Money Tree Investing

My Housing Debacle – What Not To Do When Buying A House

Here's what not to do when buying a house! Today we explore my experience with buying a home. We also talk about what it means to be "anti-fragile" in markets that look stable but are actually full of hidden risks. We unpack why markets feel eerily calm despite cracks under the surface, point to red flags like rising margin debt and overvalued equities, and question the rosy government data that doesn’t match what businesses are actually seeing. We also touch on the Fed’s latest rate hold, the performative nature of their messaging, and why Japan might be the next weak link in the global system. We discuss... We talk about how fragile markets can appear strong but collapse under pressure, while anti-fragile strategies are built to withstand shocks. There’s growing skepticism around official data on inflation, unemployment, and job growth, which often don’t match real-world experiences. We flag early warning signs like record-high margin debt and stretched market valuations that suggest hidden fragility. The Buffett Indicator is flashing red, pointing to historically high levels of overvaluation. We discuss how investors often chase all-time highs without considering the risks beneath the surface. The Fed paused interest rate hikes again, but its messaging feels more performative than predictive. Government job growth is outpacing private sector job growth, raising questions about the true health of the economy. Markets are euphoric about all-time highs, but this sentiment overlooks growing risks and valuation distortions. There’s a widespread misunderstanding of the difference between correlation and causation in market data and recessions. Long-term market growth trends can be distorted by short-term performance comparisons, leading to misleading “chart crimes.” Used car prices remain high, partly due to ongoing shortages and strong demand, especially for 2–3-year-old vehicles. Housing affordability has worsened dramatically, with mortgage costs far outpacing rent, making ownership financially unappealing. Personal experience with deceptive sellers reflects broader issues in the housing market’s transparency and ethics. As interest rates fall, more inventory may hit the housing market, but price drops are likely in many regions. Homeownership is a personal expense, not an investment, due to ongoing maintenance, taxes, and volatility. Homeownership comes with hidden costs and liabilities that are often underestimated by buyers. The financial burden of owning—repairs, maintenance, interest—can reduce or erase the perceived gains over time. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/what-not-to-do-when-buying-a-house-735  Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast  

Taming Your Money Monster with Doug Lynam

Doug Lynam is here today to share about his new book, Taming Your Money Monster. Doug shares his unconventional life journey from a Marine Corps officer to a Benedictine monk for 20 years, where he confronted the inescapability of money even in a monastery and how he later transitioned to become a professional money manager focused on teaching healthier, ethical relationships with money. He discusses how people develop "money monsters"—unhealthy money habits tied to psychological attachment styles. He stresses that while thriftiness is valuable, it should not come at the cost of compassion or love. We discuss... Doug explains his "attachment theory of money," comparing unhealthy money relationships to attachment styles in psychology, with anxious and avoidant money behaviors. He highlights how people often show mixed money attachments across the four pillars of finance: earning, saving, investing, and giving. Doug reflects on his monastic life as a quest to understand the meaning of life and spiritual unity, which influences his compassionate approach to money. They discuss the impact of upbringing on money attitudes, using Doug’s father as an example of anxious earning and avoidant saving driven by early scarcity and trauma. Kirk and Doug talk about cultural and generational influences on thriftiness and money control, including weaponizing money as a form of control. They explore parenting approaches, emphasizing the importance of setting firm but loving boundaries to teach children respect for money and responsibility. Doug warns against conditional love based on behavior, advocating for unconditional affection alongside clear consequences. Doug introduces the Enneagram personality system as a key tool in understanding financial behaviors and emotional patterns related to money, promising to explain it further. Unlike the more fixed Myers-Briggs system, the Enneagram offers a fluid growth framework that guides emotional and spiritual development over time. Personal experiences with anger are shared, highlighting how generational values around toughness and self-control shape how anger is handled. The Enneagram is described as having a spiritual layer that underpins common virtues found in many religions, such as honesty and courage. Doug stresses that meaningful transformation takes effort and mental work—there are no quick fixes—and that sustained self-awareness and practice are essential. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Douglas Heagren | Pro College Planners Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/taming-your-money-monster-doug-lynam-734 

Crypto Bonanza… The King Is Dead… Long Live the King

It's a Crypto Bonanza today we we discuss the new Clarity Act and how it impacts digital currencies. We also chat about the emotional and financial rollercoaster of buying a home in today’s market, as Kirk shares about falling in love with a house—only to walk away after discovering many issues the sellers failed to disclose. We talk about how the cost to buy is now far above the cost to rent in many areasb and how sellers are increasingly unwilling to drop prices—even as supply builds and interest rates stay high. We also dig into how real estate, while deeply emotional, ultimately comes down to math, and why renting may still make more sense...  Wee discuss...  The cost to buy a home is currently much higher than the cost to rent, especially in higher-priced markets. Emotional attachment often causes sellers to keep unrealistic home prices despite market shifts. Many markets are seeing a growing supply of homes and longer times on market, leading to price pressures. Real estate equity is a major source of wealth but is difficult to access without selling or borrowing. Sellers tend to suppress or avoid disclosing problems to preserve home value, increasing risk for buyers. Inflation-adjusted home prices show 2025 prices are very high, but official inflation numbers may understate true inflation. Buying a home is often an emotional and personal decision rather than a purely financial investment. Renting can be mathematically cheaper, but many still desire homeownership for personal reasons.  The Clarity Act aims to define regulatory authority over digital assets between the CFTC and SEC, though it hasn’t passed yet. Regulation is viewed positively if it prevents fraud without overly restricting innovation in crypto. The banking sector may resist crypto innovation due to potential threats to their traditional business models. Concerns were expressed about government overreach via CBDCs that could control or monitor personal spending. Despite risks, the government already has many tools to combat financial crime without needing intrusive surveillance. Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have risen recently, prompting some profit-taking but maintaining belief in long-term value. MicroStrategy pivoted to Bitcoin investment after years of flat or breakeven performance, using debt and financial engineering to buy more Bitcoin. The history of MicroStrategy’s CEO includes a past SEC investigation and company struggles before embracing Bitcoin. The line between genius and stupidity can sometimes be just dumb luck. MicroStrategy’s strategy resembles a Ponzi scheme by relying on new money to pay returns and leveraging debt to buy Bitcoin. If Bitcoin crashes, the company faces margin calls and financial stress due to heavy debt.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/crypto-bonanza-733 

