Women, Money & the Macro: The No-Panic Plan for 2026

2025-09-01

We pick up right where Part 1 ended - tops changed, mics back on - and dive into Coco’s speciality: the economic cycle (aka the real estate cycle) and what it actually means for your money, career and decisions over the next few years. Coco breaks down the ~18.6-year cycle (≈ 14 years up + 4–5 years down), why we’re in the late-stage “winner’s curse” now, and why mid-cycle slowdowns (think 2020) are the feather-tap before the final sprint and reset. We talk cash, debt, AI, jobs, Australia’s unique quirks (hello SE QLD ...

We pick up right where Part 1 ended - tops changed, mics back on - and dive into Coco’s speciality: the economic cycle (aka the real estate cycle) and what it actually means for your money, career and decisions over the next few years.

Coco breaks down the ~18.6-year cycle (≈ 14 years up + 4–5 years down), why we’re in the late-stage “winner’s curse” now, and why mid-cycle slowdowns (think 2020) are the feather-tap before the final sprint and reset. We talk cash, debt, AI, jobs, Australia’s unique quirks (hello SE QLD & the Olympics), and the unsexy moves that keep you safe and set you up to pounce when opportunities flood the market.

“Don’t freeze. Stack cash. Reduce fragile debt. Increase income. Then you can breathe and make better decisions.” — Coco

What you’ll learn

Economic Cycle 101: The 18.6-year rhythm; why history rhymes; how to spot where we are.
Where we are now: Late bull run/winner’s curse—everything looks easy, credit loosens, headlines get grand (“biggest tower ever!”), and cranes fill the skyline.
Timing clues: US usually rolls first, then UK/EU, Australia lags 12–24 months. Coco is eyeing late 2026 as a key turning point based on historical patterns.
Mid-cycle slowdowns: Why 2020 fit the textbook “feather tap” before the final run-up.
Four cycles converging: Why the next reset could feel sharper—and how preparation beats panic.
Australia specifics: Why SE QLD has some insulation via the Olympics build-out, but the macro still bites.
Cash-flow over ego: Why Coco still loves “boring” cash-flow businesses (cleaning, childcare) and how she thinks about building vs waiting on quotes to normalize.
Income now > vibes later: Real talk on picking up work (cleaning, trades, regional moves) and why there’s no shame in a job—it’s a bridge to safety and opportunity.
Human Design as a tool, not dogma: Surround yourself with detail brains if you’re not one; protect your decisions with process.
Mindset reframes: Stop thinking “million”—start thinking decamillion targets in today’s dollars.

Practical playbook (from the convo)

Stack cash: Aim for 6 months+ living expenses (more if you can). Calm nervous system = smart decisions.
Reduce fragile debt: Keep only debt that’s tied to robust income streams you’ve actively stress-tested.
Increase income now: Side work, regional roles, trades, cleaning - cash up while jobs are abundant.
Read the street: Cranes everywhere + loosening credit = late cycle. Treat “everyone’s winning” as a caution signal.
Investing posture: Context matters. Buying just because someone else “made $300k on paper” is not a strategy.
Community > secrecy: Share numbers with safe friends. We learn in community; opportunities travel through networks.

Resources from the episode

Phil Anderson — The Secret Life of Real Estate and Banking (Coco calls this a bible she rereads)
Akhil Patel — cycles educator Coco follows closely
Human Design — Use as a lens, not a cage

Chapter guide (approximate)