The market's been up three years in a row… will it go for a fourth?

You scroll past a headline about Bitcoin falling 45%, tariffs getting overturned, and tensions rising overseas, and suddenly you're wondering if your portfolio is sitting on a fault line.

This episode is for that moment.

Nate and Dave walk through the questions investors are asking right now:

• Can the market really keep going after three strong years?

• What does a Supreme Court tariff ruling actually mean for your money?

• Why is Bitcoin sliding while stocks hold up? More importantly, how much of this should change what you're doing?

Tune in for our perspective, probabilities, and a reminder that despite the ongoing uncertainty you can always have a plan.

If you've felt that low-grade tension in the background lately, this conversation may help you regain some clarity.

[Resources Mentioned]

Ben Carlson's blog, "A Wealth of Common Sense" https://awealthofcommonsense.com/

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 — Welcome Back to our AMA: Ask Monument Anything 1:23 — Iran Tensions And Economic Ripple Effects 7:42 — Can Markets Extend The Winning Streak? 13:10 — Probabilities, Long-Term Returns, And Perspective 19:21 — Supreme Court Tariffs And Who Benefits 26:10 — Volatility As The Price Of Admission 26:37 — Bitcoin Selloff, Leverage Unwind, And What Could Restart Demand

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

Check out our Between Sips Podcast: Where Money Meets Meaning

Because money without meaning never feels like wealth. https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/between-sips-podcast/

About "Off the Wall":

Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off the Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what's really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.

Learn more about our hosts on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

If you've built significant wealth in your investment portfolio, you may have more flexibility than you think.

In this episode, Emily Harper, CFP(R) joins the show to talk about how borrowing against your portfolio actually works—including margin loans and pledged asset lines of credit (PALs)—and why many high-net-worth investors use them as strategic tools for liquidity and tax planning.

We cover when these strategies can make sense, where the risks lie, and what to consider before tapping your portfolio for cash. From managing short-term cash needs to avoiding unnecessary portfolio sales, this conversation is all about using your wealth intentionally and keeping your options open.

Have a question you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Email us at [email protected].

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 — Reason to borrow from your portfolio

1:50 — Tax-aware reasons investors choose borrowing over selling

4:20 — Real-world cash flow situations where this actually matters

6:55 — Margin basics: how it works and common use cases

10:40 — Margin risks, interest costs, and forced-sale scenarios

14:45 — Pledged asset lines explained and how they differ from margin

18:10 — Rates, spreads, pricing power, and trade-offs

24:20 — Planning payments, payoff strategy, and optionality going forward

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

Check out our Between Sips Podcast: Where Money Meets Meaning

Because money without meaning never feels like wealth. https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/between-sips-podcast/

About "Off the Wall":

Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off The Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what's really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.

Learn more about our hosts on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

Some weeks call for rain boots because the conversation is going somewhere most people would rather avoid. This episode steps into charged territory on purpose: geopolitics, tariffs, China and Taiwan, Greenland, and the policy decisions shaping today's headlines. There's no posturing here and no outrage bait, just a willingness to talk through complex questions instead of skirting around them.

From there, the focus shifts to what actually matters for investors: how markets tend to react when policy dominates the news cycle, why short-term volatility shows up, and how data and discipline help cut through the noise. It's a reminder that staying informed doesn't mean staying reactive.

—

Submit your questions for the next Ask Monument Anything episode at [email protected]

—

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 — Mailbag Setup And Topic Preview

2:10 — Greenland, Policy Not Politics

6:30 — Western Hemisphere Strategy And Oil

9:40 — Tariff Threats And Market Volatility

13:40 — Rare Earths, Greenland, And Leverage

16:20 — China–Taiwan Risk And Market Impact

20:00 — Shipbuilding Gap And Naval Capacity

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

Check out our Between Sips Podcast: Where Money Meets Meaning

Because money without meaning never feels like wealth. https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/between-sips-podcast/

About "Off the Wall":

Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off The Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what's really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.

Learn more about our hosts on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

A new year always brings fresh predictions, louder headlines, and plenty of pressure. In the first Off the Wall episode of the year, Nate W. Tonsager, CIPM and David B. Armstrong, CFA take a step back and anchor the conversation in the reality of what happened in 2025, and why that context is essential as we head into 2026. They reflect on the surprises that shaped last year and connected those lessons to the environment ahead.

