It's a Crypto Bonanza today we we discuss the new Clarity Act and how it impacts digital currencies. We also chat about the emotional and financial rollercoaster of buying a home in today’s market, as Kirk shares about falling in love with a house—only to walk away after discovering many issues the sellers failed to disclose. We talk about how the cost to buy is now far above the cost to rent in many areasb and how sellers are increasingly unwilling to drop prices—even as supply builds and interest rates stay high. We also dig into how real estate, while deeply emotional, ultimately comes down to math, and why renting may still make more sense... 

Wee discuss... 

• The cost to buy a home is currently much higher than the cost to rent, especially in higher-priced markets.
• Emotional attachment often causes sellers to keep unrealistic home prices despite market shifts.
• Many markets are seeing a growing supply of homes and longer times on market, leading to price pressures.
• Real estate equity is a major source of wealth but is difficult to access without selling or borrowing.
• Sellers tend to suppress or avoid disclosing problems to preserve home value, increasing risk for buyers.
• Inflation-adjusted home prices show 2025 prices are very high, but official inflation numbers may understate true inflation.
• Buying a home is often an emotional and personal decision rather than a purely financial investment.
• Renting can be mathematically cheaper, but many still desire homeownership for personal reasons. 
• The Clarity Act aims to define regulatory authority over digital assets between the CFTC and SEC, though it hasn’t passed yet.
• Regulation is viewed positively if it prevents fraud without overly restricting innovation in crypto.
• The banking sector may resist crypto innovation due to potential threats to their traditional business models.
• Concerns were expressed about government overreach via CBDCs that could control or monitor personal spending.
• Despite risks, the government already has many tools to combat financial crime without needing intrusive surveillance.
• Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have risen recently, prompting some profit-taking but maintaining belief in long-term value.
• MicroStrategy pivoted to Bitcoin investment after years of flat or breakeven performance, using debt and financial engineering to buy more Bitcoin.
• The history of MicroStrategy’s CEO includes a past SEC investigation and company struggles before embracing Bitcoin.
• The line between genius and stupidity can sometimes be just dumb luck.
• MicroStrategy’s strategy resembles a Ponzi scheme by relying on new money to pay returns and leveraging debt to buy Bitcoin.
• If Bitcoin crashes, the company faces margin calls and financial stress due to heavy debt.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/crypto-bonanza-733 

Shaan Patel is here to discuss how you can slash the cost of college through some more advanced strategies. We also discuss major education changes packed into the “Big Beautiful Bill,” starting with the introduction of new Trump Accounts—a kind of IRA for minors with no deductions and withdrawal restrictions until age 18. We cover expanded uses for 529 plans, including tutoring, test prep, homeschool materials, and more. Repayment options are narrowed down to just two, and several popular income-driven plans are scrapped.

We also talk about how Pell Grants are being expanded for short-term workforce programs and the future of the Department of Education as it sees deep funding cuts—all pointing to less federal support, more private lending, and a growing need for serious college planning. 

We discuss...

• Major education reforms packed into the “Big Beautiful Bill,” starting with the new Trump Account—a savings vehicle for minors with a $5,000 annual cap, no deductions, and no early withdrawals.
• The bill expands 529 plans to cover tutoring, test prep, online learning, homeschool materials, and special education services.
• A new federal tax credit scholarship program allows individuals and corporations to donate up to $1,700 annually to scholarship organizations, with a 100% tax credit.
• There’s also $500 million in grants for “American Values” curricula promoting patriotism and national pride.
• On the college side, new federal loan caps include $100K for master’s degrees, $200K for professional degrees (like law or med school), and a $257,500 lifetime limit—while Grad PLUS loans are eliminated entirely.
• Repayment options are now limited to a standard plan or a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), ending other income-based programs like SAVE and PAYE.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness survives but faces tighter eligibility, and deferment options for hardship have been significantly cut.
• Workforce Pell Grants are expanded to include short-term training programs (8–15 weeks) for in-demand technical jobs.
• Wealthy universities face a major increase in endowment taxes—up to 8%—especially impacting Ivy League schools.
• The Department of Education will see a nearly 20% discretionary funding cut over five years, potentially affecting programs like TRIO that help low-income students access college.
• With fewer federal dollars and tighter lending, private loans may fill the gap—making proactive college and financial planning more critical than ever.
• Parents of younger students (7th–10th grade) should start planning early for the PSAT.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Diana Perkins | Trading with Diana

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/slash-the-cost-of-college-shaan-patel-732 

Kirk changes his tune on housing as he moves towards purchasing a new home. Today we explore how homeownership is often more of an emotional choice than a smart financial investment, with many people misunderstanding the real cost compared to renting. We talk about the burden of property taxes, why paying off a mortgage early might not always make financial sense, and the social pressures around owning a home. We shift gears to a surprising discovery in credit reporting systems—a “Human Trafficking Request” option—which leads us to reflect on the serious issue of human trafficking, especially in border areas, and how complex and unexpected some financial topics can be. We also talk property taxes, economic growth, and more! Today we discuss...

