15 Minutes of Finance

James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC® and Brandon West, CPA
  • 5.0 (11)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

15 Minutes of Finance is your quick, easy to understand take on markets, taxes, and making smarter financial decisions! The show is produced by West and Walters Tax and Wealth Management, an RIA and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West and Walters, each episode gives you clear, honest, and actionable financial talk in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee!

  1. The Rebound We All Needed: Dow Hits 50,000, Volatility Whipsaws, and a Space ETF to Watch

    FEB 7

    The Rebound We All Needed: Dow Hits 50,000, Volatility Whipsaws, and a Space ETF to Watch

    This week felt like a free fall at times, the kind of tape that makes you question everything, and then the market turned around and finished Friday on a much better note. In this episode, James breaks down what happened, why weeks like this are exactly when investor behavior matters most, and how to keep your decision making grounded when headlines and intraday swings get loud.One of the biggest takeaways is a classic reminder from legendary investor Peter Lynch: the most important organ for an investor is not your brain, it is your stomach. Anyone can find a great company on a green day. The real test is whether you can stick with your plan when markets drop fast, sentiment turns negative, and fear starts writing the narrative.James also asks a tough question: did you sell this week? If the market ended the week barely in the red, or even close to flat, but you reacted like it was the end of the world, it might be worth stepping back and reassessing your approach. Investing is not about guessing the next headline. It is about building conviction in what you own, understanding why you own it, and having a process you can follow when volatility spikes.A key lesson James reinforces is that a company’s share price does not tell you how good the company is. Price is simply what buyers and sellers agree on right now. Great businesses can have brutal weeks. Weak businesses can have strong weeks. The job is to separate business quality from market mood.We also talk about a major milestone: the Dow Jones closed above 50,000 for the first time ever, despite an extremely volatile week. That matters because the Dow is not dominated by the same high growth names as the Nasdaq. It can be a signal that money is rotating into more risk aware, steady parts of the market when investors get uneasy.Volatility is part of the story too. Since COVID, big intraday moves, even 2% swings, have become a lot less rare, and James explains why that changes how investors should think about risk, position sizing, and conviction.Then we zoom out to the fear gauge assets: gold and silver, which often get attention when investors are anxious, plus oil prices and what a healthy range can look like for the broader economy.Finally, James shares a potential opportunity in the space theme: the Procure Space ETF, ticker UFO, a basket of companies tied to the space economy. Think satellites, launch providers, and the infrastructure around space based tech. We touch on why this theme is worth watching, and how ETFs like UFO can provide exposure to names people associate with the space race, including holdings like Planet Labs, Rocket Labs, Viasat, Garmin, etc. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

    15 min
  2. 1031 Exchanges Explained: How Real Estate Investors Defer Capital Gains Taxes

    FEB 5

    1031 Exchanges Explained: How Real Estate Investors Defer Capital Gains Taxes

    Selling real estate doesn’t have to mean handing a big check to the IRS. In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down 1031 exchanges: What they are, how they work, and how real estate investors can legally defer capital gains taxes when selling investment property. We’re joined by Adam Nishikawa, a 1031 Qualified Intermediary, who walks us through: - What qualifies for a 1031 exchange - Common mistakes that disqualify exchanges - Timing rules you must follow - Who should (and should not) consider a 1031 - How a qualified intermediary fits into the process Learn more about Adam and 1031 exchanges: Website: http://www.ax1031.com Instagram: @1031withadam

    29 min
  3. Trump Makes His Pick, Earnings Reports, and Wishing Wells

    JAN 30

    Trump Makes His Pick, Earnings Reports, and Wishing Wells

    James covers market news, trumps new fed pick Kevin Warsh, and goes over earnings reports, stocks he bought, and investing habits that will make you rich or poor. All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

    15 min
  4. Why Next Week Could Set Up the Next Few Months (Earnings + Geopolitics + Gold & Silver)

    JAN 24

    Why Next Week Could Set Up the Next Few Months (Earnings + Geopolitics + Gold & Silver)

    Next week could be one of the most important market weeks we’ve seen in a while, and it may set the tone for the next few months.In this episode, James breaks down why the market reacted so sharply to Trump’s latest headlines involving Greenland, NATO, and rising geopolitical uncertainty, and why moments like this often create opportunity for long term investors. When fear spikes, prices drop, and that is usually when the best buying windows open.We also cover a major issue investors need to watch out for: insurance being sold as an “investment.” James explains why “insurance sold to you as an investment is neither good insurance nor a good investment,” why “infinite banking” is often misleading, and how products like whole life, universal life, and indexed universal life insurance can come with extremely high fees that quietly destroy long term returns.Then we shift to what could be the biggest driver of market direction: major earnings next week. With companies like Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Meta, and more reporting, we talk about what to watch for, why volatility could pick up, and how investors sitting on cash may find some real buying opportunities.Finally, James closes with an update on gold and silver, where they stand now, what has been driving the move, and whether they can keep pushing higher from here.If you are investing for the long run, this is the kind of week that can create the best setups if you know what to look for.Subscribe for weekly market breakdowns, investing strategy, retirement planning, and tax smart financial planning.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

