Payne Points of Wealth

The “Ozempic Portfolio”: Leverage & FOMO! | Ep#227

Markets are printing fresh highs, yet some investors are getting crushed—how does that happen? In this roundtable, Ryan Payne, Bob Payne, Courtney Garcia, and Frankie Lagrotteria break down a real case of a couple in their late 50s whose “do‑anything‑to-go-faster” portfolio relied on leverage and crowd‑favorite names…right as they approach full retirement. We dissect why speculation masquerading as strategy can implode even in up markets, why “know what you own and why you own it” matters more than ever, and how to rebuild a plan centered on durable income and disciplined risk management.

You’ll hear why the “Ozempic portfolio” analogy fits—everyone wants the quick fix—but lasting wealth still requires basics: diversified exposure, sensible cash flow, and rules that keep emotions out of the driver’s seat. We also cover today’s opportunities to generate income (value, small caps, international, REITs, and bonds at still‑elevated yields), our 5% rebalance discipline, and the investor psychology traps that move the goalposts until a margin call makes the decision for you. As Bob puts it: time passes, markets operate—embrace that principle, and you’ll stop chasing the cool kids and start compounding with the rich ones.

What we cover:

• Why leverage is a “rocket booster” on both gains and losses—and how portfolios can sink while indexes rise
• The danger of fashion FOMO: copying friends, gym talk, or headlines instead of a plan
• Income blindness: several million invested but only ~$4K/year in cash flow—why that’s a retirement red flag
• Today’s income playbook: value, small caps, international, REITs, and bonds (with yields still attractive)
• Discipline over drama: our 5% rebalance trigger and rules that keep feelings from running your money
• Investor psychology: goalpost‑moving, “being right twice” in speculation, and volatility as the fee for long‑term returns
• Practical steps to audit and de‑risk before retirement

Key takeaways:

• Know what you own and why. Double‑levered bets can fall even when the market is up—understand the mechanics before you buy.
• Build real cash flow. Retirement works best when your portfolio pays you, so diversify toward durable income sources.
• Write your rules. Pre‑commit to rebalance triggers, position limits, and exit criteria to avoid emotional decisions.
• Approximately right beats precisely wrong. You don’t need to predict the next macro move; you need a plan you can stick to.

Calls to action:

• If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement, run a leverage and income audit on your portfolio.
• Want help building a rules‑based, income‑focused plan? Schedule a consult with the Payne Capital team and let’s put discipline to work: paynecm.com/financialplan/

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From Yale Law to Barbershop Tech | Ep. 226

In this episode of Payne Points of Wealth, we sit down with Songe LaRon, a dynamic New York City tech entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of SQUIRE Technologies—the world’s leading all-in-one barbershop business management system. Songe shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Manhattan with artist parents, to earning a J.D. from Yale, practicing law at a top firm, and ultimately making the leap from a more certain future in corporate America to launch a tech company that’s transforming an entire industry.

 

We explore how his upbringing shaped his relationship with money, the entrepreneurial spark that led to founding SQUIRE in 2015, and the challenges of breaking into tech without a technical background. Songe reveals how he and his team scaled SQUIRE to serve over 32,000 professionals across three continents, raised nearly $150M in funding, and built a culture of innovation that now integrates AI to revolutionize barbershop operations.

 

This episode is packed with insights on funding a startup, lessons from running an actual barbershop, personal wealth philosophies, and the mindset required to turn an idea into an industry leader. Plus, Songe shares his thoughts on the future of AI in business and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship.

The Investing Dilemma: Why Chasing AI Could Derail Your Wealth

Is the AI Bubble Finally Here??? The Roundtable We Needed

In episode 225 of the Payne Points of Wealth, Ryan, Bob, and Chris tackle one of the most fundamental—and often overlooked—principles of investing: diversification. Why do so many investors ignore this simple rule and chase the hottest trends like AI stocks? We break down the psychology behind FOMO, the dangers of over-concentration, and why rebalancing your portfolio is one of the hardest—but most important—moves you can make.