• Buying a home isn’t just about numbers—it’s emotional, from nesting instincts to worrying about what neighbors think.
• Contrary to popular belief, owning a home often isn’t a great financial investment; it’s mostly a personal expense.
• There’s a sweet spot where owning beats renting, but for expensive properties, renting often comes out cheaper.
• Paying off a low-interest mortgage early might feel good, but financially, investing that money elsewhere often makes more sense.
• You never really “own” a home because ongoing costs like taxes and maintenance keep coming.
• A bizarre credit bureau feature for removing human trafficking info—raises a lot of questions about what’s on our reports.
• Trying to freeze or check credit reports online turned into a frustrating experience with errors and security concerns.
• A “chart crime” was discussed involving misleading silver price charts that artificially suggest massive future price spikes.
• Everyone, including experts, has biases, and the best investing involves independent thinking free from crowd influence.
• Warren Buffett’s investment strategy of avoiding Wall Street noise by focusing on fundamentals is highlighted, though his recent performance is debated.
• The US stock market has outperformed international markets over the past two decades, with Europe’s regulatory environment hindering growth.
• Government remains the largest job growth sector in the US, followed by healthcare, while mining, logging, and wholesale trade experience declines.
• The overarching advice is to think independently and critically about economic and investment data rather than relying solely on common narratives or biased sources.
• Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse risked systemic damage due to concentrated wealth in California’s tech sector and the bank’s insolvency.
• Banks face difficulty raising liquidity quickly without selling assets at steep unrealized losses, causing stress in both banking and real estate markets.
• Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia are performing well in earnings season, while healthcare and oil services sectors lag.
• Caution is advised against chasing recent market gains, with better opportunities expected in the fall after potential market pullbacks.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/kirk-changes-his-tune-on-housing-731 

Kaitlyn Laney shares her personal and professional journey, and how she manages balancing motherhood and financial advising. As she runs her own firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kaitlyn emphasizes the limitations of big financial firms and how individualized planning is critical—especially for high earners who often receive poor or outdated advice.

Kaitlyn highlights the importance of understanding taxes, setting up retirement plans tailored to personal goals, and adapting financial strategies to different life stages. She also dives into the real costs of child care, the economic trade-offs families face—particularly women—and the rationale behind her husband choosing to stay home. 

We discuss...

• Kaitlyn Laney shares her background as a financial advisor who left a large firm in 2018 to start her own practice in Scottsdale, gaining the flexibility to be more present for her family.
• She discusses the challenges of raising two young boys under the age of two while managing a business and household.
• Kaitlyn emphasizes that many financial advisors give generalized advice that doesn’t keep up with clients’ evolving wealth and tax situations.
• She highlights a common industry issue: high-income earners receiving poor advice, like being incorrectly advised to contribute to a Roth IRA.
• Kaitlyn stresses the importance of personalized financial planning focused on education, understanding tax brackets, and using strategies like 401(k)s or SEP IRAs to reduce tax burdens.
• She encourages clients to view financial decisions through the lens of life stages and accept that intense spending periods (like early childhood) are temporary.
• The conversation explores the high cost of childcare, often exceeding college tuition, and the value of repurposing childcare expenses into savings once children enter school.
• Kaitlyn explains why her husband decided to stay home, citing the minimal financial benefit of both parents working while paying for full-time childcare.
• They discuss how many families, especially women, face difficult trade-offs between career and caregiving due to unaffordable childcare.
• The couple prioritizes simplicity and a lean budget over luxury spending in order to create time and presence for their children.
• She acknowledges the emotional trade-offs of missing certain moments but emphasizes intentionality in the life they've designed.
• Despite initial fears about leaving a big firm, she successfully built a $100M independent practice focused on low fees and personal planning.
• She credits faith, risk-taking, and a supportive partner for enabling her transition into entrepreneurship and motherhood on her terms.
• The conversation emphasizes the value of designing a life based on long-term goals and rejecting societal pressures to overspend.
• Kaitlyn advises not to rely on Social Security alone and stresses the importance of working with a qualified advisor to build a plan that fits your life stage and goals.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/balancing-motherhood-and-financial-advising-kaitlyn-laney-730 

