The Momentum Advisors Show

This week, we're heading to Saint Maarten to sit down with an old friend from New Jersey who moved to the Caribbean 20 years ago to completely reimagine his life and career.We unpack a brief history of the island and dive into the real entrepreneurial opportunities waiting for bold Americans.  From acquiring an investment property that doubles as a short-term rental to securing an international job transfer, we break down your best options under the sun.

Last week we gave economic and financial tips and strategies for making the most of these last 2 years in the current presidential administration. This week is very different. We are taking a microscopic look at the negative impact on Black students at PWIs and discussing ideas for revitalizing the Black community.

Andrea is back, and she’s kicking things off with a special announcement you won’t want to miss! Plus, with midterm elections around the corner, we’ve officially reached the halfway mark of the current presidential administration. Regardless of where you stand politically, staying informed on recent policy shifts is essential. Today, we're sharing actionable strategies to help you not just survive, but truly thrive in the years ahead

Poor understanding of the law can cost you money, opportunities, and peace of mind. From commercial leases to foreclosure battles, too many people sign contracts they don’t fully understand — and pay the price later.In this episode, Judge Monique Holaman joins us to break down the legal pitfalls she sees most often in civil court. We talk lawsuits, guardianships, special needs trusts, estate planning, foreclosures, and the everyday legal mistakes people don’t realize they’re making.

We are bringing in a special guest this week to shine some light on common mistakes people make when doing their own taxes and high-level strategies for optimizing your tax situation. Alleson is the Founder of Avere Wealth in Atlanta.

At first, we were all so proud of the company that was created to honor the Black man who taught Jack Daniels how to make whiskey. Now, the company is stumbling and critics are having a field day. Today we offer an alternate take on the situation and share some life and business lessons that can be learned.

The NY Knicks just pulled off the impossible – winning a world championship in a David and Goliath moment. In attaining this victory, the team made some important decisions that made all the difference. Today, we celebrate this team of diverse talent, with players coming together from multiple cultural backgrounds, and pinpoint some life and business lessons we can all take away from Allan’s favorite team.

Once a quarter we sit down and take a look at what’s really happening in the financial markets. This week, we are talking about the K‑shaped economy—a split reality where the top arm of the “K” is doing great, powered by high-income households, asset owners, and fast‑growing technology, while the bottom arm is slipping under the pressure of high borrowing costs, stubborn inflation, and high gasoline prices.We are breaking down our views on stocks, bonds and crypto and reminding you that now is a great time to sit down with your financial advisor!Legal Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and are based on information believed to be reliable at the time of recording, but no representation or warranty is made as to their accuracy or completeness.Any references to markets, prices, or economic conditions are subject to change and may be influenced by a variety of factors, including unforeseen geopolitical or market developments. Any forward-looking statements are speculative and should not be relied upon as guarantees of future performance.

The FIRE movement — Financially Independent, Retiring Early — is built around the idea that young people can break from traditional career paths and retire in their 20s, 30s, or 40s. Some followers take an extreme approach, saving up to 75% of every paycheck, which isn’t realistic for most people. But the philosophy behind FIRE still offers valuable lessons about intentional spending, disciplined saving, and designing a life you actually want.This week we glean insights from FIRE and offer a “diet” version that may work for you.

SpaceX filed paperwork this week to launch one of the largest IPOs (initial public offerings) in history, and we may see several record‑setting public debuts before year-end. At the same time, a flood of new Meme coins (a speculative type of cryptocurrency) is hitting the market—sometimes dozens a day. This week, we break down these fast‑moving investment trends and lay out some steps for evaluating  new investments. Legal Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide personalized investment recommendations. Before making any financial or investment decisions, you should consult with a qualified professional who can assess your individual circumstances. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any products, companies, or services mentioned are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute endorsements or recommendations.

Making day-to-day money decisions can be incredibly confusing when you are juggling competing priorities like paying off debt, investing for the future, and building a savings cushion. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a simple framework for your money math?In this episode, we give you some rules of thumb for decision-making and break down "The Co-Holding Paradox"—the costly psychological trap where millions of consumers choose to keep low-yield cash sitting in a savings account while simultaneously carrying high-interest revolving credit card debt.

Nearly half of all Black and Hispanic seniors over the age of 65 are living dangerously close to the poverty line. On today’s show we give financial strategies for surviving retirement on very little and a list of resources for assistance. Please share this very special episode with your older family and friends and church members!

