

Are you an entrepreneur or own a small business? Today, David invites Attorney Colin Kastrick, with Kastrick Law, to talk about a potentially missed regulation from Uncle Sam called a “B.O.I. Report,” as well as other tips to help you get into the proactive planning mindset for your estate.

It’s a perfect storm for the FED! Inflation came in hotter than expected, as did jobless claims, and stagflation is here. David Brooks continues down this rabbit hole by revealing how the Bond market is the true barometer for inflation levels.

David unpacks how even with the recent Fed rate cuts, mortgage rates are continuing to go up, and why the Federal Reserve is incredibly low on its reserves.

Can someone retire with $400,000 in a 401(k) if they’re single and over 60? Should we be concerned with the current number of American households in which at least 25% of the income comes from the government? And what is going on with the multitude of over 1,400 CEOs announcing their departures? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

Are you on team David, or team David? Is it possible to be a fan and follower of both Davids? Today, financial advisor, Alex Murray, joins David Brooks in the studio to talk through Dave Ramsey’s 7 baby steps to financial peace. 

David “looks under the hood” of another jobs report, claiming that U.S. job creation roared higher in September as payrolls surged by 254,000.  And why the increase of Government jobs, as opposed to non-government jobs, does more harm to the American economy than good.

David forecasts the future of the market by looking to a past “soft landing” prediction by Janet Yellen; also, David highlights an article on luxury stocks slipping, revealing that even wealthy Chinese consumers are holding back in fear of an overall economic downturn.

Should we be concerned with the sudden high demand from Singapore for NVIDIA products?  For states that are fiscally responsible, is it bad news that Trump seems to be reversing his position on the salt deduction? And what impact with the new Prime Minister of Japan have on the NIKKEI index and perhaps our markets? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

With the elections just around the corner, many are concerned with what’s to happen to their social security benefits in the years to come. Financial advisor, Sean Swanson, who leads the SMART Social Security Blueprint class, sheds light on the potential predicament.

David unpacks and shares his response on major events in world, such as the recent Vice Presidential debate, the escalation of the missile attacks in and around Israel, the American coastal port strikes, and drastic changes for Southwest Airlines.

David reveals some of the harsh realities concerning “real unemployment” statistics, credit card interest rates and defaults being their highest ever, and the investment implications of a $780B mistake.

What is to happen in with the multitude of workers in California out of job due to robots taking their positions at fast-food restaurants? And should we agree with Fed Reserve Chairman Powell’s defense of the recent aggressive rate cut?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

Back in the guest seat, financial advisor, Mike Shudel, shares his wisdom on all things estate planning. Mike brings to light famous mistakes found in celebrity wills that went downhill, while also providing tips on how to be proactive in protecting your estate.

David unpacks the drastic analysis provided by the August Budget Deficit, and how the September consumer confidence fell to its lowest in the last three years.

David brings light on multiple situations, such as that over a third of the population of the U.S. are struggling to pay the bills, in the last four years consumer spending in restaurants has plummeted, and how in just the last three years, monthly expenses have gone up over one-thousand dollars!

Is a $25,000 tax deduction for seniors a good idea? Is there a big difference between 25 basis points and 50 basis points? And from a business owners’ perspective, are profiteers really gouging consumers for extravagant profits? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

Open enrollment for medical benefits is just around the corner, and today, back in the guest seat, Financial Advisor Dustin Galvin, joins David on the discussion of all things Medicare, sharing tips and strategies on how to recognize and navigate potential red flags in your Medicare plans.

David breaks down a headline put out from the CEO of JPMorgan, warning the US of an economic fate worse than a recession, and why bond rates are expected to go up.

David unpacks on the crafty fine print involved in a lawsuit where a man tried to sue Disney over his wife’s death, and why the “Cup & Handle” is David’s favorite and the most predictable pattern in the SP market charts.

Has Price Waterhouse gone too far with monitoring their employees’ locations to enforce its “return-to-office policy?” With significant fraud in the social security system, is the elimination of the wet ink signature requirement a good idea?  And what is going on with Volkswagen potentially closing their plants in Germany?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

Making his debut, CPA and director of Tax Services at Retire SMART, Evan Marshall, joins David Brooks in the studio.  Evan leads the Tax SMART division, specializing in saving hundreds of thousands in taxes for entrepreneurs, high income earners, exit planners, and more.

David shares a few takeaways from the Trump & Harris debate, more on the rapid unwinding of the labor market, how the federal reserve is “toning-down” banking regulations, and the hard truths coming to light over the EV transition.

David shares his take on the growing trend of “Unretiring,” on how many retirees don’t have a choice but to return to the workplace, plus the reason why household allocations are near record highs.

Will the divergence between credit card debt and private savings keep expanding infantilely? Why is there such a disparity between GDI and GDP?  And how do you handle a difficult transition between financial advisors?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.  

David speaks with a special guest, Senior Economist, Strider Elass, from First Trust Portfolios.  Retire SMART utilizes resources from First Trust, such as research and analytical data that’s been proven to be one of the most reliable sources in the nation. In the conversation, Strider gives a 10,000-foot view of the state of our economy.

David unpacks why Allstate plans to raise home insurance premiums in California, and how Dollar General is also feeling major pains from plummeting shares and having to raise prices for already financially constrained customers.

David shares his take on productivity in and out of the workplace in relation to working remotely, and the reality of big-name companies, such as Google and Facebook, overusing censorship, stunting the masses from becoming critical thinkers.

Are Nebraska property taxes finally getting a break, thanks to a legislation signed by the governor? What is “Carry Trade,” and how is it related to the volatility of the Japanese Yen? And what is happening in Libya with the halting of their oil production? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

For many, digital currency, or crypto, still feels taboo due to its lack of regulation in the past, but now, even the presidential candidates are weighing in on how to embrace the future of the digital dollar. Joining in the discussion today, financial advisor, Brad Starken, gives us more detail on the potential benefits of digital currency.

David unpacks the following: a CNBC headline on how a recession is coming to the US, but that ‘a few rate cuts’ won’t prevent it.  Plus, at the Democratic National Convention, the Secretary of Commerce seemed oblivious to the BLS data on the nearly million “fake” jobs created by the Biden administration.

David talks on how the expectation for income amount for the next twelve months is lower, putting the consumer between a rock and a hard place.  And, how the outlook of weaker sales for major home improvement retailers, such as Lowes and Home Depot, will greatly impact the economy.  

Should I put my money, from my 401k, into an IRA when I retire? What does the term “False Breakdown” mean in financial language? And with cancellations rising, is this a bad time to sell your home? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

The Retire SMART family is branching out!  Joining in our studio today, is financial advisor, Brian McConnell, who will be leading the Retire SMART team in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Brian unpacks his journey with David on what lead him to become an advocate for the SMART process.