What should a great financial planning experience actually look like?

For many investors, “financial planning” is reduced to product selection, performance chasing, or a one-time retirement projection that never gets revisited. In reality, a high-quality financial planning experience is far more comprehensive — and far more valuable.

Richard Rosso breaks down the essential elements of effective financial planning. True financial planning is not about predicting markets or selling products. It is about building a durable framework that helps investors make better decisions through market cycles, life changes, and economic uncertainty.

Whether you are working with an advisor or managing your finances independently, understanding what a great planning experience looks like can help you

The Federal Reserve’s policy framework is quietly shifting—and investors should be paying close attention. Lance Roberts, Michael Lebowitz, and Danny Ratliff examine why the traditional push toward homeownership may be built on outdated assumptions, and how changing macroeconomic realities could challenge long-held financial narratives.

#FederalReserve #MarketLiquidity #HousingMyths #MacroOutlook #InvestorRisk

The Fed is adding liquidity (QE), whatever label they use. The assets most tied to reserves are the ones that will move first: #Bitcoin, major indexes $SPX / $QQQ, transportation, and materials.

In contrast, defensive sectors, $GLD, and $SLV show little to no relationship to changes in reserves.

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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Lance Roberts is joined by longtime friend and veteran television reporter Tom Zizka to discuss how media, markets, and economic reality have fundamentally changed over the past two decades.

The discussion begins with the evolution of modern media—from the rise of social platforms and the “small screen” revolution to the growing pressures of monetization, speed, and narrative framing. Lance and Tom explore how storytelling has shifted from context-driven reporting to image-driven headlines, and what that means for public perception, trust, and accountability.

From there, the conversation moves into markets and policy. Topics include the economic implications of Trump’s re-election, why falling oil prices were driven more by markets than

For decades, the 60/40 portfolio—stocks and bonds—served as the foundation of balanced investing.

Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz examine the growing global forces reshaping markets. While Wall Street has remained fixated on AI hyperscalers, major developments abroad are increasingly driving returns and risk.

0:00 – INTRO
0:19 – Inflation Report Preview – Where’s the Fed’s Soft Landing?
3:05 – Markets working Through the Chop
9:56 – Top 10 Christmas Movies
13:24 – Inflation Expectations (Preview)
14:35 – The Fed Ends QT
20:35 – JP Morgan’s Liquidity Crunch
22:53 – Is the Economy Slowing More than They Think?
24:03 – Is the 60/40 Portfolio Model Dead?
26:07 – CAPE-10 Predictions
27:05 – The All-weather Portfolio – Why to Own Bonds
31:31 – Double Digit Environment is Unsustainable

As we begin the new year, this New Year’s Day market outlook takes a balanced, risk-aware look at what 2026 may hold for investors. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff examine the bullish case for markets, including the macro and technical backdrops supporting higher prices, while also addressing the growing risks beneath the surface—particularly stress in credit markets and the potential for lower long-term returns.

The discussion explores how elevated valuations, tighter financial conditions, and shifting economic dynamics could impact portfolio outcomes in the year ahead. We also outline practical investment strategies for 2026, including why cash can provide valuable optionality during periods of volatility and uncertainty.

Additional topics include a preview of the 2026 Economic Summit,

Markets are priced for perfection heading into next year. Earnings expectations are unusually high. If those forecasts get revised lower, the market will have to reprice quickly.

In this short video, Lance Roberts explains why high valuations and aggressive earnings forecasts create real revision risk if results fail to measure up.

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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

Today’s Q&A Wednesday is driven entirely by live YouTube chat questions, covering the market topics investors are most focused on right now. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff address real-time concerns around market volatility, Federal Reserve policy, interest rates, inflation, portfolio risk, asset allocation, and year-end positioning—without hype or speculation.

This interactive session is designed to help investors better understand what matters, what doesn’t, and how markets typically behave during periods of uncertainty. Rather than making predictions, we focus on context, probabilities, and risk management—answering your questions as they come in live.

If you have a market question, join the conversation in the chat. If you’re watching the replay, timestamps and chapter markers are

Marketing for financial advisors is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, changing search behavior, and tighter compliance constraints. Lance Roberts & Greg Joslyn break down how advisors can adapt their marketing and PR strategies without sacrificing credibility, consistency, or regulatory discipline.

We discuss why persistence—not virality—is the true driver of long-term visibility, how AI fits into content creation and search optimization, and why social media works best when it is treated as a conversation rather than a broadcast channel. The discussion also covers optimal content cadence, platform selection, budgeting realities, and the growing importance of earned media over paid promotion.

We explore best practices for interview preparation and media coaching, including

As the year comes to a close, young investors have a unique opportunity to make small moves that can compound into meaningful long-term results. In this episode, we walk through a practical, end-of-year checklist designed for early-career investors who want to stay organized, tax-aware, and financially disciplined.

Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn cover how to confirm you’re capturing all available employer benefits, including 401(k) or 403(b) matches and vesting schedules. We also discuss how to think about Roth IRAs, HSAs, and other tax-advantaged accounts early in your career—when time is often your greatest asset.

