Living Wealthy

You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and built up your nest egg. But now what? In this episode of Living Wealthy, host Nick Poppe unpacks one of the biggest financial transitions: going from saving to spending in retirement.

Nick explains why retirement isn’t just about how much you’ve saved, but how well you’ve planned to turn those savings into income. He breaks down the mindset shift from accumulation to distribution and the key risks retirees face, like sequence of returns, inflation, longevity, healthcare costs, and taxes.

You'll also get a high-level look at several retirement income strategies, including:

• The 4% rule and its limitations

• The traditional three-legged stool of retirement (Social Security, pensions, and personal savings)

• The bucketing strategy for timing distributions

• And a more personalized, multi-source income approach using annuities, real estate, whole life insurance, and business assets

Whether you’re approaching retirement or want to plan ahead, this episode will help you understand what changes when the paychecks stop—and how to design a plan that makes your money last.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

retirement income, financial planning, cash flow, investment strategies, annuities, 4% rule, income floor, bucketing strategy, three-legged stool, retirement planning

In this candid episode of Living Wealthy, Nick Poppe pulls back the curtain on a bold and unconventional financial move he recently made, cashing out the pre-tax portion of his 401(k). While most financial experts would advise rolling those funds into an IRA or another retirement account, Nick explains why he chose to take the tax hit and penalty to access that capital now. He walks through the numbers, his thought process, and the pros and cons of this decision.

Nick discusses why control and flexibility are crucial to him as a business owner and investor, and how having access to this money today allows him to pursue opportunities he believes can outperform traditional stock market return . He’s transparent about the risks, the upfront costs, and the other downsides he faces for going against conventional wisdom. This episode provides a look at personal finance from a perspective of individual goals and unique situations.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

You’ve spent years building your nest egg, but what happens when it’s finally time to live off of it? In this kickoff to a brand new Living Wealthy series, host Nick Poppe flips the script from accumulation to distribution. This episode dives into one of the most overlooked (and underplanned) stages of personal finance: retirement income.

Nick explains why retirement isn’t just about having enough money, it’s about knowing how to use it. He breaks down the mindset shift required to go from saving and investing to turning those assets into reliable, sustainable income. Along the way, he highlights key risks retirees face like sequence of returns, inflation, longevity, healthcare costs, and tax traps—and why the same strategies that got you here won’t get you through retirement.

Packed with real talk, examples, and a clear breakdown of what makes retirement planning so different (and so crucial), this episode sets the stage for a whole series of conversations about creating income with confidence, flexibility, and peace of mind.

If you're anywhere near retirement, or just want to think ahead, don’t miss this one.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

retirement, financial planning, income distribution, investment strategies, retirement risks, financial independence, wealth management, passive income, retirement income strategies, financial security

In this episode of Living Wealthy, host Nick Poppe invites you into a deeply personal reflection on what it means to plan your financial life so you can live without regrets. Drawing on his and his wife Brooke’s life-changing experience following her unexpected cancer diagnosis at age 29, Nick shares how that moment reshaped their entire approach to money, priorities, and legacy.

Inspired by the book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins, Nick discusses how to shift your mindset from endlessly accumulating wealth to intentionally using money to create a meaningful life today. He unpacks concepts like memory dividends, giving while living, and creating a memory budget that supports the experiences and relationships that matter most.

Nick also shares how the Bank On Yourself strategy supports this intentional lifestyle by offering financial flexibility and liquidity, helping you seize opportunities, fund meaningful experiences, and support others without sacrificing long-term goals.

This is a conversation about living on purpose, taking action before it’s too late, and designing a financial life that fuels the life you actually want to live. Nick ends with a simple, powerful challenge: What’s one experience you’re no longer willing to delay?

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial planning, living without regrets, intentional living, legacy, financial freedom, life experiences, budgeting, wealth management

In this episode of Living Wealthy, we climb to the top of the financial pyramid and talk about what most people think is personal finance-investing. But rather than hype stocks or dismiss risk, Nick breaks down the real differences between public markets, private investments, and speculative bets like crypto and startups.

