Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4quPe59 

Everyone quotes the Dave Ramsey Millionaire Study like it's gospel but here's the problem: the numbers don't tell the whole truth. In this episode, I break down what that "largest study of millionaires" actually was, what it wasn't, and what real millionaire data suggests about paying off your mortgage, investing, and building wealth faster than the standard 30–40 year track.

Before anyone grabs pitchforks, I'm not here to bash Dave. He's helped a lot of people get control of their budgets and get out of debt. But when it comes to creating wealth, there are cracks in the logic behind the study that's often cited to justify "always" paying off the home before investing more.  Words matter. In a viral clip, Dave says millionaires never invested instead of paying off the house then seconds later says almost never, then less than 10%. Which is it? That shift alone should make you ask better questions.

So I did. I dug into the study. It wasn't an independent, randomized sample of American millionaires. It was a survey of Ramsey's own audience run over roughly six or seven weeks (late 2017–early 2018). If you survey your own followers people already primed to use 401(k)s, pay off mortgages, and avoid leverage you'll get exactly what you taught them to do. That's not "the nation's millionaires"; that's your community.

What does broader data say? The Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances shows a significant portion of millionaire households still carry mortgages. Many build wealth with a mix of assets not just a paid-off house plus a 401(k). Other sources that look at higher net worth households Spectrum Group, Capgemini, and even communities like Tiger 21 show meaningful allocations to real estate and alternative investments, along with business equity and cash. In other words, there isn't one narrow path.

From nearly 25 years in the trenches first as a traditional advisor and since 2006 helping clients create passive income with alternative investments I've watched people accelerate their timelines by deploying capital into cash-flowing assets: rentals, real estate-backed funds, and businesses. I've seen clients go from a few hundred thousand in retirement accounts to million-plus net worth in a handful of years, without "swinging for the fences." Not get-rich-quick get-rich faster (and smarter).

Do some millionaires end up with paid-off homes? Absolutely. Often after they've already built substantial cash flow and net worth. That's a phase decision, not a cause of wealth. Personally, I've got a low-rate mortgage and plenty of investable opportunities. If one day I'm long on cash and short on compelling deals, sure I might kill the mortgage. Until then, capital works harder elsewhere.

Bottom line: don't accept "always" and "never" in finance. Understand sequence, strategy, and stage. If you want work-optional freedom sooner, you need assets that pay you now not just someday. Run the numbers. Question the narrative. And build a plan that matches your goals, risk, and timeline.

If you're ready to explore alternatives to the one-size-fits-all approach, let's talk at MoneyRipples.com. And if you found additional studies on millionaires and asset allocation, drop them in the comments I read them.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4o3SRgN 

Fidelity just hit a record number of 401(k) millionaires, but before you celebrate, let's take a hard look at what's really happening. In this episode, I dig deep into the latest Fidelity retirement report and reveal why this "milestone" might actually be a warning sign for anyone planning to retire on Wall Street's promises.

If you've been diligently saving in your 401(k), this episode is for you. Fidelity's numbers show that more Americans than ever have crossed the million-dollar mark in their retirement accounts over 1.1 million people between 401(k)s and IRAs. Sounds impressive, right? But as I break down these statistics, I'll show you the hidden risks behind this so-called success story.

The truth is, these new 401(k) millionaires didn't necessarily earn their way there through strategy or skill. The majority are benefiting from a long, unprecedented bull market. Sixteen and a half years of rising markets have made average savers look like investing geniuses but what happens when the market finally turns?

I'll unpack the real numbers behind the hype: the average millionaire in Fidelity's data is about 59 years old, has saved for 25 years, and contributes nearly 18% of their income (over 26% with employer matches). Yet, even with all that effort, they're sitting on just enough to generate about $30,000 a year in retirement income if everything goes perfectly.

That's not financial freedom. That's barely financial survival.

We'll also explore why most people don't make changes even when they're worried. Over half of Fidelity's investors say they're concerned about the economy, but only 5% have adjusted their portfolios. This is the danger of financial complacency believing the market will always go up.

In this episode, I challenge you to think differently about wealth and retirement. Instead of relying on hope and the stock market rollercoaster, I share why it's time to start creating real passive income through alternative investments assets that work for you no matter what Wall Street does.

