Money Ripples Podcast

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/45iVjsF Is AI really the beginning of the end for jobs or is this one of the biggest opportunities we've ever seen? That's exactly what I dive into in this episode with my longtime friend and former college roommate, Aaron Matthews, a fractional CTO/COO with over 21 years of leadership experience across healthcare, insurance, and technology. Everywhere you look, the headlines are screaming that AI is taking jobs. Engineers are being laid off. Middle managers are disappearing. Entire roles are being redefined. But the real question isn't whether AI is replacing jobs, it's who it's replacing, why it's happening, and how you can stay ahead of it instead of being run over by it. Aaron brings a grounded, real-world perspective from someone who's actually building with AI, not just talking about it. We unpack how tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity are already eliminating entry-level technical work, while simultaneously creating massive leverage for people who know how to use them well. Aaron shares firsthand examples of building functioning software applications without being a traditional coder, and how AI now takes him from zero to 80% in minutes while the final 20% still requires human judgment, experience, and creativity. This episode isn't just about technology. It's about human value. We talk about why empathy, decision-making, critical thinking, and creativity are becoming more valuable not less in an AI-driven world. We also address the dangers: intellectual shortcuts, loss of deep thinking, and over-reliance on machine-generated answers. If you're a parent, this conversation around critical thinking and kids is especially important. We also explore how AI is acting as a "force multiplier." High performers get better. Average performers level up. And for neurodivergent individuals, AI could become the most powerful personalized teacher we've ever seen. That's a game-changer. If you're worried about job security, relevance, or your future earning power, this episode will help you shift from fear to strategy. AI isn't something you can stop but you can decide whether it replaces you or empowers you. The people who win in the next decade won't be the ones who avoid AI. They'll be the ones who learn how to use it intentionally, ethically, and creatively to build more value, more income, and more freedom.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4pInjx7 President Donald Trump is making big promises as he approaches his one-year mark: banning institutions from buying real estate, capping credit card interest rates, and even talking about firing Jerome Powell. If you've been hearing these headlines and wondering, "Is this actually good for the economy, or are we about to make things worse?" this episode is my straight-shooting breakdown of what happens next and why these ideas won't do what people think they'll do. Let me be clear: this isn't a pro-Trump or anti-Trump rant. I'm not interested in political tribalism. What I'm interested in is cause and effect. I'm watching smart investors completely switch standards depending on who says the policy, and that's dangerous. If you want to understand money, markets, and real outcomes, you've got to turn your brain on and stop filtering everything through a "love him" or "hate him" lens. First, I address the idea of firing Jerome Powell. Even if Powell were removed as Fed Chair, he could still remain on the Federal Reserve Board. More importantly, rates aren't set by one person. They're determined by a committee, with multiple Fed presidents voting. So the "fire Powell" narrative makes for a great soundbite, but it won't magically drop rates or fix affordability for everyday Americans. Second, I tackle the claim that institutions are the reason housing got so expensive. The truth is that institutional buyers are a small slice of the market roughly in the 1–3% range. Are there pockets where they influenced pricing? Sure. But they weren't the primary driver. The real driver was demand fueled by cheap money and massive liquidity injections stimulus, PPP, expanded credits, and low interest rates combined with supply chain disruptions, labor costs, and higher construction expenses. I even share my firsthand experience buying in 2021 to show how everyday Americans, not faceless institutions, were creating bidding wars and pushing prices beyond appraisals. Third, I break down the most misunderstood headline: the proposed credit card interest rate cap at 10%. This is where "unintended consequences" kick in hard. Credit cards are unsecured debt no collateral so risk is higher and rates reflect that. If you force a cap too low, banks don't suddenly become generous. They reduce lending, tighten standards, and cut off the very people who rely on access to credit. And when credit availability shrinks, spending slows, layoffs rise, defaults increase, and markets react. The economy runs on the flow of money and credit. Restrict the flow, and you don't solve the problem you accelerate the downturn. Bottom line: banning institutional real estate buyers won't lower prices, firing Powell won't change the committee-driven reality of the Fed, and capping credit card rates won't fix affordability it risks breaking credit access and worsening the correction the economy already needs to go through. If you want to build real stability and become work optional, don't chase headlines. Focus on fundamentals, cashflow, and strategies that work regardless of which politician is talking. And if your 2026 goal is passive income, go to moneyripples.com and use the Work Optional Calculator to find your number.

