Think you know inflation? Think again. In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, we unwrap the quirks behind the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), and why this month’s numbers are stranger than your uncle’s Christmas sweater. From skipped reports and zeroed-out housing data to the baffling concept of “owner’s equivalent rent,” we dig into what these metrics really mean and why averages can be as misleading as having one foot in boiling water and the other in dry ice.

We explore why the latest CPI release might be more fiction than fact, how housing dominates inflation calculations even though mortgages do not count, and why seasonal price swings make your winter coat look like an economic anomaly. You will learn the sticky truth about rent and why it rarely goes down, plus what past shocks from bird flu to the Ukraine war teach us about price trends.

If you have ever wondered why economists argue over letters like CPI and PCE, or why your grocery bill feels like the real inflation gauge, this episode is your ticket to nerd out before the holiday dinner table debate. Spoiler: You will leave with insights that might just put everyone to sleep faster than eggnog.

This episode was recorded on December 19th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week's market update as seen by The Personal Wealth Coach. Listen in to hear how our preferred market indicators reacted this week, followed by treasury yields and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil.

This episode was recorded on December 19th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week on The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake unpacks a rare moment of drama at the Federal Reserve—the first split vote in years. Why did some members push for a bigger rate cut while others wanted no change at all? And why did rates drop even though inflation is still above target? We’ll dig into the politics creeping into monetary policy, the surprising role of AI in skewing job numbers, and what these shifts mean for the economy. If you’ve ever wondered why economists fear deflation more than inflation or why the Fed’s two mandates don’t include “making the economy grow,” this episode connects the dots in a way that’s both insightful and entertaining.

But that’s just the beginning. Jake takes us on a fascinating journey through demographics, exploring America’s baby shortage and its ripple effects on labor markets, real estate, and global influence. From historical parallels with Viking-era Scandinavia to modern examples like Japan and Germany, you’ll learn why shrinking populations aren’t always bad news and why they might even make individuals wealthier. Along the way, we’ll tackle questions about per capita GDP, policy experiments to boost birth rates, and what a declining population means for housing prices and urban infrastructure. If you like economics served with humor, history, and big-picture thinking, this episode is a must-listen.

This episode was recorded on December 12th, 2025.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.