Between global conflicts, shifting interest rates, and constant media noise, it’s easy to feel like your retirement portfolio is under siege. When the headlines get scary, the temptation to "go to cash" is stronger than ever—but is that actually the safest move?

In Season 8, Episode 119 of the Pennywise Financial Podcast, we are joined by David Georgiev, Partner at Monarch Wealth Management and author of the popular Defeating Goliath blog. Together, we cut through the emotional panic of the 24/7 news cycle and look strictly at the hard data.

If you are nearing or in retirement and rely on your portfolio for income, this episode is your ultimate "Wealth Playbook."In this episode, we break down:

📉 The Staggering Cost of Panic: Why trying to "time" the market is a losing game, and how missing just the 10 best days of the market can cut your returns in half.

🌍 Geopolitics & Your Portfolio: A historical look at how the S&P 500 actually responds to major wars and geopolitical shocks, plus how oil spikes act as a "hidden inflation tax."🏦 The Fed’s New Yield Reality: Why the days of risk-free, high-yield CDs are shifting, and how to avoid the "cash trap" that silently destroys your purchasing power.

🛡️ The Income Antidote: How high-net-worth investors ($1M–$5M+) are moving beyond the traditional 60/40 portfolio by using non-correlated assets—like private credit and real estate—to build a bulletproof income floor. It’s time to stop letting the headlines dictate your financial future.

Tune in to learn how to operate out of wisdom, not fear, and ensure your portfolio is built to weather the storm.

📖 Read Dave’s latest blog post, "Staring down the Goliaths of the Global Market": https://www.monarchwealthmanagement.com/post/staring-down-the-golilaths-of-the-global-market

🌐 Learn more about Monarch Wealth Management: www.monarchwealthmanagement.com

📞 Schedule a consultation to stress-test your portfolio: https://www.monarchwealthmanagement.com/constantineIf you found value in today's episode, please hit the SUBSCRIBE button, leave us a 5-star review, and share this with a friend or family member who needs to hear it!

#PennywiseFinancial #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #Investing #MarketVolatility #FinancialAdvisor #MonarchWealth #PassiveIncome #AlternativeInvestments

In this packed episode of Pennywise, we navigate the intersection of a wartime economy, historic policy shifts, and the golden moments that define American excellence. From the front lines of the Middle East to the front rows of the State of the Union, we are breaking down what these headlines actually mean for your brokerage account and your family’s future.The Macro Breakdown: SOTU & The New EconomyWe step inside the House Chamber to analyze the economic pillars of the latest State of the Union address. Leaving the political noise at the door, we focus on the raw data:The Tariff Transition: Understanding the shift toward domestic production and how trade barriers are reshaping global supply chains.Supreme Court Impact: A look at the recent SCOTUS rulings on regulatory overreach and what they mean for corporate "breathing room."Energy Costs: Analyzing the 80-million-barrel influx and why energy dominance is the current anchor for cooling inflation.The Great Rotation: Where the Money is MovingThe "Magnificent Seven" era is taking a breather, and the "Great Rotation" is in full swing. We discuss:Sector Shifts: Why capital is flowing out of high-valuation tech and into Small Caps (Russell 2000) and Real Assets.The Defense Rollercoaster: A deep dive into the war against Iran. We compare the projected 12–24 month returns of Aerospace & Defense stocks (LMT, RTX, NOC) against the S&P 500, highlighting the "Replenishment Cycle" and why this trade requires a tactical exit strategy.The Wealth Playbook: Taxes & Trump AccountsStrategy is nothing without tax efficiency. We break down the technicals of keeping more of what you earn:Short-Term vs. Long-Term: The "tax trap" of high-frequency trading in non-retirement accounts and how to avoid it.The 530A "Trump Accounts": Who qualifies for these new tax-free growth vehicles, the $5,000 annual contribution limits, and why this is a generational game-changer for American families.Backflips and Blue Lines: A Celebration of ExcellenceFinally, we find inspiration in the "Gold Standard."Olympic Glory: Celebrating the historic sweep by the U.S. Men’s and Women’s teams—a reminder of what happens when talent meets discipline.A Personal Note: I share a moment from my son’s journey in youth hockey and the pure excitement of seeing his idol, Jack Eichel, recognized at the SOTU. It’s a reminder that our heroes—whether on the ice, the battlefield, or the first response line—drive the spirit of this country forward.

Welcome back to the show! We are kicking off Season 8 shivering in the studio because, let’s be honest, this is the coldest winter Rochester has seen in a decade. But while the temperatures are dropping, we’re looking at what's heating up (and cooling down) in the markets.

In Episode 117, we shake off the rust and dive into the "Kitchen Table" economics—what it actually costs to buy a gallon of milk or fill up your tank right now. Plus, we’re breaking down the new 2026 contribution limits and a specific "gotcha" in the Secure Act 2.0 that high earners need to know about immediately regarding their catch-up contributions.

Grab a coffee (or two), stay warm, and let’s get your money right for the year.

In this episode, we cover:

❄️ The Weather Report: Why this is the coldest winter in recent memory and how Electric Vehicles (EVs) are actually handling the sub-freezing temps (Spoiler: Range anxiety is real).

📈 Market Scorecard: YTD performance for the S&P 500, Dow, Russell 2000, and why International funds might finally be waking up.

🛒 Inflation Watch: The real cost of living check—Gas, Eggs, Milk, and Bread prices.

🏠 Rochester Real Estate: Average home prices, market trends, and an update on Governor Hochul’s gas stove ban for new builds.

💰 Retirement Alerts:

• Secure Act 2.0: The new "Roth Catch-Up" rule for high earners (over $145k).

• 2026 Limits: New caps for IRAs and HSAs.

• Insurance: Why your NY health insurance premium just jumped 15%.

Timestamps:0:00 - Intro & The "Deep Freeze"5:00 - Market Updates (S&P, Dow, Gold/Silver)15:00 - The "Kitchen Table" Inflation Check22:00 - Rochester Real Estate & NY News30:00 - Secure Act 2.0 & Contribution Limits38:00 - EVs in the Cold & Savings Tips

Disclaimer:This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only. I am laid back, but money is serious—always consult with your own financial advisor or tax professional before making big moves!

#Finance #Investing #RochesterNY #MarketUpdate #SecureAct #RetirementPlanning #Inflation #RealEstate #Podcast #Season8