1. Economic Setup: Why "Quad 1" signals a shift toward growth and innovation.
2. Resilience over Predictions: How to stay flexible when market forecasts fail.
3. The "Why" of Money: Aligning your 2026 strategy with family and freedom.

"Prepare for 2026 without market predictions. Allan Malina discusses regime-based investing, Quad 1 setups, and purpose-driven financial planning in Forest, VA."

Episode Overview In this episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina explains why successful financial planning for 2026 isn’t about predicting markets, but about positioning thoughtfully through regime-based investing. As early Quad 1 conditions emerge—characterized by cooling inflation and stabilizing growth—Allan breaks down what this historical shift means for portfolio leadership, innovation, and broader market participation in the year ahead.

The conversation then pivots from macro trends to the bigger picture: building a purpose-driven financial plan that serves your life, not just your portfolio. Serving families and professionals in Lynchburg and Forest, VA, Allan outlines how clarity around family, freedom, and flexibility creates a "margin of safety." Learn how to design a resilient plan that adapts as markets and life change—without the pitfalls of over-optimization or unnecessary risk.

Q: What is regime-based investing? A: Regime-based investing is a strategy that focuses on identifying the current economic environment (growth and inflation trends) rather than trying to predict future market prices. By understanding if we are in a phase of rising growth and falling inflation (Quad 1), investors can position portfolios toward historically successful assets like innovation and growth stocks.

Q: Why are market predictions often unreliable for 2026? A: Market predictions fail because they rely on forecasting specific events that are often impacted by "black swan" volatility. Instead, disciplined investors look at macro setups—like the current cooling inflation and stabilizing growth heading into January 2026—to stay flexible and resilient regardless of short-term fluctuations.

Q: How does a "purpose-driven" plan handle economic changes? A: A purpose-driven plan builds a "margin of safety" by clarifying what your money is for—such as family experiences or financial freedom. By designing a plan that adapts as life changes, you create peace of mind that isn't dependent on "perfect" market timing.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations.

1. Signal vs. Noise: Why 2025's recession headlines and inflation panic failed to derail the markets.
2. Regime Shift Lessons: How understanding the "Quad" sequence (4,3,2,1) provided the real roadmap for 2025.
3. The Year-End Clean-up: The critical difference between portfolio rebalancing and true "behavioral resets."
4. Accountability: Why "what we got wrong" is the most important question an advisor can answer on-air.

"Prepare for 2026 by reviewing what actually mattered in 2025. Allan Malina discusses macro regime shifts (Quads), market signals, and year-end planning in Lynchburg."

Episode Overview In this year-end episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina steps back from the headlines to separate the signals from the noise that shaped markets in 2025. While much of the attention focused on recession fears and AI hype, the forces that truly mattered were liquidity conditions and shifting macro regimes. Allan explains the four economic “Quads” and how moving through those regimes determined market leadership over the course of the year.

The conversation then turns practical with a year-end reset for families in Lynchburg and Forest, VA, heading into 2026. Allan walks through key portfolio and planning items that shouldn’t be carried into a new year, including concentration risk, cash positioning, beneficiary designations, and estate basics. The episode closes with a “Hard Questions” segment—an honest look at where assumptions and models fell short in 2025, and how disciplined, rules-based guardrails can help families move forward with greater clarity and resilience in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions: 2025 Year-In-Review

Q: What is the difference between "Signal" and "Noise" in investing? A: In 2025, "noise" consisted of sensationalized recession headlines and AI hype that led to performance chasing. The "signal" refers to the actual drivers of market returns: liquidity conditions, price trends, and macro regime changes (Quads). Focusing on signals helps investors avoid fear-based decisions.

Q: How did the economic "Quads" affect market leadership in 2025? A: Market leadership in 2025 was determined by the transition through macro regimes. By identifying whether the economy was in Quad 4 (deflationary) or shifting toward Quad 1 (growth), investors could move away from over-concentration and align their portfolios with the sectors historically favored by those specific liquidity conditions.

Q: What is included in a year-end financial planning "clean-up"? A: A comprehensive year-end reset includes portfolio rebalancing to manage concentration risk and a planning audit of beneficiary designations, cash flow needs, and estate basics. At Servus Capital Management, we also prioritize a "behavioral reset" to establish rules-based guardrails for the upcoming year.

Q: Why should a fiduciary advisor ask "Hard Questions" at year-end? A: Asking hard questions about where models or assumptions failed creates transparency and accountability. For families in Lynchburg and Forest, this honesty is a hallmark of a fiduciary relationship, ensuring that the planning process remains resilient and adapts to real-world outcomes rather than sticking to outdated narratives.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations.

