Capitalist Investor

If your retirement plan still relies on the same stock and bond playbook, you may be taking more risk than you realize. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , we break down how gold, silver, and cryptocurrency actually fit into a modern retirement portfolio and why more investors are rethinking diversification as inflation, government debt, and global uncertainty reshape the financial landsc...

Many investors feel pressure at the start of a new year to make big portfolio changes. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Tony break down the most common investing mistakes people make early in the year and why activity is often confused with progress. They discuss why overreacting to early market moves can create unnecessary risk, how chasing last year’s winners often backfire...

Last week Tony and D kicked off a two part series on four areas your advisor should have on their radar to help maximize your growth. In part two they cover the next two and get very practical about what real planning looks like when your life changes fast. First they talk about alignment. Your portfolio should match your lifestyle, your income needs, and your real world transitions, especially if...

Have you heard the saying what got you here might not get you there. In this episode Tony and D kick off a two part series based on a white paper from Mark and break down the first two areas your advisor should have on their radar to help maximize your wealth. First they talk about the big picture. Investing matters, but taxes, estate planning, and business strategies matter too and missing them c...

In part two of this two-part series, Tony and Derek break down the remaining five retirement surprises that catch most people completely off guard. From boredom-driven overspending and down markets early in retirement to required minimum distributions, caring for aging parents, and why your money still needs to grow, this episode focuses on the real-life challenges retirees actually face. This con...

Today on The Capitalist Investor , Tony is back in the saddle as we kick off a special two-part series on the biggest surprises people face in retirement. We break down the first five unexpected challenges retirees run into, including rising taxes, health insurance gaps, sequence-of-returns risk, inflation shocks, and longevity risk. These are the issues most people never plan for, but absolutely...

Having $5 million or more saved for retirement doesn’t mean you’re financially secure. In this episode, Dave and Derek break down the hidden risks wealthy retirees face — from tax drag and Medicare surcharges to concentration risk in tech, bond exposure mistakes, and long-term-care costs. They explain why planning ahead matters more at higher net-worth levels and share practical ways to reduce por...

In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Dave break down what smart philanthropy really looks like inside a long–term wealth plan. Giving isn’t just something you do at the end of the year. When you build giving into your plan with intention, it can lower taxes, support causes you believe in, and shape the legacy you want your family to carry on. They walk through donor advised funds...

Derek and Dave take over this week and break down five retirement truths most people never hear from their advisor. They start with the difference between average returns and real returns, and why volatility matters more than the headline number on your statement. They unpack sequence-of-returns risk, explain how taxes quietly drain retirement savings, and walk through why a tax-diversified portfo...

Your brain can make or break your wealth. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Tony explore the battle between dopamine and discipline — why we chase quick wins, how emotional investing can sabotage your portfolio, and what it takes to build lasting wealth with patience and a plan. From meme stocks and NFTs to panic selling and loss aversion, they unpack the psychological traps t...

If you’re in your 50s and wondering how to retire within the next decade, this episode is for you. Tony and Derek pick up where last week’s discussion left off, revealing the final five tips to strengthen your financial plan and protect your retirement dreams. They dive deep into practical strategies—protecting against inflation, managing healthcare costs, optimizing insurance, stress-testing your...

Imagine you’re in your mid-50s — the kids are grown, the mortgage is nearly gone, and you’re wondering if retirement within the next decade is possible. Tony Zabiegala and Derek Gabrielsen from Strategic Wealth Partners break down five practical steps to prepare for retirement without panic, drastic lifestyle changes, or confusion. From tightening your budget to eliminating bad debt, maximizing ta...

This week on The Capitalist Investor , Derek Gabrielsen and Dave Abate break down why even the most disciplined do-it-yourself investors are realizing that professional financial guidance isn’t a weakness—it’s wisdom. They explore the psychological and practical pitfalls of managing money alone, from behavioral biases to tax inefficiencies. Derek and Dave discuss how proper retirement income plann...

