Next week could be one of the most important market weeks we’ve seen in a while, and it may set the tone for the next few months.In this episode, James breaks down why the market reacted so sharply to Trump’s latest headlines involving Greenland, NATO, and rising geopolitical uncertainty, and why moments like this often create opportunity for long term investors. When fear spikes, prices drop, and that is usually when the best buying windows open.We also cover a major issue investors need to watch out for: insurance being sold as an “investment.” James explains why “insurance sold to you as an investment is neither good insurance nor a good investment,” why “infinite banking” is often misleading, and how products like whole life, universal life, and indexed universal life insurance can come with extremely high fees that quietly destroy long term returns.Then we shift to what could be the biggest driver of market direction: major earnings next week. With companies like Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Meta, and more reporting, we talk about what to watch for, why volatility could pick up, and how investors sitting on cash may find some real buying opportunities.Finally, James closes with an update on gold and silver, where they stand now, what has been driving the move, and whether they can keep pushing higher from here.If you are investing for the long run, this is the kind of week that can create the best setups if you know what to look for.Subscribe for weekly market breakdowns, investing strategy, retirement planning, and tax smart financial planning.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just running a business, you’re moving through stages. And the strategy that works in the beginning is not the same strategy that works when you’re growing, and it’s definitely not the same strategy once you’ve reached a plateau. In this episode, Brandon breaks down the three stages of small business growth and explains how to maximize each phase so you can keep more money, grow faster, and build a business that supports the life you actually want.Stage 1 is the Startup Phase. This is the stage where you’re building momentum, reinvesting into your business, and laying the foundation for future growth. Brandon talks about how to think through tax write offs the right way, how to make smart purchases that support growth, and how to position your business financially so you’re not just surviving, you’re building something scalable.Stage 2 is the Growth Phase, which usually happens a few years in once things start working and your marketing and ROI are becoming more predictable. This is where the big financial moves begin to matter, including when it makes sense to shift from a sole proprietorship to an S Corp, how paying yourself the right way can reduce taxes, and how to take advantage of business benefits like health insurance. Brandon also explains how retirement accounts like a SEP IRA or Solo 401k can become a major part of your long term strategy as income increases.Stage 3 is the Plateau Phase, where you’ve reached many of your goals and ambitions, but now your focus shifts to sustainability and long term vision. This is the phase where business owners start asking bigger questions like how to make more while working fewer hours, how to structure the business to reduce stress and burnout, and what success really looks like moving forward. Whether that means optimizing operations, changing the way you work, or even planning for a sale one day, Brandon walks through how to think about the long term path with clarity and intention.Drop a comment below, which stage are you in right now, 1, 2, or 3? And if you want more videos on small business strategy, tax planning, wealth building, and long term investing, make sure to subscribe.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

Stock Market Update and 2026 Outlook is here. In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down the biggest financial news moving markets right now, then dive into why financial stocks such as banks, insurance, and financial services could be one of the best sector opportunities heading into 2026. We cover how the Federal Reserve, interest rates, inflation, and credit conditions can influence financial company performance and what investors should be watching as the economy transitions into the next phase of the cycle. You will also get a gold and silver update after their strong 2025 run, why we view precious metals as more defensive and risk averse investments, and why it is unlikely we see another year like 2025 across the board. To close it out, we give a practical breakdown of why the Fed remains the most important character in the market, what today’s headlines really mean, and where long term investors should stay focused.Subscribe for weekly market updates, investing strategy, retirement planning, and tax smart financial planning.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.