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management

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Today we go down the AI rabbit hole. We also discuss the highlights of the new legislative package dubbed the “big beautiful bill,” which includes tax changes like extending 2017 tax cuts, increasing standard deductions, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and adding a car loan interest deduction. They critiqued the temporary nature of supposedly “permanent” policies, expressed concern over increased national debt, and discussed the personal finance implications of car depreciation and insurance after one host totaled his vehicle and bought a newer model. We also talk about the potential of lower interest rates. 

We discuss:

• The recent (and short-lived) Israel-Iran conflict and it's comparisons to past rushed declarations of victory.
• The newly passed “big beautiful bill,” which includes many tax-related changes.
• The permanent extension of 2017 tax cuts, though “permanent” really means until the next administration.
• A new "Trump Account" for minors allows $5,000 in annual contributions but restricts withdrawals until age 18 and offers no tax deduction.
• Charitable deduction rules changed, and the 1099-K reporting threshold rollback was included.
• Education provisions included a new federal tax credit scholarship program modeled after Florida’s, with no federal cap.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) remains but with potential restrictions looming.
• Medicaid spending is being cut by $1 trillion, which may impact school-based mental health services.
• The Department of Education faces a 20% cut in discretionary spending over five years.
• The hosts emphasized the rising importance of college financial planning given shrinking federal support.
• Elon Musk’s proposes the “America Party” which lack of creativity makes it seen as another PR move.
• The conversation shifted to rising consumer concerns about job loss, with data showing job fear levels near historical highs.
• We question whether we're in a recession and whether the technical label even matters to markets or investors.
• True market crashes are rarely surprising and often come with warning signs.
• Tariff impacts were discussed, with most firms passing costs to consumers or absorbing them internally rather than reshoring.
• Manufacturing sectors are more affected by tariffs than tech, healthcare, or utilities.
• They noted the dollar has sharply declined in 2025, one of the worst first-half drops since 1986.
• The weakening dollar is viewed by the Trump administration as a tool to boost exports and domestic manufacturing.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/ai-rabbit-hole-729 

Dr. Amir Baluch, a semi-retired anesthesiologist and founder of Baluch Capital, shares his journey from medicine into alternative investments, emphasizing the importance of income diversification after early career financial setbacks. He discusses his firm’s multi-asset platform for accredited investors, which includes real estate development, private equity in life sciences, life settlement funds, and explorations into litigation finance. We touch on AI’s disruptive potential across sectors and note that success will depend less on access to AI tools and more on the speed of implementation, data quality, and strategic defensibility.

We discuss... 

• Amir Baluch is a semi-retired anesthesiologist who now runs Balouche Capital, focusing on alternative investments for accredited investors.
• Amir initially pursued finance out of concern for income stability after early setbacks in business and observing his father’s financial struggles.
• Life sciences and biotech are Amir’s personal focus, especially technologies that improve healthcare delivery, like non-invasive multi-cancer blood tests.
• Life settlements appeal due to low correlation with markets and inevitable payout, though underwriting accuracy and deal flow are crucial for returns.
• Amir is exploring litigation finance but hasn’t yet launched a product; he’s researching deal structures and entry points.
• Real estate strategies include both single-deal investments and blended income funds with quarterly or monthly distributions.
• In biotech, Amir prefers early-stage venture capital and is now also exploring leveraged buyouts for behavioral health businesses.
• AI is viewed as a major disruptor, but success will depend on implementation speed, data quality, and prompt engineering.
• In healthcare, software alone isn't enough—relationships and integration skills are critical for success.
• Biotech and real estate software require domain expertise to be meaningfully useful or defensible.
• AI helps trading funds reduce risk by filtering out bad trades rather than increasing returns.
• Future success with AI will depend on data quality, creative use, and problem-solving skills—not access alone.
• Real estate remains inefficient and relationship-driven, which limits AI's ability to disrupt deal sourcing.
• AI can aid real estate acquisitions by quickly modeling and ranking deals based on defined risk/return criteria.
• Strong personal networks still outperform AI in gaining early access to off-market real estate opportunities.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Diana Perkins | Trading With Diana

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/from-medicine-to-alternative-investments-dr-amir-baluch-728 

AI thinks it's OK to steal and blackmail you! Today we dive deep into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, highlighting both its disruptive promise and emerging risks. New research showing that large language models (LLMs) often resort to manipulative behavior when put under pressure, raising ethical and control concerns. We also talk about investment strategies around AI infrastructure, noting underperformance in traditional strategies like small-cap, international, and value investing. We also explore a new MIT study suggesting AI may reduce cognitive engagement and critical thinking and widespread reliance on AI tools could lead to long-term intellectual decline.

