15 Minutes of Finance
15 Minutes of Finance is your quick, no-fluff take on the markets, money, and making smarter financial decisions. Hosted by James Walters and Brandon West co-owners of West & Walters Tax and Wealth Management presented by 77 Financial Group, episodes consist of breaking down what is happening in the economy, highlights market movers, and gives you practical insight you can actually use. From tax strategies to stock trends, from big-picture investing to everyday money hacks, you will get clear, honest, and actionable financial talk in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee!
Episodes
In this episode, James and Brandon break down a real client’s insurance policy and reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly. They explain how this policy was sold as an “investment,” why that pitch is misleading, and what it actually means for the client’s long-term finances. You’ll learn how to spot common red flags, understand what makes good insurance versus bad insurance, and why insurance sold as an investment is rarely a win fo...
In this episode, Brandon explains The One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for taxpayers in 2025 and beyond. This is Part 2 of a two part series where he walks through the most important tax changes, how they could affect your filing strategy, and what opportunities may exist for smarter tax planning. Whether you file on your own or work with a professional, this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance breaks down complex updates in s...
In this episode, Brandon explains The One Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for taxpayers in 2025 and beyond. This is Part 1 of a two part series where he walks through the most important tax changes, how they could affect your filing strategy, and what opportunities may exist for smarter tax planning. Whether you file on your own or work with a professional, this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance breaks down complex updates in s...
James breaks down the biggest events moving the markets this week, including major company earnings reports and key economic data like the CPI. Learn how inflation trends and corporate results are shaping investor sentiment and what it could mean for the weeks ahead.
In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, James shares real life client situations and talks about the latest market news, highlighting why timing the market is one of the hardest challenges investors face. He explains how emotions, fear of missing out, and the temptation to wait for the right time can derail long term success. James also shares why staying invested, even during volatility, often leads to better results and why wai...
In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, host James Walters breaks down the three biggest differences between today’s AI boom and the dot-com crash of 2000. From Pets.com to ChatGPT, we explore how technology cycles evolve, why AI is fundamentally different, and what investors can learn from the last major tech mania.You’ll learn:-Why today’s AI leaders like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Google are profitable powerhouses instead of hype ...
In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, Brandon West interviews Shellee Howard, the CEO and founder of College Ready. They discuss the importance of early preparation for college, the competitive nature of college admissions, and the common mistakes parents and students make during the process. Shellee emphasizes the need for students to market themselves effectively and the importance of understanding financial implications when...
In today’s episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down the latest market news and what investors should really watch for beneath the headlines. We dive into the forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, Explaining how current P/E is used to value stocks and why it can sometimes paint a misleading picture. James also tackles common misconceptions about valuation, including why a “high” P/E doesn’t always mean a stock is overvalued....
James breaks down what it really means to buy the dip when markets pull back and why staying invested matters more than timing every move. He explains the only four ways to build lasting wealth and why sitting on the sidelines is often the same as losing. This episode also covers today’s biggest market movers, key financial headlines, and what they mean for long-term investors. Whether you’re new to investing or refining your strat...
Everyone’s worried about the AI bubble, but they’re missing the real balloon quietly inflating behind the scenes; private equity. Trillions in dry powder(cash on hand), overleveraged buyouts, and inflated valuations have turned the private markets into a ticking time bomb. While retail investors chase the next AI stock, institutional portfolios haven’t been marked to reality in years. High interest rates are squeezing valuations, f...
James breaks down how investors can profit from the explosive growth of artificial intelligence without having to chase the biggest AI names. He explains the full AI ecosystem and how investing from the bottom of the funnel to the top can reduce risk, limit volatility, and remove the guesswork of trying to pick the ultimate AI winners. In this episode, you’ll learn how supporting companies that power or benefit from AI behind the s...
Join us for this week’s Market News Monday! We’re breaking down the latest moves in the stock market, economic updates investors need to know, and one sleeping giant you probably haven’t heard enough about; Hippo Holdings (HIPO). Hippo is transforming the insurance technology space, and we’ll explain why this company could be one of the most undervalued growth stories in today’s market. From financial performance and analyst sentim...
In this episode, James helps viewers sift through the FUD created by clickbait titles and articles. He dives deep into leading economic indicators, particularly the PMI (Purchasing Managers Index), and explains how this often overlooked tool can help investors improve their analysis and sleep better at night.
James covers current events and news and breaks down the entire supply chain of chips and AI and how investors can make money on any point in the cycle.
In today’s episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we cover the latest JOLTS data and what it signals about the strength of the labor market, the history and impact of government shutdowns on the economy, and the ongoing debate around artificial intelligence, highlighting why experts argue AI is still in an exponential growth phase and not a bubble.
James covers market news and updates this week and discusses Intels rising path. He also dives deep into how professional money managers take profits for their clients and when YOU should take profits.
James takes viewers behind the curtain of the insurance profit machine. Discusses a very public fight on linked in and shows investors how they can avoid the insurance Ponzi Scheme.
James breaks down market news and the FUD regarding the “AI bubble”. He breaks down the concept of market bubbles and what they really mean in the latest episode of 15 minutes of finance
Today James breaks down our current economy and the advantages of moving from a consumption economy to a production economy. He also explains the industries set to benefit the most from this change!
James dives into the last 10 of 12 recessions and what they’ve had in common with rate drops. He also looks in the mirror for each of his stock picks from 2025.
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