This week on the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, and Chris dive into Trump’s reign of tariffs, unpacking the economic ripple effects of his aggressive import tax strategy. From business impacts to what it means for your wallet and investments, we break down the real-world consequences of the ongoing trade war.

We also tackle the high-stakes dilemma facing Fed Chair Jerome “Jay” Powell. With political pressure mounting from the Trump administration, will the Fed cut rates at the September meeting? Should they? And what would a rate cut mean for the markets, the economy, and your portfolio?

Plus, we explore the wild world of corporate finance as companies start raising debt to buy Bitcoin. Is this a genius hedge or financial madness? And what about the rise of stablecoins like Circle’s USDC—are they a threat to the traditional banking system, or just another crypto fad that won’t end well?

And don’t miss our signature segment: the Financial Autopsy. We dissect a real-life financial plan, exposing some of the most common—and costly—mistakes people are making today when building and protecting their retirement wealth. From being sold an annuity to underestimating the true risk in their portfolio, we highlight the pitfalls you need to avoid.

 This episode is packed with insights, hot takes, and practical advice you won’t want to miss. We cover everything you need to know right now to stay ahead of the curve.

An estimated 3 million Americans served in combat during the Vietnam War. Today, only about 725,000 of these brave individuals remain with us. Vietnam is etched in American history as a brutal and costly conflict—one where many young men and women answered the call to serve our country with unwavering courage. On this episode of the *Payne Points of Wealth* podcast, we had the good fortune to interview our friend Nicholas Simonic, a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. Through grit, resourcefulness, and what Nick would call “luck,” he survived the scorching Southeast Asian heat, guerrilla warfare in thick jungles filled with booby traps, landmines, and tunnels: to make it back home. Nick takes us back to a tumultuous upbringing in Cleveland, his time in the U.S. Army, and how surviving in the face of extreme uncertainty helped him forge a path to building his own version of the American dream as a successful family man and entrepreneur. Today, Nick, a CPA by trade, owns his own accounting practice in Jacksonville, Florida. Join us as Nick shares an emotional and humbling account of his real-life American experience. We hope you find his story as moving and meaningful as we did.

In Episode of 211 of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris & Frankie sit down with top estate planner Kelly Zerillo to break down everything you need to know about putting together your estate documents in light of the Big Beautiful Act. Whether it's your first time drafting legal documents or you're looking to design a more sophisticated plan, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

Kelly Zerillo, a seasoned expert in the trust and estates field, provides sophisticated estate planning and administration services to ultra-high net worth individuals, families, and business owners throughout New York City and beyond. With over a decade of experience, Kelly has earned a reputation for delivering personalized, strategic, and tax-efficient solutions tailored to the unique needs of her clients.

Join us as we walk you through all the common-sense strategies and pitfalls for creating the right plan to transfer your assets to the next generation in the most efficient and tax-sensitive manner. We demystify the complexities of legal planning and offer the most straightforward discussion on the topic. From the basics to advanced strategies, this episode is your go-to guide for estate planning.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of:

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your existing plan, this episode has something for everyone.

In this episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, join Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney as they dive into the latest buzz in American politics—the new political party proposed by none other than Elon Musk. Is this the dawn of a new political era, or is Musk simply expressing frustration over rampant government spending? We’ll dissect the potential impacts of adding trillions to the already massive government debt and explore the unintended consequences that could follow.

We’ll also delve into the implications of the newly enacted Big Beautiful Law on small company stocks. Could this be the perfect moment to re-allocate your investment portfolio? Don’t Miss this Episode …

Join us for a mind-blowing conversation with Louis-Vincent Gave, founding partner and CEO of Gavekal Group. We explore the weakening dollar, China’s new manufacturing supremacy, and why Tesla needs to worry, the next commodity boom, and the unconventional reasons Latin America might be the investment opportunity of a lifetime. Reflecting on our first conversation with Louis in December 2023, paynecm.com/ep143, he predicted a major rally in Chinese stocks right before it happened. Tune in as we uncover major trends happening right now that NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT when it comes to investing your money.

