After a volatile spring, the market has staged a sharp rally, and last week's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report signals an even brighter outlook. Carol Dewey breaks down why April's soft CPI data (0.2% month-over-month for both headline and core) wasn't just good news, but a "death knell" for fears of tariff-driven reinflation. Despite initial panic, data shows no tariff-fueled inflation, thanks to rollbacks, exemptions, and new trade deals (like the U.S.-U.K. agreement and U.S.-China truce) slashing average effective U.S. tariff rates from 30% to a far more manageable 13%.

With inflation easing, tariffs falling, the Fed poised to cut rates, strong consumer spending, and solid corporate earnings (especially in AI leaders like Nvidia, AMD, and Palantir), the macro mosaic paints a picture of a "no-brainer bull market." Carol highlights historical precedents of similar sharp S&P 500 rallies that marked the start of major bull markets. The path is clear for a summer surge – it's time to lean in!

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ Analysis of the surprisingly soft April CPI report (headline and core CPI at 0.2% month-over-month), dispelling tariff-driven inflation fears.

✔️ How a series of tariff rollbacks, exemptions, and trade deals (including a U.S.-U.K. agreement and U.S.-China truce) have significantly reduced the average effective U.S. tariff rate.

✔️ The confluence of bullish macro factors: stable-to-lower inflation, falling tariffs, impending Fed rate cuts, robust consumer spending, and strong corporate earnings.

✔️ The powerful performance of AI stocks (Nvidia, AMD, Palantir) amidst these tailwinds.

✔️ Historical context for the S&P 500's recent sharp rally, suggesting the beginning of a major bull market.

📘 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Download our FREE guide: Tariffs & Your Retirement

This practical resource helps you understand how evolving tariff policies may impact your portfolio and retirement strategy.

🗓️ Schedule your Lifestyle & Legacy Assessment – A personalized financial review to help you navigate the shifts in today’s market. Visit Perpetual Wealth Financial

🎧 Never miss an episode – Follow Navigating Abundant Retirement wherever you get your podcasts.

Join Carol Dewey as she blends investing legends, economic trends, and practical retirement strategies. This episode covers Warren Buffett's announcement to step down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, recent positive trade developments, and the crucial role fixed indexed annuities play in managing retirement risk amidst market volatility. Learn how Buffett's timeless wisdom applies to today's economy and why principal protection and reliable income are paramount for retirees.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The significance of Warren Buffett's impending retirement and his enduring investing principles, like "Be greedy when others are fearful."

✔️ How historical trade policies, such as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, impacted past economies and relate to current market dynamics.

✔️ Positive recent trade news, including a "full and comprehensive" trade agreement with the U.K. and ongoing negotiations with the EU.

✔️ The critical benefits of fixed indexed annuities for retirement planning: market-linked growth without market risk, downside protection, tax-deferred growth, and lifetime income options.

✔️ Why balancing growth potential with downside protection is essential for retirees in today's uncertain economic climate.

📘 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Download our FREE guide: Tariffs & Your Retirement

This practical resource helps you understand how evolving tariff policies may impact your portfolio and retirement strategy.

🗓️ Schedule your Lifestyle & Legacy Assessment – A personalized financial review to help you navigate the shifts in today’s market. Visit Perpetual Wealth Financial

🎧 Never miss an episode – Follow Navigating Abundant Retirement wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement Radio, host Carol Dewey explores a critical challenge facing President Trump's plan to reshore American manufacturing: the severe labor shortage. Dewey delves into how physical AI and automation hold the key to overcoming this obstacle, predicting a major financial event on May 7 that could unleash $7 trillion in sideline cash into the stock market. This episode discusses how the convergence of political momentum, economic necessity, and advances in AI technology could drive a transformative shift in American industry, akin to the dot-com boom of the late 1990s.

00:28 The Challenge of Reshoring Manufacturing

01:33 The Role of Physical AI in Reshoring

02:28 The $7 Trillion Summer Panic Catalyst

04:23 Labor Supply and Quality Issues

05:44 Economic Realities of Labor Costs

06:30 The Future of American Factories

08:12 Investment Opportunities in Physical AI

10:04 Conclusion and Next Steps

🔗 Check out Episode 1 Map to Economic independence

📞 Have questions? Call (877) 434-6243 or visit Perpetual Wealth Financial for a consultation.