Key topics:

• Global markets and why international equities outpaced U.S. stocks in 2025

• Volatility, drawdowns, and what last year revealed about investor behavior

• Why diversification showed up when it mattered most

• The absence of a recession and what surprised markets along the way

• Interest rates, inflation, and what the data suggests for 2026

• Historical patterns that shape expectations for the year ahead

—-

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 — We're back: college football picks and the market backdrop

2:46 — 2025 market winners: why global stocks outperformed

6:10 — The S&P 500 question, behavior gaps, and staying invested

12:23 — 2025 surprises: no recession, tariffs, and asset class shifts

21:18 — What worked: metals, market tails, and quiet standouts

24:48 — What we're watching for 2026: diversification, election-year volatility, and cash planning

Resources Mentioned: 11:41 - What is Direct Indexing? Customization, Taxes, and More - Monument Wealth Management - https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/resource/direct-indexing-benefits-taxes/

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

About "Off the Wall":

Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off The Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what's really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.

Learn more about our hosts on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

In this Ask Monument Anything episode, we're answering real questions from listeners of the show.

From a question about Michael Burry's bold predictions and why they continue to draw attention, to a discussion of Bitcoin's unusual performance in 2025 and the renewed curiosity around gold as a potential safe-haven asset, the conversation then shifts to private credit's emerging role inside 401(k) target-date funds.

Key takeaways:

• The patterns that show up again and again when attention-grabbing forecasts circulate

• Forces that pushed Bitcoin into an unexpected direction this year

• A renewed focus on gold as investors look for steadier ground

• Some new considerations for retirement savers as private credit enters target-date funds

• Shifts in interest rates that reshape valuations and private-market activity

• Context that helps separate meaningful insight from fast-moving headlines

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 – Your Questions Answered in This Episode

2:58 – The Michael Burry Obsession and Timing Challenges

10:20 – Consistency Over Hero Trades

12:40 – Bitcoin's 2025 Divergence and Crypto Volatility

20:10 – Supply, Demand, and the Case for "Own It or Don't"

23:15 – Private Credit in 401(k)s: Fees, Liquidity, and Hidden Risks

34:05 – Bonus Question: Rate Cuts and Private Equity

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

About "Off the Wall":

Markets are noisy. Your time is limited. Off The Wall cuts through the clutter. Hosts Dave Armstrong, CFA and Nate Tonsager, CIPM bring you straightforward, candid insights about what's really moving markets and why it matters for successful investors. From economic shifts to portfolio positioning, we break down the complexities so you can invest with intention and stay grounded when headlines and life feels chaotic.

Learn more about our hosts on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

The holidays come fast and somehow the shopping and gifting part always seems to catch us by surprise.

In this episode of Off The Wall, host David B. Armstrong, CFA is joined by Cathleen Phelps and Cecelia Gilliam from our Client Experience team as they sit down in full holiday mode to share ideas that make gifting feel fun again. From opening Roth IRAs for teens, funding 529 plans for nieces and nephews, and introducing kids to charitable giving, to practical strategies like shared family experiences, subscriptions, organizing spreadsheets, and even planning for parents who "don't need anything," the conversation covers it all.

They also get into the memorable, messy, and hilarious stories that make holiday traditions special, plus creative ways to stay thoughtful without overspending. If you want ideas that actually help—without adding to December chaos—this one will brighten your season.

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 – Disclaimers & Holiday Setup

2:45 – Making Gifting Joyful Again

6:55 – Smart Money Gifts for Kids & Family

10:14 – Experiences & Traditions

14:12 – Gifting for Adults & Practical Ideas

23:10 – Pets, Extended Family, Tight Years & Closing

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

David B. Armstrong, CFA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarmstrong/

Cecelia Gilliam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecelia-gilliam-86339a252/

Cathleen Phelps on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catheendphelps/

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

About "Off the Wall":

OFF THE WALL is a podcast for business professionals and high-net-worth investors who want to build wealth with purpose. A little bit Wall Street, a little bit off-the-wall; it's your go-to for straightforward, unfiltered wealth advice on topics that founders, business owners, and executives care about.

Learn more about our host Dave Armstrong on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

Markets feel noisy right now, and investors are asking sharper questions than usual. In this episode of Off The Wall, Nate W. Tonsager, CIPM® and David B. Armstrong, CFA open with the surge in tech valuations and the unusual weight a handful of companies now hold inside the S&P 500. We'll hear about what that concentration means for volatility, why some portfolios feel out of sync with the index, and how listeners can think about risk when the market feels lopsided.

Next, they talk about the current labor environment, which is a mix of hiring freezes and productivity changes, and what those signals might suggest for the next stretch of the economic cycle.

They reflect on the themes from Warren Buffett's final shareholder letter and the kind of mindset that helps people stay steady through big market swings.

