15 Minutes of Finance

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.

Brandon sits down with Brittany Cohen, Esq., Attorney at Law at Peaceful Warrior Law, APC in San Diego, California, for an important conversation about estate planning, trusts, probate, and protecting your family. Brittany’s boutique law practice focuses on estate planning, trust creation, elder law, Medi-Cal planning, asset protection, tax reduction planning, personal injury, and more. In this interview, Brandon and Brittany break down what a trust is, why it matters, and why it is not just for high net worth families. They discuss how having a trust can potentially save your family hundreds of thousands of dollars, help avoid probate, and reduce the risk of future family conflict and lawsuits. They also explain what assets typically go through probate, what assets may avoid probate, and why understanding the difference matters.This conversation also covers:- Why putting property into a trust is often better than gifting it- How inherited property should be handled- The role of beneficiaries in your estate plan- When the right time is to create a trust- How children factor into estate planning decisions- Why business owners need a contingency plan- Why so many families still do not have an estate plan in place- If you want to better understand what can happen when someone dies without a trust, and how to protect your assets, your loved ones, and your legacy, this interview is a must-watch. 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.Brittany Cohen | Peaceful Warrior LawYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@brittanycohen_attorneyTik Tok: @attorney_brittanycohenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacefulwarriorlawyer_/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-cohen-49619a77/

This week, James breaks down stock market news and events this week. Nvidia sank after strong earnings, the Dow dropped over 500 points, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also moved lower. Inflation data (PPI and Core PPI) came in hotter than expected. One of the biggest takeaways has nothing to do with headlines. It has to do with fees. James shares that he has now seen four separate portfolios charging a 2% advisor fee this week alone, and that is before platform fees, 12b1 fees, planning fees, mutual fund fees, and transaction costs are even added in. If your money is sitting in basic ETFs or mutual funds, you need to know exactly what you are paying and whether your advisor is truly earning it.He also covers Nvidia’s post-earnings drop, why earnings and short-term share price do not always move together, the 10-year Treasury yield falling to 3.97%, OpenAI’s massive new valuation, Netflix moving higher, CoreWeave’s sharp decline, and the broader fear hanging over markets from inflation, geopolitics, and uncertainty.The bigger message is this: fear is always present. Inflation, rumors of war, political uncertainty, and market volatility will never fully go away. But history shows that downturns do not last forever, and disciplined investors who stay focused tend to be rewarded over time.In this video:• Why 2% advisor fees can quietly destroy long-term returns• The real all-in cost investors need to ask about• Why Nvidia falling after great earnings is not unusual• Key market moves from this past week• Why fear keeps many people from building wealth• Why long-term market history still mattersAll 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.

This week felt like a free fall at times, the kind of tape that makes you question everything, and then the market turned around and finished Friday on a much better note. In this episode, James breaks down what happened, why weeks like this are exactly when investor behavior matters most, and how to keep your decision making grounded when headlines and intraday swings get loud.One of the biggest takeaways is a classic reminder from legendary investor Peter Lynch: the most important organ for an investor is not your brain, it is your stomach. Anyone can find a great company on a green day. The real test is whether you can stick with your plan when markets drop fast, sentiment turns negative, and fear starts writing the narrative.James also asks a tough question: did you sell this week? If the market ended the week barely in the red, or even close to flat, but you reacted like it was the end of the world, it might be worth stepping back and reassessing your approach. Investing is not about guessing the next headline. It is about building conviction in what you own, understanding why you own it, and having a process you can follow when volatility spikes.A key lesson James reinforces is that a company’s share price does not tell you how good the company is. Price is simply what buyers and sellers agree on right now. Great businesses can have brutal weeks. Weak businesses can have strong weeks. The job is to separate business quality from market mood.We also talk about a major milestone: the Dow Jones closed above 50,000 for the first time ever, despite an extremely volatile week. That matters because the Dow is not dominated by the same high growth names as the Nasdaq. It can be a signal that money is rotating into more risk aware, steady parts of the market when investors get uneasy.Volatility is part of the story too. Since COVID, big intraday moves, even 2% swings, have become a lot less rare, and James explains why that changes how investors should think about risk, position sizing, and conviction.Then we zoom out to the fear gauge assets: gold and silver, which often get attention when investors are anxious, plus oil prices and what a healthy range can look like for the broader economy.Finally, James shares a potential opportunity in the space theme: the Procure Space ETF, ticker UFO, a basket of companies tied to the space economy. Think satellites, launch providers, and the infrastructure around space based tech. We touch on why this theme is worth watching, and how ETFs like UFO can provide exposure to names people associate with the space race, including holdings like Planet Labs, Rocket Labs, Viasat, Garmin, etc. 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.

