Hack Your Wealth

#5: Roger Ma, an industry recognized CFP, talks with me about how high earners can optimize their retirement accounts and avoid common mistakes.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Roger’s path from investment banker to financial advisor
• The most common mistakes working professionals (even high earners) make when it comes to their retirement accounts
• What moments in life are there special opportunities to optimize your retirement accounts (plus, the concrete steps to take)
• Why early retirees should be thinking about their “why” more than their “how”
• Why Roger joined the AARP at 35

 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Life Laid Out
• Bogleheads
• Donor-advised funds
• AARP
• HYW private Facebook community

 Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom. 

#4: We discuss IRAs and Roth IRAs – the "consumer retail" cousin of the 401k / Roth 401k. We also show you how the Roth laddering strategy works, why for early retirees this strategy means it's always better to contribute pre-tax upfront, and exactly how to implement the strategy.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• IRA and Roth rules for contributions, tax deferral, withdrawals, RMDs, rollovers, loans, beneficiaries, creditors, inheritance
• How the Roth laddering strategy works and why it is the best method to avoid taxes entirely

 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Traditional vs. Roth spreadsheet template to quickly see how much you’ll personally save with a tax-deferred upfront strategy
• HYW episode 3: Everything you need to know about 401Ks
• HYW blog post: Traditional vs. Roth?
• HYW private Facebook community

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom. 

#3: I discuss a comprehensive framework for understanding how 401ks work and how to use them strategically.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Origins of the 401k and some interesting stats
• Contributions
• Tax deferral
• Withdrawal age + tax at withdrawal
• RMDs
• Other: Rollovers, loans, beneficiaries, creditors, inheritance

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Download 401k reference checklist freebie (show notes)
• All about Solo 401ks
• HYW private Facebook community

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.

#2: I discuss my 4x4 FIRE framework for methodically planning, building, and protecting financial wealth/independence. Centered around earning, saving, investing, and protecting, my framework is simple and manageable yet comprehensive.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why an IKEA showroom illustrates how important it is to have a strong, clear FI framework 
• My 4x4 framework for achieving and protecting financial independence
• Why my 4x4 framework is simple and manageable yet comprehensive in breadth
• How content I publish on HYW is connected to my 4x4 framework

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Download 4x4 FIRE framework freebie (show notes page)
• HYW private Facebook community

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom. 

#1: I share why I started Hack Your Wealth, my personal story, how I once lost 1/3 of my savings, what change my thinking afterward, how that motivated me to became a financial expert, how much wealth that expertise has created for me today, what I now teach on HYW and what makes HYW different from other personal finance podcasts.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• My origin story – the personal struggles/setbacks that motivated me to become a financial expert 
• My credibility and credentials
• What motivated me to become a financial expert and how I did it
• Why financial literacy/proficiency is only half the story
• How my thinking changed after starting a family
• How my actions changed as a result
• Why I didn’t like about other personal finance sites
• What makes HYW different and worth following
• Why I’m starting this podcast

Links mentioned in this episode:

• My personal story
• HYW private Facebook community
• CFA program

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.