More for Your Money

Join John Berkley for a deep dive into Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) and its economic consequences. This episode explores the mechanics of inflation, deflation, and stagflation, alongside the history of the Federal Reserve. John discusses the risks of rising debt and the shift toward socialism, drawing on historical examples to highlight why disciplined investing and free-market principles are esse...

Join John Berkley of Uncommon Cents Investing for an insightful look at the fundamental principles of wealth accumulation. This episode explores the "enormous power" of compounding capital, illustrating how starting just ten years earlier can significantly impact your retirement savings. John discusses the real opportunity costs of college, the law of diminishing returns on consumption, and practi...

John Berkley welcomes Patrick Smith of Visiting Angels to discuss navigating the "next stage of life." They explore the nuances of veteran benefits, specifically the Aid and Attendance pension and VA health care for home care. The conversation moves into financial strategy, addressing how to manage significant windfalls—like tournament winnings—through tax-reduction techniques and maximizing retir...

John Berkley and the investment committee analyze a significant market rotation where small-cap stocks are outperforming mega-cap growth. The team explores "structural inflation" as a permanent government tool and discusses how AI-driven productivity gains might shift the labor market toward skilled trades. A major focus is the historic SpaceX IPO, highlighting the triumph of free enterprise over...

John Berkley analyzes a volatile week for Wall Street before exploring the financial wisdom of Charlie Munger and Jeff Bezos. The discussion delves into the power of compound interest, the pitfalls of envy, and U.S. tax subsidies. Berkley also provides a masterclass on the four stages of the business cycle: prosperity, recession, depression, and recovery. Featuring a moving D-Day tribute, this epi...

John Berkley and the investment committee explore the perplexing 2026 market surge. Despite warning signals from metrics like the Buffett indicator and Shiller CAPE, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ continue to hit record highs. The team analyzes economic risks, including massive federal spending gaps and potential stagflation. A highlight includes a deep dive into Jeff Bezos’s perspective on free enter...

John Berkley highlights the value of independent, local fiduciary advice. He explores market history, warning that rising national debt could marginalize future living standards, similar to the economic declines seen in Great Britain and Peru. Berkley provides essential guidance for younger investors, championing long-term equity strategies and the discipline to ignore emotional market fluctuation...

John Berkley and the investment committee navigate the "uncharted waters" of rising interest rates and structural inflation. They analyze the surge in treasury yields and the consequences of global deficit spending, framing inflation as a deliberate government policy. The team differentiates between secular and cyclical markets, advocating for a conservative, value-driven strategy using low-beta s...

In this episode of "More for Your Money," host John Berkley and financial advisor Krista Berkley explore the KISS philosophy: Keep It Simple Stupid. They emphasize returning to investment fundamentals to reduce financial stress and avoid the pitfalls of complex jargon. The duo cautions against trendy "get-rich-quick" schemes like crypto and gold, favoring proven long-term strategies instead. By di...

John Berkley explores how financial advisors act as "idea factories" to guide clients through life's transitions. This episode breaks down entrepreneurial essentials, from choosing business structures like LLCs to leveraging tax incentives like the "20% kiss." Berkley also champions self-education and "street smarts" over formal degrees, illustrating how the time value of money and a firm grasp of...

This episode explores the power of starting a business between ages 18 and 21 to exploit "risk insulation" and questions the ROI of traditional college degrees. The hosts provide strategic retirement advice, critiquing the 4% rule while advocating for delaying Social Security until age 70. Learn about tax-efficient investing with individual stocks and gain inspiration from Warren Buffett’s ten lif...

The Uncommon Cents Investing investment committee explores an "uncommon cents" approach to navigating extreme market volatility. The team analyzes recent surges in major indexes, cautioning against emotional, short-term reactions to geopolitical hype. Drawing on wisdom from legendary investors like Jim Rogers and Warren Buffett, the hosts emphasize the power of independent research and disciplined...

