First aired on 1/17/2026

• Inflation: Direction Over Headlines — Inflation continues to cool (≈2.7%), moving closer to long-term expectations. In a world of noise, disciplined monitoring remains superior to reactionary shifts.
• AI as a Tool, Not an Oracle — AI excels at accelerating understanding and organizing data, but it cannot replace human judgment or the responsibility of stewardship in high-stakes decisions.
• The “Decide First” Rule — Before price shopping for major life moments, the decision must pass a filter: Is the timing intentional or emotional? Clarity should always precede action.
• Structure Over Sticker Price — For significant commitments—like international travel or home projects—the structure (timing, terms, and flexibility) often dictates the true value more than the headline price.

Join Allan Malina on Purpose Driven Finances as he explains why life’s “Big Moments” require a disciplined process over emotional impulse. Explore 2026 inflation realities, the proper role of AI in financial planning, and the "Price Band Method" for better stewardship.

Modern finance is often dominated by noise—inflation headlines, AI hype cycles, and speculative narratives. In this briefing, Allan Malina, founder of Servus Capital Management, cuts through the static to refocus listeners on stewardship over speculation.

The episode unfolds in two movements. First, Allan provides a measured perspective on current economic signals, including cooling inflation and labor-market shifts. Second, the conversation transitions into a tactical guide for navigating life’s “Big Moments.” Whether you are planning a complex trip or a major renovation, the process remains the same: decide first, shop second. Allan introduces the Price Band Method and shares practical AI prompts to help you analyze costs without losing sight of long-term purpose and risk.

FAQ

What is the “Price Band Method” for big purchases? Rather than chasing the lowest price (which often hides trade-offs) or the highest price (which often includes "ego premiums"), focus on the middle 60% of the market. Use two to three reputable sources to establish a realistic range. The internet provides data; it does not provide a recommendation.

Is there an AI bubble in 2026? Certain segments, such as large-cap tech and AI-adjacent energy, have attracted significant capital. A disciplined investor looks beyond narratives to the underlying infrastructure and cash flows. We emphasize a process-driven approach over market predictions.

How should I use AI when planning major expenses? Use AI to compare total costs and trade-offs. It is an excellent tool to accelerate your understanding of a market, but it should not replace the final judgment of a steward.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and the Founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. With a career grounded in quantitative discipline, Allan specializes in purpose-driven financial planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations throughout the Lynchburg region. He views money as a tool to serve life and values, helping clients navigate each financial season with calm, measured leadership.

Why Rushed Life Decisions—Not Markets—Are Your Biggest Financial Risk

Is your "New Year, New Me" energy leading to long-term financial stress? In this episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina breaks down why the first two months of the year are the most dangerous for your bank account—and how to shift from urgent spending to intentional planning.

🔑 Key Takeaways: The Cost of Urgency

• The "Urgency Trap": Most financial regrets stem from rushed life decisions (housing, weddings, retirement) rather than market volatility.
• The Q1 Surge: January and February are peak months for high-impact choices that shape your financial trajectory for years.
• The Wrong Question: Asking "Can we afford it?" is a trap; true wealth planning focuses on flexibility, risk, and time.
• Market Context: While inflation is cooling and U.S. growth is stabilizing, markets only amplify existing stress—they rarely create it.
• The Solution: Purpose-driven planning replaces reactive spending with intentional clarity.

🎙️ Episode Overview: Planning for Life’s Big Moments

In this episode of Purpose Driven Finances, host Allan Malina explores the intersection of emotional milestones and financial health. While the economic backdrop shows cooling inflation and improving U.S. growth, the real "market risk" for most families is happening at the kitchen table.

The "January-February" Financial Shadow

Early in the year, emotions run high. Decisions regarding home buying, luxury travel, wedding budgets, and retirement timing are often compressed into short timelines. These choices "cast long shadows," quietly reducing your future cash flow and removing options you haven't even considered yet.

Moving Beyond "Can We Afford It?"

Allan reframes the decision-making process by moving away from binary "yes/no" affordability. Instead, he challenges listeners to evaluate four pillars of a high-impact decision:

1. Flexibility: How does this choice limit my ability to pivot later?
2. Future Options: What doors am I closing by committing these funds?
3. Hidden Risk: What risks am I accepting (knowingly or unknowingly)?
4. Duration: How many years will this choice follow my balance sheet?

The Goal: Life is meant for meaningful experiences. By leading with purpose rather than urgency, you ensure today’s joy doesn't become tomorrow’s debt.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do people make major financial mistakes at the start of the year? Emotional momentum and "New Year" milestones often compress decision timelines. When urgency replaces analysis, people commit to large expenses (like homes or weddings) without calculating the long-term trade-offs.

What is the difference between affordability and flexibility? Affordability only looks at whether you have the cash today. Flexibility looks at whether that purchase prevents you from handling a job change, a market downturn, or a new opportunity tomorrow.

How do market trends like inflation affect personal financial stress? Markets act as an amplifier. If your financial plan lacks "margin" or flexibility due to rushed personal decisions, a market dip feels like a crisis. If you have a purpose-driven plan, market shifts are merely data points, not disasters.

What are the 4 questions to ask before a major purchase?

1. What is the core purpose of this spend?
2. How does this impact my monthly cash flow?
3. Can I adjust this decision if my life circumstances change?
4. What is the "downside" if my timing is wrong?

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations.

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. It is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any financial product. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

1. Economic Setup: Why "Quad 1" signals a shift toward growth and innovation.
2. Resilience over Predictions: How to stay flexible when market forecasts fail.
3. The "Why" of Money: Aligning your 2026 strategy with family and freedom.

"Prepare for 2026 without market predictions. Allan Malina discusses regime-based investing, Quad 1 setups, and purpose-driven financial planning in Forest, VA."

Episode Overview In this episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina explains why successful financial planning for 2026 isn’t about predicting markets, but about positioning thoughtfully through regime-based investing. As early Quad 1 conditions emerge—characterized by cooling inflation and stabilizing growth—Allan breaks down what this historical shift means for portfolio leadership, innovation, and broader market participation in the year ahead.

The conversation then pivots from macro trends to the bigger picture: building a purpose-driven financial plan that serves your life, not just your portfolio. Serving families and professionals in Lynchburg and Forest, VA, Allan outlines how clarity around family, freedom, and flexibility creates a "margin of safety." Learn how to design a resilient plan that adapts as markets and life change—without the pitfalls of over-optimization or unnecessary risk.

Q: What is regime-based investing? A: Regime-based investing is a strategy that focuses on identifying the current economic environment (growth and inflation trends) rather than trying to predict future market prices. By understanding if we are in a phase of rising growth and falling inflation (Quad 1), investors can position portfolios toward historically successful assets like innovation and growth stocks.

Q: Why are market predictions often unreliable for 2026? A: Market predictions fail because they rely on forecasting specific events that are often impacted by "black swan" volatility. Instead, disciplined investors look at macro setups—like the current cooling inflation and stabilizing growth heading into January 2026—to stay flexible and resilient regardless of short-term fluctuations.

Q: How does a "purpose-driven" plan handle economic changes? A: A purpose-driven plan builds a "margin of safety" by clarifying what your money is for—such as family experiences or financial freedom. By designing a plan that adapts as life changes, you create peace of mind that isn't dependent on "perfect" market timing.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations.