Two in five Americans can't handle a $400 surprise expense, and the median emergency fund sits at a shocking $500-600. Our hosts, Joey Loss and Adam Van Wie, tackle America's savings crisis head-on by offering a practical six-step framework for families to build wealth systematically.

Gen Z has $400 saved, Millennials embarrassingly trail at $300, Gen X holds $500, and even Boomers over 61 manage only $2,000 on average. Against this backdrop, Joey and Adam lay out priorities that could mean the difference between prosperity and poverty.

Step one: emergency fund. Three to six months of expenses creates a buffer between you and credit card debt, which is currently averaging 23% interest. Adam shares his personal victory of watching his 401k halve in 2008, then maxing contributions every year since, on his father's advice. Consistent saving works.

Next, capture your full 401k match (it's free money), fund a Roth IRA if eligible, max your 401k ($23,500 under 50, $30,000+ over), then build a taxable account for flexibility. This three-bucket strategy—traditional, Roth, and taxable—creates what Adam calls a "tax menu" in retirement where you pick your annual tax bill.

For families with kids, 529 plans come sixth, but with warnings. Don't overfund them. Don't prioritize them over retirement. You can borrow for college; you can't borrow for retirement. Florida's prepaid plan gets special mention, guaranteeing lock-in-state tuition rates even if you move away.

The optional seventh step, kids' "liftoff accounts," brings up a debate about setting children up versus letting them struggle appropriately. Adam teaches investing through small UTMA accounts where his kids compete for returns. In fact, his son’s been crushing it with a prescient Fortnite-adjacent investment!

Key Topics:

• America's Emergency Fund Crisis (06:57)
• Emergency Fund as Credit Card Buffer (07:49)
• 401k Match Priority (14:20)
• Roth IRA Eligibility & Benefits (15:47)
• Maxing 401k Strategy (16:45)
• Taxable Account Flexibility (20:34)
• 529 Plans & College Savings (24:13)
• Kids' Liftoff Accounts Debate (30:17)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

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"If in our job, we got a retirement plan 88% wrong, I think we would rightfully lose our jobs, or at least I would hope we should."

In today’s installment of Market Chatter, Joey Loss and Adam Van Wie of Strivus Wealth Partners dissect the Bureau of Labor Statistics revision that wiped out 258,000 jobs—88% of the reported job creation from the past two months—and what this institutional failure means for Fed policy, market volatility, and your portfolio.

The timing couldn't have been worse. Wednesday, Powell stands firm on no rate cuts, despite two dissenters on his board (the first time since the 1990s). Friday, the BLS essentially admits: "Oops, those jobs we've been counting? Most of them never existed." The original forecast called for 100,000 new jobs; reality delivered around 70,000. But the real bombshell is that revisions have erased nearly 90% of previously reported job growth.

More than bureaucratic incompetence, this is market-moving mayhem. The Fed makes critical policy decisions based on these numbers. Investors gauge economic health through this lens. When your data is 88% wrong, everyone's flying blind. The CME Fed Watch tool went haywire, swinging 60% in both directions within 48 hours.

Joey and Adam pivot to portfolio implications. Growth stocks continue their mysterious dominance—up 17% last quarter, while some value funds actually lost money. Historical patterns suggest owning both, but timing the switch is a fool's errand. The Mag Seven defy gravity in every economic environment, while small caps languish in a 15-year slump.

There’s a silver lining, though. The democratization of investing through zero-fee trading has created an army of dip-buyers. Robinhood deserves credit—when you can invest $10 with zero fees into funds owning thousands of companies, wealth-building becomes accessible to everyone.

Looking ahead, expect volatility through September (traders returning from the Hamptons), but Q4 historically delivers Santa Claus rallies. With housing markets shifting from seller's paradise to buyer's opportunity and rate cuts now virtually guaranteed, positioning matters more than ever.

Key Topics:

• Fed Meeting on Rate Cuts & Two Dissenters (00:52)
• Market Reaction & Institutional Incompetence (03:32)
• Rate Cut Probability Swings (12:10)
• Housing Market Shifts (14:01)
• Diversification Matters (16:58)
• Zero-Fee Trading Revolution (18:52)
• Seasonal Volatility Patterns (22:51)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

“When you understand taxes, there’s so much that you can do that when you add them together, they really do make a difference.”

Today, Joey breaks down 15 key changes in the new 900-page tax bill—what’s already in effect, what’s changing, and how it impacts your income, investments, business, and retirement.

First, the big picture: the U.S. deficit sits at $36 trillion. This tax bill, while aimed at economic growth, is expected to add another $5 trillion to the deficit in the next decade.

