#648: The U.S. government is shutting down. Bitcoin just hit a record high. Inflation whispers are back. And Wall Street is buzzing with speculation.
What does this all mean for your money, your portfolio, and your long-term financial freedom? On this First Friday episode, we unpack the economic headlines you can’t ignore — and help you separate signal from noise.
In this episode, we cover:
- Government Shutdown: What happens when Washington goes dark, and how it could ripple into the markets, interest rates, and your daily life
- Bitcoin at Record Highs: Why crypto is rallying, what history tells us about speculative manias, and whether this time might be different
- Jobs Report and Inflation Watch: The latest labor market data, its implications for the Fed, and how it could shape borrowing costs
- Investor Behavior in Uncertainty: Why volatility can make us overreact, and how to stay grounded in your long-term strategy
Key Takeaways
- Government shutdowns create noise, but historically their long-term market impact is minimal
- Bitcoin’s surge reflects both speculation and broader demand for decentralized assets — but extreme volatility remains
- The labor market remains resilient, keeping inflation risks on the radar and Fed policy in focus
- Emotional investing is costly: staying calm during uncertainty is one of the best ways to protect your wealth.
This month’s headlines feel dramatic — shutdowns, soaring crypto, inflation fears. But the timeless principles of money management still apply: diversify, stay disciplined, and don’t let headlines dictate your portfolio.
Key moments:
(01:07) Jobs Reporting from ADP
(08:28) Interest Rates and Mortgages
(18:07) Social Security Age
(25:36) Consumer Spending and Inflation
(31:56) Bitcoin and Gold reach new highs
(34:31) Quarterly Reporting for Publicly Traded Companies may go to twice-a-year
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