If you've got significant savings but little to no passive income, you're not alone. I'll share stories of people who've reached out to me with millions in their accounts but only a few hundred dollars in monthly cash flow. The truth is, being a "401(k) millionaire" doesn't mean financial independence it means your money is trapped.

It's time to get your cash working harder for you, not the other way around.

I'll also share how you can start taking control with strategies like infinite banking, private lending, and other passive income investments that create predictable cash flow. And don't forget to check out my new book, The Work Optional Blueprint, available now on Kindle with the print version coming soon.

If you're ready to stop hoping for retirement someday and start building freedom today, this episode will open your eyes and your options.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4hHpFdv  What if you could ethically influence people, and they thanked you for it? Learn how at cialdini.com/decevent - Use code MONEYRIPPLES for a special bonus.

The economy has been shaking things up, and if you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader, you've probably felt it. Clients are hesitant. Marketing costs are up. Even some seven-figure earners are struggling. So how do you stand out and create real influence in a market full of uncertainty? Today, I'm joined again by Dr. Chris Phelps, the CEO of the Cialdini Institute, to uncover how you can use ethical persuasion and authority to gain the upper hand in any economy.

If you've read Dr. Robert Cialdini's groundbreaking work on persuasion, you already know how powerful these principles are. Chris and I dive deep into how you can apply them today to rebuild trust, attract loyal clients, and lead your team effectively even when times are tough.

We talk about what's really happening in the economy right now: from the rising costs of doing business to the erosion of consumer trust caused by AI-generated content, scams, and overwhelming noise in the marketplace. Chris explains why people are more skeptical than ever and how you can break through that wall with authentic authority, transparency, and trust.

We explore the authority principle why customers instinctively look for credible experts, and how positioning yourself as one can make your business stand out. Chris shares proven examples from the corporate world like Avis and L'Oréal's "You're worth it" campaign that demonstrate how honesty and vulnerability can actually make your brand more persuasive.

Then, we shift gears to leadership. Chris reveals how the consistency principle can transform team management and reduce micromanagement. He walks through how getting your team to make voluntary commitments leads to better results and a stronger sense of ownership because people don't want to be told what to do; they want to choose.

You'll also hear the fascinating story of how Chris went from running struggling dental practices during the 2008 recession to turning them into million-dollar successes three years in a row by applying these very same principles. And he explains how his collaboration with Dr. Robert Cialdini came to life creating a movement that's now helping businesses worldwide understand the science of influence.

We wrap up with practical insights you can use today to build authority, increase conversions, and inspire your team to take action even when the world feels unpredictable. If you want to stop competing on price, start leading with influence, and learn what truly drives human behavior, this episode is for you.

Join us for this powerful conversation that will give you the tools to not only survive in this economy but to lead, thrive, and create ripples of success in your business and beyond. Dr. Chris Phelps; links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-christopher-phelps-2b48b718/  - Website: https://cialdini.com/  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Dr-Christopher-Phelps-DMD-CMCT-61557905079311/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3IUR4M5 

Am I actually financially prepared to create real financial freedom with my real estate portfolio or could I already be there and just not know it yet? In this episode, I sit down with repeat guest Marcus Crigler, CPA and founder of BEC CFO & CPA (becfo.com), to break down the practical math, systems, and mindset that separate investors who think they're winning from those who truly achieve work-optional freedom.

Marcus' background is rare: at just 22, he was inside a CPA firm serving ultra-successful operators with tens of thousands of units the folks who don't flex on Instagram because they're too busy buying 26 multifamily properties in a single year. From that vantage point, he learned what most investors never see: the decisions made from the P&L, not the highlight reel. Today, his firm helps active investors wholesalers, flippers, property managers, and portfolio owners make money, save money, and build real wealth with bookkeeping, tax strategy, and CFO-level guidance.

We dig into the one metric elite investors live and die by: Return on Equity (ROE). If an asset's ROE slips to 3–5% (or worse), sophisticated owners don't "set it and forget it" they improve or recycle the asset. Marcus shows how "recapitalizing the portfolio" (selling, 1031-exchanging, or redeploying equity) can ratchet cash flow and accelerate net-worth compounding because a 3% appreciation on a $15M asset adds $500k versus $300k on a $10M asset. Same market. Better capitalization. Bigger wealth effect.