For decades, retirement has been marketed as the finish line—a time to coast and relax. But what if that’s the wrong way to think about it? In this episode, Tony and Derek challenge the old idea of “retirement” and unpack how today’s retirees can turn uncertainty into opportunity. They discuss the fears many people face—like outliving your money, losing purpose, or feeling unsure what’s next—and s...

YouTube and Google are full of self-proclaimed “financial experts” predicting the next market crash — but should you really listen to them? In this episode, Tony Zabiegala and Derek Gabrielsen from Strategic Wealth Partners break down the YouTube investing trap and explain why fear, FOMO, and flashy predictions can lead investors astray. They cover: Why fear-driven content gets more clicks than fa...

Big changes are coming to retirement planning—and they may hit you sooner than you think. In this week’s episode of The Capitalist Investor , Tony and Derek break down new rules that eliminate a key 401(k) tax break for employees over age 50 making more than $150,000 Congress is now forcing these catch-up contributions into Roth accounts, removing the upfront tax deduction many workers rely on. Wh...

With all the market noise and new policy changes in 2025, many experts are calling this the smartest year to retire. In this week’s episode of The Capitalist Investor , Tony and Derek break down why this moment could represent the perfect storm for retirement planning. From locking in market gains after a massive run-up, to taking advantage of favorable tax brackets, to new rules for contributions...

Are you underspending in retirement? Many retirees save diligently for decades but struggle to flip the switch from saving to spending. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Tony and Derek reveal why so many people spend less than they could — and how to enjoy retirement without fear of running out of money. We’ll cover: Why retirees underspend even with strong financial plans How a Monte C...

Remember the supply chain mess of 2020 or the sudden market drop of 2022? Those so-called “black swan” events hit hard and fast — and they’re not as rare as you think. In this week’s Capitalist Investor , the team dives into how unpredictable market shocks can devastate unprepared portfolios, why retirees are especially vulnerable, and the strategies you can use to safeguard your wealth. Don’t mis...

Dividend stocks have long been considered a safe haven for investors seeking steady income. But in today’s market—where interest rates are rising and economic conditions are shifting—are dividend stocks really the reliable play they used to be? Or are they luring investors into a trap with unsustainable yields and hidden risks?  In this week’s episode of The Capitalist Investor , Tony Zabiegala an...

On this episode of The Capitalist Investor , hosts Tony Zabiegala and Derek Gabrielsen unpack the rise of thematic investing . From meme stocks and AI ETFs to clean energy and crypto, investors are piling into trendy themes hoping to “get rich now.”  But is thematic investing a smart long-term strategy — or just a dangerous distraction? Tony and Derek explore the psychology driving this movement,...

On this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Tony Zabiegala is joined by Dave Abate to tackle the dangerous “one-size-fits-all” advice that floods financial media—from TV personalities to radio shows and podcasts.  They break down three of the most common myths they hear from clients:  Annuities that promise 8–9% returns Fear-based Medicaid planning strategies that can destroy your retirement plan...

The 60/40 portfolio (60% stocks, 40% bonds) has been called everything from the cornerstone of retirement planning to a relic of the past. With the Fed signaling multiple rate cuts, could bonds finally regain their place in balanced portfolios? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, Tony Zabiegala and Derek Gabrielsen discuss the history of the 60/40 model, why bonds collapsed in 2022, and wh...

In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, we reveal three powerful investment strategies used by top-tier financial planning firms to help build diversified, long-term wealth—beyond stocks and bonds. These are not your typical 401(k) options. We break down: How private credit can deliver treasury-like risk with higher yield Why private real estate (not your average REITs) can provide steady inco...

Ohio’s move to a flat tax is making headlines, but the real story is what it means for your money. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, Mark and Tony explore how this shift could impact business owners, high-income earners, and retirees—and why it might open the door to smarter tax planning. From reducing tax drag to creating new opportunities for portfolio growth, we’ll show you how to tur...