In this conversation, Brandon sits down with Karen Calderon aka The Money Chica, a certified financial coach whose brand centers on helping people feel clear, confident, and in control with their money. They talk about budgeting, behavioral finance, scarcity mindset, cultural differences in financial literacy, credit card debt, and why financial clarity has to come before trying to fix everything else. Karen’s approach emphasizes getting clear on what is really causing money stress, building a system that fits real life, and aligning spending with what actually matters. They also discuss money in relationships, why couples often struggle to communicate about finances, and why sharing life often means sharing money too. The Money Chica site highlights that clarity, support, and realistic systems are the foundation for long-term financial peace. #financialliteracy #moneymindset #budgeting The Money ChicaKaren Caldarone, Certified Financial Coach, M.A.https://themoneychica.com Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Our goal is to share market insights, investing tips, tax strategies, and straightforward financial education to help viewers make smarter financial decisions. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

Is the 2026 stock market sitting on the edge of something bigger? In this video, we talk through why it feels like we are at the precipice, with major uncertainty surrounding the economy, inflation, mortgage rates, real estate, oil prices, and the war in Iran. We break down how all of these forces connect and why investors are watching every new headline so closely.We also explain PCE and Core PCE, two of the inflation measures that matter most to the Federal Reserve, and why they could play a big role in what happens next for interest rates and the stock market. If you want a big-picture discussion on where markets may be heading and what risks could shape the rest of 2026, this episode is for you.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

Volatility is back in a big way.Large daily market swings are becoming more common, and investors are navigating an environment where sentiment can shift quickly.In this interview, Brandon and James break down why the stock market has become more volatile and how different generations approach risk differently.They discuss the rise of high-risk investing, including cryptocurrency-only portfolios and meme coins, and why understanding downside risk is critical when building wealth.The conversation also highlights the importance of discipline, long-term thinking, and the role a financial advisor can play in helping investors avoid emotional decisions during turbulent markets.James also shares two companies he is currently watching closely: HIPO and KLAC.Subscribe for weekly insights on markets, investing, and tax strategies.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.