You’ll hear real-world examples, including a financial autopsy of a couple in early retirement who were unknowingly taking on massive risk. Plus, we share why protecting what you’ve built matters more than chasing the next big thing and how being “approximately correct” beats being “precisely wrong” every time.

If you want to avoid costly mistakes and build true financial independence, this episode is a must-listen!

How a 25-Year-Old Immigrant’s Startup is Changing U.S. Immigration

In this week’s episode, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney sit down with Mihailo Bozic, a dynamic 25-year-old entrepreneur whose journey from Australia to New York City embodies the classic immigrant founder story. With Serbian roots and a background in Finance and Economics from the University of Western Australia, Mihailo has already launched two impactful startups tackling real-world problems.

From his first venture Envited, a social media app revolutionizing student event planning, to his current company Migrate Mate, a job board helping immigrants find visa-sponsored roles in the U.S., Mihailo shares how he bootstrapped his way to $500K ARR in just three months and built a community of over 16,000 job seekers.

We dive into:

• The challenges of startup funding and scaling
• How viral LinkedIn marketing helped Migrate Mate explode
• Building a 15M+ follower base from a meme page
• Lessons from pitching to VCs as an immigrant founder

Given the uncertainty surrounding today’s labor market, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, evolving U.S. immigration policies, and the shifting landscape of American entrepreneurship, this episode offers timely and thought-provoking insights into the state of the modern U.S. economy.

Whether you’re an investor, an aspiring entrepreneur, an immigrant chasing opportunity, or simply someone who loves a good hustle story—this conversation is packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and real-world perspective.

Is the AI Bubble Finally Here??? The Roundtable We Needed

All right, all right, all right—this week, it’s just the Payne Capital crew, no guests, no filters, just real talk. After a string of great interviews, we’re bringing it back to the roundtable to tackle the question everyone’s asking: Are we in an artificial intelligence bubble?

Bob dives into market history and draws parallels to the tech boom of the '90s. Courtney shares what Wall Street strategists are saying and why the AI narrative is dominating every segment. Chris gives us the pulse from clients—some are all-in on AI, others are bracing for a crash. Ryan calls out the all-or-nothing mindset and why predicting the top is a fool’s game.

We also dissect a real financial plan in our Financial Autopsy segment, helping a couple in their late 60s shift from aggressive growth to income-focused investing—without triggering massive tax bills. From margin debt mania to gold’s surprise rally, from diversification myths to emotional investing traps, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and actionable advice.

 

Tune in to hear:

 

✅ Are we in 1995 or 1999? Bob reads the market tea leaves.

✅ Why diversification still matters—even if AI is hot.

✅ How to avoid living by the sword and dying by the sword in your portfolio.

✅ The emotional toll of bear markets and how to prepare before they hit.

✅ A real-life case study on reducing risk, increasing income, and optimizing for taxes.

Don’t miss this one—because when the tide goes out, you’ll want to be wearing the right financial swimwear.

 

The Human Edge in a Tech-Driven Economy

In this week’s episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, and Chris sit down with Sara Uy, the dynamic 28-year-old founder of SellingSara, a New York-based sales training program. Together, they unpack the shifting landscape of the job market, the rise of AI in hiring, and why soft skills and emotional intelligence are more valuable than ever. Sara shares her firsthand insights into Gen Z’s job search struggles, the disconnect between employer expectations and hiring realities, and why Artificial Intelligence still can’t replace human intelligence—especially in sales. From cold calling in the age of call screening to what makes a top-performing salesperson, this episode delivers sharp insights, humor, and a front-line perspective on how AI is reshaping today’s labor market—and why human skills still matter more than ever.

From Texas Oil Fields to Critical Minerals – The Wild Ride of Gary Evans

In this electrifying episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, and Chris sit down with Gary C. Evans, a serial entrepreneur and the current Chairman & CEO of United States Antimony Corporation (USAC). Gary shares his rollercoaster journey from the high-stakes world of Texas oil to leading one of America’s most strategically vital mineral companies.