Advanced Strategies To Slash The Cost Of College

Shaan Patel is here to discuss how you can slash the cost of college through some more advanced strategies. We also discuss major education changes packed into the “Big Beautiful Bill,” starting with the introduction of new Trump Accounts—a kind of IRA for minors with no deductions and withdrawal restrictions until age 18. We cover expanded uses for 529 plans, including tutoring, test prep, homeschool materials, and more. Repayment options are narrowed down to just two, and several popular income-driven plans are scrapped. We also talk about how Pell Grants are being expanded for short-term workforce programs and the future of the Department of Education as it sees deep funding cuts—all pointing to less federal support, more private lending, and a growing need for serious college planning.  We discuss... Major education reforms packed into the “Big Beautiful Bill,” starting with the new Trump Account—a savings vehicle for minors with a $5,000 annual cap, no deductions, and no early withdrawals. The bill expands 529 plans to cover tutoring, test prep, online learning, homeschool materials, and special education services. A new federal tax credit scholarship program allows individuals and corporations to donate up to $1,700 annually to scholarship organizations, with a 100% tax credit. There’s also $500 million in grants for “American Values” curricula promoting patriotism and national pride. On the college side, new federal loan caps include $100K for master’s degrees, $200K for professional degrees (like law or med school), and a $257,500 lifetime limit—while Grad PLUS loans are eliminated entirely. Repayment options are now limited to a standard plan or a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), ending other income-based programs like SAVE and PAYE. Public Service Loan Forgiveness survives but faces tighter eligibility, and deferment options for hardship have been significantly cut. Workforce Pell Grants are expanded to include short-term training programs (8–15 weeks) for in-demand technical jobs. Wealthy universities face a major increase in endowment taxes—up to 8%—especially impacting Ivy League schools. The Department of Education will see a nearly 20% discretionary funding cut over five years, potentially affecting programs like TRIO that help low-income students access college. With fewer federal dollars and tighter lending, private loans may fill the gap—making proactive college and financial planning more critical than ever. Parents of younger students (7th–10th grade) should start planning early for the PSAT. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Barbara Friedberg | Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance Diana Perkins | Trading with Diana   Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/slash-the-cost-of-college-shaan-patel-732   

Kirk Changes His Tune on Housing

Kirk changes his tune on housing as he moves towards purchasing a new home. Today we explore how homeownership is often more of an emotional choice than a smart financial investment, with many people misunderstanding the real cost compared to renting. We talk about the burden of property taxes, why paying off a mortgage early might not always make financial sense, and the social pressures around owning a home. We shift gears to a surprising discovery in credit reporting systems—a “Human Trafficking Request” option—which leads us to reflect on the serious issue of human trafficking, especially in border areas, and how complex and unexpected some financial topics can be. We also talk property taxes, economic growth, and more! Today we discuss... Buying a home isn’t just about numbers—it’s emotional, from nesting instincts to worrying about what neighbors think. Contrary to popular belief, owning a home often isn’t a great financial investment; it’s mostly a personal expense. There’s a sweet spot where owning beats renting, but for expensive properties, renting often comes out cheaper. Paying off a low-interest mortgage early might feel good, but financially, investing that money elsewhere often makes more sense. You never really “own” a home because ongoing costs like taxes and maintenance keep coming. A bizarre credit bureau feature for removing human trafficking info—raises a lot of questions about what’s on our reports. Trying to freeze or check credit reports online turned into a frustrating experience with errors and security concerns. A “chart crime” was discussed involving misleading silver price charts that artificially suggest massive future price spikes. Everyone, including experts, has biases, and the best investing involves independent thinking free from crowd influence. Warren Buffett’s investment strategy of avoiding Wall Street noise by focusing on fundamentals is highlighted, though his recent performance is debated. The US stock market has outperformed international markets over the past two decades, with Europe’s regulatory environment hindering growth. Government remains the largest job growth sector in the US, followed by healthcare, while mining, logging, and wholesale trade experience declines. The overarching advice is to think independently and critically about economic and investment data rather than relying solely on common narratives or biased sources. Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse risked systemic damage due to concentrated wealth in California’s tech sector and the bank’s insolvency. Banks face difficulty raising liquidity quickly without selling assets at steep unrealized losses, causing stress in both banking and real estate markets. Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia are performing well in earnings season, while healthcare and oil services sectors lag. Caution is advised against chasing recent market gains, with better opportunities expected in the fall after potential market pullbacks.   Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Douglas Heagren | ProCollege Planners Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/kirk-changes-his-tune-on-housing-731