Your future doesn't start after school, it starts now. 7F Teenage Tycoon teaches teens how money works, how businesses are built, and how real wealth is created. Tap the link and become a Teenage Tycoon today - https://www.7figureflipping.com/teenage-tycoon?fpr=7cwpr0 Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/49AgqYy We talk a lot about building wealth, passive income, and freedom but the real question, especially as parents, is how do we teach our kids to do the same? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Allen, founder of Seven Figure Flipping, to talk about raising financially confident kids who understand money, business, and opportunity. Bill shares his journey from 20 years as a Navy helicopter pilot to real estate investor. One house flip netted him about $43,000, opening his eyes to a second income stream that he later scaled into a high-volume business. What sets Bill apart is his honesty: success isn't effortless. The principles are simple, but the work is real and anyone promising "easy money" is selling a myth. We also break down common business misconceptions, especially around "passive income." Bill explains the difference between active and passive income and why real investing always requires time, skill, capital, or responsibility. If you're not exchanging something, you're not investing you're gambling. At the heart of the episode is Teenage Tycoon, Bill's entrepreneurial community for teens. Built like a business co-op, it includes a book club, weekly calls, guest experts, and real-world conversations about entrepreneurship, real estate, investing, sales, and mindset. It's designed to give parents support especially when kids don't want to hear it from mom or dad. The results speak for themselves: teens flipping houses, running e-commerce stores, reselling products, building 3D-printing businesses, and even flipping high-end watches. We also discuss homeschool grants in some states and how parents can learn alongside their kids. If you want to build a legacy beyond money teaching your kids how to think, earn, invest, and lead this episode offers real insight and a clear next step. Bill Allen's links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-allen-rei/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billallenrei?igsh=MTU3bjhmMXdhbnVuNw== - Podcast: https://bit.ly/3LsTx1u

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4qNupRT All of us have hard times. The real question is: how do you bounce back when the setback hits you financially, emotionally, and personally all at once? In today's episode, I sit down with Tatiana Zagarovsky, whose story is the kind that makes you rethink what you're capable of when life punches you in the face. Tatiana immigrated to the United States after growing up in the Soviet Union, where entrepreneurship was treated like a crime and "capitalists" were painted as villains. She later immigrated again through Israel, built a successful career in corporate America, earned patents, and lived what many people would call the American Dream on the outside: house, vacations, and stability. But inside, she felt like she was still working someone else's plan instead of building her own. Then she found real estate. Like many people, she started with education, trainings, mentors, and big momentum until everything fell apart at the same time. Tatiana shares how she lost over $100,000 in an early real estate deal because she didn't understand the power of an operating agreement and how quickly someone can manipulate ownership through an LLC. While dealing with that financial hit, she also found herself in a painful custody battle that forced her to walk away from her corporate job to support her kids. That combination put her into a dark place, and she's honest about the depression and pressure that followed. What I love about this conversation is that it doesn't stop at the tragedy. Tatiana breaks down the exact framework that helped her rebuild: her "three Cs" of clarity, community, and coach. She talks about finding the right people, and the right mentor Damon Remy of REI BlackBook who helped her not only in business, but also pushed her to get personal support so she could heal and perform again. From there, Tatiana found a strategy she's passionate about: seller financing. She explains it simply, how she structures deals, and why it creates wins for buyers who can't qualify for traditional mortgages. We get into how she sells homes on terms that can be comparable to rent, often with stable principal-and-interest payments, and why this approach can restore hope for families who feel locked out of homeownership. We also talk about protecting people from scams, avoiding shame after getting burned, and why integrity and perseverance still win in the long run. If you've ever been scammed, knocked down, or felt like your financial future got derailed, this episode is for you. Tatiana's message is clear: don't let the worst chapter become the end of your story.