Today we go down the AI rabbit hole. We also discuss the highlights of the new legislative package dubbed the “big beautiful bill,” which includes tax changes like extending 2017 tax cuts, increasing standard deductions, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and adding a car loan interest deduction. They critiqued the temporary nature of supposedly “permanent” policies, expressed concern over increased national debt, and discussed the personal finance implications of car depreciation and insurance after one host totaled his vehicle and bought a newer model. We also talk about the potential of lower interest rates. Today we discuss...
- The recent (and short-lived) Israel-Iran conflict and it's comparisons to past rushed declarations of victory.
- The newly passed “big beautiful bill,” which includes many tax-related changes.
- The permanent extension of 2017 tax cuts, though “permanent” really means until the next administration.
- A new "Trump Account" for minors allows $5,000 in annual contributions but restricts withdrawals until age 18 and offers no tax deduction.
- Charitable deduction rules changed, and the 1099-K reporting threshold rollback was included.
- Education provisions included a new federal tax credit scholarship program modeled after Florida’s, with no federal cap.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) remains but with potential restrictions looming.
- Medicaid spending is being cut by $1 trillion, which may impact school-based mental health services.
- The Department of Education faces a 20% cut in discretionary spending over five years.
- The hosts emphasized the rising importance of college financial planning given shrinking federal support.
- Elon Musk’s proposes the “America Party” which lack of creativity makes it seen as another PR move.
- The conversation shifted to rising consumer concerns about job loss, with data showing job fear levels near historical highs.
- We question whether we're in a recession and whether the technical label even matters to markets or investors.
- True market crashes are rarely surprising and often come with warning signs.
- Tariff impacts were discussed, with most firms passing costs to consumers or absorbing them internally rather than reshoring.
- Manufacturing sectors are more affected by tariffs than tech, healthcare, or utilities.
- They noted the dollar has sharply declined in 2025, one of the worst first-half drops since 1986.
- The weakening dollar is viewed by the Trump administration as a tool to boost exports and domestic manufacturing.
"Cash is not trash... Cash is King" - Kirk Chisholm
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Today's Guest: Kirk Chisholm
Kirk Chisholm is a Wealth Manager and Principal at Innovative Advisory Group, an independent Registered Investment Advisor located in Lexington, MA. He has been providing wealth management services to individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, and their families since 1999. He is an outside the box thinker, risk manager, inflation expert, blogger, podcaster, and all-around interesting guy. Kirk is dedicated to developing lasting relationships with all of his clients and their families. One of the benefits of working with Kirk is his patience, empathy, and his ability to provide clear and easy-to-understand explanations to complex financial topics.
Kirk developed a unique philosophy for the wealth management industry called Risk Management First. The medical field has a similar way of thinking of “first do no harm”. This philosophy focuses on risk management for clients in all aspects of their lives in ways the industry does not address. Risk management does not stop with investments. It also requires working closely with other professionals to address areas of their financial lives not currently being met.
In 2008, Kirk co-founded Innovative Advisory Group to address the needs not being addressed by the wealth management industry. It started with specializing in alternative assets held in retirement accounts (i.e. self directed IRAs/401ks). Then the company expanded into the specialization of college funding (i.e. planning, strategy, and paying the least possible for a high quality education), Risk Management First, exit planning for business owners, advanced planning (estate, tax, etc), and providing practice management and leadership training to other financial advisors, accountants and attorneys.
Kirk's Online Presence:
Today's Panelists
- Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
- Douglas Heagren | Mergent College Advisors







