Think you know inflation? Think again. In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, we unwrap the quirks behind the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), and why this month’s numbers are stranger than your uncle’s Christmas sweater. From skipped reports and zeroed-out housing data to the baffling concept of “owner’s equivalent rent,” we dig into what these metrics really mean and why averages can be as misleading as having one foot in boiling water and the other in dry ice.

We explore why the latest CPI release might be more fiction than fact, how housing dominates inflation calculations even though mortgages do not count, and why seasonal price swings make your winter coat look like an economic anomaly. You will learn the sticky truth about rent and why it rarely goes down, plus what past shocks from bird flu to the Ukraine war teach us about price trends.

If you have ever wondered why economists argue over letters like CPI and PCE, or why your grocery bill feels like the real inflation gauge, this episode is your ticket to nerd out before the holiday dinner table debate. Spoiler: You will leave with insights that might just put everyone to sleep faster than eggnog.

This episode was recorded on December 19th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week's market update as seen by The Personal Wealth Coach. Listen in to hear how our preferred market indicators reacted this week, followed by treasury yields and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil.

This episode was recorded on December 19th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week on The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake unpacks a rare moment of drama at the Federal Reserve—the first split vote in years. Why did some members push for a bigger rate cut while others wanted no change at all? And why did rates drop even though inflation is still above target? We’ll dig into the politics creeping into monetary policy, the surprising role of AI in skewing job numbers, and what these shifts mean for the economy. If you’ve ever wondered why economists fear deflation more than inflation or why the Fed’s two mandates don’t include “making the economy grow,” this episode connects the dots in a way that’s both insightful and entertaining.

But that’s just the beginning. Jake takes us on a fascinating journey through demographics, exploring America’s baby shortage and its ripple effects on labor markets, real estate, and global influence. From historical parallels with Viking-era Scandinavia to modern examples like Japan and Germany, you’ll learn why shrinking populations aren’t always bad news and why they might even make individuals wealthier. Along the way, we’ll tackle questions about per capita GDP, policy experiments to boost birth rates, and what a declining population means for housing prices and urban infrastructure. If you like economics served with humor, history, and big-picture thinking, this episode is a must-listen.

This episode was recorded on December 12th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week's market update as seen by The Personal Wealth Coach. Listen in to hear how our preferred market indicators reacted this week, followed by treasury yields and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil.

This episode was recorded on December 12th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

Why did prices stay flat for twenty years, then suddenly surge and refuse to come back down? In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, we take a deep dive into the puzzle of persistent inflation and uncover the forces that keep it hanging around. We’ll explore how decades of free trade kept costs low, why pandemic supply chain chaos flipped the script, and how stimulus checks and rehiring frenzies reshaped the labor market. From housing booms and wage hikes to tariffs, tech wars, and the chip shortage, we connect the dots on why inflation became a habit instead of a hiccup.

You’ll also hear why interest rates aren’t the silver bullet, what the Federal Reserve is really prioritizing, and how confidence and uncertainty drive pricing decisions in boardrooms across America. If you’ve ever wondered why your grocery bill feels permanent, why electronics prices are spiking, or why global trade friction matters to your wallet, this episode delivers clarity with a healthy dose of humor.

This episode was recorded on December 5th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week's market update as seen by The Personal Wealth Coach. Listen in to hear how our preferred market indicators reacted this week, followed by treasury yields and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil.

This episode was recorded on December 5th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

What happens when Uncle Sam starts acting like a venture capitalist? In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake McClure dives into a surprising trend: governments taking direct stakes in private companies. From Intel’s $8.9 billion boost under the CHIPS Act to golden shares in U.S. Steel, we explore what this means for innovation, profitability, and the long-term health of the economy. Is this smart strategy or creeping nationalization? Along the way, Jake unpacks historical parallels like Amtrak and Fannie Mae, contrasts U.S. moves with sovereign wealth funds, and asks the big question: can a government ever be a good shareholder? If you care about markets, policy, and the future of capitalism, this episode is your wake-up call, with a side of Thanksgiving gratitude.

This episode was recorded on November 28th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at Jeff@tpwc.com or Jake@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week's market update as seen by The Personal Wealth Coach. Listen in to hear how our preferred market indicators reacted this week, followed by treasury yields and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil.

This episode was recorded on November 28th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at Jeff@tpwc.com or Jake@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.