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/49tEKv8 So many of you have heard the story of my father before, whether it was here on the Money Ripples podcast or inside my book, The Work Optional Blueprint. But after my dad passed away just a few weeks ago, there's one piece of advice he gave me about money that hasn't stopped echoing in my head. And today, I felt compelled to share it with you. My father was the definition of a penny-pinching saver. Raised after the Great Depression, he believed deeply in saving everything possible. He bought things on sale, avoided debt at all costs, and worked for decades with the belief that if he just saved enough, someday he'd finally be safe. But despite all that saving, his retirement was short, stressful, and financially constrained. And that's where the real lesson comes in. Years ago, during one of the hardest financial periods of my life during a divorce and intense financial stress my dad told me something completely unexpected. He said, "Chris, it's just money. You can always make more of it." Coming from someone who worried constantly about losing money, that advice surprised me. But it also freed me. I reflect on what that advice truly means and how it reshaped my relationship with money. Money is not the goal. It's not the prize. It's a tool. It's a medium of exchange that represents value. And when we treat it as something to hoard instead of something to steward, we often sacrifice our health, our time, and our joy in the process. I walk you through the moment years ago when I sat across from my dad at his kitchen table as his financial advisor, realizing that despite decades of saving, he didn't actually have enough money to retire comfortably. I explain how market downturns, inflation, and relying solely on traditional retirement strategies can quietly sabotage even the most disciplined savers. But this episode isn't about fear. It's about perspective. If you're stressed about money right now whether it's inflation, job uncertainty, rising costs, or feeling trapped in a system that isn't working I want you to hear this clearly: money is something you can create. When you focus on serving others, solving problems, and delivering real value, money becomes a natural byproduct instead of a constant source of anxiety. Saving alone isn't freedom. Accumulating money without intention isn't wealth. Real financial freedom comes from using money intentionally to create a life that's actually worth living now, not someday. This episode is deeply personal, but it's also one of the most important conversations I've had on this show. If you've ever felt pressure, guilt, fear, or shame around money, this message is for you.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4jzeOmE You hear us talk about real estate all the time on this show but what most people don't realize is that the bond market may be one of the biggest hidden forces influencing real estate returns right now. In today's podcast episode, I sit down with Jeremy Watson, CEO of Bedrock Investment Property, a longtime investor and entrepreneur who has been investing since 2006, has helped buy and sell 5,000+ properties, and has completed four business exits. Jeremy also spent a decade in the financial advice world, reviewing hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of real client portfolios and what he saw over and over again was this: many "safe" traditional strategies create a false sense of security, especially when inflation shows up. We start by talking about Jeremy's real estate origin story how he started in 2006, got hit hard in the 2008 crash like almost everyone did, and then spent years inside the financial planning world learning why many common real estate and passive investment structures fail in practice. That experience led him back into real estate with a sharper focus on what matters most: control, cash flow, and predictable outcomes. From there, we dig into turnkey real estate and why it gets criticized today. Jeremy breaks down the real issue with turnkey: it's not the concept it's the vetting, the quality of the market, and the administrative burden that most companies never tell you about. Property managers don't keep your books, don't keep LLCs compliant, don't manage insurance claims, and don't hold themselves accountable. If investors don't realize this upfront, "passive" real estate quickly becomes a part-time administrative job. Jeremy shares how Bedrock approaches turnkey differently by building systems to handle the backend workload, overseeing property managers, providing tax-ready reporting, and focusing on homes and markets that can realistically perform. The emphasis is on buying assets that can withstand market shifts, not chasing hype or "cheap" properties in unstable neighborhoods with no real exit strategy. Then we get to the core topic: bonds and real estate. Jeremy explains why bonds are often treated as the safe asset in retirement planning and why that logic breaks down in inflationary environments. Bonds may feel safe, but when inflation rises, fixed-income instruments can silently destroy purchasing power. If interest rates rise after you've locked in a lower-yield bond, your bond becomes less attractive on the secondary market, meaning you could take a major haircut if you need to sell before maturity. This matters because many retirement plans assume older investors can simply "shift to bonds" for safety. But if inflation persists or if rates fluctuate bonds can lose real value while locking investors into negative real returns. That's why Jeremy argues that single-family real estate with fixed-rate debt can become a powerful hedge: rents can rise with inflation, asset values can adjust over time, while mortgage payments remain fixed. In other words, inflation can work in your favor when you own the right real asset with the right financing. We also address the big question: what about deflation, weakening spending power, and softening rents? Jeremy explains why real estate is a long-term macro bet, why supply constraints still matter, and why buying in stable cash-flow markets can reduce volatility compared to speculative "boom" cities. If you've been wondering whether real estate still makes sense and how bonds, inflation, and interest rates play into that decision, this episode will give you a clearer framework to think like a real investor.