What if your greatest financial need is not simply more life insurance — but a better way to finance your life?

In this episode, Tricia Miller and her son Jonathan continue working through pages 23 and 24 of Nelson Nash's Becoming Your Own Banker. This is where Nelson begins shifting the conversation from thinking only about death benefit to understanding the lifelong need for financing, capitalization, and taking back the banking function.

Tricia and Jonathan discuss human life value, why the people we love should be properly protected, and why Nelson says our need for finance is greater than our need for life insurance protection alone.

They also unpack Nelson's car loan example and the idea that there is only one pool of money. When we finance cars, credit cards, personal loans, or other purchases through outside institutions, someone else is profiting from our need for financing.

Jonathan asks the practical question many listeners may be thinking: how does someone actually begin transitioning from paying banks and finance companies to becoming their own banker — especially when money already feels tight?

This episode is a reminder that becoming your own banker does not happen overnight. It requires courage, discipline, margin, and steady capitalization. But small steps taken consistently can begin to change the direction of an entire financial life.

Learn more or connect with Tricia at banklessbydesign.com.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Thrivewell/61578207568360/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bankless_by_design/ 👉 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/107769593 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thrivewell_bbd Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

In this episode, I continue through Becoming Your Own Banker by Nelson Nash and talk about a mistake people often make when looking at whole life insurance for the Infinite Banking Concept: focusing too much on the dividend rate.

The truth is, the dividend rate alone does not tell you what you need to know. What matters more is your behavior as the owner, the strength and structure of the company, the flexibility of the policy design, and how the system is used over time.

I also walk through how dividends actually work, why they are generally treated as a return of premium, and why using them to purchase paid-up additions can become such a powerful part of long-term policy growth.

This episode is really about learning to think differently—about premiums, dividends, death benefit, cash value, and the kind of financial control that grows stronger with time.

If you are ready to learn more about building your own banking system, visit banklessbydesign.com and book a consultation.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Thrivewell/61578207568360/ 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bankless_by_design/ 👉 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/107769593 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thrivewell_bbd Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

In Episode 36 of the BYOB Series, Tricia Miller continues the walk through Nelson Nash's chapter on creating your own banking system through dividend-paying life insurance. This first half of the conversation focuses on dividends: what they are, how they are determined, and why dividend rate alone is not a sound way to compare policies or companies.

Along the way, Tricia explains why policy illustrations are only snapshots in time, how owner behavior affects the outcome, why future dividend projections should not be treated like promises, and why declared dividends are different from projected ones. She also explores why life insurance companies plan conservatively and why headline numbers do not tell the whole story.

This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion on dividends and building your banking system through dividend-paying whole life insurance.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

In this episode of Bankless By Design, Tricia continues the Becoming Your Own Banker series by looking more closely at the product behind the process: whole life insurance.

But this conversation goes beyond the mechanics of the policy itself.

At the heart of this episode is a deeper idea: ownership matters.

Tricia walks through Nelson Nash's explanation of how whole life insurance is engineered, why the owner of the policy holds a unique position, and what it really means to control capital without asking permission. She also draws a clear distinction between being a customer and being an owner — and why that difference affects not just money, but freedom, responsibility, and long-term independence.

This episode explores the promises and structure of a life insurance contract, the role of mutual companies, access to policy equity, and the responsibility that comes with control. If you've ever wondered why ownership is such a foundational principle in Infinite Banking, this episode brings that idea into focus.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why whole life insurance is the product used in a banking system
• The difference between being a customer and being an owner
• How policy ownership creates access and control
• Why responsibility matters just as much as freedom
• How properly designed policies become more efficient over time
• Why ownership is tied to independence, liberty, and peace of mind

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and join us next time as we continue through Becoming Your Own Banker.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and fellow practitioner, Will Fullington, to talk about a topic most churches and nonprofits have probably never considered: how the Infinite Banking Concept can help them build, protect, and steward capital for the long term.

We talk about stewardship, liquidity, long-range thinking, and why churches need more than a savings account if they want to be prepared for future needs and future opportunities. More than that, this conversation is really about what it means to handle God's resources faithfully and think bigger about what the church could be doing for generations to come.

If you've ever wished the church was in a stronger position to care for people, meet needs, and plan wisely for the future, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

Most people believe paying cash is the safest and cheapest way to buy anything.

But what if that belief is costing you more than you realize?

In this episode, Tricia and Jonathan unpack a foundational principle from Becoming Your Own Banker:

You finance everything you buy—either by paying interest to someone else or giving up interest you could have earned.

Through simple examples and real-world application, this episode challenges conventional thinking and introduces a new way to value your capital, make decisions, and build long-term wealth.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

Are you actually being a good steward of your money… or does it just feel like you are?

In this episode, we explore a foundational principle from Becoming Your Own Banker—that you finance everything you buy—and connect it to the Parable of the Talents.

What we uncover is a powerful truth:

👉 It's not just about what you spend… it's about what your money could have been doing.

We talk about:

• Why breaking even is considered a loss

• The role of opportunity cost in everyday financial decisions

• A biblical view of productivity, profit, and stewardship

• And how common financial advice may be causing you to unknowingly give up growth

This is an invitation to think more deeply about how you steward what has been entrusted to you—and to begin asking better questions about how your money is working (or not working) in your life.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

In this episode of the Bankless By Design Podcast, Triciaand Jonathan continue their Becoming Your Own Banker series with the chapter "Creating a Bank Like the Ones You Already Know About."

Together, they explore what it would really take to start a traditional bank—from capital requirements and bank charters to deposits, lending, and the cost of establishing trust in the marketplace. They also discuss the deeper issue Nelson Nash is highlighting: most people have surrendered the banking function in their lives without ever realizing it.

This conversation also touches on the fragility of the banking system, the dangers of fractional reserve lending - including the social and political fallout, the importance of human behavior in finance, and why participating dividend-paying whole life insurance offers a practical way to begin reclaiming control.

If you've ever wondered what it means to truly become your own banker, this episode helps lay the foundation.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

Most financial conversations revolve around rate of return.

But Nelson Nash pointed out something very different: the average American may be losing over 34% of disposable income to interest flowing to banks, lenders, and financing companies.

In this episode of Bankless By Design, Tricia and Jonathan explore Nash's famous airplane analogy — explaining why most people are unknowingly flying into a powerful financial headwind.

Rather than focusing only on investment returns, Nash challenges us to think about controlling the financial environment in which we operate.

Because when you reclaim the banking function in your life, you can begin turning that headwind into a powerful tailwind.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell 👉 Facebook 👉 Instagram 👉 Linkedin 👉 TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.

Most people believe the problem with their finances is that they aren't earning a high enough rate of return.

But what if that's not the real issue?

In Part 1 of our discussion on The Problem from Becoming Your Own Banker, Jonathan and I examine the quiet but powerful force draining wealth from most families: the volume of interest leaving their lives year after year.

We talk about: – Why focusing on investment returns can distract from a bigger issue – The hidden headwind most people are flying into – How your financial environment may be working against you – And why patience is essential before implementing any solution

Before we build anything new, we have to see clearly.

Part 2 continues next week.

------------------------------------------ Follow Thrivewell Facebook Instagram Linkedin TikTok Get In Touch: [email protected] Learn More: banklessbydesign.com Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The content shared is not intended to be a substitute for consultation with the appropriate professional. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Tricia Miller, unless otherwise specifically cited. The data that is presented is believed to be from reliable sources, and no representations are made by Tricia Miller, Thrivewell, and Bankless By Design as to another party's informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with your Adviser, Financial Planner, Tax Consultant, Attorney, Investment Adviser or the appropriate professional prior to taking any action.