    17 min
  5. 3 Stages of Small Business and How to Maximize Each Step

    JAN 23

    3 Stages of Small Business and How to Maximize Each Step

    If you’re a small business owner, you’re not just running a business, you’re moving through stages. And the strategy that works in the beginning is not the same strategy that works when you’re growing, and it’s definitely not the same strategy once you’ve reached a plateau. In this episode, Brandon breaks down the three stages of small business growth and explains how to maximize each phase so you can keep more money, grow faster, and build a business that supports the life you actually want.Stage 1 is the Startup Phase. This is the stage where you’re building momentum, reinvesting into your business, and laying the foundation for future growth. Brandon talks about how to think through tax write offs the right way, how to make smart purchases that support growth, and how to position your business financially so you’re not just surviving, you’re building something scalable.Stage 2 is the Growth Phase, which usually happens a few years in once things start working and your marketing and ROI are becoming more predictable. This is where the big financial moves begin to matter, including when it makes sense to shift from a sole proprietorship to an S Corp, how paying yourself the right way can reduce taxes, and how to take advantage of business benefits like health insurance. Brandon also explains how retirement accounts like a SEP IRA or Solo 401k can become a major part of your long term strategy as income increases.Stage 3 is the Plateau Phase, where you’ve reached many of your goals and ambitions, but now your focus shifts to sustainability and long term vision. This is the phase where business owners start asking bigger questions like how to make more while working fewer hours, how to structure the business to reduce stress and burnout, and what success really looks like moving forward. Whether that means optimizing operations, changing the way you work, or even planning for a sale one day, Brandon walks through how to think about the long term path with clarity and intention.Drop a comment below, which stage are you in right now, 1, 2, or 3? And if you want more videos on small business strategy, tax planning, wealth building, and long term investing, make sure to subscribe.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

    27 min
  6. Financials are the 2026 Play, Gold and Silver Cool Off, and the Fed and DOJ Drama

    JAN 17

    Financials are the 2026 Play, Gold and Silver Cool Off, and the Fed and DOJ Drama

    Stock Market Update and 2026 Outlook is here. In this episode of 15 Minutes of Finance, we break down the biggest financial news moving markets right now, then dive into why financial stocks such as banks, insurance, and financial services could be one of the best sector opportunities heading into 2026. We cover how the Federal Reserve, interest rates, inflation, and credit conditions can influence financial company performance and what investors should be watching as the economy transitions into the next phase of the cycle. You will also get a gold and silver update after their strong 2025 run, why we view precious metals as more defensive and risk averse investments, and why it is unlikely we see another year like 2025 across the board. To close it out, we give a practical breakdown of why the Fed remains the most important character in the market, what today’s headlines really mean, and where long term investors should stay focused.Subscribe for weekly market updates, investing strategy, retirement planning, and tax smart financial planning.All Information is educational in its intent and distribution! Please do not consider this personal financial advice. We believe all clients have unique situations and thus require unique advice.

    17 min
  7. Interview with a Digital Nomad: How He Makes Finances and Living Abroad Work

    JAN 12

    Interview with a Digital Nomad: How He Makes Finances and Living Abroad Work

    In this episode, James sits down with a successful investor who built a location independent career and now lives abroad while working remotely. They break down how geographical arbitrage makes it possible to dramatically lower your cost of living, upgrade your lifestyle, and accelerate your wealth building at the same time.From affordable luxury housing and world class food to international travel and flexible work schedules, this conversation shows how smart financial planning and remote income can unlock a completely different way of life. Living abroad is not just about adventure, it can be a powerful wealth strategy when done right.If you have ever thought about leaving the 9 to 5, working remotely, or moving overseas to live better for less, this is a must watch.

    32 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    2026 Market Outlook: Santa Rally, AI Bubble, Buffett’s Cash & Stocks to Watch

    In this episode, Brandon and James recap the market as we head toward the end of the year and discuss overall investor sentiment going into 2026. They break down what the S&P 500 has done over the past year, explain the idea behind the Santa Claus rally, and talk about what to realistically expect from the market and the economy next year.The conversation also covers tariffs and why their impact often shows up months after the initial shock, how the threat of tariffs can be used as a negotiating tool, and what recent market behavior may be telling us.They dive into the ongoing debate around the AI bubble, Michael Burry closing his firm and betting against companies like Nvidia and Palantir, and what Warren Buffett’s large cash position at Berkshire Hathaway is actually meant for.Finally, they emphasize why boring investment plans and dollar cost averaging tend to work over time, discuss how AI is likely to integrate into nearly every business, and wrap up with three stocks James is watching for 2026: CrowdStrike, Lumen, and Nebius.

    33 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

15 Minutes of Finance is your quick, easy to understand take on markets, taxes, and making smarter financial decisions! The show is produced by West and Walters Tax and Wealth Management, an RIA and tax firm based in Carlsbad, California. Hosted by James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC®, and Brandon West, CPA, co-owners of West and Walters, each episode gives you clear, honest, and actionable financial talk in the time it takes to drink your morning coffee!

Information

  • Creator
    James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC® and Brandon West, CPA
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © James Walters, CIMA®, CRPC® and Brandon West, CPA
  • Show Website
    15 Minutes of Finance