Joey walks through three possible deficit solutions—print money (hello, inflation!), raise taxes (bad for growth), or cut taxes and encourage spending. The bill leans into the third. Tax brackets stay low, tips and overtime see new exemptions, and universal deductions for charitable giving finally throw a bone to the 90% who don’t itemize.

Adjusted gross income (AGI) gets a break with smarter 529 rules and the new MAGA account—a $500–$1,000 government-funded growth account for each US Citizen born between 2025 and 2028.

Seniors win big with a bonus standard deduction that effectively erases taxes for those living on Social Security. Business owners can breathe easier with a now-permanent 20% QBI deduction. And if you’re living in a high-tax state, the SALT cap just jumped from $10K to $40K.

Caveat: EV credits vanish after September, so act fast. Meanwhile, the estate exemption stays at $15M per person, avoiding massive tax burdens for wealth transfers—at least for now.

Tax policy may be nerdy, but smart planning can meaningfully boost your nest egg over time. Don’t ignore the small stuff—it adds up.

Key Topics:

• U.S. Deficit & Economic Strategy (00:05)
• New Tax Brackets & Income Planning (06:58)
• Tips, Overtime & Investment Income (10:37)
• Universal Charitable Deduction (12:50)
• 529 Expansion & MAGA Accounts (14:40)
• Senior Deductions & Social Security (19:31)
• QBI Deduction & SALT Cap (21:54)
• EV Credit Expiration (25:50)
• Estate Tax Exemption Made Permanent (26:53)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

When the economy zigs, the headlines zag.

Our hosts, Joey Loss and Adam Van Wie, decipher today’s market highs and trade war fears, revealing why the market keeps trending upward, even as tariffs dominate the news cycle.

They zoom in on more than just tariff talk. They explain how policies limiting chip exports to China are part of a bigger play: keeping America competitive in AI and defense. It’s not just about taxing imports—it's about national strategy.

Enter the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a proposed stimulus-style tax policy favoring immediate deductions on capital expenditures. The logic? Make 2025 look too good to delay. It’s a bet on growth—manufacturing, employment, and GDP—all without waiting on the Fed to cut rates.

Speaking of which, inflation remains low by global standards (1.84%), and though rate cuts aren’t imminent, Joey and Adam caution against overconfidence in predictions. What’s truly surprising is that the job market’s still chugging along, even as government jobs dip. Wage growth at 3.9%? That’s nothing to sneeze at.

Their advice? Don’t let politics—or panic—drive your portfolio. Diversification and long-term thinking are winning again. The drama may be noisy, but the fundamentals remain quietly strong.

Key Topics:

• Tariffs, Chips, and Strategic Trade Policy (02:04)
• Business Stimulus and the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (05:14)
• Inflation, Fed Cuts & Global Comparison (08:41)
• Jobs Report: What's “Just Right”? (17:34)
• Long-Term Investing & Staying the Course (21:56)
  
  

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

“The healthier you are, the cheaper it is. The younger you are, the cheaper it is. When you get some sort of disease, the more premium you’ll have to pay. There is no workaround for that.”

Our host, Joey Loss, interviews Peachie Thompson, founder of Peach Insurance Services, on why life and disability insurance are foundational for sound financial planning, especially for young families.

Peachie makes it clear that the younger and healthier you are, the cheaper insurance is. Yet, many delay action until it’s too late.

She tells the story of a 24-year-old woman who qualified for top-tier rates but delayed payment. When diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, she lost eligibility for affordable coverage—an avoidable outcome. Another example includes a COVID-era surge in insurance interest when people suddenly faced their mortality. Unfortunately, many were uninsurable by then. Without a doubt, timing is everything.

Peachie also gives her thoughts on disability insurance and how it protects income when illness or injury prevents work. It's crucial for single-income households and is often misunderstood. Many rely on employer-sponsored group plans without realizing limitations, like caps and tax implications. Private coverage, Peachie explains, is portable, customizable, and often essential to supplement group plans.

It’s important to build your foundation during those “boring” healthy years—before triggering events force reactive decisions. This also includes structuring insurance payouts through trusts to protect beneficiaries from future spouses, lawsuits, or creditors.

After all, the cost of ignoring life or disability insurance can far outweigh the premiums. It’s not just financial coverage—it’s peace of mind and protection for the people who matter most.

Key Topics:

• Why You Need to Be Thinking About Life Insurance Now (00:00)
• What Happens When You Take Too Long to Buy Insurance? (10:00)
• Disability Insurance: What It Covers and Why It’s Misunderstood (20:20)
• Group vs. Private Disability Coverage (24:42)
• How Insurance Complements Estate Planning (36:17)

Resources:

• PeachInsurance.net
• Peachie Thompson on LinkedIn

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

The past month has brought a staggering V-shaped market recovery—one sharper and faster than even the post-COVID rebound. As Joey Loss and Adam Van Wie discuss, it serves as a reminder that markets don’t just bounce; they whiplash in ways that defy headlines, sentiment, and short-term logic.

