In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, Derek and Tony break down how California’s tax system can impact professional athletes, even after winning a championship.

They also examine whether consumer spending is truly slowing, reviewing retail growth data, job creation numbers, wage trends, and what higher tax refunds in 2026 could mean for the economy.

Finally, they discuss the streaming wars and whether cutting cable has actually saved consumers money, or simply replaced one high bill with many smaller ones.

If you want a grounded discussion on taxes, economic momentum, and consumer behavior, this episode delivers practical perspective without hype.