💡 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

Sometimes the market whispers. Other times, it shouts. Yesterday, the market didn't whisper — it roared! Host Carol Dewey unpacks the significance of a Zweig Breadth Thrust—one of the rarest and most reliable technical indicators in market history—which just triggered. This isn’t just any buy-the-dip signal; it's the mother of all buy-the-dip signals, boasting a 100% success rate for higher markets six and twelve months later since World War II, with an average 12-month return of +25%.

But it's not just the Zweig Breadth Thrust flashing green. Carol reveals a perfect storm of bullish technical signals forming right now, including the 70% Advancers Signal (100% success rate, +23% average 12-month gain in past seven instances) and a powerful Bollinger Band Reversal (100% success rate, +16% average 12-month gain after prior instances). The episode also details how the Breakaway Momentum Breadth Thrust is on the verge of triggering, another legendary signal with a 95% success rate. These technical fireworks are reinforced by improving fundamentals: thawing trade war tensions, the Federal Reserve preparing for rate cuts, and strong corporate earnings from AI leaders like Alphabet (GOOG), Texas Instruments (TXN), Lam Research (LRCX), and ServiceNow (NOW). This is Wall Street's version of "all systems go" – don't miss this opportunity!

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ The mechanics and historical reliability of the Zweig Breadth Thrust, a rare signal that has preceded 100% positive market returns six and twelve months later since WWII.

✔️ The significance of the 70% Advancers Signal on the NYSE, indicating broad-based institutional buying and consistent historical gains.

✔️ How a dramatic Bollinger Band Reversal from deeply oversold to full recovery signals a powerful market whiplash reversal.

✔️ The imminent trigger of the Breakaway Momentum Breadth Thrust and its strong historical track record for predicting market gains.

✔️ Why thawing trade war tensions (average effective U.S. tariff rate dropping from 27% to about 20%) and potential upcoming trade deals are bullish catalysts.

✔️ The increasing likelihood of Federal Reserve rate cuts, with Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack's recent comments hinting at a June cut if data supports it.

✔️ Evidence of strong corporate earnings, particularly from companies at the forefront of the AI boom like Alphabet, Texas Instruments, Lam Research, and ServiceNow.

✔️ Why now is a critical time for investors to be disciplined, strategic, and optimistic, advocating for a "buy the dip" approach on quality names.

📘 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Download our FREE guide: Tariffs & Your Retirement

This practical resource helps you understand how evolving tariff policies may impact your portfolio and retirement strategy.

🗓️ Schedule your Lifestyle & Legacy Assessment – A personalized financial review to help you navigate the shifts in today’s market. Visit Perpetual Wealth Financial

🎧 Never miss an episode – Follow Navigating Abundant Retirement wherever you get your podcasts.

The market mood has been dark lately, with stocks cratering, bonds crumbling, and consumer confidence collapsing. Despite one of the fastest 20% market drops in modern history, Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell signaled "no rush to cut rates."

In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement, Carol Dewey argues that while Powell's words suggest patience, the underlying economic reality indicates the Fed is on the brink of a rescue mission for the U.S. economy. Carol dissects Powell's "stagflation dilemma" and reveals how increasingly tight financial conditions, plummeting consumer sentiment, slowing retail sales, stalled business investment, and a frozen housing market are screaming for Fed action. She also examines why current inflation fears may be overblown and how a cooling trade war is setting the stage for a potential market rebound that could send stocks soaring. Don't listen to the words; watch the feet.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ An analysis of the recent extreme market volatility, including a 20% market drop in just 20 trading days and an 8% rally followed by a significant decline.

✔️ Why Jerome Powell's "no rush to cut rates" stance might be a "dangerous game of chicken" in the face of a potential stagflation dilemma.

✔️ How Bloomberg’s U.S. Financial Conditions Index indicates conditions are tighter than any time in the past decade, outside of the 2020 COVID crash.

✔️ The critical economic indicators signaling distress: consumer confidence near a 50-year low (University of Michigan survey, at 50.8, a 12-year low), slowing retail sales, stalled business investment, and a frozen housing market (existing home sales fell 1.2% year-over-year in April 2025 according to NAR).

✔️ Why current inflation threats are likely overblown, with CPI at 4% and core CPI falling, despite tariff concerns.

✔️ Carol's prediction for when the Federal Reserve will likely cut rates (June, preceded by May guidance) and the catalysts for this potential market rescue.

✔️ How the global trade war is quietly de-escalating, with average U.S. tariff rates falling from a peak of 27% to around 23% (and potentially lower with more exemptions), signaling a shift from escalation to negotiation.