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3Nijzou In today's episode, I sit down with Joe Ganella, a retired U.S. Army veteran with 23 years of service (19 in Special Forces), married for 35 years, and a dad of two. Joe's a powerful example of what it looks like to do many things "right" financially living within his means, staying out of debt, saving consistently and still recognize there's a higher level of wealth available: the kind that creates abundance, flexibility, and the ability to give freely without hesitation. Joe shares how he reached a point where he became work optional meaning he doesn't have to work to pay his bills but still realized that's not the same as being financially free. Work optional can mean you're surviving and stable. Financially free means you're no longer limited by the "we can't afford that" mindset. It's the difference between being able to stop working and being able to live fully on your terms with margin, generosity, and real choice. We also talk about something I wish more people focused on: teaching the next generation to win financially. Joe is candid about raising his kids with a "Dave Ramsey-style" mentality save, avoid debt, be conservative and how he's now working to "deprogram" that scarcity mindset and help his kids think bigger. He explains how he's coaching his youngest son (a former pro-level athlete) to shift from hustle and uncertainty into structure: income first, then budgeting, then clear goals, then execution. A big part of this conversation is about identifying what you actually want. Joe shares how he spent years searching for a CPA who did real tax planning not just tax preparation and how hard it was to find trustworthy guidance in a world full of gurus. We talk about how to evaluate mentors and financial professionals, why you should never make impulse buys under pressure, and why the best advisors don't rely on hype, fear, or rushed decisions. Joe also shares a practical framework that applies to anyone especially parents: - Build an abundant mindset - Track where every dollar goes - Create measurable goals - Take daily action to move toward them Because information alone won't change your life. Action will. If you're trying to become work optional, build passive income, and create a legacy for your family, this episode will help you rethink what freedom really means and give you real-world ideas to teach your kids how to build it, too.

Start making a passive income here: https://bit.ly/3YsnCkG What were the biggest financial surprises of 2025 and more importantly, what should we realistically expect heading into 2026? In today's episode, I break down what truly caught investors, economists, and money managers off guard in 2025, and why many of the same warning signs are flashing even brighter as we move into 2026. A year ago, when I was asked what I expected for 2025, my honest answer was simple: who knows? Looking back now, that uncertainty turned out to be one of the most accurate forecasts anyone could make. We saw several major surprises in 2025 that very few people anticipated. Massive tariff wars shook markets and rattled confidence. Gold and silver exploded to historic highs, with silver nearly doubling in a matter of months. Even more surprising, stocks continued pushing to new highs at the same time precious metals surged something that rarely happens and signals deeper issues beneath the surface. I also address why inflation may not be as "under control" as headlines suggest, why crypto failed to act as digital gold, and why the AI-driven tech boom continues to inflate valuations despite growing similarities to past market bubbles like the 1920s and the dot-com era. Most importantly, I explain what these trends mean going into 2026. We're now approaching nearly 17 years of an extended bull market with only one meaningful down year. Historically, markets don't behave this way without consequences. While some experts predict the market can keep rising for years, that would be unprecedented and if it happens, the eventual correction could be far more painful. I walk through how money supply, credit availability, and government intervention are propping up the economy, and why liquidity not productivity is currently driving growth. I also explain why rising unemployment, tightening consumer spending, and growing household financial stress could create cracks that no amount of money printing can permanently fix. I share my personal positioning as both an investor and saver why I'm staying cautious on stocks, prioritizing liquidity, building infinite banking policies, and focusing on real assets like real estate, precious metals, and asset-backed investments. This isn't about fear; it's about preparation. If you're approaching retirement, building wealth, or simply trying to protect what you've already worked hard to earn, this episode is a critical listen. I'm not claiming to predict the future but I am urging you to stop relying on hope and start thinking defensively before the next major shift arrives.