Episodi

  • How to Prepare Financially for a Layoff Before It Happens

    How to Prepare Financially for a Layoff Before It Happens
    Jun 9 2026
    The best time to prepare for a layoff is before it ever happens. In this episode, Ryan walks through a step-by-step plan to get financially ready, starting with your survival number, the bare-minimum amount your household needs to cover each month.

    From there he covers building an emergency fund that fits that number, trimming fixed costs ahead of time, and knowing your options for health coverage like COBRA and what to do with a 401(k) when you leave a job. The point is to replace fear with a plan, so a job loss becomes a setback you are ready for instead of a crisis. This is education, not personal advice, so tailor the steps to your own situation.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    23 min
  • Money in Your 20s: What I'd Do Differently If I Started Over

    Money in Your 20s: What I'd Do Differently If I Started Over
    Jun 2 2026
    If you could restart your financial life at 22, what would you do differently? In this episode, Ryan answers that honestly, and the takeaways work for anyone who wants to build wealth, not just recent grads.

    His list is refreshingly simple: start investing early so time does the heavy lifting, automate your savings so good habits run on autopilot, always capture your full employer match, keep lifestyle creep in check as your income grows, and lean on Roth accounts while your tax rate is low. Aaron adds his own take, and the two keep it practical. This is education, not personal advice, so build your own plan around your situation.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    24 min
  • Is the Middle Class Getting Squeezed? Wages vs. the Cost of Living

    Is the Middle Class Getting Squeezed? Wages vs. the Cost of Living
    May 26 2026
    Is the middle class really getting squeezed, or is that just a headline? In this episode, Ryan looks at what has actually happened to middle-class buying power over the past few decades and why housing has become the single biggest pressure on most family budgets.

    He and Aaron separate the real strain from the noise, including why your personal inflation rate can look very different from the number you see on the news. The goal here is perspective, not panic. Understanding where the squeeze is real, and where it is overstated, helps you focus your budget and your plan on the things that actually move the needle for your household.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    24 min
  • The Paper Ceiling: Why Degree Requirements Are Changing in Hiring

    The Paper Ceiling: Why Degree Requirements Are Changing in Hiring
    May 19 2026
    The paper ceiling is the invisible barrier that keeps qualified workers without a college degree from being considered for jobs they are fully capable of doing. Ryan explains how it compares to the glass ceiling, which typically involves race or gender bias, and why degree inflation, the practice of adding degree requirements to roles that do not actually need one, has made the problem worse over time.

    Ryan and Aaron look at the issue from both sides. From the candidate's perspective, it is a filter that removes you before you get a shot at the interview. From the employer's perspective, it is a practical screening tool that may be cutting out the best person for the job. Skills-based hiring is the alternative gaining traction. Ryan notes that some roles genuinely require formal credentials, but many others do not, and employers who screen by skills rather than degrees tend to build stronger teams.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    22 min
  • BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street: Do They Really Own the Market?

    BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street: Do They Really Own the Market?
    May 12 2026
    BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street manage trillions of dollars, but they do not own the market. Ryan explains what asset managers actually are: intermediaries who run funds on behalf of investors. When you put money into a Vanguard index fund, Vanguard holds the underlying shares in trust for you. They charge a fee to do it; they do not own what is inside the fund.

    The more legitimate concern Ryan raises is not ownership but influence. Because these firms hold voting rights on behalf of massive pools of assets, they have significant say in corporate governance. Ryan and Aaron walk through why this matters, how it compares to how any advisory firm operates, and why low-cost, diversified investing in these funds is still a sound strategy for most people. A calm, clear response to something that often gets exaggerated online.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    20 min
  • Pre-Retirement Checklist: What to Do in the Year Before You Retire

    Pre-Retirement Checklist: What to Do in the Year Before You Retire
    May 5 2026
    A 64-year-old listener planning to retire in about a year asked Ryan for a practical checklist. Ryan's answer covers eight areas: gather all your data first, including pensions from multiple states and any old retirement accounts; get clear on your spending and goals; build your income plan; think through the tax and Social Security interplay; understand Medicare, IRMAA, and healthcare costs; review your insurance; make sure your estate documents are current; and keep enough cash on hand for the transition.

    Ryan is honest that 12 months goes fast, especially when tracking down old pension balances across multiple states and plan administrators. The consistent message throughout is that retirement is a beginning you will continue to manage, not a finish line. Talk to your financial advisor, CPA, and an estate attorney to work through the pieces most specific to your situation.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    34 min
  • Quarterly Earnings Reports Explained: What the Numbers Actually Mean

    Quarterly Earnings Reports Explained: What the Numbers Actually Mean
    Apr 28 2026
    Every publicly traded company is required to release its financial results every quarter. Ryan explains the four numbers investors pay attention to: revenue (total sales), earnings (what is left after expenses), profit margins (a measure of efficiency), and guidance (management's forecast for the next period). Guidance is often just as market-moving as the results themselves.

    Ryan and Aaron discuss why there is real theater involved in these reports, with some companies treating them as polished presentations and others keeping it dry. The practical advice for long-term investors is not to overreact to a single quarter. One bad report from a company you hold in a diversified portfolio is rarely a reason to sell. Context and trend matter far more than any single data point.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    20 min
  • Financial Advisor Disclosures Explained: What the ADV Tells You

    Financial Advisor Disclosures Explained: What the ADV Tells You
    Apr 21 2026
    Every registered investment advisor is required to send clients an annual ADV and privacy policy. Ryan explains what these documents actually contain: how the firm charges fees, what services it provides, any conflicts of interest, background information on the advisors, disciplinary history, and how client data is handled. Aaron shares that reading Alchemy's ADV gave him a clearer picture of who was managing his money.

    Ryan describes these disclosures as the owner's manual for the relationship. They are written in legal language and most people skim them, but knowing where to find the fee structure and the material changes section is worth a few minutes. If you have a financial advisor, Ryan recommends pulling up the most recent ADV and checking those two sections at minimum. Talk to your advisor if anything raises questions.

    Find "Your Fiscal Physical" the book on Amazon

    If you have suggestions or feedback, please email us at: Podcast@AlchemyWealth.com

    And, as always, Stay the Course!
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    21 min