Thoughtful Money with Adam Taggart

Despite the best efforts of Elon Musk and the DOGE team, the US fiscal deficit for 2025 is $1.3 trillion so far, the second highest six-month level on record.And while the US at least is giving lip service to its plans to reduce its deficit over coming years, much of the rest of the world's largest economies -- like the EU and China -- are actively ramping up their fiscal spending. All of which makes today's guest's perspective incredibly timely. He's just released a new second edition to his book "Inflated: How Money & Debt Built The American Dream"Is there a way we can stop, and perhaps even reverse the loss of purchasing power our fiat currencies are suffering from all this wanton spending?Or, it is only going to get worse from here?To find out, we'll ask the author himself, Chris Whalen, Chairman of Whalen Global Advisors LLC and expert on the banking, mortgage finance and fintech sectors.WORRIED ABOUT THE MARKET? SCHEDULE YOUR FREE PORTFOLIO REVIEW with Thoughtful Money's endorsed financial advisors at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com#inflation #goldprice #marketcorrection _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2025 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

We spend a lot of time on this channel hearing how experts think the financial markets will react to recent developments.But histories most successful investors -- the Warren Buffets, the Benjamin Grahams, the Peter Lynches and the John Templetons -- didn't concern themselves much with what was happening int he short term.Instead, they focused on doing the following:1. Buy wonderful companies2. Led by outstanding managers3. Trading at fair valuation multiplesAnd then held onto them. Sometimes for decades.Today's guest, Pieter Slegers, has made it his career mission to understand and apply the core success principles and best practices of the world's greatest investors, and then help regular investors like you and me ride their coat-tails.His Substack Compounding Quality is currently the #5 highest-earning financial Substack in the world, and today we'll have the good fortune of hearing his synthesis of what makes a successful investor.WORRIED ABOUT THE MARKET? SCHEDULE YOUR FREE PORTFOLIO REVIEW with Thoughtful Money's endorsed financial advisors at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com_____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2025 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

Lance Roberts, a portfolio manager and chief investment strategist at RIA Advisors, shares his insights on the financial markets. He believes we are witnessing a bottoming process, with negative risks mostly priced in. Topics include cautious investment strategies amid volatility, the impact of affluent consumers on retail, and the dynamics of the gold market as a hedge. Lance discusses the potential for market recovery by fall, the importance of adapting to evolving conditions, and the balance of risk management in uncertain times.

When today's guest was on this program last back in December, he predicted the following:1. That a contraction in global liquidity could set the stage for severe market corrections and increased volatility -- check2. That stocks would peak early in 2025, and then experience a 15-20% correction -- check3. That new U.S. trade tariffs could lead to retaliatory measures from trading partners, triggering a global trade war -- check, especially in regards to ChinaSo far he's 3 for 3.He also recommended that investors start 2025 defensively, reducing equity exposure, avoiding long-duration bonds, and instead load up on T-bills and gold.Again, this was a winning combination. So who is this prescient forecaster?None other than Felix Zulauf, Founder and CEO, Zulauf Consulting.He usually only does public interviews once a year, but given the recent market turbulence, he has decided to return early to help investors make sense of what's most likely to happen next from here.We're extremely fortunate -- and grateful -- that he has selected Thoughtful Money as one of the few platforms he's granting an interview to this week.WORRIED ABOUT THE MARKET? SCHEDULE YOUR FREE PORTFOLIO REVIEW with Thoughtful Money's endorsed financial advisors at https://www.thoughtfulmoney.com#recession #volatility #bullmarket _____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor in good standing with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, and money market funds involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2025 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.

In this engaging discussion, Nick Gerli, founder of ReVenture Consulting and creator of the ReVenture app, provides a deep dive into the current state of the U.S. housing market. He predicts falling home prices affecting up to 20 states, including previously hot markets like Florida and California. Nick explores the impact of rising inventory, high mortgage rates, and declining investor activity. He emphasizes the importance of informed buying decisions and showcases his app, designed to help buyers navigate these turbulent market dynamics.

Andy Schectman, a precious metals expert, offers insightful updates on the current gold and silver markets. He discusses a recent surge in gold prices, driven by central bank actions and growing investor interest. Schectman highlights the pivotal role of silver in military tech and its potential upside. The conversation also explores innovative ways to invest in gold, like fractional ownership through apps. He emphasizes the importance of understanding market dynamics and securing wealth through precious metals, while advocating for integrity in financial guidance.

Cem Karsan, Founder and CIO of Kai Volatility Advisors, is back with sharp insights on the stock market's wild swings. He predicts a potential 35-45% decline this year and discusses the factors influencing this volatility. Karsan emphasizes the need for risk management and innovative investment strategies, especially in today's inflationary climate. He critiques traditional asset allocation methods and highlights the importance of non-correlated assets in navigating turbulent markets. Additionally, he underscores the value of professional financial guidance for investors.

Lance Roberts, a seasoned portfolio manager at RIA Advisors, talks about the alarming surge in US Treasury yields affecting hedge funds. He explains how heavily leveraged basis trades unexpectedly led to significant losses. Roberts highlights the potential risks of these events spiraling into another financial crisis akin to 2008. He discusses strategies to navigate market volatility, including reducing equity exposure and adjusting bond allocations, while emphasizing the importance of monitoring Federal Reserve actions to maintain stability.

Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, shares his expert insights on the turbulent financial markets and the looming recession. He emphasizes the importance of adapting investment strategies in response to recent policy changes and tariffs. The discussion dives into inflation risks and how they compare to past crises. Jan also highlights the evolving dynamics of gold and Bitcoin as reliable assets amid economic uncertainty. Finally, he reflects on India's economic resilience and emerging investment opportunities in a shifting global landscape.

Macro and market analyst Stephanie Pomboy dives into the intricacies of U.S. tariffs and their effects on the economy, revealing that they're not the only challenge ahead. She discusses the evolving monetary policies and their implications for the Treasury market, raising alarms about the banking system's stability. Pomboy also examines bond yields’ impact on employment rates and highlights potential recession risks. Moreover, she warns about the fragile state of the U.S. pension system, urging listeners to remain vigilant about their financial futures.