✔️ Why the combination of Fed action and trade de-escalation could lead to a significant stock market rally (potentially 10-15% for the S&P 500 by late summer).

📘 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Download our FREE guide: Tariffs & Your Retirement

This practical resource helps you understand how evolving tariff policies may impact your portfolio and retirement strategy.

🗓️ Schedule your Lifestyle & Legacy Assessment – A personalized financial review to help you navigate the shifts in today’s market. Visit Perpetual Wealth Financial

🎧 Never miss an episode – Follow Navigating Abundant Retirement wherever you get your podcasts.

You're listening to Navigating Abundant Retirement — the show that helps you steer through today’s uncertainty toward a more confident financial future. I’m Carol Dewey, and today, we’re unpacking the hidden silver lining behind the latest tariff chaos.

"Liberation Day" brought aggressive new tariffs from U.S. President Trump, sending shockwaves through the global trading system and causing a significant market sell-off. While investors panic and major indices nosedive, Carol reveals a powerful, underlying development: the strategic collapse of the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield. This isn't accidental; it's a policy-by-design move from the Trump Administration and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stimulate Main Street by depressing long-term interest rates, influencing everything from mortgages to small business credit. Discover how this short-term pain could lead to very big, very bullish long-term gains for the economy and your portfolio.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How the "Liberation Day" tariffs caused immediate market panic and a sharp decline in major stock indices.

✔️ The surprising silver lining: a deliberate collapse in the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, falling over 80 basis points from recent highs.

✔️ Why this yield collapse is a "hurricane-force tailwind" for the economy, leading to lower borrowing costs for mortgages, business, and consumer lending.

✔️ How the Trump administration is strategically using bond market psychology to stimulate Main Street, rather than focusing solely on stock market headlines.

✔️ The current resilience of the real economy (low unemployment, strong consumer spending, positive retail sales) despite stock market volatility.

✔️ Why fixed indexed annuities can serve as a powerful alternative to traditional bonds in this new rate environment, protecting principal while positioning for growth.

📘 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Download our FREE guide: Tariffs & Your Retirement

This practical resource helps you understand how evolving tariff policies may impact your portfolio and retirement strategy.

🗓️ Schedule your Lifestyle & Legacy Assessment – A personalized financial review to help you navigate the shifts in today’s market. Visit Perpetual Wealth Financial

🎧 Never miss an episode – Follow Navigating Abundant Retirement wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome back to this week’s live market update on Navigating Abundant Retirement. I’m Carol Dewey, Founder of Perpetual Wealth Financial. We're living through one of the most violent stock market climates in modern history, characterized by rapid drops, historic rallies, and extreme volatility not seen since the 2008 financial crisis or the 2020 COVID crash.

The market's price action might be screaming "catastrophe," but Carol dives into a crucial question: are we truly heading for another Great Depression or a crisis akin to World War II or the 2008 financial meltdown? By comparing historical parallels to today's economic realities, she debunks exaggerated fears and highlights a critical tone shift from escalation to negotiation regarding recent tariffs. Discover why this market turbulence is likely a massive overreaction and how savvy investors can position themselves to ride the rebound.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ A breakdown of the recent extreme stock market volatility, including rapid drops and historic rallies.

✔️ Historical comparisons of current market conditions to the Great Depression, World War II, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2020 COVID crash.

✔️ Why today's economic fundamentals (low unemployment, healthy banks, Fed liquidity) differ significantly from the Great Depression's 24.9% unemployment rate (in 1933) and widespread bank failures.

✔️ Why the current market is experiencing a "policy-driven, market-manufactured panic" rather than a black swan event like COVID-19.

✔️ An analysis of the economic impact of tariffs, noting that even widespread reciprocal tariffs (estimated at ~27% average U.S. tariff rate by Bloomberg Economics) would result in a 3.4% drag on GDP, significantly less than the 8% drop seen in 2008 or 2020.

✔️ The critical importance of the 90-day tariff pause, signaling a shift from escalation to negotiation, with many countries already engaging in trade talks with the White House.

✔️ A measured reentry strategy for investors in volatile markets: nibbling on dips, focusing on quality, buying high-conviction names, and practicing patience.

📘 Mentioned in This Episode:

🎯 Download our FREE guide: Tariffs & Your Retirement

This practical resource helps you understand how evolving tariff policies may impact your portfolio and retirement strategy.