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/494BbwM As we close out the year, I wanted to do something a little different on the Money Ripples Podcast. Instead of bringing on a guest or breaking down a single strategy, I decided to look back and answer one important question: what were the top 10 Money Ripples podcast episodes of 2025, and why did they matter so much to you? This episode is a recap of the most downloaded and most watched episodes of the year across YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. These weren't just my favorites these were your favorites. And what stood out to me most was the clear pattern in what resonated: people are questioning traditional financial advice more than ever. From challenging Dave Ramsey's teachings, to exposing myths around the 401k match, the 4% rule, and "buying the dip" in the stock market, 2025 was a year where a lot of sacred cows got challenged. And based on the response, it's clear that many of you are hungry for something deeper, more honest, and more aligned with real financial freedom. I break down each of the top 10 episodes, explain why they performed so well, and remind you what key lessons you can take from them heading into 2026. We cover topics like passive income strategies, infinite banking, private equity investing, home equity without monthly payments, and why relying solely on 401ks and IRAs may not give you the freedom you're hoping for. You'll hear why episodes like "Stop Buying the Dip: The Stock Market Trap No One Talks About" became the clear number one episode of the year, why Dave Ramsey–related episodes consistently rank high, and why so many listeners are questioning whether traditional retirement advice still works in today's environment. I also share a few honorable mentions, episodes that performed incredibly well on audio platforms but didn't quite crack the top 10 when YouTube views were factored in. These include powerful conversations around building a family bank, infinite banking strategies, and how to significantly increase retirement income without relying on outdated withdrawal rules. If you're new to the Money Ripples Podcast, this episode is the perfect starting point. And if you've been with me for years, it's a great reminder of the conversations that helped shape the direction of this show and this community. My goal has always been simple: help you become work optional, live a rich life, and create a ripple effect that blesses others. As we move into 2026, this episode sets the stage for what's next and reminds us why questioning the status quo is often the first step toward real freedom. Ready to make work optional? Subscribe to our podcast for real-world strategies, mindset shifts, and financial freedom insights and grab your copy of The Work Optional Blueprint to turn ideas into action. 👉 Subscribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-ripples-podcast/id895555599 👉 Get your copy here: https://a.co/d/fFzl9Zw

This episode of the Money Ripples Podcast is different than anything I normally release. There's no guest, no strategy breakdown, and no investing deep dive. Instead, this is a personal message straight from my heart as we close out the year and head into a new one. Recently, my father passed away just before Christmas. Many of you have heard me talk about him on this podcast and even in my book, The Work Optional Blueprint. Losing him has forced me to slow down, reflect, and really think about what actually matters in life. Because of that, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to you not as your cashflow expert, but as another human being navigating loss, gratitude, and perspective. In this short episode, I share why we're pausing new podcast episodes until the new year and why that decision matters to me. But more importantly, I ask you a powerful question: if this were your last Christmas or your final New Year, how would you treat it differently? How would you spend your time? Who would you be with? What would truly matter? As I've gone through my dad's belongings and reflected on his life, one thing has become incredibly clear, the best things in life are not things. They're people. Moments. Conversations. Time spent with the people we love while we still can. This message is a reminder to live intentionally. To stop running on autopilot. To stop delaying joy, connection, and meaning for "someday." All we really have is today, and I believe we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to live our lives now not tomorrow. I also want to personally thank you. Because of you, this community has grown to over 5,000 subscribers on YouTube and thousands more on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Many of you have been following me for years, some for over a decade, and I don't take that lightly. I know you're here because you want more than just surviving, paying bills, and waiting for retirement. You want a meaningful life. A purposeful life. A life that creates ripples for others. This episode is my holiday message to you, to slow down, be present, cherish your loved ones, and live fully right now. We'll be back with new episodes in the new year, but until then, I hope this message encourages you to make this holiday season truly count. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of the Money Ripples community