Air Date: December 20, 2025

Episode: Purpose-Driven Giving — Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center of Lynchburg, VA

This episode connects market clarity with community impact. Allan begins with a portfolio and market update, then shifts the focus to purpose-driven giving, highlighting how local organizations strengthen families and provide stability during critical life moments.

📈 Segment One — Portfolio & Market Update

Allan breaks down several key developments shaping the current environment:

• AI & Hyperscale Data Centers: Headlines around uncertainty near a major AI-linked data center project raise questions about infrastructure spending. Allan explains why hyperscale data centers matter to AI development and why isolated headlines don’t necessarily signal a slowdown in long-term investment.
• CPI Inflation Report: Inflation cooled to 2.74%, below expectations and down meaningfully from prior readings, reinforcing the trend toward easing inflation pressures.
• Looking Ahead to 2026: Despite narratives suggesting challenges ahead, current data shows lower inflation and stabilizing growth—conditions increasingly consistent with an early Quad 1 environment.

The takeaway: markets are transitioning, and disciplined process matters more than reacting to headlines.

🧭 Segment Two — Purpose-Driven Giving: Investing in Our Community

Nonprofit Spotlight: Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center — Lynchburg, VA

Guests: Jane Oliver (Executive Director) & Adara Wright (Marketing Director)

The second half of the episode focuses on purpose-driven giving and the real needs facing women and families in the Lynchburg community. Jane and Adara share their personal purpose, what led them to serve, and the mission of Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center.

The discussion explores the challenges families face today, why local support matters, and how the Center provides care, guidance, and practical resources. Allan and the guests also discuss year-end giving opportunities and how listeners can support the Center through donations or involvement before year-end.

This conversation highlights how generosity, when aligned with purpose, creates real and lasting impact.

💬 Key Takeaway

Clear thinking in markets and purposeful generosity in community both stem from the same discipline: intentional stewardship.

📌 PURPOSE-DRIVEN GIVING — FIVE18 OF LYNCHBURG, VA

Air Date: December 13, 2025

Episode: Purpose-Driven Giving — Five18 of Lynchburg, VA

This episode brings together markets, purpose, and community impact. Allan begins with a December market and portfolio update as the economy transitions into a more growth-friendly environment, then shifts the conversation to purpose-driven giving, spotlighting Five18 of Lynchburg and its mission to support teens and young adults navigating critical life transitions.

📈 Segment One — Portfolio & Market Update (December 2025)

In this segment, Allan covers the key forces shaping markets as we head into 2026:

• The Federal Reserve cut rates by 0.25%, marking the first cut of the cycle and confirming a transition toward an early Quad 1 environment. The move signals confidence in cooling inflation and stabilizing growth—historically supportive for borrowing, investment, and equity multiples—while reducing the appeal of overly defensive, cash-heavy positioning.
• The Fed restarted quantitative easing, injecting $40 billion per month through at least April. This liquidity supports financial conditions heading into the new year and creates a classic early-cycle setup where rate cuts and QE tend to favor risk assets, growth sectors, and innovation. Allan cautions that QE can distort short-term price signals, reinforcing the need for discipline using the PVV and Quad frameworks, especially as tax refunds add further liquidity.
• Oracle announced a $50 billion capital expenditure plan for next year, up from roughly $35 billion. This reflects accelerating demand for AI infrastructure, data centers, and cloud expansion, signaling a multi-year investment cycle across corporate America. The implications are mixed for industrials, semiconductors, data-center REITs, and the broader AI supply chain.

The takeaway from Segment One: markets are entering a more growth-friendly regime, but disciplined process matters as liquidity and policy shifts can amplify short-term noise.

🧭 Segment Two — Purpose-Driven Giving: Investing in Our Community & Harvesting a Tax Break

Nonprofit Spotlight: Five18 of Lynchburg

Guest: Jeff Nitz, CEO

December’s theme focuses on purpose-driven giving—using money as a tool for impact, alignment, and lasting value. Allan highlights nonprofits that strengthen families, support young people, and improve the greater Lynchburg community.

This week’s featured organization is Five18, which serves families facing instability, crisis, and major life transitions. Allan welcomes Jeff Nitz, CEO of Five18, to discuss the organization’s mission, impact, and the needs being met every day.

Five18 fills a critical gap during the transitional years by providing structure, mentorship, life skills, and emotional support—helping families find direction, stability, and hope during seasons when guidance matters most. Jeff shares the personal experiences that shaped his calling to serve and explains what drives his commitment to the families and young people of Lynchburg.