Then we saw a headline this week that read: Americans With Higher Incomes Are Starting to Fall Behind on Payments. It reminds us of the fact that even as we make more money, we can still have financial problems.On this week’s show we share wealth-building advice for the high income earner.

We are approaching the day when aspiring college students must decide on a university. How do we, as the caring adults in their lives, practice “supportive involvement” and guide them towards the best decision -- one that balances their future goals with your family’s financial readiness?This week, we poke a little fun at the grammar of gospel songs, while providing sage advice for the young scholars in your life.

There’s a growing list of issues weighing on the markets — the war involving Iran, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and rising chatter about a potential new “credit crisis” emerging in private credit. But what is Private Credit? Today, we’ll break down this asset class and explore how it may impact investors and the broader economy.

The Iran conflict is pushing oil and gasoline prices higher, raising inflation fears, and stoking economic worries. While you cannot control what’s happening overseas, there are many things you can do to keep things under control at home. This week we share some budget and investment thoughts that should help you fight back. Legal Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide personalized recommendations. Before making any financial or investment decisions, you should consult with a qualified professional who can assess your individual circumstances. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.

With so many tools for obtaining financial advice at our disposal, many people wonder if financial advisors are truly worth their fee. While it’s true that studies show financial advisors help investors earn higher returns and add to their client’s net worths over time, not everyone is happy with their advisor. On this week’s show, we discuss the two-way responsibility of working with a financial advisor — focusing on the client’s duties, as well as the advisor’s.

In a few short weeks, we have deposed the leaders of two countries — this time violently murdering the leader of Iran. We are dropping bombs, killing innocent people and shaking up the global economy. On this episode, we break down the consequences of the war against Iran, and the impact on you as an investor. 

From mass deportations to the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, many Americans are fed up with the actions of the president. And yet as consumers and investors, we are stuffing the pockets of the very companies that are supporting these controversial initiatives. This week, we  shine a light on the movement to #ResistAndUnsubscribe, and highlight Corporate America’s involvement in the Deportation Industrial Complex.

The stock market produced another year of strong results in 2025, despite a whirlwind of policy changes that made our heads spin. But what is the outlook for the market and economy in 2026? Join us this week as we break down our views for what’s to expect for investors.

Black players make up 70% of the NFL, but Black coaches went 0-10 in securing head coaching jobs this off-season.  Despite missing out on those 10 jobs, there are currently a record ten Fortune 500 companies with Black CEOs.  In honor of Black History Month, we are shining light on some inspiring stories of Black leadership in Corporate America. 

Less than 1% of venture-capital-backed startups will achieve a valuation in excess of $1 billion. Despite Black-led technology startups receiving less than half of 1 one percent of all venture-funding, there are SEVERAL black-led Unicorns. On this first episode of Black History Month, we highlight a few successful companies that you may not realize were founded by Black people, and dispel the notion that Black businesses need “support” – what they really need is for us to buy their stuff.

It’s tax time and Americans are slated to receive a 25% increase in their tax refunds this year. But at what cost? Our government has also cut a number of social safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and important departments like the Environmental Protection Agency and National Science Foundation.This week we will break down all of the ways you can maximize your tax refund in light of the many tax cuts in place for 2025, including the return of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction.

Studies show that the earlier you introduce a young adult to investing, the wealthier they become. This week, we break down the basic building blocks of investments — Money, Opportunity and Time. We also give kids, parents and rich aunties alike the tools for getting started with an investment account.

The year 2026 is kicking with both feet. In just a few short weeks, the US has captured the President of Venezuela, has threatened to defund sanctuary cities and is making plans towards “acquiring” Greenland. With so much change happening so quickly, what moves should you be making in your portfolio and financial life?

In physics, a single domino can knock over another domino that is 50% larger. If lined up properly, your single initial action could eventually knock over a piece the size of the Eiffel Tower. Instead of coming up with a laundry list of goals for 2026, what if you focused on one big thing that would have a monumental impact on your financial life? We will offer a few examples and stories as inspiration, but ultimately, your choice of domino is completely up to you.

As we wrap up another year, we start the show highlighting some of our major moments from 2025. But more importantly, we play a game to figure out whose Black Card will be revoked for Christmas – Andrea’s or Allan’s? Join us as we cut up with our special guest Baron Hilliard of Momentum Advisors.

