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.

Is AI about to replace financial advisors?

In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, we explore how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok are beginning to influence investing, financial planning, and the way people search for financial advice online.

We compare how AI responds to both simple and complex financial questions and discuss where these tools may be useful — and where they can still fall short compared to experienced advisors.

We also dive into markets, inflation, rising interest rates, prediction markets, consumer spending, and the growing role technology is playing across finance and decision-making.

• Kevin Warsh confirmed by the Senate • Long-term Treasury yields spike above 5% • What higher bond yields could mean for mortgage rates • Consumer spending reaches new highs as inflation remains elevated • Bank of America insights on market behavior and spending trends • US-China summit developments and market implications • 60 Minutes segment on prediction markets and insider trading concerns

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? https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/i-asked-chatgpt-to-manage-a-stock-portfolio-heres-how-it-did-0d62900b

Bank of America Insights: https://institute1.bofa.com/C/?q=e4SyKUJSHPg

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.

What accounts do you actually need to build wealth?

In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Ben and Brent break down the idea that simplicity often beats complexity when it comes to financial planning and investing.

They discuss why many investors end up chasing gimmicks, opening too many accounts, and overcomplicating their finances....when in reality, only a handful of account types tend to do most of the heavy lifting over time.

The conversation walks through the core account structures they believe are most important for long-term wealth building and why understanding the purpose of each account matters more than constantly searching for the next strategy.

• Earnings growth accelerating across the S&P 500 • AI hardware demand surging with renewed focus on infrastructure • Micron, Intel, AMD, and Broadcom seeing increased attention • GameStop’s reported interest in eBay and why the market reacted negatively • PCE inflation coming in hotter than expected • 30-year Treasury bond hovering around 5% • Fed rate expectations and the outlook for future policy decisions

About Your Hosts

Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com Sign up for Ben’s newsletter: 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmj2PaxX24E

FactSet Earnings Update: https://insight.factset.com/sp-500-earnings-season-update-may-1-2026

Comments or questions? Email us at: www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly.

To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email: comments@themoneyalchemistshow.com

What does TV get right… and wrong… about financial planning?

In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Ben and Brent break down popular wealth strategies featured in Beef (Season 2) and separate what’s realistic from what’s not.

They walk through concepts like buy, borrow, die, 1031 exchanges, and the use of entities, explaining how these strategies actually work in real life and where they’re often misunderstood.

They also discuss the ethical and practical considerations behind some of the scenarios portrayed, and what viewers should take away when thinking about their own financial plan.

What’s happening in 10 minutes

• S&P 500 back to positive territory after recent volatility • Market rebound driven by institutional flows and retail participation • International markets still leading year-to-date • CPI rising to 3.3% — highest in two years • Earnings growth accelerating across the S&P 500 • Shifting dynamics between the MAG 7 and the broader market

Topic Du Jour

Netflix Season 2 Beef Wealth Strategies Explained

• Buy, Borrow, Die — legit, but anyone can use • 1031 Transfers — legit, but anyone can use • Embezzlement & the ethics of JTTEN account with elderly parent • Shell companies — legit, works in real life and in the show • Healthcare for HCEs but not rank and file — not compliant with ACA

Tip of the Week

Smartwool socks — buy them at Sierra Trading Post: https://www.sierra.com/all/s~smartwool/?page=1&overrideSort=TopSellersScore

Strategies Covered

• Buy, Borrow, Die • 1031 Exchanges • Use of entities and shell companies • Ethical considerations in financial decision-making • Healthcare access differences and regulatory realities

About Your Hosts

Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com Sign up for Ben’s newsletter: 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 www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly.

To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email: comments@themoneyalchemistshow.com

CFP® Meets Reddit

What can real questions from Reddit teach us about personal finance?

In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Ben and Brent review real posts from r/personalfinance and walk through how a CFP® professional would approach them. From navigating a major increase in income to thinking about long-term wealth, they break down practical decision-making in real-world scenarios.