Louis is the founding partner and CEO of Gavekal Group, a research and financial services firm based in Hong Kong. After graduating from Duke University and studying Mandarin at Nanjing University, Louis joined the French Army, then went on to become a financial analyst at Paribas, first in Paris, then in Hong Kong. In 1999, he launched Gavekal with his father, Charles, and Anatole Kaletsky. Louis is the author of seven books, the latest being Avoiding the Punch: Investing in Uncertain Times.

In this episode of Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris & Courtney dive into the critical mistakes that could derail your retirement plans. The recent market volatility caused by recent events like tariff announcements can significantly impact returns if you don’t make smart decisions with your money. We’ll explore three common missteps that investors often make:

Doing Too Much: Reacting impulsively to market drops by pulling out investments can lead to missing subsequent recoveries. We’ll discuss why staying the course with a comfortable asset allocation is often the better strategy. Did you know that from 2005 through 2024, seven of the S&P 500’s 10 best days occurred within two weeks of the 10 worst days? This insight from J.P. Morgan Asset Management highlights the importance of patience.

Losing Sight of the Big Picture: With money in different retirement plans from job changes to holding your savings with different financial institutions, it’s easy to lose track of how your overall portfolio is allocated. We’ll explain how streamlining your investment strategy can be a game-changer for reaching your financial goals.

Forgetting About Fees: Many investors are unaware of the fees they pay on their respective portfolios, mainly because most of these costs can be hidden. We’ll shed light on how choosing low-cost options and being mindful of fees can help maximize your returns. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report from 2021 found that 41% of 401(k) participants don’t know they pay any fees in their plan. We’ll help you become fee-savvy to protect your nest egg.

Tune in to learn how to avoid these pitfalls and secure your financial future!

In this episode of Payne Points of Wealth, hosts Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney explore the current state of the real estate markets in New York City and nationwide with Pierre Debbas, a leading NYC attorney and founding partner of Romer Debbas, LLP.

They discuss the record highs of the NYC real estate market in 2021, driven by low interest rates and post-pandemic demand. With rising interest rates now making homes less affordable, they delve into the future of the market: Will rates continue to climb? Will the market cool down, or can prices surge again?

Pierre, with over 20 years of experience in real estate and business law, shares his insights on these pressing questions. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and a thought leader in the industry, Pierre's expertise covers a wide range of transactional matters.

Tune in for valuable insights from one of the industry's top professionals. Learn more about Pierre at romerdebbas.com.

In Episode 205 of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan & Courtney dive deep into how the current economic environment is affecting your personal finances. We start by exploring what the stock market is really telling us about Trump’s Tariff War, The Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on our nation’s growing deficit, and what rising interest rates signal about the health of the US economy. And wow, are these factors affecting the financial markets? What does it all mean for your investment portfolio?

Next, we shift our focus to the global productivity boom. Companies around the world are becoming more efficient, leveraging technology and innovation to drive growth. We discuss the key drivers behind this productivity surge and its implications for where you should consider positioning your assets for the longer term.

This week’s The Tipping Point, we conduct a financial autopsy on a portfolio Ryan and Courtney recently reviewed. We uncover the hidden pitfalls that many investors face, including:

Join us as we unravel the current issues affecting your financial life and provide real-world insights to help you navigate the economic waves and optimize your wealth strategy. Whether you’re retired, saving for the future, or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable steps to guide you on your path to financial independence.

Strong emotions can drive you to make ill-timed decisions when it comes to growing your wealth. Fears of never-ending trade wars, a sinking economy and skyrocketing inflation captured our imagination while stock prices plunged last month. The Media’s amplification of doom and gloom can cause a visceral response, luring you into making rash decisions with your hard-earned money.

Now, with trade deals being negotiated, wages rising, cost of living moderation, and stock prices climbing, it appears the world isn’t going to end. On episode 204 of the Payne Points of Wealth, we address the deep-burning question on everyone’s mind: “Is the BIG rally in stocks going to hold?” Join us as we discuss the high levels of fear among professional investors, the “real” state of the US economy, and uncover the underlying conditions that could lead to even more gains in your portfolio. From the US-China trade truce to strengthening economic data, we break down what you need to know to grow your wealth long-term.

Whether you’re retired, building your financial life, or just getting started, this episode is packed with insights and strategies on how to navigate extreme volatility and stay focused on your long-term goals. Don’t miss out on the chance to be prepared for what could be a monumental shift in the stock market!