Selling real estate doesn’t have to mean handing a big check to the IRS.In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down 1031 exchanges: What they are, how they work, and how real estate investors can legally defer capital gains taxes when selling investment property. We’re joined by Adam Nishikawa, a 1031 Qualified Intermediary, who walks us through: - What qualifies for a 1031 exchange- Common mistakes that disqualify exchanges- Timing rules you must follow- Who should (and should not) consider a 1031- How a qualified intermediary fits into the processLearn more about Adam and 1031 exchanges: Website: http://www.ax1031.comInstagram: @1031withadam

James covers market news, trumps new fed pick Kevin Warsh, and goes over earnings reports, stocks he bought, and investing habits that will make you rich or poor. 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.

Next week could be one of the most important market weeks we’ve seen in a while, and it may set the tone for the next few months.In this episode, James breaks down why the market reacted so sharply to Trump’s latest headlines involving Greenland, NATO, and rising geopolitical uncertainty, and why moments like this often create opportunity for long term investors. When fear spikes, prices drop, and that is usually when the best buying windows open.We also cover a major issue investors need to watch out for: insurance being sold as an “investment.” James explains why “insurance sold to you as an investment is neither good insurance nor a good investment,” why “infinite banking” is often misleading, and how products like whole life, universal life, and indexed universal life insurance can come with extremely high fees that quietly destroy long term returns.Then we shift to what could be the biggest driver of market direction: major earnings next week. With companies like Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Meta, and more reporting, we talk about what to watch for, why volatility could pick up, and how investors sitting on cash may find some real buying opportunities.Finally, James closes with an update on gold and silver, where they stand now, what has been driving the move, and whether they can keep pushing higher from here.If you are investing for the long run, this is the kind of week that can create the best setups if you know what to look for.Subscribe for weekly market breakdowns, investing strategy, retirement planning, and tax smart financial planning.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.

If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just running a business, you’re moving through stages. And the strategy that works in the beginning is not the same strategy that works when you’re growing, and it’s definitely not the same strategy once you’ve reached a plateau. In this episode, Brandon breaks down the three stages of small business growth and explains how to maximize each phase so you can keep more money, grow faster, and build a business that supports the life you actually want.Stage 1 is the Startup Phase. This is the stage where you’re building momentum, reinvesting into your business, and laying the foundation for future growth. Brandon talks about how to think through tax write offs the right way, how to make smart purchases that support growth, and how to position your business financially so you’re not just surviving, you’re building something scalable.Stage 2 is the Growth Phase, which usually happens a few years in once things start working and your marketing and ROI are becoming more predictable. This is where the big financial moves begin to matter, including when it makes sense to shift from a sole proprietorship to an S Corp, how paying yourself the right way can reduce taxes, and how to take advantage of business benefits like health insurance. Brandon also explains how retirement accounts like a SEP IRA or Solo 401k can become a major part of your long term strategy as income increases.Stage 3 is the Plateau Phase, where you’ve reached many of your goals and ambitions, but now your focus shifts to sustainability and long term vision. This is the phase where business owners start asking bigger questions like how to make more while working fewer hours, how to structure the business to reduce stress and burnout, and what success really looks like moving forward. Whether that means optimizing operations, changing the way you work, or even planning for a sale one day, Brandon walks through how to think about the long term path with clarity and intention.Drop a comment below, which stage are you in right now, 1, 2, or 3? And if you want more videos on small business strategy, tax planning, wealth building, and long term investing, make sure to subscribe.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.

Stock Market Update and 2026 Outlook is here. In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down the biggest financial news moving markets right now, then dive into why financial stocks such as banks, insurance, and financial services could be one of the best sector opportunities heading into 2026. We cover how the Federal Reserve, interest rates, inflation, and credit conditions can influence financial company performance and what investors should be watching as the economy transitions into the next phase of the cycle. You will also get a gold and silver update after their strong 2025 run, why we view precious metals as more defensive and risk averse investments, and why it is unlikely we see another year like 2025 across the board. To close it out, we give a practical breakdown of why the Fed remains the most important character in the market, what today’s headlines really mean, and where long term investors should stay focused.Subscribe for weekly market updates, investing strategy, retirement planning, and tax smart financial planning.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.

