Money Talk

The End of an Era at the Fed

Big global moves this week as the US and China reopen trade channels on beef, oil, and agriculture, even as tensions flare over Taiwan. Meanwhile, political shakeups hit both sides of the Atlantic with Kevin Warsh narrowly taking the helm at the Fed and the UK prime minister stepping down after market jitters. Back home, Trump pushes a gas tax pause and cheaper beef while economists flag the risks of populist policies, and housing data barely ticks higher. Also, how to navigate the ups and down of the retirement smile along with contribution strategies.

The Standoff Continues

This week’s episode sharpens the focus on major, politically driven developments, from the SEC’s push to rethink decades-old reporting rules to the high-stakes uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack key economic signals, including tighter bank lending standards and what they reveal about business confidence and credit conditions. And on Main Street, we connect the dots of rising costs, housing affordability challenges, war-driven hesitation in spending, and a deeper question lingering beneath it all: why retirement confidence is starting to slip.

Powell's Swan Song

This week Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down a high-stakes geopolitical and monetary situation, from rising Middle East tensions and OPEC fractures to the puzzling drumbeat for rate hikes with high oil prices. We unpack a divided Fed, increasingly hawkish signals from global central banks, and what may be Chair Powell’s final act as leadership transitions are ahead. Economic data remains solid, with resilient GDP growth and jobless claims evoking a “Summer of ’69” moment for the labor market. Plus, myths about filing an extension and tools for finding long-term care for a loved one.

Saturday, April 25th. Retirement Confidence Is Low. What Do We Do?

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen look ahead to what less Fed forward guidance could mean for rate volatility, why strong balance sheets may become a market advantage, and how global energy flows could quietly shift away from geopolitical chokepoints. Plus, the political noise shaking markets and why retirement confidence has sunk to a ten‑year low, as rising costs and growing uncertainty leave workers feeling increasingly uneasy. Additional segments on being tax savvy and Required Minimum Distribution Strategies.

Saturday, April 18th. What a Rally We Had!

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen discuss the sudden halt of Kevin Warsh’s nomination hearing and a huge recovery in the markets. We unpack soft housing data, jittery small businesses, cautious hiring, rising input costs, and a Beige Book full of uncertainty, and if the economy feels less like a recession. Special guest, and former Navy SEAL John Choate, joins the show and things he's seen overseas.

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down where income taxes hit hardest, why a third of Americans pay zero federal income tax, and how mandatory spending quietly dominates the budget. Plus, a two‑week U.S.–Iran ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz, and why geopolitics still has markets, and policymakers, on edge.  What is "Retirement Subtraction", and what are the strategies to guide you through it?  Also, how can donor-advised funds help with your tax filing plan for next year?

Saturday, April 4th.  How Oil Prices Affect the Economy

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack President Trump’s calls for the U.S. to step back from policing Middle East energy security, his push to exit the Iran conflict after taking away its nuclear and military capabilities, and Tehran’s demand for guarantees to prevent future aggression. We explore why oil price shocks hurt the economy far less than they used to, how U.S. energy efficiency has transformed since the Gulf War era, and why the Fed is content to “wait and see” rather than react to short‑term supply disruptions. Plus, a timely Labor Department proposal that could open 401(k) plans to private equity, private credit, crypto, and other alternatives, offering clearer fiduciary cover for plan managers.  Also, segments on direct indexing and plans for rich retirees.

For the Week in Review, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack a busy week where energy markets once again broke the rules, with negative prices in parts of the US echoing the shock of April 2020 and showing how oil profits can help offset losses in gas. They also take a look at fast moving global developments, from sudden shifts in US Iran dynamics to Turkey considering sales of its gold reserves to support its currency. Plus, practical conversations on smart ways to put a bigger tax refund to work and how to plan ahead for the rising costs of weddings.

For our Week in Review, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen discuss rising fuel costs, Iran’s attacks on energy infrastructure, and Powell’s defiant stance at the Fed. We break down why backward‑looking data may matter less in a post‑Iran world and new proposals on bank capital and SEC reporting. Plus, we look beyond oil to Nvidia’s trillion‑dollar ambitions, Macy’s surprising “shrink‑to‑grow” strategy, and why Americans might be outsourcing steak‑risk to restaurants.

For our Week in Review, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down the nonstop developments out of Iran, from a new leader to massive U.S. military spending and a global scramble to replace disrupted oil and fertilizer flows through the Strait of Hormuz. We also unpack why the IEA’s historic 400‑million‑barrel release may not calm markets, how shaky private‑credit headlines are starting to snowball, and why economic data like CPI and jobs reports are already outdated in a $100‑oil world. Plus, we explore surprising shifts in consumer behavior as giants like McDonald’s and Dollar General chase customers on both ends of the income spectrum amid mounting travel, trade, and supply‑chain strains. Also, segments on the trend of people raiding their 401(k) accounts and "retirement subtraction".