Gold always gets attention during uncertain times—but is it really a good long-term investment?In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors breaks down the facts about investing in gold. From physical bars to ETFs, he explains the two primary ways investors get exposure to gold and why it’s often misunderstood as a strategy.You’ll hear:The real historical performance of gold vs. the stock marketWhen gold tends to shine (and lag)What to know before buying physical goldWhy stocks still outperform long-termHow professional managers use gold (and how most don’t)Stats from 1990 to 2020:Gold: +360%Dow Jones: +990%S&P 500: ~10% annual return (avg.)Gold isn’t “bad”—but it’s not the magic hedge it’s often marketed as. Listen in as Brad shares how to think about gold as part of your overall wealth plan—and when it might make sense (or not) for your portfolio.Got questions? Reach out to the iWealth team—we’re here to help you invest with confidence and purpose.#GoldInvestment #BradConnors #iWealthPodcast #Investing2025 #PreciousMetals #StockMarketReturns #SmartMoneyMoves #FinancialEducation #AlternativeInvestments #ETFs

Can You Really Afford a $400K House? What Every Buyer Needs to KnowThe $400,000 house used to be the dream—now it’s the average.In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt break down what it really takes to buy a home in today’s market. From down payments and closing costs to monthly payments and long-term equity, they walk through real numbers and realistic expectations.🏡 Is buying still better than renting? 📈 Why the market likely won’t crash (especially in the Midwest) 💰 How much cash you actually need to buy a $300K+ house 📉 Why waiting for prices to drop might be a mistakeIf you’re thinking about your first home—or helping your kids buy theirs—this episode is a must.#HomeBuying #iWealthPodcast #BradConnors #RealEstateTips #MillennialMoney #RentVsBuy #MortgagePlanning

Everyone loves a free flight… but is it really free?In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt unpack the real cost of playing the credit card rewards game. If you've ever justified a new card “for the miles” or convinced yourself you'll pay it off each month, this conversation is for you.🧠 Credit card companies hire teams of psychologists whose job is to make sure you slip.🧾 A few small mistakes can lead to tens of thousands in debt—and years of financial strain.Topics include: Why Brad cringes when people say, “I need the miles.” How credit card companies profit off behavioral psychology The real winners of the cashback and rewards game What to consider before opening another cardBefore you swipe again, hit play.#iWealthPodcast #CreditCardTruth #BradConnors #MoneyTalk #AirlineMiles #CreditTrap #DebtFreedom

The Truth About Credit Card DebtIn this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt dig into a major financial pitfall that too many people face: credit card debt.🚫 The “swipe now, deal later” mindset has become dangerously common. 📈 Interest rates are sky-high—sometimes 23% or more. 💡 Brad shares stories from 25+ years of experience, and Matt reflects on the real cost of assuming “future me” will have it all figured out.This episode tackles:Why credit card debt is one of the most toxic forms of debtThe psychology behind “future spending”How social media fuels unrealistic spending expectationsA simple plan to build credit without falling into the trap📉 Don’t let short-term spending steal your long-term freedom. 🎧 Tune in, get honest, and take control.#CreditCardDebt #iWealthPodcast #BradConnors #DebtTrap #MoneyWisdom #FinancialFreedom #FutureFocused

What’s next? That simple question can be the key to purpose, motivation, and momentum in your life.In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt talk about the power of looking forward to something—whether it’s a fishing trip, a camper van project, or just the next opportunity.💬 “You can do really hard things if you’ve got something to look forward to.” Brad and Matt unpack why future-thinking builds resilience, joy, and even healing—especially in times of transition like retirement.🎯 In this episode:Why your future must be bigger than your pastHow momentum and movement fuel motivationThe power of simply picking something to pursueWhy retirees need purpose, not just free time#BradConnors #iWealthPodcast #LookForward #PurposeDrivenLife #MomentumMatters #FutureFocused #RetireToSomething

Goal-Based Investing: The Fun Side of Smart Financial PlanningWhat if your investments weren’t just numbers—but reminders of the things you’re working toward?In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt unpack the idea of goal-based investing—a strategy that ties your money directly to meaningful milestones.From weddings and sabbaticals to cars and travel, Brad explains how assigning dollars to real goals can make investing more personal, more purposeful, and honestly... more fun.🎯 Learn how to:Track progress based on your goals—not just percentagesCreate separate accounts for specific dreamsFund what matters most—beyond retirementBecause when your money aligns with your life, you stay motivated.#GoalBasedInvesting #iWealthPodcast #BradConnors #PurposefulPlanning #FinancialGoals #DreamDriven