In this episode, James sits down with a successful investor who built a location independent career and now lives abroad while working remotely. They break down how geographical arbitrage makes it possible to dramatically lower your cost of living, upgrade your lifestyle, and accelerate your wealth building at the same time.From affordable luxury housing and world class food to international travel and flexible work schedules, this conversation shows how smart financial planning and remote income can unlock a completely different way of life. Living abroad is not just about adventure, it can be a powerful wealth strategy when done right.If you have ever thought about leaving the 9 to 5, working remotely, or moving overseas to live better for less, this is a must watch.

In this episode, Brandon and James recap the market as we head toward the end of the year and discuss overall investor sentiment going into 2026. They break down what the S&P 500 has done over the past year, explain the idea behind the Santa Claus rally, and talk about what to realistically expect from the market and the economy next year.The conversation also covers tariffs and why their impact often shows up months after the initial shock, how the threat of tariffs can be used as a negotiating tool, and what recent market behavior may be telling us.They dive into the ongoing debate around the AI bubble, Michael Burry closing his firm and betting against companies like Nvidia and Palantir, and what Warren Buffett’s large cash position at Berkshire Hathaway is actually meant for.Finally, they emphasize why boring investment plans and dollar cost averaging tend to work over time, discuss how AI is likely to integrate into nearly every business, and wrap up with three stocks James is watching for 2026: CrowdStrike, Lumen, and Nebius.

In this episode James covers the latest market and economic news, breaks down a LinkedIn discussion he had about the S&P 500, and explains why waiting is sometimes the best move for investors. He also revisits his stock pick on Warner Brothers Discovery and how Netflix is set to acquire them and what that means for investors. #investing #marketnews #15minutesoffinance #economy #S&P500All 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.

James Breaks down the 5 ways investment professionals get information before YOU, the retail investor, and how you can start getting information just as fast as them! That way, you can make informed decisions off the data, instead of off their headlines! 15 Minutes of Finance is your quick, easy to understand take on markets, taxes, and making smarter financial decisions! The show is produced by West and Walters Tax and Wealth Management, an RIA and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West and Walters, each episode gives you clear, honest, and actionable financial talk in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee! 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.

In this milestone episode, Brandon and James share why this channel is different from most financial content online. Our goal isn’t hype, it’s help. We’re licensed professionals bringing real world experience in investing, taxes, wealth management, and financial literacy to help you make smarter money moves.Unlike most of what you see in the finance space, our insights come from the perspective of credentialed advisors who work with real clients every day, breaking down complex financial concepts into clear, actionable strategies anyone can understand.If you’re looking for honest, professional guidance on building wealth, managing your taxes, and improving your financial future, you’re in the right place.Subscribe for weekly videos covering investing and market insights, tax planning strategies, wealth management principles, and real world financial literacy tips. Let’s grow together, and thank you for being part of the first 100.

In this episode we break down the often misunderstood investment strategy of Warren Buffett, exploring why one of the greatest investors of all time continues to hold hundreds of billions of dollars in cash. We unpack the reasoning behind Berkshire Hathaway’s massive cash reserves, including historically high market valuations, the limited number of attractive investment opportunities within Buffett’s “circle of competence,” and his long term focus on patience and discipline; waiting for the perfect pitch before taking a swing. If you’ve ever wondered why Buffett isn’t buying more stocks when markets are soaring, this video will give you clear insight into how the Oracle of Omaha thinks about value investing and capital allocation.#stockmarket #warrenbuffet #investing #15minutesoffinance #economy Warren Buffet's Investment Philosophy Article:https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/ownman.pdf15 Minutes of Finance is produced by West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management, an independent financial advisory and CPA firm in Carlsbad, California. West & Walters provides comprehensive wealth management, tax planning, and accounting services for individuals and businesses. For more information, visit westandwalters.com. Advisory services offered through 77 Financial Group, a registered investment adviser. 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.

James covers market news and the hype around buffet retiring and where exactly you can find companies investments on their filing reports.

In this week’s episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, James breaks down the latest market news and explains why stock splits are usually a bullish signal for investors. He covers the psychology behind stock splits, why companies like Netflix have split shares in the past to make them more accessible, and why others such as Berkshire Hathaway choose never to split. James also highlights a new stock to watch for long-term investors and discusses what to look for before adding it to your watchlist. If you’re an investor trying to understand how stock splits impact valuation, investor demand, and liquidity, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Brandon and James walk through a real-life case study on how to handle a financial settlement the smart way. They break down how to decide what to spend, what to save, and what to invest to make the most of a one-time payout. You’ll learn the key mistakes people make after receiving a large sum, how taxes can impact your decisions, and practical strategies to turn a settlement into long-term financial stability. Whether your settlement came from an injury, inheritance, or legal case, this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance helps you make confident, informed choices with your money.