On the investment side, we review simple allocation checks, diversification risks, and why staying invested through volatility matters. We also highlight tax-smart

Our Christmas Day Best-Of episode revisits some of the most important investing and financial planning discussions of the year.

Lance Roberts, Danny Ratliff, & Jonathan Penn examine whether the traditional 60/40 portfolio still serves its original purpose of reducing volatility, and what the three legs of investing mean in today’s market environment; whether the Federal Reserve has shifted away from its inflation mandate, how to interpret 2- and 3-standard-deviation market moves using tools like Bollinger Bands, and which economic data truly matters for investors—and where to find it.

We close by addressing common misconceptions around inflation, including the real impact of tariffs and why sustainable economic growth requires some level of inflation, along with a thoughtful

The Fed can call it reserve management purchases, but the mechanics are the same: they are adding liquidity, expanding the balance sheet, and supporting financial markets.

In this short video, Michael Lebowitz and I discuss why the terminology matters less than the market impact.

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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

The Fed can call it reserve management purchases, but the mechanics are the same: they are adding liquidity, expanding the balance sheet, and supporting financial markets.

In this short video, Michael Lebowitz and I discuss why the terminology matters less than the market impact.

📺Full episode:

Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

The holidays bring families together—but they also create a rare opportunity to talk about something that truly matters: legacy.

Richard Rosso & Sarah Buenger explore how thoughtful, well-framed conversations about money, wishes, and values can become one of the greatest gifts you give your family. Research shows that nearly 70% of parents have never discussed inheritance with their children, often leaving confusion, conflict, or unresolved questions behind.

Questions lead to stories. Stories lead to understanding. And understanding builds a legacy that lasts beyond the holidays.

0:00 – INTRO
0:20 Santa’s Elves & Christmas Ornaments
2:15 – parents who don’t tell children about their inheritance.
3:21 – Holiday Legacy Guide
5:41 -Thoughtful conversations: Talking about Money is

The Federal Reserve is entering a pivotal phase, and the decisions it makes now will define the next era of monetary policy. Lance Roberts and The Fed Guy, Joseph Wang, examine the structural forces putting the Fed at a crossroads—from rate cuts and shifting labor-market dynamics to the long-term impact of AI, tariff-driven inflation, and changes in the Fed’s balance-sheet strategy.

We explore why markets appear bullish on economic growth despite weakening employment data, how tariff inflation may be a one-time impulse, and what a redesigned policy framework could look like as banks, regulators, and political leaders debate the Fed’s future role.

If you want a grounded assessment of where monetary policy is heading and how structural changes could reshape markets, this episode provides

Everyone has financial ghosts—old decisions, forgotten expenses, or long-ignored habits that creep back into the present and shape our financial lives. In this episode, we explore three practical strategies to tackle your financial ghosts, reduce money stress, and build a healthier long-term financial foundation.

Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty break down how to evaluate your household debt-to-income ratios, identify where spending silently grows, and improve the financial conversations inside your home. You’ll learn how better awareness, open communication, and a disciplined review of expenses can help transform financial uncertainty into clarity and confidence.

#FinancialWellness #MoneyMistakes #PersonalFinanceTips #DebtManagement #WealthBuilding

➢ Listen daily on Apple Podcasts: The Fed delivered a far more dovish cut than markets expected.
In this short video, Michael Lebowitz and I discuss why Powell’s tone shifted, what he revealed about jobs and inflation, and why this matters for markets now.
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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

The Federal Reserve cut rates by a quarter point Wednesday, but the real story is the division behind the decision. For the first time since 2021, three Fed governors dissented–an uncommon break in policy unity that raises new questions about inflation progress, economic risk, and the path of monetary policy into 2026.

Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explain why the Fed cut now, what the dissent signals, and how a split vote may affect market volatility, yields, and expectations for future rate moves. We also look at how past dissent has aligned with turning points in policy cycles and what this could mean for portfolios as financial conditions continue to ease.
Use the chapter markers below to jump to any topic.

0:00 – INTRO
0:19 – The Fed Giveth, Oracle Taketh Away
6:53 –

Next year may unfold as a tale of two markets: strength early fueled by liquidity and momentum, followed by potential weakness as valuations and credit risks emerge.

In this short video, Lance Roberts explains why a balanced approach with defensives, cash, and flexibility is the smartest way to navigate 2026.
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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

It’s Fed Day, and today’s Live Q&A covers what investors should expect as markets position around the announcement, why volatility may pick up afterward, and how this week’s action shapes the potential for a Santa Claus Rally. We also discuss whether the Fed has stepped back from its inflation mandate, what that means for long bonds, and how Treasury supply-and-demand dynamics factor into portfolio risk.

Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff review the growth outlook for the AI sector, the power-cost assumptions built into datacenter models, the economic effects of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and the $125 billion in tariff revenue collected this year—along with what tariffs really contribute to inflation. Additional topics include how to read 2x–3x standard deviations using Bollinger Band

Markets are dangerously overextended and priced for perfection going into 2026.
In this short video, I explain why elevated valuations, mean reversion, and rising credit stress could make 2026 far riskier than investors expect.
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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

Debt can reshape a family, fracture relationships, and derail financial goals — especially when fraud or addiction is involved. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn address the importance of protecting your credit and financial future, and share four “good enough” financial moves to simplify money management without sacrificing results…strategies to cut through the noise and help you stay on track with less time, less stress, and fewer decisions.

