A Note from James:

I can't think of anything more boring to talk about than tariffs, but right now, I can't think of anything more interesting either. Tariffs are dominating the news, stock markets are crashing, and everyone is scared. Are tariffs good or bad? Is Trump wrecking the economy or saving it? I'm going to address these questions, looking at what tariffs aim to achieve, their impact on the economy, the stock market, inflation, and even Bitcoin. Let's set aside politics and try to understand what's truly happening.

Episode Description

In this episode, James Altucher takes a clear, unbiased look at the recent tariff measures, exploring their economic implications without the usual political spin. He explains the genuine reasons behind the tariffs, evaluates whether they’re achieving their stated goals, and breaks down how these measures compare to historical tariff actions. James also explores the surprising reactions from global markets and discusses why the current public fear might be overblown.

What You’ll Learn:

• The real objectives behind the latest tariffs and whether they're likely to succeed.
• Historical insights on tariffs under previous presidents and their economic outcomes.
• How tariffs actually affect inflation, the economy, and your investments.
• The surprising truth about market fears and economic uncertainty indices.
• Practical insights on navigating your investments during times of economic turmoil.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Tariffs: The Most Boring Yet Interesting Topic Today
• [02:00] Uncertainty Index at Historical Highs
• [06:00] What Exactly Is a Tariff?
• [10:00] Trump's Goals with Tariffs Explained
• [15:00] Immediate Reactions from Global Partners
• [23:00] Interest Rates, Inflation, and Economic Implications
• [28:00] The Real Reason the Stock Market Is Falling
• [34:00] AI, Crypto, and Opportunities Despite the Market Drop
• [37:00] How to Invest During a Potential Recession

Additional Resources:

• Federal Reserve Uncertainty Index
• Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930
• "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham
• Nucor Steel Company

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A Note from James:

Jay, remind me, I've gotta send this episode to my kids because I cannot believe what that guy just told us. Chris Hutchins, he has the "All the Hacks" podcast and so many interesting things at his website, allthehacks.com. But I don't like the word life hack. A lot of that stuff is just BS.

But this was legit—from buying gold bars at Costco to making money off gift cards. He has so many weird, interesting financial and life hacks that can genuinely help you make a living and improve your life. It seemed like he was doing great with all this stuff. What you're about to hear is weird, interesting, and potentially financially lucrative—or at least thought-provoking.

Let's start the episode.

Episode Description:

In this episode, James Altucher sits down with Chris Hutchins, host of the podcast "All the Hacks," to uncover some surprising yet practical ways to enhance your financial life. Chris shares actionable tips that can genuinely increase your income, cut down costs, and shift your mindset around everyday decisions—without resorting to gimmicks. From arbitraging Costco gold bars and credit card rewards to smart relationship strategies and travel tricks, Chris offers practical solutions that anyone can start using immediately.

What You'll Learn:

• How to make money arbitraging gold bars from Costco.
• Simple mindset shifts to improve your eating habits without feeling deprived.
• Why you should never pay full price at major retailers and how to consistently save money.
• How to efficiently leverage credit card rewards and cashback offers.
• A strategy to reduce relationship stress by changing how you "keep score" with your partner.

Chapters:

• [00:00] Introduction to Chris Hutchins and All the Hacks
• [01:00] Skepticism About Life Hacks
• [02:00] Simple Food Hack for Healthier Eating
• [03:00] The Inspiration Behind Financial and Lifestyle Hacks
• [04:00] Mindset Shifts and Relationship Hacks
• [05:00] Travel Hacks: Saving on Rentals
• [06:00] Gold Arbitrage at Costco
• [09:00] Credit Card Rewards and Signup Bonuses
• [19:00] Paying Rent with Points Through Bilt
• [23:00] Gift Card Arbitrage
• [28:00] Never Pay Full Price on Amazon
• [32:00] Gift Card Brokers and Fraud Management
• [47:00] Unclaimed Money and Privacy Concerns
• [52:00] Protecting Your Privacy
• [55:00] Podcast and Newsletter Business Model

Additional Resources:

• All the Hacks Podcast
• Costco Executive Rewards
• Bilt Rewards
• GCX Raise – Gift Card Marketplace
• CardPointers App
• The 80/80 Marriage
• DeleteMe – Privacy Service
• Unclaimed Money Finder

This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/james

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Note from James:

Sahil Bloom is one of probably the wisest people I've had on the podcast. Young guy just wrote the book, The Five Types of Wealth, and he's talking about time wealth, social wealth, mental wealth, physical wealth, and of course, financial wealth. He’s developed content and techniques he's shared in his newsletter and on Twitter, offering concise, easy-to-understand ways for increasing your wealth in each of these categories. This episode has immense value—one I definitely plan to share with my kids.

Sahil introduces this concept of asymmetry: small actions that yield outsized rewards, applicable across career, social, financial, mental, and physical wealth. Like consistently fetching coffee for your boss, leading them to trust you with larger responsibilities. It's these small but impactful steps that can dramatically improve your wealth in each category.

Here's Sahil Bloom, author of The Five Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life.

Episode Description:

In this episode, Sahil Bloom breaks down his transformative ideas about wealth—going far beyond financial success to include time, social connections, mental health, and physical wellbeing. Sahil shares his personal journey from a lucrative career in private equity to discovering a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction. He emphasizes finding asymmetrical actions—small, manageable steps that can deliver significant positive changes. Listen to learn how Sahil redefined success, discovered his true north, and how you can too.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to identify and leverage asymmetrical actions for massive gains in personal and professional life.
• Practical strategies for mapping out your strengths and passions to build a life filled with purpose.
• Why taking control of your physical health can immediately boost confidence and life direction.
• How genuine social connections profoundly impact your mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Concrete steps to redefine success on your own terms rather than society's.

Chapters:

• [01:00] Leveraging Social Media for a Book Deal
• [03:00] Why Success Stories Are Often Misleading
• [06:00] The Authenticity Behind Sahil’s Writing
• [09:00] Grappling with the Finite Nature of Time
• [12:00] Realizing Time Wealth Through Personal Experience
• [17:00] Identifying Poverty in the Five Types of Wealth
• [22:00] Making a Radical Life Change
• [27:00] How to Find Your Purpose
• [31:00] Practical Steps for Finding Direction
• [36:00] The Power of Physical Activity
• [40:00] Creating Financial Wealth by Adding Value
• [47:00] Social Wealth: The True Measure of Friendship

Additional Resources:

• The Five Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom
• Sahil Bloom's Newsletter
• Tim Urban’s "The Tail End" Essay
• Carlo Rovelli on the Nature of Time
• "Cool Runnings" Film Quote

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/james

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.