🗓️ Schedule your Lifestyle & Legacy Assessment – A personalized financial review to help you navigate the shifts in today’s market. Visit Perpetual Wealth Financial

🎧 Never miss an episode – Follow Navigating Abundant Retirement wherever you get your podcasts.

📢 In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest concerns for retirees and soon-to-be retirees: How do you safeguard your wealth and legacy in a volatile economy? With inflation, market fluctuations, and potential tax law changes, estate planning is more important than ever.

✅ Why Estate Planning Matters More Than Ever

• Inflation is eroding purchasing power—how can you ensure your wealth lasts?
• Avoid costly probate delays with smart estate planning strategies.

✅ Will vs. Trust: What’s Right for You?

• Wills must go through probate; trusts offer a smoother transition for your heirs.
• Case study: How Susan avoided legal hassles by setting up a revocable living trust.

✅ Minimizing Estate Taxes

• Reduce taxes with gifting, irrevocable trusts, and charitable contributions.
• Case study: How Mark’s strategy saved thousands in estate taxes while securing his legacy.

✅ Lessons from Famous Estate Planning Failures

• Prince & Aretha Franklin: What happens when estate planning goes wrong.

🔗 Check out Episode 1 Map to Economic independence

📞 Have questions? Call (877) 434-6243 or visit Perpetual Wealth Financial for a consultation.

💡 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

In this episode of Navigating Abundant Retirement Radio, host Carol Dewey explores the crucial topic of insulating your retirement from the unpredictable stock market. Through a compelling comparison of two retirees' lifestyles, Carol illustrates how a meticulously planned retirement lifestyle and legacy can provide peace of mind, financial security, and a lasting impact. She emphasizes the importance of predictable, tax-free income and offers strategies to create a retirement plan that remains unaffected by market fluctuations.

• Retirement shouldn’t be tied to the ups and downs of the stock market.
• A well-designed retirement plan includes predictable, tax-free, and rising income.
• It’s essential to consider both lifestyle and legacy when planning for retirement.
• John D. Rockefeller’s legacy serves as an inspiring example of how values, planning, and generosity can leave an indelible mark for generations.
• Retirement planning should focus on control, freedom, and ensuring your values are reflected in your financial and legacy plans.

• "Retire from worry, fear, and stress to peace of mind, security, and confidence." – Carol Dewey
• "It's not just your retirement, it's your legacy." – Carol Dewey
• "Rockefeller's legacy is not just money, but values passed on to the subsequent generations." – Carol Dewey

• (00:17) – The story of two retirees: Tied to the market vs. insulated from the market
• (02:20) – The impact of a stock market retirement lifestyle on everyday living
• (03:42) – The key elements of a strong retirement lifestyle plan
• (04:58) – Introduction to legacy planning
• (06:22) – John D. Rockefeller’s legacy and principles for success
• (07:33) – 10 key principles from Rockefeller's essays
• (08:48) – Charting your own legacy plan based on personal values
• (10:09) – Carol’s advice on taking control of your retirement

• Perpetual Wealth Financial
• Reach out via phone: (877) 434-6243
• Email: [email protected]

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• www.perpetualwealthfinancial.com
• LinkedIn

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Navigating an Abundant Retirement Radio, Carol dives into the importance of long-term care planning and flexible protection for a healthy retirement. She outlines common challenges retirees face and discusses strategies to ensure financial security without becoming a burden on family members.

Key Takeaways:

- Long-term care is a critical aspect of retirement planning, and Medicare generally does not cover these expenses.

- Flexible protection for a healthy retirement focuses on three key elements: protecting your family, your choices, and your financial assets.

- Hybrid insurance policies offer an alternative to traditional long-term care insurance, providing flexibility and additional coverage.

- A proactive conversation with family members about healthcare directives and long-term care options is essential.

Quotes:

- "You want to continue deciding where you live and what kind of care you receive as you get older."

- "It's more than a maybe that you'll need some kind of care—it's a probably."

- "Retirement success often comes down to creating as many options as possible."

Timestamps:

- (03:39) The importance of flexible protection

- (07:08) Long-term care insurance and ADLs

- (10:23) Home healthcare vs. nursing home care

- (14:51) Hybrid policies and underwriting process

- (16:54) Final thoughts on flexible protection

Please leave us a rating and a review on Apple Podcast.

Connect With Carol:

- www.perpetualwealthfinancial.com

- LinkedIn