Mortgage rates are finally becoming affordable again and there a range of options for existing homeowners and potential buyers. This week, we are joined by mortgage expert Makeda Fryson of Greenway Mortgage, who leads us through strategies for every borrower.

We recently met with a client family who was surprised to learn that they had become millionaires. Their ascension was not based on some singular great investment, but a series of tiny habits like avoiding credit spending, maxing out their 401ks every year, and not taking loans or withdrawals. The book Atomic Habits™ is about getting 1% better each day and creating small habits that lead to great results. This week’s show breaks down some key learnings from the book and applies them to building wealth.

Nearly 80% of Gen Z trusts the financial advice they receive on social media platforms like TikTok. While there are some good accounts to follow, some of the worst advice seems to get the most likes! This week, we will walk through some of the most egregious examples of bad advice we’ve seen online and outline a framework for separating the sage advice from the scams.

In a follow-up to last week's conversation with Repa Mekha, we are discussing the strategies Nexus Community Partners is using to uplift the Black community, including distributing $50 million in grants directly to Black families. 

We come to you today from “The Collective Sum,” a gathering of Black community leaders in Minneapolis. Join us in a conversation about community building through investing in “the Four ‘Ships” — Leadership, Authorship, Stewardship and Ownership. Introducing Nexus Community Partners, a leading community building intermediary that is building engaged and powerful communities of color: www.nexuscp.org (https://nexuscp.org/about-nexus-community-partners/)

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York CIty’s mayor was controversial for some because he is a self-proclaimed “Democratic Socialist.” His policy ideas include things like free childcare and government-owned grocery stores — all to benefit the people. While Republicans are pointing fingers and name-calling, they are also moving the government in an equally contentious direction - towards “State Capitalism.” The federal government is quietly making equity investments in public corporations — in the name of national security but ultimately for profit. This week, we are highlighting the sea change happening in American politics, and giving you practical advice for putting you in a position to win, regardless of which direction the wind blows.

Credit cards are a game of Pimp or Be Pimped, and the credit card companies are winning. Americans are sitting on a record $1.2 trillion of credit card debt, with an average interest rate of 22.8%! This episode exposes credit card traps and gives advice on how to turn your credit cards into treasure by taking advantage of rewards programs and cash back offers. We also walk through a framework for picking the right credit card.

This year's financial markets have been a roller coaster, delivering strong—yet volatile—returns. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell describes the current labor market as "low hiring and low firing," where job openings have dried up but mass layoffs haven't materialized. With a new wave of stimulus hitting the economy (tax cuts and lower interest rates), we break down our views on what happens next for investors. Unrelated, and just for fun, we also have a little fun describing the perfect PBNJ sandwich!

Are you a high-income earner who still struggles with money? You might be spending like a drug dealer—making it fast, and burning through it even faster.This episode reveals the shocking truth that high-income earners often make worse financial decisions than low-income earners. It all started when a new client was chastised by her friends for her low savings, despite her huge salary.We dive into the irrational mental traps that cause lifestyle creep and overspending, including a quiz that proves how your brain tricks you. More importantly, we break down rules of thumb for managing your spending so that you can learn from those who do more with less.

Stock options aren't just for Wall Street pros anymore. Last week's record trading volume proves everyday investors are diving in - but do they really know what they are doing? Whether your goal is to trade options for speculation or to hedge a stock investment, we will educate you on these complex strategies with some simple analogies and memorable stories.

The government has shutdown every 2-3 years on average over the past 50 years. However, many people are worried that it feels different this time. While we may not be in a recession, we are experiencing a “growth scare” - a rise in economic anxiety. Join us this week as we break down strategies for surviving this crucial moment.

The retirement account that has been around for nearly 50 years hasn’t changed much… until now. Starting next year, everything is different. We’re diving into the major new investment options—private equity, hedge funds, and crypto—that could redefine your portfolio. We also cover major changes to "catch-up" contributions for high-income earners over 50. Tune in this week for the breakdown you need to maximize your retirement savings under the new rules.

