The 4% Rule has guided retirement planning for decades, but does it still make sense in today's market?

In Episode 60, Ben Jones and Brent Gargano break down the origins of the 4% Rule, Bill Bengen's original research, the Trinity Study, and how retirees can think about safe withdrawal rates and spending guardrails throughout retirement.

The conversation also covers recent developments in the markets, including inflation concerns, the latest updates surrounding the SpaceX IPO, and what investors should be watching.

To wrap up the episode, Ben and Brent share a practical tip on how to check for unclaimed funds that may be waiting for you.

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• The history of the 4% Rule
• Bill Bengen's research
• The Trinity Study
• Safe withdrawal rates
• Spending guardrails
• Inflation updates
• SpaceX IPO update
• Market news
• How to check for unclaimed funds

About your Hosts

Ben Jones, CFP®

Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group

www.nwmgadvisors.com 

Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com 

Follow him on X @thekaratstick

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

Brent Gargano, CFP®

Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning 

www.infinitewealthplanning.com

linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

Disclosure:

The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions.

Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly.

To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@themoneyaltchemistshow.com.

In Episode 59 of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Brent Gargano and Ben Jones discuss one of the largest IPOs in history as SpaceX officially goes public, raising billions and pushing Elon Musk's net worth to unprecedented levels.

The conversation explores how IPOs work, why companies go public, what investors should know about IPO volatility, and whether participating in high-profile public offerings is actually a good investment strategy.

The episode also covers new stock market highs, recent developments in the Middle East, the growing debate around AI regulation, and what today's headlines may mean for investors.

In Episode 59, topics include:

• The SpaceX IPO • Elon Musk's Net Worth • How IPOs Work • IPO Risks & Volatility • Private vs Public Companies • Stock Market All-Time Highs • AI Regulation & Anthropic • Investing Psychology • Portfolio Diversification • Wealth Building Principles

About Your Hosts

Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com

Sign up for Ben's newsletter at www.karatstick.com

Follow Ben on X @thekaratstick

Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com

Questions or comments?

comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome Back & Episode Introduction

02:35 Recapping Episode 58 with Dr. Bryan Buechner

04:45 Consumer Psychology & Investing

12:00 Middle East Updates & Market Impact

15:00 Why Markets Keep Hitting New Highs

18:45 AI Adoption & Career Implications

22:15 Anthropic, AI Regulation & Government Intervention

30:00 SpaceX IPO Explained

34:30 How IPOs Actually Work

38:30 Elon Musk Becomes The World's First Trillionaire

46:30 Should Investors Participate In IPOs?

49:00 Why IPOs Often Struggle After Launch

53:00 Valuations, Dilution & Share Issuance

57:30 Concentration vs Diversification

59:30 Final Thoughts

The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions.

Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including Forms ADV and CRS, please visit www.nwmgadvisors.com.

Have you ever bought something and immediately wondered, "Why did I spend money on that?"

In Episode 58 of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Brent sits down with Dr. Bryan Buechner, marketing professor at Xavier University and expert in consumer psychology, to explore the hidden forces that influence our financial decisions every day.

Together they discuss how marketing shapes behavior, why self-control is more complicated than simply "spending less," and how consumers can make better purchasing decisions in a world filled with endless choices, targeted advertising, social media, AI recommendations, and subscription services.

They also dive into topics such as Costco's cult-like customer loyalty, the rise and fall of Peloton, the psychology of pricing, consumer biases, AI shopping assistants, decision fatigue, loyalty programs, and how understanding consumer behavior can ultimately help you become a better steward of your money.

Whether you're trying to spend more intentionally, improve your financial habits, or simply understand why companies market the way they do, this episode offers practical insights that can help you make better decisions with your money.

Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning www.infinitewealthplanning.com https://linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

Comments or questions? www.nwmgadvisors.com.