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 - Welcome And AMA Setup

3:23 - Why Tech Valuations Drive Volatility

6:56 - Index Concentration And Investor Tradeoffs

13:30 - PE Ratios, Magnificent Seven, And Earnings Power

19:45 - Risk Management Over Chasing Returns

26:06 - Grading The Labor Market:

31:05 - Layoff Data, AI Productivity, And Hiring

34:00 - Fire Drills For Portfolio Risk

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

About "Off the Wall":

OFF THE WALL is a podcast for business professionals and high-net-worth investors who want to build wealth with purpose. A little bit Wall Street, a little bit off-the-wall; it's your go-to for straightforward, unfiltered wealth advice on topics that founders, business owners, and executives care about.

Learn more about our host Dave Armstrong on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

2025 has been a rough year for charities. Economic uncertainty, decreased federal funding, political polarization – in many ways, nonprofits are facing a lot of the same challenges they did during Covid, as well as a few new ones. Charitable organizations need your donations now more than ever.

In this episode, we're joined by former OFF THE WALL co-host and Partner at Monument, Jessica Gibbs, CFP® as she highlights three current trends in charitable giving and how you can adjust your giving strategy to help make a bigger impact. If you're currently looking at end-of-year giving or planning ahead for next year, be sure to tune in for the full episode.

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 Disclosure 0:24 The Future of Giving 3:13 The State of Nonprofits Today 8:26 Funding Pressures and the Power of Flexibility 14:17 Burnout, Morale, and Donor ROI 21:01 Sustaining Impact Through Multi-Year Giving 26:09 How to Give with Intention 30:42 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Resources Mentioned:

Check out our sister podcast, Between Sips: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/between-sips-podcast/

Watch 75th Episode of OFF THE WALL on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pc_3Z7f7CY8

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

About "OFF THE WALL":

Markets move fast. OFF THE WALL helps you stay one step ahead.

Hosts David B. Armstrong, CFA, and Nate Tonsager, CIPM, are talking about the things that Wall Street isn't: breaking down what's really happening in the markets and economy, how it impacts your wealth, and the smart moves to consider right now.

Learn more on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/off-the-wall-podcast/

It's the start of a new quarter, which means it's time for a market recap and our special "Ask Monument Anything" segment. David Armstrong, CFA, gets back together with Erin Hay, CFA, CMT, and Nate Tonsager, CIPM, to walk through the latest market moves, where momentum is showing up, and what investors should be paying attention to.

This quarter, they dig into alternatives, gold's surprising surge, and whether today's bull market has more room to run. They also share candid thoughts on cash, dividends, and why being intentional with your portfolio matters more than chasing the latest trend.

It's a thoughtful look at what's shaping the markets today and how those themes might matter for investors moving forward. Tune in!!

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Episode Timeline/Key Highlights:

0:00 – Disclosure

0:53 – Market recap

7:01 – Alternatives explained

10:30 – Private equity pitfalls

14:39 – Gold's big rally

22:20 – Bull market signals

25:46 – Cash and dividends

37:02 – Final thoughts

41:30 – Disclosure

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monumentwealth/#

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monument-wealth-management/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonumentWealthManagement

Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonumentWealth#Fit

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter: https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/subscribe/

David Armstrong on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbarmstrong/

Nate Tonsager on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-tonsager/

Erin Hay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhay/

About "Off the Wall":

OFF THE WALL is a podcast for business professionals and high-net-worth investors who want to build wealth with purpose. A little bit Wall Street, a little bit off-the-wall; it's your go-to for straightforward, unfiltered wealth advice on topics that founders, business owners, and executives care about.

Learn more about our host Dave Armstrong on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com

When you hit 60, there's a mental shift that begins to occur. After spending 30+ years earning and saving, you are suddenly just a few years away from beginning to spend your retirement income. It's a challenge every retiree faces: How do you step away from regular paychecks to drawing down your savings every month?

In this episode, we discuss how to create an option-rich life in retirement, where your money will come from, how to handle taxes, how to stay flexible, and much more! Tune in to hear the whole conversation.

0:00 – Disclosure

0:48 – Kicking off the 75th episode milestone

7:22 – The shift from saving to spending in retirement

12:05 – Translating a balance sheet into a retirement lifestyle

17:55 – Mapping out income timelines and the "go-go years" of retirement

26:24 – Flexibility vs. fixed income: common pitfalls with annuities

32:23 – Illustrated projections in retirement products

Please see important podcast disclosure information at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/disclosures

Connect with Monument Wealth Management:

Visit our website

Subscribe to our Private Wealth Newsletter

Subscribe on YouTube

Follow us on: LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Emily Harper on LinkedIn

David B. Armstrong on LinkedIn

About "Off the Wall":

OFF THE WALL is a podcast for business professionals and high-net-worth investors who want to build wealth with purpose. A little bit Wall Street, a little bit off-the-wall; it's your go-to for straightforward, unfiltered wealth advice on topics that founders, business owners, and executives care about.

Learn more about our host, David B. Armstrong, on our website at https://monumentwealthmanagement.com