You'll learn:

• The pros and cons of stocks, real estate, and speculative assets

• Where mainstream advice gets investing wrong

• A four-part framework to evaluate any investment (risk, reward, control, and alignment)

• Why liquidity isn’t everything

• How to use a Bank On Yourself policy as a launchpad for smarter investing

If you’ve ever wondered where should I put my money?—this episode is your guide. Real talk, no hype, and strategies you can actually use.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial foundation, investing, public markets, private markets, speculative investments, risk management, personal finance, investment strategies, wealth building, financial planning

In this episode of Living Wealthy, Nick Poppe challenges conventional financial wisdom by flipping the script from chasing net worth to building real, consistent income.

You’ll explore what it means to create an income floor that reduces dependence on a paycheck and adds more freedom to your financial life. Nick dives into income-producing assets like rental real estate, dividend-paying stocks, and annuities, and how these can support your lifestyle and not just inflate your balance sheet.

Plus, hear how Bank on Yourself policies can be used as a funding tool to invest in these income-generating opportunities without sacrificing long-term growth. If you're ready to think differently about how your money works for you, this episode is a must-listen.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial strategies, investing, income floor, net worth, cash flow, rental real estate, dividend stocks, annuities, financial freedom, personal finance

In this second episode of the Living Wealthy series, Nick Poppe digs into the unglamorous (but essential) part of wealth-building: laying your financial foundation. Most people skip it and pay the price.

Nick explains why true financial freedom begins with safety, liquidity, and control, not chasing the next hot investment. You’ll learn how to structure your emergency fund, what kinds of insurance help protect your income and family, and how tools like Bank on Yourself policies can give you long-term security and opportunity.

This episode helps you stop building on financial sand and finally pour a solid foundation of peace, flexibility, and confidence. Because when life happens, you’ll be ready.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial foundation, emergency funds, insurance, bank on yourself, investing, financial stability, wealth strategies, liquidity, control, financial peace

In this kickoff to a new Living Wealthy series, Nick Poppe breaks down one of the most misunderstood basics in personal finance: the difference between saving and investing and why getting the order right matters more than you think.

You’ll learn why saving is all about safety, certainty, and control, while investing is about risk, growth, and potential return. Nick shares personal examples, common myths (like calling a 401(k) “savings”), and explains how skipping foundational savings can leave you exposed when life happens.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial foundation, saving, investing, financial pyramid, wealth building, financial independence, personal finance, emergency fund, risk management, financial tools

In this episode of Living Wealthy, Nick Poppe unveils a brand-new service from Foundation Wealth Strategies: 1-on-1 financial coaching. It is designed for people who want financial guidance without having to be stock market pros or spreadsheet wizards.

Nick walks through the full 7-session coaching structure, covering everything from budgeting, debt, and saving to investing and financial independence. This program is built for real life: whether you're starting your first budget, thinking about quitting your W-2, or just tired of conflicting advice from financial gurus, this coaching is about clarity, direction, and a plan that actually fits you.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked by traditional financial advisors or just want someone to walk alongside you and help build a strategy that works—this episode is your invitation to a new kind of financial planning.

Ready to learn more or schedule a free intro call?

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

personal finance, financial coaching, budgeting, debt management, investing, financial independence, goal setting, wealth strategies, coaching sessions, financial education

Summary

In this episode of Living Wealthy, we break down the real story behind how financial professionals get paid—commissions, flat fees, and AUM (assets under management) fees.

I explain how each model works, the pros and cons of each, and what you should watch for to ensure you’re getting real value—not just a sales pitch. Whether you're working with a commission-based insurance agent or a fee-only planner, understanding how they’re compensated is key to making informed financial decisions.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial compensation, commissions, flat fees, AUM fees, financial advisors, value, transparency, personal finance, wealth management, fiduciary duty