We dive into:

1. His early days as a bold Texas oilman and the lessons running 8 public companies.
2. The recent meteoric rise of USAC stock, fueled by:

• A $25 million capital raise
• A $245 million U.S. government contract for antimony supply
• The potential to become one of the largest antimony producers outside China
• A massive 400% expansion of their Montana smelter

Gary’s story is one of grit, vision, and relentless innovation. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just love an exciting American business success story, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

🔊 Tune in now to hear how Gary is reshaping America’s critical mineral supply chain—and why Wall Street is paying close attention.

The Fed, Tariffs & Trump — A Financial Balancing Act with Tiana Lowe-Doescher

This week on the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney are joined by Washington Examiner columnist and sharp political commentator Tiana Lowe-Doescher for a deep dive into the complex intersection of politics and financial markets.

We explore the Trump administration’s push to lower interest rates — and why the Federal Reserve no longer dictates long-term yields like mortgage rates. Instead, it’s the bond market calling the shots, driven by the sheer scale of our national debt. With 31% of the $29.7 trillion in marketable debt maturing within the next year, every 1% rise in interest rates could cost taxpayers nearly $100 billion — roughly the annual budget of the entire Department of Homeland Security. So, who really holds the reins on our national debt? Investor confidence has been shaken by the Trump administration’s attempts to remove Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Meanwhile, we are headed to unknown territory as the government attempts to manage the US’s $2 trillion annual deficit.

We also break down how markets are responding to the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff strategy. Despite implementing the steepest tariff regime in nearly a century, President Trump has defied economists’ dire expectations — inflation hasn’t surged, and economic growth remains resilient. Why? In part, thanks to tens of billions in savings from sweeping deregulation.

Tiana helps us unpack the nuanced market reactions: investors are increasingly distinguishing between tariffs used to offset new debt issuance — which markets favor — and those aimed at shrinking trade deficits, which can disrupt the current account surplus and push Treasury yields higher. It’s never easy!

It’s a timely, thought-provoking conversation on monetary policy, fiscal discipline, and the political forces shaping America’s economic future. Don’t miss it.

Is The Labor Market Really Softening? Plus, Should You Trust Private Investments with Your Retirement?

This week on Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney dive into the evolving dynamics of the U.S. labor market. Despite predictions of a slowdown, companies are hesitant to lay off workers—even as hiring remains sluggish. Is this a sign of economic weakness, or are deeper demographic shifts like an aging population and reduced immigration reshaping the workforce?

 

We also unpack Wall Street’s push to make alternative investments more accessible to everyday investors—a movement often branded as “democratization.” While financial firms tout the benefits of private equity and other alternatives, few are talking about the risks. In fact, as retail investors are being encouraged to buy in, institutional giants are quietly heading for the exits. Yale’s $41.4 billion endowment is unwinding nearly $3 billion in alternative holdings.

 

Meanwhile, private credit—a market that barely existed a decade ago—is surging toward $2 trillion. Firms like Apollo and Blackstone are now lending directly to businesses, consumers, and real estate investors, giving regular investors unprecedented access. But is this truly a golden opportunity, or a hidden risk to your retirement? We break down the opaque, illiquid nature of these investments and what they could mean for your long-term financial future.

 

Tune in for our take on what’s really happening in the job market and whether Wall Street’s latest pitch is worth your hard-earned dollars.

Rate Cuts, Record Highs & Hidden Bull Markets | Ep. 218

In this week’s episode, Bob, Ryan & Chris dive into the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate cut. Was it a necessary move to support a slowing economy—or is Jerome Powell just spiking the punch bowl? With all major U.S. stock markets sitting at all-time highs, the trio debates whether investors are too focused on the “AI trade,” pouring into names like Nvidia, Tesla, Palantir, and meme stock Opendoor, while overlooking new bull markets hiding in plain sight.

Meanwhile, money market fund assets have ballooned to $7.28 trillion, but yields are falling fast as inflation ticks up. That means real returns on short-term instruments are collapsing—so where will all that cash go next?

As economic growth picks up, the dollar weakens, and short-term rates fall, Bob, Ryan & Chris break down the smartest strategies to grow and protect your wealth. Whether you're planning for retirement or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the shifting financial landscape.