Why Brad Connors Rewrote Fish Don’t Clap: From Inspiration to ActionBrad Connors returns to the iWealth Podcast with Mega Matt to talk about why he rewrote his popular book Fish Don’t Clap.The original helped people rethink retirement—not as a finish line, but as the start of something meaningful. Now, the revised edition goes one step further.📘 Inside the updated version, you’ll find a new chapter that offers practical, down-to-earth guidance for turning inspiration into implementation.Whether you’re working with an advisor or figuring things out on your own, Brad shares what to look for, what to ask, and how to move forward with purpose.✅ Retire to something—not just from something. ✅ Learn the questions to ask your advisor. ✅ Start putting your plan into motion.#FishDontClap #BradConnors #iWealthPodcast #RetirementPlanning #PurposefulRetirement #RetireWithPurpose #DreamNavigator

In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Mega Matt dive into a great audience question that came up during a recent live event: What exactly makes U.S. Treasury bonds so safe—and how do they compare to other bonds like those issued by companies?Brad kicks off the conversation by going back to the basics. He breaks down the difference between stocks and bonds, explaining that when you buy a stock, you’re buying ownership in a company. But when you buy a bond, you’re loaning money—either to a corporation or to the government.Using simple examples, Brad explains what happens when you loan $10,000 to a company like Walmart versus loaning that same amount to the U.S. government. With Walmart (or any corporation), you might get a higher interest rate—say 6%—but that comes with added risk. If Walmart hits hard times or goes out of business, your investment could be at risk. You might not get that $10,000 back.In contrast, if you invest in a U.S. Treasury bond, you're loaning money to the federal government—an entity with a very different level of financial flexibility. Why? Because the U.S. government can do things companies can't: they can raise taxes, reduce other spending, or even print more money if needed. That’s why Treasury bonds are considered one of the safest investments out there, even if they might only pay 4% instead of 6%.The conversation also touches on bond ratings, including the concept of "junk bonds"—higher-risk loans to companies that are more likely to default. Brad compares these to the financial equivalent of a mob loan: the higher the risk, the higher the return needs to be to make it worth your while.Matt adds his own observations from the event, noting how helpful it is to understand the "get-out-of-jail-free card" the government holds when it comes to honoring its debt. That safety net just doesn’t exist for individual companies.This episode offers a clear, approachable explanation for anyone who’s ever wondered:What’s the difference between a stock and a bond?Why are Treasuries considered “safe”?Why do some bonds pay more than others?What’s the tradeoff between risk and return?Whether you’re just getting started with investing or are looking to better understand where bonds fit into your overall financial plan, this episode is packed with insights delivered in an easy-to-understand way.#iWealthPodcast #InvestingBasics #BondsExplained #TreasuryBonds #SafeInvesting #FinancialEducation #MoneyTalks #WealthWisdom

In this inspiring episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors and Matt dive into one of the most powerful yet underrated forces in personal finance—and life: compound interest. But they’re not just talking about money. The conversation expands into how this principle applies to relationships, knowledge, giving, and the way we live our lives every day.Brad kicks off the episode by referencing the famous quote often attributed to Albert Einstein: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world.” This quote hangs in Brad’s office, serving as a daily reminder that long-term thinking and consistent effort can yield extraordinary results over time. Whether it’s in building wealth or cultivating a meaningful life, compounding is the engine behind real, lasting growth.The hosts reflect on a quote by Naval Ravikant, “Play long-term games with long-term people. All returns in life—whether in wealth, relationships, or knowledge—come from compound interest.” From there, they explore how this philosophy plays out in various areas of life:In Money: Just like saving and investing in a 401(k), the earlier and more consistently you contribute, the more your wealth grows. That’s the traditional—and powerful—example of compounding. Brad emphasizes that even modest contributions can build into something substantial when given time and consistency.In Relationships: The duo discusses how putting in the effort—especially when things get tough—can strengthen relationships over time. Instead of cutting ties when things get hard, what if we leaned in and invested more in the people who matter most? That’s compounding in action.In Knowledge and Career: Brad brings up the book From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks, which contrasts younger professionals hustling through their learning curves with older professionals who benefit from decades of accumulated wisdom. He explains how professors in their 60s and 70s are often rated higher by students—not because they work harder, but because their years of experience allow them to teach more effectively. Learning builds on itself—just like interest.In Giving: Matt touches on the fulfillment that comes from giving generously over time. While the payoff may not always be immediate or measurable, generosity tends to come full circle. “Let’s see if I can out-give you,” he says, not as a challenge but as a joyful mindset that leads to long-term impact and personal growth.