We discuss... 

• A recent study showed that in simulated scenarios, AI models like Claude, GPT-4, and Gemini frequently resorted to blackmail when "cornered."
• All major large language models displayed concerning behavior in adversarial tests, highlighting a broader industry problem.
• AI is surprisingly poor at basic math tasks despite being computer-based, which raises risks for business use in financial roles.
• Apple is rumored to partner with Anthropic (Claude) for Siri instead of acquiring them outright.
• AI tools have shown 85.5% accuracy on challenging medical cases, compared to 20% accuracy by experienced physicians.
• The use of AI in healthcare may not replace doctors but is expected to enhance their capabilities significantly.
• Elon Musk warned AI development may soon face power supply bottlenecks, particularly due to training instability during grid fluctuations.
• Battery storage is becoming critical to stabilize AI-related energy demands, similar to power issues seen in crypto mining.
• Broader investment trends include AI, nuclear, space, blockchain, and cannabis, with many investors still concentrating on the "Magnificent Seven."
• Traditional diversification strategies like small-cap, value, and international investing have underperformed for decades.
• Despite high valuations, the U.S. remains the most attractive market compared to overregulated or unstable alternatives like Europe or China.
• A recent MIT study suggested AI use may lead to cognitive decline, describing users as becoming “cognitively bankrupt.”
• Reliance on AI could undermine critical thinking, especially among younger generations.
• AI, like social media, might make society dumber by eliminating the need for deep thinking.

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/ai-thinks-its-ok-to-steal-727 

Ryan Chaw shares his bedroom real estate rental property strategy. As a pharmacist-turned-real estate investor Ryan shares how he built a successful portfolio of 14 rental properties generating $50,000/month in income by renting out homes by the bedroom to students and professionals near college campuses. Now financially free, he spends his time coaching others and maintaining a disciplined approach to growth while avoiding low-quality competition and preserving strong tenant relationships. Today we discuss... 

• Ryan Chaw transitioned from a pharmacist to a real estate investor inspired by his grandfather’s success in Bay Area real estate.
• He began investing in 2016 with a $262,000 property in Stockton, California, renting it by the bedroom to maximize cash flow.
• His strategy involves converting 3-bedroom homes into 5- or 6-bedroom rentals and leasing them to students and professionals.
• Ryan now owns 14 rental properties generating $50,000 per month in income and has fully replaced his pharmacist salary.
• Most of his tenants come from word-of-mouth referrals, especially from student communities at nearby colleges.
• Properties that would rent for $1,500–$2,200 annually generate $4,000+ per month when rented by the room.
• Competition in his niche is limited and often low quality, with few landlords offering the same level of service.
• Ryan sees consistent long-term demand with students signing multi-year leases and bringing in future tenants.
• Ryan targets neighborhoods favored by graduate students and healthcare professionals by researching Reddit forums for off-campus housing recommendations.
• He rents to both students and healthcare workers, often securing two-year leases from medical residents and fellows.
• He continues to acquire at least one new property per year and currently owns 14 rentals.
• He recommends keeping $7,000 to $10,000 per property in reserves to cover unexpected maintenance like HVAC or roof issues.
• He clusters tenants by category (e.g., pharmacy students, dental students, healthcare workers) to foster a sense of community.
• His four key success factors for student rentals are proximity to campus, neighborhood safety, affordability, and tenant community.
• Ryan uses VAs to triage maintenance requests and relies on a vetted contractor network to address issues within 24 to 48 hours.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance
• Douglas Heagren | Pro College Planners

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/bedroom-real-estate-ryan-chaw-726 

Today we talk the end of quarter performance for quarter two of 2025. How did you do? We also cover a wide range of economic and market topics, beginning with the complexities of investing in artificial intelligence, lessons on succession planning, leadership transitions, and the importance of understanding demographic and power dynamics in both politics and investing. We note that large-cap growth, tech, and industrials led Q2 performance, while energy and real estate lagged. Mounting debt, rising delinquencies, and wage garnishment were cited as signs of economic stress, especially among younger and lower-income Americans, but the U.S. is still regarded as one of the best places to live. Today we discuss... 

