Welcome to the premiere of the sixth season of "Don't Retire... Graduate!" I'm your host, Eric Brotman, and I'm thrilled to be back after a year-long hiatus. Our mission remains the same: to provide you with the insights and tools you need to achieve financial independence and live the life you’ve always dreamed of. Today, our guest is a DRG regular, the incomparable Joe Saul-Sehy. Joe is an esteemed financial expert and the creator and co-host of the "Stacking Benjamins" podcast network. Joe is also a former financial advisor, a board member of the Plutus Foundation, and an author. With such a wealth of experience, he's the perfect guest to kick off our new season. In this episode, Joe and I take a look at the intersections of politics, investments, and financial planning. With the recent election, we discuss the impact it will have on tax policy, the economy, and interest rates. Joe emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and taking action based on current realities rather than political outcomes. We discuss economic volatility, current stock market trends, and the significant influence of the Federal Reserve compared to political administrations. Joe provides valuable investment strategies, stressing the impracticality of market timing and advocating for a long-term perspective. We also share personal anecdotes, including Joe’s new venture, "Stacking Adventures," a travel blog and podcast. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the importance of enjoying life experiences early, leveraging personal hobbies, and maintaining quality family time. 5 Key Takeaways:

Personal Accountability Over Politics: Joe emphasizes that regardless of recent election outcomes or political affiliations, personal accountability and action based on current facts are crucial for financial success. Quoting Jack Welch, Joe highlights the importance of accepting reality as it is, not how we wish it to be.
Investment Strategy: Joe argues that successful investing requires comfort with uncertainty and avoiding market timing. He gives an example of a friend who took advantage of a market drop to invest more, advocating for a long-term perspective.
Federal Reserve’s Influence: The discussion reveals that the Federal Reserve has more short-term economic influence than the presidency. This insight challenges the common perception that political changes drastically affect personal financial strategies.
Enjoying Life Experiences: Joe and I stress the importance of not waiting until old age to enjoy meaningful experiences due to potential health issues. Experiencing life now, rather than delaying gratification, is crucial for overall well-being.
Community and Family Time: Personal hobbies and shared experiences, such as building Lego sets or playing board games, can provide significant non-material value. These activities help build strong relationships and create lasting memories, emphasizing that finance is not just about money but about what it enables people to do.

I want to thank Joe Saul-Sehy for joining us today. Don't forget to check out his projects like "Stacked" and "Stacking Benjamins." As we move forward, stay tuned for more interviews and our new segment, "Diary of a Financial Advisor," every Thursday. Remember to subscribe, leave ratings, and share the podcast with your friends. Let's keep the conversation going and achieve financial graduation together! [embed]https://youtu.be/vgJCR45UX4E?si=UvY35mNMEQJXRCWb[/embed]

Practices of the People: Doodling Prayer