A Gen Xer podcast for musicians and music lovers, where we discuss music and money without all the pretentious BS!
---Listener discretion is advised---
Hosts- Mel O-Certified Financial Planner and author of "Finances the Other "F" Word", and Zoe Terry-attorney at large.
The Real Cost of No Taxes: Lessons from History and the 2025 Government Shutdown
The government's shut down again, and everyone's losing their shit. In this episode, I break down why shutdowns happen under both parties, why this one hits different, and what it means for your job, your money, and your life.
But here's where it gets interesting: I tackle a Libertarian argument I hear constantly - "We'd all be better off without taxes and government." Would we, though? I dig into real-world examples of what actually happens when governments collapse or disappear: Somalia's chaos, Hong Kong's tax model, oil-rich Gulf States, and financial disasters in Greece and Chile.
As a business owner who relies on the ACA for health insurance, this isn't theoretical bullshit for me. This is real life. Let's talk about what fiscal policy actually does to everyday people trying to build wealth and not get f/cked over.
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Finances the Other "F" Word-Another "F" Word to Love Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/FINANCES-Other-F-Word-Mel/dp/1733665927
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Questions, comments, or want to be on the show? Contact us at mel@financestheotherfword.com
29 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT
Finding Financial Positivity Small Wins Micro Savings and Navigating Economic Stress
27 Aug 2025
Are Boomers Really to Blame- Breaking Down Generational Wealth and Economic Policy
Today, host Mel O, CFP, takes on one of the most heated debates in financial and generational discourse: “Are Boomers Really to Blame?” Drawing from decades of economic policy, Mel digs into the legislation and shifts that have shaped our financial landscape—from Prop 13 in California to Reagan’s tax cuts, the weakening of unions, and the boom-era laws that cemented advantages for asset-owners. But is the finger-pointing justified?
Mel explores how much blame truly lies at the feet of the boomer generation versus the silent and great generations that came before, and how the cumulative impact of these decisions now weighs on Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. With her trademark honest (and sometimes irreverent) analysis, Mel breaks down misunderstandings, exposes the nuances behind “lazy millennial” stereotypes, and offers historical context for today’s housing crisis, tax policies, and deepening wealth inequality.
Whether you’re tired of generational scapegoating or ready to hear some fresh perspective on social and economic trends, this episode will challenge—and maybe even change—the way you see the debate. Tune in for financial myth-busting, a few metal tracks, and a real talk about what generations have really done to our wallets!
Catch Mel O Live on the Stationhead app @momentofmetal Wednesday at 6 AM Pacific Time.
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To learn about money without out the pretentious Bu!!sh%t give me a follow here.
Want to talk to Mel about money? Schedule a call with her directly: https://hotmoonfinancial.com/
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(https://www.tiktok.com/@ftofw_podcast)
📕Finances the Other “F” Word-Another “F” Word to Love Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/FINANCES-Other-F-Word-Mel/dp/1733665927
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/FINANCES-The-Other-F-Word-Paperback-9781733665926/361773875
🔊 Other Ways to Listen
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/finances-the-other-f-word/id1460418731
iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-finances-the-other-f-word-47519083/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78TrGiNHzzlIfXVY9INbdl
Swag & Merch: https://financestheotherfword.com/
Questions, comments, or want to be on the show? Contact us at mel@financestheotherfword.com
Inside a recent episode
The Real Cost of No Taxes: Lessons from History and the 2025 Government Shutdown
Published 6 Nov 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] So we're going to explore some countries that have done exactly this where they have either ended up doing very little taxes or they have ended up doing a different fee structure to see how it turns out. But I want you guys to remember that we are a nation of 330 million -ish people with a national deficit of $34 trillion, and there is so, we are so dependent on taxes. And if we continue the trend where we're cutting the taxes for the 1%, then we have to shift the burden somewhere. And if we can't raise it through capital, we're going to have to put it on the 99%. And we simply do not make enough. […]
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