0:00 – INTRO
0:19 – Fed Day Preview – Fed Grammar Matters
5:10- Market Weakness is No Surprise
9:11 – The Myriad Versions of Credit Scores
11:15 – Check Your Credit Report Regularly
15:11 – Improving Your Credit Score
17:12 – Freezing Your Credit
18:38 – THe Credit Card Trap
24:21 – Mrs. Roberts’ Christmas Decor
26:54 – Reverse Budgeting
30:42 –

Despite all the loud, extreme narratives, the market outlook for next year is neither all-bull nor all-bear.
In this short video, I outline the bull case for 2026, where rising liquidity, Fed cuts, and expanding consumer credit tilt the outlook toward a stronger 2026.
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Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

Lance Roberts looks at both sides of the Market Cycle—the bullish liquidity-driven momentum and the bearish fundamental weaknesses. With support and resistance levels tightening around the S&P 500, and the Fed meeting, economic data, and major earnings directly ahead, investors must prepare for a market that could swing in either direction in 2026.

0:00 – INTRO
0:18 – Markets Set up for Santa Claus Rally
5:30 – Expect Sloppy Trading This Week
11:22 – Economic Summit, Elf on a Shelf, & Baylor Dating
14:42 – Market Outlook for 2026
16:36 – The Case for Bullishness
21:29: The Bullish Backdrop
24:13 – The Case for Bearishness
27:52 – Stress in Credit markets
28:36 – The Risk for Lower Returns
29:59 – Investing Strategies for 2026
35:06 – Cash Provides Optionality
38:16 – The Cost of

Fed rate cuts aren’t inherently bearish for the dollar $DXY. By supporting economic growth and boosting $SPY / $QQQ, they attract foreign capital that strengthens the currency.

In this short video, MIchael Lebowitz and I discuss why easing supports growth, pulls in foreign capital, and ultimately contradicts the constant dollar-debasement narrative.

📺Full episode: -iyGgj0

Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

Markets are reacting to the rising odds of Kevin Hassett becoming the next Fed Chair. His pro-growth, lower-rate stance raises concerns that inflation might not get enough attention.

In this short video, Michael Lebowitz & Lance Roberts discuss why investors worry about inflation being underweighted and why one chair’s vote still doesn’t decide Fed policy.

📺Full episode: -iyGgj0

Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

Richard Rosso breaks down a study that modeled hundreds of thousands of retirement scenarios to determine which Roth conversion strategy performs best over a 10-year period:

• Staying in a traditional IRA/401(k) and taking RMDs
• A one-time Roth conversion
• A gradual, multi-year conversion strategy

RIA Advisors’ Financial Guardrails are timeless principles for building lasting wealth and protecting your financial future. Rich also shares insights from decades of experience helping investors avoid common pitfalls and build financial wellness that lasts generations.

0:00 – INTRO
0:19 – The Roth Account Smile
4:40 – Roth Applications for Different Stages of Life
12:41 – Rules Can Save You in a Turbulent World
14:55 – Annuities Should Be Planned, not Sold
15:52 – A Home is a Liability,

Is the era of Fed groupthink finally coming to an end?
For over a decade, the Federal Reserve has operated under a powerful consensus framework—one where dissent has been rare and the Chair’s view has dominated policy outcomes. But shifting politics, rising dissenting votes, and increasing disagreements among FOMC members may signal a new regime change at the Fed.

Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down:
0:00 – INTRO
0:19 – ISM Report Shows Abnormality of Markets
4:45 – Markets Prep for Year End Rally
9:33 – 2026 Economic Summit Tease
10:32 – Will Kevin Hassett Be the Next Fed Chairman?
13:25 – Is Fed Groupthink Ending?
16:13 – How a Split Fed Vote Could Affect Markets
18:02 – How About a Pre-2000 Fed?
24:08 – "Reserve Management" is Code for QE0:35 – It’s All About Liquidity

Identifying market cycles is easy; surviving them is the hard part. Long-term cycle narratives often break investors emotionally.
In this short video, I explain why focusing on shorter, manageable timeframes leads to better decisions and fewer mistakes.

📺Full episode:

Catch me daily on The Real Investment Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealInvestmentShow

What exactly are Trump Accounts, and who qualifies under the new expansion backed by Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25 billion donation? Lance Roberts and Danny Ratliff break down how the Dell Deal works, which families benefit, and why this initiative could reshape financial planning for millions of children.

If you’re a parent, grandparent, or financial planner, this is essential information about how these accounts may impact a child’s financial future.

0:00 – INTRO
0:19 – Sloppy Trading Ahead
5:15 – Performance Dichotomy in AI Stocks
11:00 – Trump Accounts – Where’s the Value?
12:19 – How it Works – The Devil is in the Details
16:12 – What is the Purpose – Use of the Funds?
17:39 – Where is the Financial Education?
19:17 – What About the Next Generation?
21:06 – The Reverse Mortgage