#648: The U.S. government is shutting down. Bitcoin just hit a record high. Inflation whispers are back. And Wall Street is buzzing with speculation.

What does this all mean for your money, your portfolio, and your long-term financial freedom? On this First Friday episode, we unpack the economic headlines you can’t ignore — and help you separate signal from noise.

In this episode, we cover:

• Government Shutdown: What happens when Washington goes dark, and how it could ripple into the markets, interest rates, and your daily life
• Bitcoin at Record Highs: Why crypto is rallying, what history tells us about speculative manias, and whether this time might be different
• Jobs Report and Inflation Watch: The latest labor market data, its implications for the Fed, and how it could shape borrowing costs
• Investor Behavior in Uncertainty: Why volatility can make us overreact, and how to stay grounded in your long-term strategy

Key Takeaways

• Government shutdowns create noise, but historically their long-term market impact is minimal
• Bitcoin���s surge reflects both speculation and broader demand for decentralized assets — but extreme volatility remains
• The labor market remains resilient, keeping inflation risks on the radar and Fed policy in focus
• Emotional investing is costly: staying calm during uncertainty is one of the best ways to protect your wealth.

This month’s headlines feel dramatic — shutdowns, soaring crypto, inflation fears. But the timeless principles of money management still apply: diversify, stay disciplined, and don’t let headlines dictate your portfolio.

Key moments:

(00:00) Jobs Reporting from ADP

(08:28) Interest Rates and Mortgages

(18:07) Social Security Age

(25:36) Consumer Spending and Inflation

(31:56) Bitcoin and Gold reach new highs

(34:31) Quarterly Reporting for Publicly Traded Companies may go to twice-a-year

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