Did you know your ability to negotiate directly impacts your ability to create wealth? This week, we are helping you to stop leaving money on the table. We sit down with attorney and author Damali Peterman, who literally wrote the book on the subject. She'll reveal the key principles you need to persuade people and get what you want, whether it’s a higher salary, a better home price, or a more beneficial business deal. Tune in to learn the secrets that will turn you into a master negotiator.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a crucial part of our daily lives. With economists estimating that this technology could add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, a key question remains: are you positioned to profit from this growth?This week we are breaking down all the ways you can invest in AI, from individual stocks to specialized funds, ensuring you don't miss out on this generational opportunity.Sent from my iPhone

Normally we start our shows with small talk and social commentary, and then we move into our financial topic for the day. This week was so heavy, though, with all the difficult events happening across the country — an assassination, a school shooting and death threats targeting Black college students. So, that's all we're talking about in this episode. We hope to be back to our usual format next week.

Looking for a way out of the current political climate? You're not alone. Over 5.5 million Americans have already moved abroad.In this episode, we'll tell you where people are going and what's motivating them to leave. We'll also cover the crucial steps to take before you go, including the surprising tax implications of becoming an expat. Plus, we'll share our own recent observations from a trip to London.

This week, we're talking with Lulete Mola, executive director of the Minnesota Black Collective Foundation. As one of the few social justice organizations with an endowment, they're leading the way in funding Black-led nonprofits. Join us as we dive into their work and explore the critical role of strategic planning in philanthropy.

August marks Black Philanthropy Month, a vital initiative launched in 2011 to champion funding equity and uplift philanthropic efforts within communities of African descent. This focus is more critical than ever, as the percentage of funding directed towards Black charities has decreased by over 30% since the surge in giving that followed George Floyd's death.In Part One of this two-part series, we'll dive into the fundamentals of philanthropy from the perspective of non-profit leaders. We'll explore the "5 T's of philanthropy" and discuss effective funding strategies designed to build a sustainable organization. You'll also get an introduction to the Minnesota Black Collective Foundation.

Our employer retirement plans, collectively holding over $12 trillion, are often our largest assets. For years, the conventional wisdom has been to roll these funds into IRAs when changing jobs. However, a troubling trend is emerging: one-third of workers are cashing out their plans when they leave a job, wiping out their savings. We're also seeing a record number of people taking hardship distributions from their 401(k)s, and even social media influencers are encouraging people to cash out their retirement funds entirely.This week, we're diving deep into this alarming trend of mismanaging retirement savings. We'll explore the reasons behind these decisions and, more importantly, provide practical advice on how to get your retirement planning back on track.

Medicaid, the government health insurance program for individuals with limited income and assets, often becomes a crucial consideration for families aiming to protect their savings and preserve inheritances when anticipating significant healthcare costs. The program has always been complex and now it’s getting trickier in the face of steep budget cuts by the Trump administration. This week, we explore strategies families use to qualify for coverage, including the controversial tactic known as "Medicaid divorce." Join us to understand this emergency lifeline and its implications for your family's financial future.

The tax changes we previewed a few weeks ago are now law. Trump’s OBBBA (we are affectionately calling it the “One Blankity Blank Bill Act”) is set to impact everyone in different ways — delivering big savings for some high income earners, and taking away financial safety nets for others. Join us this week as we dissect the tax changes and show you how they'll directly affect your pockets. We will also address the elephant in the room…while everyone's focused on lower tax bills, multiple economists project a $3 to $5 trillion surge in our federal budget deficit over the next ten years.

A record three million young adults are heading off to college this fall, and for many parents, this milestone brings a powerful mix of emotions: immense pride, underlying fear, and a touch of heartbreak. But beyond the emotional rollercoaster, there's a sudden, stark reality – your 18-year-old is now legally an adult. This means no more automatic access to their grades or healthcare decisions.Join us as we tackle this significant transition with the help of 3 special guests - the Momentum Advisors' summer interns. We'll explore the landscape of sending your child to college and, importantly, guide you through the legal preparations. We'll also introduce you to the MamaBear website, a valuable resource for preparing the necessary legal documents to help you navigate this new chapter.

Homeowners have access to a record-breaking $35 trillion in home equity. With interest rates uncomfortably high, tapping into that wealth has become complicated. Traditional options like HELOCs and second mortgages are expensive, and new companies are pushing "Home Equity Investments" (HEIs)—deals that often seem too good to be true.On this episode, we break down all your options for accessing your home equity, from understanding the risks of HEIs to exploring the pros and cons of reverse mortgages, HELOCs, and traditional second mortgages. Learn how to unlock your home's cash without risking your financial future.