John Berkley examines the growing economic divide between the prosperous "Me Generation" and today’s younger workforce. Through an insightful look at rising national debt and global competition, Berkley challenges traditional financial paths. He advocates for specialized skill development and self-education over costly degrees, while exploring the philosophical sacrifices required for wealth accum...

John Berkley analyzes five key factors shaping the U.S. economy: oil prices, private credit, the AI boom, consumer spending, and the national debt. He explains the shift from traditional IPOs to the "good old boy club" of private equity and shadow banking, using SpaceX as a prime example. Berkley also breaks down fiscal and monetary policy, cautioning against unsustainable debt.

John Berkley and the investment committee dive into current market volatility, analyzing whether we are facing a correction or a bear market. They explore the "Fed Trap," where massive debt forces a difficult choice between recession and inflation. The team shares their "Uncommon Cents" strategy, explaining why value investors view market pullbacks as opportunities to buy quality assets at a disco...

John Berkley explores an "uncommon cents" approach to wealth management, emphasizing that insurance is a protection product, not an investment. He details strategies for self-insuring as net worth grows and explains the optimal timing for Roth conversions during market dips. Drawing on wisdom from Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett, Berkley highlights the importance of emotional stability and learn...

John Berkley concludes "the rest of the story" regarding his transition from General Motors to founding Uncommon Cents Investing. He analyzes recent market performance, describing current index declines as a "normal pullback." Berkley explores entrepreneurship, emphasizing that success requires a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for one’s endeavor. By sharing his experience finding a "niche...

John Berkley and the Uncommon Cents Investing team analyze recent market volatility as all four major indexes see weekly declines. They explore rising oil prices and interest rates while discussing the performance gap between value and growth stocks. The hosts explain key metrics like price-to-earnings ratios and the importance of a disciplined, long-term strategy. By focusing on buying quality st...

Join John Berkley as he explains the mechanics of individual stock selection and personalized portfolio management. This episode explores ten vital lessons from economist Jim Grant, highlighting the cyclical nature of markets and human behavior. John discusses Jeremy Siegel’s research on long-term stock returns and emphasizes the "time value of money" for young investors. Learn how an independent,...

John Berkley shares his personal journey into entrepreneurship, emphasizing that a burning passion is vital to survive the challenges of building a business. After a brief market report, John challenges traditional education and recounts the formative experience of losing his life savings in a bad college investment. He highlights the dignity of work, drawing from his time spot welding at General...

Join host John Berkley and the Uncommon Cents Investing committee for an in-depth look at today’s shifting financial landscape. This episode explores the mechanics and risks of pre- and post-market trading, the current market rotation from "Mag 7" growth to small-cap value stocks, and how global debt trends from China and Japan may impact interest rates. The team also breaks down the Value Added T...

Join host John Berkley on More for Your Money as he examines Treasury bonds, market valuations, and the benefits of a fiduciary, independent approach to financial planning,,. This episode features in-depth profiles of two investment legends: Jesse Livermore, the pioneer of momentum investing who believed market patterns reflect unchanging human nature, and Sir John Templeton, the legendary global...

In this episode of More for Your Money, John Berkley and Kit Carson explore the "rest of the story" regarding Roth IRA conversions. Berkley outlines the "whys" of converting, such as legacy planning for adult children or protecting high-value estates, alongside "why-nots" like potential IRMAA increases or Social Security taxation. A major highlight is the new Wisconsin tax exemption, allowing resi...

The Uncommon Cents Investing Committee explores the market’s transition from tech leaders to small caps and value stocks. The team critiques the "Greenspan Put" and historical market manipulations, warning that unsustainable global debt may soon trigger significant consequences. They analyze Japan’s bond market disruptions and the potential impact on the global carry trade. A deep dive into gold h...

In this episode of More for Your Money, John Berkley and Sheena Hanson discuss the "uncommon cents" approach to retirement. They contrast the complex investment "bucket theory" with their simplified single-portfolio strategy. The hosts also critique Department of Labor fiduciary regulations, noting how administrative rules can increase consumer costs. Real-world highlights include resolving poorly...