The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the national debt are front and center. But is efficiency even possible with $36.5 trillion on the books? With debt service now consuming a growing share of GDP, what does this mean for retirement planning and long-term financial security? In this episode, we break down the economic reality facing today's savers, why blind trust in government spending won’t cut it, and how smart investors can adapt to the shifting landscape. Plus, a look at AI’s growing role in financial planning and whether ETFs can replace high-yield checking.

Start 2025 with a clear plan for your finances. This episode explores the investment indicators, upcoming IRS tax changes, and practical ways to manage risk in your portfolio.

We’re diving into the biggest financial updates to wrap up the year, including post-election impacts, rising insurance costs, and tax planning strategies. Discover new 401(k) contribution limits and how Roth accounts could play a bigger role in your financial future. Don’t miss these essential insights for starting 2025 on the right foot!

The election is over, but the real impact on your wallet is just beginning. With potential one-party rule on the horizon, we’re breaking down what these results mean for taxes, tariffs, energy policy, and economic growth. Tune in for a look at why the market reacted so strongly, what new policies could mean for American manufacturing, and practical steps to protect your finances in this new political landscape.

In this episode, we dive into the heated discussions around election-season tax proposals with a special focus on how they could impact your financial future. From eliminating taxes on Social Security and overtime to controversial ideas like taxing unrealized capital gains, we’ll explore who stands to benefit and if reality matches the shiny brochure of the presentation of these ideas. We’ll also examine the implications of lifting payroll tax caps, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and the fairness of the tax system.

Join us for the 100th episode of our podcast where Brian and his daughter, Hannah, explore the evolution of financial literacy from adolescence to college. In Hannah’s second appearance on the podcast (three years since her first show), this episode features discussions on the importance of early savings, adhering to a budget, and the basics of investing. They also tackle practical financial skills and the art of making informed financial decisions.

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at some academic market theories through a set of fresh eyes. Summer intern Kayla is back to share her insights into market efficiencies and help answer the ever-elusive question of whether or not you can beat the market. We delve into Eugene Fama's Efficient Market Hypothesis, contrasting real-world examples of market efficiencies and failures, from the Challenger Disaster to the Mortgage Crisis. Learn about the tug-of-war between active and passive investment strategies and gather key takeaways to optimize your portfolio.

In this episode of Make The Dough Rise, we explore the critical yet often overlooked aspects of retirement planning—sequence of returns, long-term super cycles, and withdrawal rates. Join us as our summer intern, Kayla, shares fresh insights from her research on market efficiencies and investing strategies. Plus, we'll analyze scenarios of retirees facing vastly different financial landscapes based on timing alone, revealing how choices made during major market events like the dot-com bubble and other financial crises can drastically alter one's financial future. Whether it's panic selling or attempting to time the market, learn why staying disciplined with a well-thought-out investment plan is crucial.

It’s time to revisit some of our favorite wacky indicators that we discussed for the first time back in 2022. Today we’ll find out if Starbucks and gold prices are solid indicators of the economy’s direction. We’ll also give you an update on Social Security in the wake of the annual report released by the trustees. Can you believe that the news isn’t all bad? Listen to this episode of Make the Dough Rise to find out all the details. Finally, we celebrate a cool recognition for the podcast and welcome a new voice, intern Kayla, to the show!

While you're tidying up the garage and carrying on your traditional spring cleaning tasks, tune into this episode of Make The Dough Rise where we focus on "spring cleaning" your finances, covering essential topics such as tax preparation, the importance of beneficiary reviews, and strategic updates to your investment portfolio. Could Small Cap Value be the most undervalued segment in the market right now? We'll also provide insights into effective planning tools and the implications of upcoming tax law changes.