Despite being just a few points off their all-time highs, the S&P, Dow, and NASDAQ are surging not on hype, but on breadth. This isn’t just the Mag 7—it’s a recovery touching unloved sectors and small caps alike. Even international markets have shown surprising strength. But the core message? Don’t mistake momentum for certainty.

Tariff fears, inflation concerns, and a Moody’s downgrade have made noise, but history shows that markets often rally in the face of doubt. As Adam notes, the smartest investors weren't market timing; they were quietly rebalancing portfolios, letting discipline, not panic, guide strategy. That’s where the wins were.

Retail sentiment, social media echo chambers, and political divides muddy perception. Yet the fundamentals tell a clearer story: inflation is trending down, optimism is rising, and earnings will be key. Momentum may carry the market, but valuations demand scrutiny.

Whether you're navigating trade policy, rate cut speculation, or the ever-louder digital noise, the same lesson holds true: stick to the plan. Don’t react to every scare. Stay diversified. The market may be rigged—but it’s rigged in favor of those with patience, perspective, and a long-term view.

Key Topics:

• The Current State of the Market (00:00)
• Winners and Losers Over the Past Month (04:49)
• Fundamentals That Have Shaped the Market in the Last 4 Weeks (09:27)
• Why It’s Dangerous to Try to Time the Market (11:57)
• Escaping Your Echo Chamber (14:04)
• Is Inflation Going Up Or Down? (19:59)
• Key Economic News (23:14)
• What We Currently Know About Changes to the Tax Law (26:57)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)

Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

“The market is a rigged game—but it’s rigged in your favor.”

Today, Adam Van Wie and Joey Loss of Strivus Wealth Partners break down the sudden upswing in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones that’s led to a rare ten-day rally. They trace the roots of today’s geopolitical tensions through a historical lens and give their thoughts on why we might just be entering the third year of a bull market.

As macro data show mixed signals—like a Q1 GDP dip offset by strong business investment and steady job numbers—there’s a key lesson: Reacting to short-term turbulence can undermine long-term success.

From fears of a recession to tariff tensions and shifting trade policies, the past six months have been a rollercoaster of geopolitical and economic volatility. Yet, Adam’s advice remains consistent: Don’t chase headlines. The markets are forward-looking and notoriously unpredictable. Instead of scrambling after every dip or rally, investors should stay diversified and focused on their time horizons.

With AI-driven growth in tech, evolving global trade talks, and a potential rate cut from the Fed on the horizon, conditions remain dynamic. But the real takeaway? As tempting as it is to react, history proves the best outcomes often come from disciplined patience, not panic.

So ignore the noise and stick to the plan.

Key Topics:

• Are We Looking at a Bull Market in 2025? (00:00)
• What the Latest Reports Tell Us (04:51)
• Why Joey and Adam Are Optimistic About Geopolitics So Far (06:20)
• Looking Forward (11:10)
• Adam’s Investment Philosophy (16:38)
• What Trump’s Tariffs Mean for Investors Going Forward (21:29)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

Tariffs are back in the headlines—and markets aren’t handling it well.

A new wave of trade penalties, including a universal 10% import tariff and a steep 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, has triggered a ripple of fear through global markets. The result? A skittish S&P, a tech-heavy NASDAQ off 13%, and investor sentiment near historic lows. But beneath the surface panic lies a tale of two economies.

Those who entered the COVID era with assets—homes, portfolios, pensions—are emerging stronger. But renters, young families, and blue-collar workers are bearing the brunt of inflation and now face what amounts to a regressive tax. Tariffs, by their nature, raise prices, and those who spend more of their income on essentials feel it most. In other words: the economic divide is deepening.

Yet even amid uncertainty, opportunity exists. Utilities, commodities, and international markets—especially Europe—are quietly outperforming. And with inflation moderating and potential rate cuts on the horizon, the Fed may have room to maneuver.

What’s the play? Diversify. Rebalance. Think long-term. If you’re heavily concentrated in a few tech names, this might be your chance to reassess. Sharp drawdowns tend to reward patient investors—those who ignore the headlines and focus on fundamentals.

Yes, the noise is deafening. Yes, the future is murky. But that’s often when portfolios are quietly built, not broken.

Bottom line: stay the course. History favors the disciplined, and panicking rarely pays.

Key Topics:

• The Problem with Living in the Post-COVID World (01:29)
• What Exactly Are Tariffs? (05:54)
• The Current State of the Market (10:45)
• How These Tariffs Could Impact the Near Future (14:24)
• Implications of the Latest Michigan Consumer Confidence Survey (22:57)
• Closing Thoughts (35:05)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)

Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.