The conversation also explores how Five18 meets community needs through financial support, mentorship, skills training, counseling, and consistent adult presence. Allan and Jeff discuss year-end giving opportunities, how donations can be put to work immediately—funding meals, tutors, supplies, and staffing—and how generosity can align purpose with practical tax planning. Listeners are encouraged to support the mission by visiting five18.org.

💬 Key Takeaway

When markets turn toward growth and communities face real needs, purpose-driven decisions—both in investing and giving—create clarity, impact, and lasting value.

📞 Connect With Us

Call Allan: 434-316-0246

Learn more: www.servuscm.com

📌 PURPOSE DRIVEN FINANCES —

Air Date: December 6, 2025

Episode: When Plans Change — Markets, Purpose & Year-End Decisions

When a scheduled guest couldn’t make the show, Allan shifted into an unscripted, practical conversation about markets, families, and end-of-year financial clarity. This episode blends real-world investing insight with purpose-driven reflections every family can use as 2025 winds down.

📈 Segment One — Market & Portfolio Update

In this episode, Allan breaks down:

• Fragile December market conditions and an elevated-volatility setup. Moving into a good 2026.
• Tech concentration risk around NVIDIA and why diversification matters more than ever.
• Shifts in bond yields and increasing expectations for 2026 rate cuts.
• Clear principles for year-end portfolio positioning: quality, diversification, and disciplined process.

The message is simple: emotions create chaos; process creates clarity.

🧭 Segment Two — Planning, Purpose & Real-Life Decisions

With no guest, Allan turns the conversation toward what really matters:

• How to approach year-end decisions with clarity instead of stress.
• Why purpose must anchor your financial strategy.
• Practical reminders: retirement contributions, charitable giving, and family stewardship.
• Encouragement for families who want to finish the year strong and begin 2026 with direction.

This is an episode about leadership — in your home, your finances, and your future.

💬 Key Takeaway

When plans change, purpose steadies the wheel. Clarity and discipline help families move through uncertainty with confidence and direction.

Air Date: November 22, 2025

Episode: Proactive Tax Planning: Small Business

This week, Allan helps small business owners cut through complexity and make confident tax decisions. With markets shifting into late-year defensive quads and rate uncertainty rising, proactive planning becomes an essential part of protecting cash flow and positioning your business for the new year.

📈 Segment One — Market & Portfolio Update

In this episode, Allan breaks down:

• Monthly Quad Shift: November tracking as Quad 3, December shifting into Quad 4, reinforcing the move toward defensive sectors and cash-flow-focused assets.
• Interest Rates: Fed Chair’s Thursday remarks pushed back on early rate-cut expectations → yields up, equity futures down.
• Japan’s Government + BOJ: United stance on yen weakness and inflation risk; “strong urgency” around FX stability adds global volatility.
• Flows & Gamma: Trend-following CTAs nearing forced-sell levels ($30–$40B potential). Dealer gamma flipping negative → heightened volatility as vol-control funds de-lever.

Takeaway: Late-year markets are driven more by positioning and liquidity than narratives. Discipline keeps you prepared, not surprised.

🧭 Segment Two — Planning, Purpose & Real-Life Decisions

Remember consult your CPA or accountant for advice that pertains to you. This is just an example and may not apply to you or may change due to tax code, etc.

Proactive Tax Planning for Small Business Owners (LLCs Taxed as S-Corps)

We answer the practical questions small business owners ask most:

• What an S-Corp election actually does — your LLC stays the same; you're simply choosing an S-Corp tax treatment.
• How income is split — salary (subject to payroll tax) vs. distributions (not subject to payroll tax).
• The core tax benefit — distributions avoid the 15.3% payroll tax; both salary and distributions are taxed at your income-tax bracket.
• What “reasonable salary” means — BLS benchmarks and Central VA norms often fall in the $36,000–$48,000 range.
• How owner distributions work — taken from profit, not payroll-taxed.
• Compliance responsibilities — W-2 payroll, quarterly filings, annual 1120-S return, K-1 for owners, and tight bookkeeping.

A clear reminder: structure brings clarity, and clarity gives business owners the freedom to operate with purpose and confidence.

💬 Key Takeaway

Proactive tax planning protects cash flow and strengthens your ability to run a business rooted in purpose, not pressure.

📞 Connect With Us

Call Allan: 434-316-0246

Learn more: www.servuscm.com

Explore how the U.S. economy is transitioning from Quad 4 to Quad 1 — and what new Virginia vehicle, energy, and emissions policies mean for families, investors, and business owners. Allan Malina connects macroeconomic conditions with real-world financial decisions in this forward-looking episode.

