This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack where income taxes really hit hardest, why nearly a third of Americans owe nothing in federal income tax, and how mandatory spending has quietly taken over the budget. They also look at the fragile U.S.–Iran ceasefire, the Strait of Hormuz, and why geopolitics still has markets, and policymakers, on edge. Plus, investing in the world of AI, and should you ever pause your 401(k) contributions?

This week, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down calls from President Trump to step back from Middle East security, his push to exit the Iran conflict after crippling its nuclear and military capabilities, and Tehran’s demand for guarantees to prevent future aggression. We also look at why today’s oil price shocks matter less than they once did, how the U.S. economy has become far more energy‑efficient since the Gulf War era, and why the Fed is inclined to “wait and see” rather than react to temporary supply shocks. Plus, a timely policy shift from the Labor Department as new rules move 401(k) plans closer to private equity, private credit, crypto, and other alternatives, providing clearer fiduciary cover for plan managers. Also, segments on "Direct Indexing" and who should be listed as the taxpayer in your household?

Four our Week in Review, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen break down a volatile week where energy markets defied logic, with negative prices in parts of the US recalling the shock of April 2020 and highlighting how oil profits can sometimes cushion gas losses. We also unpack fast moving geopolitical developments, including shifts in US Iran relations and Turkey weighing the sale of gold reserves to stabilize its currency. Plus, segments on smart ways to use larger tax refunds, and ways to plan for wedding costs.

In this Week in Review, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack the pressure rising fuel costs and Iran’s strikes on energy infrastructure are putting on markets, all while Powell stands firm at the Fed. They explore why backward‑looking data may no longer cut it in a post‑Iran environment, along with what new bank‑capital and SEC reporting proposals could mean. And beyond the oil story, they dig into Nvidia’s trillion‑dollar trajectory, Macy’s bold “shrink‑to‑grow” play, and the curious rise of restaurant dining as America’s new risk‑management strategy.

In this Week in Review, Dave Spano and Dr. Brian Jacobsen unpack a whirlwind of developments out of Iran, from a newly appointed leader to massive U.S. military spending, and the global scramble to reroute disrupted oil and fertilizer supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. They dive into why the IEA’s record‑setting 400‑million‑barrel release may barely move the needle, how early tremors in private credit are starting to rumble louder, and why CPI and jobs data already feel outdated in a $100‑oil world. The episode also highlights surprising shifts in consumer behavior as McDonald’s and Dollar General target both budget‑conscious and higher‑income shoppers, along with segments on the rise in workers tapping their 401(k)s and the growing phenomenon of “retirement subtraction.”

During our Week in Review, we explain why diversification only works when investors have enough cash and patience, especially during periods when markets move in the same direction. We explore the jump in workers taking money from their retirement plans and how changing laws and rising costs are affecting their choices. We wrap up with the global events and economic reports that moved markets and what they may mean in the weeks ahead. Plus, segments on navigating financial conversations with family and solo aging.

For this week's Week in Review, Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen talk about shifting family spending habits and financial sentiment. They also spotlight the State of the Union’s standout policy update, a newly expanded retirement match program modeled after the Thrift Savings Plan, designed to put up to $1,000 back into the pockets of eligible savers. Then the conversation turns to the changes in U.S. tariff strategy and how the new 15% rate could reshape global supply chains and everyday costs. Plus, segments on the IRS’s updated rules on paper checks and the 401(k) rollover mistakes that could cost you if you’re not careful.

In this Week in Review, Dave Spano and Brian Jacobsen dig into whether the latest Fed minutes really put another rate hike back on the table as markets deal with rising tension with Iran and renewed focus on Japan’s major investment commitments in the United States. They discuss the latest data, including lower jobless claims, a wider trade deficit, and signs that manufacturing may be finding new momentum, along with what things could mean for companies such as Molson Coors and Harley Davidson. Plus, there's a growing turf battle between Amazon and Walmart and what it could mean for consumers and investors, along with other segments covering smart tax moves and the strategies of gifting money.