January 14, 2026

Happy Wednesday, everyone ☀️
Good morning — halfway through the week and hopefully feeling a little momentum building.

Here’s something to think about as the day gets going: what feels stable isn’t always what’s most flexible.
A consistent paycheck can feel comforting… but sometimes comfort comes with trade-offs we don’t notice right away.

Today’s post dives into why paying yourself the same amount every month can actually increase taxes and limit flexibility — and how a more thoughtful approach can give you breathing room without sacrificing peace of mind.

Because smart money habits should support your life — not quietly box you in.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Marcus Aurelius

Market Update: Markets pulled back modestly today as equities paused following recent strength. The Nasdaq slipped 0.10%, while the S&P 500 declined 0.19%, and the Dow Jones fell a sharper 0.80%, reflecting pressure on industrials and financials.

Crypto told a very different story. Bitcoin surged 4.31%, ripping higher above $95K and clearly stealing the spotlight as risk appetite rotated away from traditional equities and into digital assets. The move reinforces strong momentum and renewed speculative interest across the crypto space.

Commodities continued to show resilience. Gold held steady with a modest 0.09% gain, maintaining its elevated levels, while **Silver added 1.57%*, extending its powerful breakout and remaining one of the strongest-performing assets across markets.

On the stock side, Amazon dropped 1.57%, weighing on tech sentiment, while Apple managed a 0.31% gain, providing some stability. Citi slid 1.19%, contributing to broader weakness in financials. Overall, today’s action highlights a rotation environment — equities cooling off, commodities staying firm, and crypto aggressively reclaiming leadership.

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Trump heads to Detroit to refocus speech on the American economy
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The quest to ‘Make America Fertile Again’ stalls under Trump
Efforts aimed at boosting U.S. birth rates have struggled to gain momentum despite political attention. Analysts say rising housing costs, healthcare expenses, and childcare burdens continue to outweigh policy incentives. The issue highlights the limits of cultural messaging without structural support.

Trump administration to end temporary protected status for Somalis
The administration plans to terminate protections that have allowed many Somali immigrants to remain in the U.S. legally. Officials argue conditions have changed, while advocates warn of humanitarian risks. The move could affect thousands of families already settled in American communities.

House Republican questions DOJ Powell probe
A senior House Republican criticized the optics surrounding a Justice Department probe involving Powell. Lawmakers say the investigation raises concerns about political influence and transparency. The issue is likely to fuel further oversight hearings.

Global conflict, domestic politics, and economic uncertainty dominate the day’s major developments. Lawmakers and diplomats face mounting pressure on multiple fronts. The pace of events reflects a volatile start to the year.

Musk v Starmer raises question of banning X in the UK
Tensions are rising over whether the UK could restrict or ban X following controversies involving AI-generated content. Government officials are weighing free speech concerns against public safety risks. The dispute underscores growing friction between tech platforms and national regulators.

Initial Obamacare enrollment drops as subsidies expire
Early enrollment numbers show a sharp decline as insurance subsidies lapse and premiums rise. Many households are reassessing coverage affordability. Experts warn participation may continue falling without policy intervention.

Two growth stocks with big catalysts in 2026
Investors are eyeing select companies with upcoming product launches, regulatory decisions, and expansion plans. Analysts say strong balance sheets and clear revenue drivers set them apart. The focus is on long-term growth rather than short-term market noise.

Vanguard total stock market ETF daily snapshot
The broad-market ETF reflects modest movement as investors digest economic data and policy signals. Diversified exposure continues to appeal to long-term investors. Market participants remain cautious but steady heading deeper into 2026.

This is not about payroll mistakes.
This is not about underpaying yourself.
This is not about lifestyle inflation.

This is about rigidity — and how forcing smoothness into income creates avoidable tax and planning friction.

Most owners assume:

“Consistency is smarter and safer.”

In practice, consistency can be expensive.

Your income doesn’t get taxed evenly across the year.

It gets:

Forcing flat monthly pay ignores how tax systems actually work.

And that mismatch creates inefficiency.

When you pay yourself a fixed amount:

If revenue drops later, you’ve already pulled income.

If revenue spikes, you may stack income unnecessarily.

Either way, flexibility is gone.

Business income is rarely smooth.

Some years include:

Fixed pay layered on top can:

You didn’t need more income.

You needed better sequencing.

Variable income allows:

Flat pay removes those tools.

Once income is taken, it’s taxed.

You can’t “un-take” it later.

Consistency feels responsible.

But it can hide:

Irregular distributions force awareness.

Fixed pay lets problems drift longer.

Because “pay yourself consistently” sounds prudent.

But general advice ignores nuance.

And nuance is where money is saved.

This isn’t about chaos.

It’s about intentional variability.

Common approaches:

This keeps:

Consistency should exist in planning — not in withdrawals.