Welcome back family — in this episode, I break down Trump’s renewed push for tariffs and what it could mean for your wallet, mortgage rates, and the overall economy. Prices are rising, rates are swinging, and we’re all trying to figure out what to do next. If you’re preparing to buy a home, invest, or just want to stay informed, this one’s for you.

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

In this episode, Isaiah Gaymon and I talk about how trusting yourself, collaborating with the right people, and showing up for your community can open doors both personally and professionally. We get into what it really looks like to pivot careers, and turn your skills into income.

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Could a trade war lower home prices? 

In this episode, I broke down how a trade war and recession could impact mortgage rates, home prices, and your financial future. With the economy facing uncertainty, I dive into why consumer confidence is shifting, what it means for the housing market, and how to prepare for potential rate cuts.

00:00 - Could a Trade War Lower Home Prices?
01:20 - Why Mortgage Rates Are Stuck
03:57 - How a Recession Could Impact Home Buyers
05:45 - Will there be a Recession 
08:05 - Understanding Tariffs & Economic Risks
10:05 - Using a High Yield Savings Account

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Want to learn how to save money & build wealth?

In this episode, I sat down with Certified Financial Planner, Chris Skutnik, to learn about smart ways to save, invest, and stay on track with your money. Chris shared tips on  how to make the most of employer matches, why saving regularly matters, and how to stay disciplined with your finances.

Chapters
00:00 Starting the Journey: The Importance of Early Investment
10:07 Understanding Personal Finance: Savings vs. Investment Returns
19:50 Navigating Market Changes: Strategies for Young Investors
29:51 The Role of a Financial Coach: Overcoming Emotional Barriers
30:16 Financial Discipline and Structure
33:14 Emergency Funds and Wealth Building
35:56 Investment Accounts Explained
40:28 The Importance of Financial Guidance
41:51 Child Planning and Education Savings
44:56 Navigating Cryptocurrency Investments
48:36 Self-Discipline and Long-Term Success

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

President Trump is back in office, and he's making bold moves—tariffs, mass deportations, and a push for lower interest rates. But will any of this actually help homebuyers and renters?

00:00 - Trump’s Economic Moves: Tariffs & Deportations
01:00 - How Immigration Affects the Construction Workforce
02:10 - Impact of Immigrant Labor on Housing Costs
03:25 - Will Builders Absorb Costs or Pass Them to Buyers?
04:18 - Trump’s Push for Tariffs & Homebuilding Costs
06:00 - The Impact of Interest Rates on Home Prices
07:07 - Trump vs. Jerome Powell: The Rate Cut Debate
08:20 - Are These Changes Actually Helping Homebuyers?
08:59 - Staying Informed: Making Smart Housing Decisions
09:45 - Final Thoughts & How to Get Real Estate Guidance

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

💰 Tax Season Is Here – Are You Ready?

Want to keep more of your hard-earned money this tax season? Whether you're a 9-5 employee, self-employed entrepreneur, or real estate investor, this episode will show you how to legally reduce your tax bill and maximize your refund in 2025.

I sat down with tax expert David Colon to break down everything you need to know before filing your taxes. Plus, if you’ve hit a big parlay on FanDuel or DraftKings, learn how to report your sports betting winnings properly—so you don’t get flagged by the IRS.

🔎 In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ How to legally pay less in taxes and keep more of your income
✅ Top tax mistakes that could cost you thousands
✅ Essential deductions & credits you might be missing
✅ Real estate investor tax loopholes to lower your tax burden
✅ The truth about sports betting winnings & IRS tracking
✅ IRS crackdown in 2025 – What you need to know

🏡 Ready to take the next steps towards your future home? Connect with Dekimbe: https://calendly.com/dekimbesmith/letstalk

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

Renting your first apartment? It’s not as simple as scrolling Zillow and signing a lease. Many first-time renters make costly mistakes that can lead to financial strain, bad rental experiences, or missed opportunities. In this episode, I’m breaking down the top 5 mistakes renters make, and that I made—and how to avoid them!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ Why budgeting beyond rent is essential 🔎
✔️ The #1 thing to check before applying 🏠
✔️ How to avoid getting stuck with unexpected move-in costs 💰
✔️ Why you should never rent sight unseen 👀
✔️ How your credit score can make or break your approval 📊

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

In this episode, I’m breaking down the evolving antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against six major landlords, including Greystar and Blackstone's LivCor. 

The DOJ claims these companies used RealPage’s pricing algorithm to coordinate rent increases, pushing millions of renters into financial strain.

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible team behind Sankofa Properties to uncover their unique journey from college friends to real estate trailblazers. Khalia, Erica, and James share how their African-centered studies inspired a mission-driven real estate business.

Learn about their strategic approach to building multiple revenue streams, the importance of understanding your clientele, and how their vertical integration model transforms real estate services.

📖 Content Recs of the Week: 
"Winning" by Tim Grover - https://amzn.to/42396CD
"The Pumpkin Plan" by Mike Michalowicz - https://amzn.to/40mk599
"Never Finished" by David Goggins - https://amzn.to/40kTTvF

⚡️Connect with the team at Sankofa Properties
https://www.instagram.com/sankofasignings/

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

In this episode, I sat down with Josh Giddings, lending expert and mortgage partner, to discuss the realities of today's housing market. From navigating rising interest rates to understanding the misconceptions about affordability, Josh shares actionable insights to help you make informed decisions in 2025. 

📅 Connect with Josh Giddings:
Schedule a call: https://calendly.com/whoisjoshg
Learn more about mortgage options: https://www.thinkmtg.com/JoshGiddings.html

What did you think about this episode?

--------------------------------
Get the First Sip Field Notes: A weekly newsletter for curious people building better businesses, careers, and lives. You'll also get a free tool to help you decide if that idea you're sitting on is actually worth building.

https://firstsipfieldnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe

CONNECT WITH DEKIMBE: 

YouTube

Instagram  

Facebook 

LinkedIn

FOLLOW THE PODCAST:

Instagram
Apple Podcasts
Spotify

For podcast sponsorship & advertising opportunities please contact: [email protected]