They also cover current market and economic updates, including developments around the Artemis II mission, comparisons between NASA and SpaceX, recent shifts in MAG 7 valuations, and the latest geopolitical headlines.

If you’ve ever wondered how a financial advisor would think through real-life money questions, this episode offers a clear and practical look into that process.

• Artemis II mission updates and cost considerations • NASA vs SpaceX: different approaches to space exploration • MAG 7 valuations amid recent market movement • Latest developments from recent geopolitical headlines

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

Tip of the Week

www.CollegeAidPro.com

Sources/Links:

Reddit Post 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/1sejscz/roth_401k_contribution/

Reddit Post 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/1s6x28g/massive_jump_in_salary_need_advice/

Citrini Report:

https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/strait-of-hormuz-a-citrini-field

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

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.

How much do financial advisors actually make?

In this episode of Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent break down how advisors are compensated, how many clients they can realistically serve, and what their day-to-day work actually looks like. They also cover current market conditions, including recent S&P 500 movement, rising gas prices, and shifting expectations around interest rates.

The conversation touches on broader economic themes like productivity, inflation, and the growing role of government debt.

Whether you’ve worked with an advisor before or are simply curious how the industry operates, this episode provides a clear look at how the business of advice really works. Watch the full episode on our channel.

Subscribe for more conversations on markets, investing, and financial planning.

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

Raw Agenda:

What’s happening in 10 minutes S&P 500 in correction - down -5.9% from ATH led by MAG-7 declines

Gas prices up, Fed rate cut forecasts slashed - chances of next move being a hike higher than a cut K-shape Economy - hot now but been going on for awhile

Chuck Noris, seeking greater challenges, decides to die at 86 Productivity down (wages tend to drive inflation with productivity being the offset) & what this means for inflation

Government debt hits $39T, growing by $2.78T since Trump took office

Topic du jour - How Much Financial Advisors Make Brokers vs agents vs fiduciaries

How many clients can an actual advisor handle?

What do they typically do Advice models - which is best?

Tip of the week Athropic Acadamy -

https://www.anthropic.com/learn

General Education -

udemy.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.

In Episode 51 of Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent dive into the shifting landscape of U.S. trade policy following a landmark Supreme Court decision. They break down the legalities of tariffs, analyze the real-world impact on consumer goods like the iPhone, and discuss why international markets are seeing a 2026 surge.

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

Agenda:

What’s happening now

• Market Shift: Cintrini Research report on AI’s impact on software sends ripples through the markets.

• International Growth: Total International Market index funds are up 10% so far in 2026.

• Geopolitical Tension: Monitoring the impact of ongoing violence in Mexico.

• Constitutional Ruling: The use of IEEPA to set tariff policy has been ruled unconstitutional.

Topic du jour - What’s Next for Tariffs

• The SCOTUS Decision: A 6-3 ruling deems the Executive Branch's use of IEEPA for broad tariffs unconstitutional under the Major Questions Doctrine.

• Trade Act of 1974 (Section 122): Understanding "balance of payments" authority—15% tariffs for 150 days (requires Congressional extension).

• Section 301 Investigations: How the U.S. Trade Representative determines unfair trade practices.

• National Security (Section 232): The Dept. of Commerce’s role in retaliation measures regarding national security threats.

• Trade Winners: Why Canada and Mexico are likely to benefit as "economic threat" cases become harder to prove.

• The China Impact: With $308.4 Billion in annual imports, is the impact of China tariffs being overstated?

• Case Study (iPhone 17 Pro Max): Despite a 125% tariff, the 2026 price remains steady at $1,199. Why haven't prices increased?

Tip of the Week:

• Roast Your Own Coffee: Save money and improve quality by roasting at home. The SR800 Coffee Roaster by FreshRoast is a great entry-level option.

• Sourcing: Order green coffee beans directly from cooperatives like Green Coffee Collective or even via Amazon.

  To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, 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.

Tax planning strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone and could change due to updates in tax laws or regulations; always consult a qualified tax professional or CPA for advice tailored to your specific situation.

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.