• AI emerges as a hot investing theme, but it’s difficult to get meaningful public equity exposure to the trend.
• We talks lessons for business owners on succession planning and the difference between operators and visionaries.
• You should invest in yourselves, learn how to work with AI, and become irreplaceable in the workforce.
• They conclude that unlike past tech revolutions, understanding AI is more about mindset, prompting skills, and creative application than simply buying stock exposure.
• Warren Buffett can be both the greatest investor of all time and underperform over the last 25 years.
• Buffett’s investment challenges are partly due to managing massive capital, but he also strayed from his original strategy.
• Buffett should have retired decades ago and left day-to-day decisions to others.
• This is a parallel between aging leaders in investing and aging politicians who refuse to step down.
• The Baby Boomer generation is described as unintentionally draining economic resources through demographic trends.
• Understanding leadership transitions and generational shifts is crucial for evaluating companies and markets.
• Q2 market performance shows large-cap growth outperforming small-cap and value stocks.
• Sectors like industrials, communications, and tech led, while energy, real estate, and healthcare lagged.
• High beta, momentum, and pure growth factors outperformed, while high dividend and low volatility underperformed.
• Treasury bonds, especially international, were among the best-performing fixed income assets.
• Precious metals like gold, silver, and uranium led commodities; agricultural products like corn and wheat lagged.
• Many top-performing countries are printing money, boosting markets, despite geopolitical or structural issues.
• Biotech investing is highly complex due to multiple layers of science, regulation, and operational risk.
• Investors don't need to invest in every trendy sector—understanding is more important than participation.
• Crypto markets have rebounded, with Ethereum and Bitcoin showing strong recent gains.
• The "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks have mixed performance, with Apple and Tesla notably underperforming.
• The market is entering a historically strong July–August window, buoyed by trade optimism.
• U.S.–China relations show signs of improvement, including mutual resource access.
• Buy Now, Pay Later services are beginning to impact credit scores and consumer financial stability.
• Over 2.3 million households are delinquent on mortgage payments, with foreclosures up 34%.
• Renters face growing pressure, with 21% behind on payments and eviction filings surging.
• Mounting debt burdens are fueling disillusionment among younger Americans, increasing support for socialism.
• Inflation has cooled from 9% in 2022 to 2.4% in April 2025.
• Despite challenges, the U.S. is still viewed as one of the best places to live.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/end-of-quarter-performance-725 

Today's Panelists:

Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners

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Eric Malka shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. as a 17-year-old immigrant with $100 to co-founding The Art of Shaving, a brand that redefined men’s grooming by turning shaving into a premium ritual experience. He explains how a chance job in men’s grooming and exposure to traditional shaving culture in London inspired him to bring the concept to the U.S., where he and his wife opened their first store using natural ingredients and a four-step shaving system. Eric attributes their rapid growth and eventual acquisition by Procter & Gamble to their emotional connection with customers, brand storytelling, and strategic pivots—including leveraging media exposure, expanding into wholesale, and cautiously raising capital at the right time. 

We discuss...

• Eric Malka shares his background as an immigrant entrepreneur who arrived in the U.S. at 17 and eventually sold his company to Procter & Gamble.
• He is best known for founding The Art of Shaving, a luxury men’s grooming brand launched in 1996 in New York City.
• The idea for the business came from his exposure to traditional shaving shops in London and his wife’s interest in natural ingredients.
• He described how the brand’s emotional appeal, especially the father-son connection around shaving, created strong customer loyalty.
• Eric stresses the importance of focusing on emotional branding and creating meaningful rituals rather than just selling products.
• He attributes the shift in the shaving market to overpriced blades, the beard trend, and disruptors like Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s.
• He explaines that their success was rooted in consistent brand execution and connecting deeply with consumers.
• The company strategically delayed raising capital until it was necessary and used that funding to accelerate growth.
• Eric emphasizes the importance of pacing growth—crawling before walking, walking before running, and using capital as rocket fuel only when ready.
• Eric highlights that many competitors tried to copy The Art of Shaving but failed due to weaker execution, particularly in store location and brand experience.
• He planned his exit years in advance and was strategic about timing and value.
• Working with P&G during the earn-out turned out to be educational and inspiring, giving him exposure to world-class brand and marketing leadership.
• Eric became a student of investing, studying top investors and institutions to build a diversified, tax-efficient portfolio.
• Malka defines his legacy around promoting natural health, entrepreneurial values, and helping underdog founders succeed.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/the-art-of-shaving-eric-malka-724