Hey everyone, welcome back to Wealth in the Fifth Dimension with Joe Soto. Today, we're diving into some uncomfortable truths about how unseen things can mess up our families and finances. I'm talking about stuff we often avoid, but that can seriously fracture our lives.

Ever wonder how many kids in America live in poverty? It's a staggering 11.5 million. Think about that – in the richest country in the world, millions of kids are struggling just to get by. Some people ask me, "Joe, why talk about poverty? You're a wealth guy!" But here's the thing: you can't really talk about wealth without acknowledging the huge gap between the "haves" and "have-nots." This divide affects everything, from the markets to the credit rating of the US. It's like a family that looks rich but is actually one emergency away from bankruptcy. We see the fancy car, but we don't see the mountain of debt.

Taxes are another massive issue. What happens when we ignore the growing number of people in poverty? The short-term "fix" is often to tax the wealthy even more, which creates its own set of problems. We need to address the cause of these challenges, not just the symptoms.

So, what are some of these hidden causes? First, our incomes aren't growing fast enough to keep up with inflation. This leads to lifestyle creep, where we want more but can't afford it. This creates a sense of scarcity, which can lead to major issues. In fact, money problems are one of the top reasons couples divorce. I've seen it firsthand in my work – helping clients split up their assets after a marriage falls apart because they couldn't manage their finances.

Second, often both parents are forced to work just to maintain their lifestyle. This means the kids are left exposed, and someone else has to step in as a parent – a school, a babysitter, whoever. Then, parents wonder why their kids end up with problems, like drug addiction or other issues that cost a fortune to fix. These are the kinds of conversations most financial advisors avoid, but I think they're crucial.

Third, some people start to see their families, their aging parents, even their kids, as the government's responsibility. They're so busy on the "hamster wheel" trying to maintain their lifestyle that they don't have time to care for their family. This creates a multi-generational fracture. If we neglect our parents, what message are we sending to our kids about how they should treat us when we get older? These things show up in financial decisions down the line.

Now, let's talk about some opportunities. First, focus on developing your skills and talents so you can become more valuable in the marketplace and earn more money than inflation eats up. Second, realize you can pay someone to help with your kids, but think carefully about who you're entrusting them to. I've made this mistake myself, hiring babysitters when my kids were little, and I've seen the consequences in my clients' lives too. It's a tough balance.

Third, start thinking about your family in a multi-generational way. How you raise your kids will impact how your grandkids turn out. If you abandon your parents in their old age, your kids are watching.

Here are some important shifts in thinking: The government should be your last resort, not your first. Short-term fixes rarely work for long-term problems. Choose interdependence over independence – we need each other. And finally, freedom doesn't excuse responsibility. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

So, here's my question for you today: where are you escaping responsibility? In your health? Your spirituality? Your family? Your finances? I know these are tough topics, but I've seen firsthand how ignoring them can destroy lives. I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad, but I hope this gives you something to think about. Thanks for listening, and tune in tomorrow for more Wealth in the Fifth Dimension.