📅 Aired November 15, 2025

In this week’s Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina breaks down the critical economic transition from Quad 4 to Quad 1 and provides a forward-looking investment strategy for 2026. Learn what this shift means for equities, inflation trends, and your personal portfolio. Allan then connects this to Virginia's evolving energy and vehicle policies—including EV mandates and the financial impact of RGGI re-entry—and how families and business owners must prepare.

Segment One — Quad 4 to Quad 1: Macroeconomic Transition & Investment Strategy

The economy in late 2025 sits in Quad 4 (slowing growth/slowing inflation). But early 2026 is shaping up as a move toward Quad 1, historically the strongest environment for equities, tech, and industrials. Allan outlines the portfolio positioning and rotation strategy: remain liquid now, selectively build growth exposure, and shorten duration as the yield curve steepens. He provides specific planning guidance for retirees (real-yield Treasuries) and business owners (locking in financing).

Segment Two — Virginia Vehicle, Energy & Emissions Policies: Impact on Household Finance

Virginia’s 2035 electric-vehicle requirement will phase out new gasoline car sales, leading to higher new-car prices and elevated demand for used vehicles. The state’s re-entry into RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) means higher energy prices as utilities pass carbon-credit expenses to consumers, potentially raising power bills by 5–15%. Grid modernization, widespread EV charging, and clean-energy targets will require significant infrastructure spending.

Allan highlights how these policies influence trends: rising demand for lithium and copper, inflationary pressures, and new opportunities in green technologies and battery storage. Financial planning takeaways include budgeting for higher utility bills, considering EV charging installation costs, exploring energy-efficiency tax credits, and focusing investment exposure on scalable clean energy technologies.

Closing Perspective — Translating Regulation into Strategy

Allan closes with a clear reminder: “Policy changes are more than headlines — they affect household cash flow, taxes, and long-term opportunity. Our job is to help clients translate regulation into strategy, not stress.”

📞 Call Allan Malina at 434-316-0246

🌐 Visit www.servuscm.com

🎧 Listen now to understand how Quad transitions and Virginia policy shifts can shape your financial decisions heading into 2026 — and how proactive planning turns economic change into opportunity.

Virginia Election 2025: Financial Impact on Taxes, Wages & Investments

Analyze the financial impact of the 2025 Virginia Election with Allan Malina. Learn how new VA policy shifts will affect your taxes, minimum wage, healthcare costs, and investments, viewed through the lens of the Fourth Turning economic cycle.

📅 Aired November 8, 2025

In this post-election episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan explains how Virginia’s new policy shifts could reshape your taxes, wages, healthcare costs, and investments—while placing them in the broader Fourth Turning cycle of economic renewal and generational change.

Segment One — Virginia Taxes & The Digital Economy: Service & Cloud Tax Impacts

Virginia’s proposed service and digital-economy taxes could soon reach everything from home repair and dry cleaning to streaming and cloud subscriptions. Allan breaks down how a broader Virginia tax base might mean higher local inflation, tighter small-business margins, and mild pressure on consumer and service-sector stocks—while creating potential tailwinds for municipal bonds and infrastructure projects. Households should audit recurring subscriptions and use HSAs/FSAs to offset new costs.

Segment Two — Labor, Wages, & Union Expansion in VA: Navigating the Minimum Wage Increase

A higher Virginia minimum wage, union growth, and new worker-protection rules could lift incomes but raise prices and business costs—especially across Central Virginia’s restaurants, retail, and healthcare sectors. Allan outlines how employers can adapt through automation, process gains, and better entity structures, while employees prepare through budgeting, retirement contributions, and tax-efficient savings.

Segment Three — Healthcare Policy & Public Service Funding: Budgeting for Higher Premiums

Medicaid expansion, new public-health funding, and stricter employer mandates may widen coverage but raise state spending and compliance costs. Expect 6–8 % annual health-inflation in planning models. Allan highlights which investment sectors may benefit—managed care, hospitals, and health-infrastructure REITs—and how families, retirees, and small businesses can budget for higher insurance premiums and taxes.

Closing Perspective — The Fourth Turning & Financial Renewal

From the 2008 financial crisis to today’s digital and geopolitical shifts, Allan ties this election to the ongoing Fourth Turning—a generational transformation expected to peak in the early 2030s.

“This is the decade of participation. Free-market, purpose-driven Americans will be the ones who rebuild the next chapter.”

📞 Call Allan Malina at 434-316-0246

🌐 Visit www.servuscm.com

🎧 Listen now to learn how new laws, higher wages, and shifting healthcare policies could influence your financial plan—and how purposeful planning can turn political change into opportunity.