We also confront the biggest silent killer of freedom: ignoring your REO schedule. If you're not reviewing each property's current equity, cash flow, ROE, and next move, your portfolio is like milk you might not have opened it, but it still expires. I share a client story who sat on $700k of equity for $200/month of profit a 0.3% ROE until we moved the equity to stronger markets and turned it into $8,500/month. That's the power of measuring what matters.

Then we tackle my three step framework Get Lean, Get Liquid, Get Out and Marcus goes deep on why liquidity is the #1 determinant of long-term success. Cash cushions buy time, confidence, and most importantly opportunity. He tells the story of a client who almost shut down in October 2023, but because he'd stacked ~$800k in reserves, he ran into the fire when others ran out and later hit $900k revenue in a single month with strong margins. Liquidity didn't cost him returns; it bought him the right returns.

Finally, we get real about mindset. Most people don't stay in the rat race because they're broke; they stay because they're afraid of being broke again or of losing identity, status, or external validation. If that's you, the antidote is clarity: know your numbers, confront your gaps, and make the next high-leverage move. Freedom isn't theoretical it's math, method, and courage applied over time.

If you're an active real estate entrepreneur (or an "accidentally active" landlord) who wants CFO-level clarity, follow Marcus Crigler and check out BEC CFO & CPA. And if you want your money to work harder than you do, start with your REO schedule and ROE then decide whether each asset gets improved or recycled. That's how you turn a portfolio into true financial freedom.

Marcus' links:  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-crigler-cpa-977a45b7/  - Website: https://beccfo.com/marcus-crigler-ceo  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BECCFO 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/42GzEt6  Everyone's been comparing Bitcoin to gold lately, calling it the new "digital safe haven." But is it really that stable? Is Bitcoin the hedge against the dollar everyone claims it to be or just another speculative bubble disguised as digital gold? My goal is simple: to help you make your money work harder for you so you can stop working so hard for it. Today, we're diving into one of the biggest myths circulating in the financial world "Bitcoin is the new gold."

In this episode, I unpack real-time market data comparing Bitcoin's movement against gold and silver during recent tariff talks between Trump and China. You'll see how gold shot up nearly 5% as investors fled to safety while Bitcoin dropped over 7% in the same period. I'll show you what this means for your investments, why Bitcoin's behavior mirrors the S&P 500 more than gold, and what that tells us about its true nature.

We'll also talk about what actually qualifies as a store of value and why gold and silver have maintained that status for thousands of years while crypto still hasn't earned it. You'll hear me share my own experiences with Bitcoin going all the way back to 2011, when I was introduced to it before it even hit a dollar, and why I decided to stay grounded in real, tangible assets.

If you've been tempted to move your wealth into crypto because "everyone says it's safe," this episode will stop you in your tracks. I explain why digital currencies like Bitcoin are still speculative assets, not safe havens and what smarter investors and family offices do instead.

We'll go deeper into how the wealthy think about risk allocation why they only keep 1–3% of their portfolio in speculative assets like crypto, while placing more of their wealth in real assets like gold, silver, real estate, and infinite banking strategies. You'll also learn how I categorize each asset class in my own portfolio and how to structure yours for true financial freedom and stability.

Finally, I'll walk you through practical steps to protect your wealth from volatility how to combine real estate, commodities, and private lending to build a diversified plan that keeps you cashflowing no matter what happens in the economy. Whether you're new to crypto or already holding Bitcoin, this is the reality check you need to make informed, profitable decisions that align with your long-term financial goals.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3KP3uFM  What if everything you've been taught about money saving, investing, and "playing it safe" is exactly what keeps you from building real wealth? My guest today, Dave Wolcott, breaks down what the ultra-wealthy actually do with their money that most people never learn.

Dave's story is incredible. A former Marine Corps Captain turned multimillionaire investor, Dave went from following the traditional "get a job and max your 401(k)" plan to realizing that strategy could never deliver true financial freedom. When his family suddenly grew from one child to four overnight thanks to triplets he knew he had to rethink everything. What followed was a deep dive into how the top 1% and 0.01% really build wealth.

Dave discovered that the ultra-wealthy don't rely on Wall Street. They invest in private assets, they use tax incentives as wealth accelerators, and they stack strategies like infinite banking and alternative investments to create multiple layers of growth and protection. He reveals how groups like Tiger 21, whose average member net worth is $100 million, keep less than 25% of their wealth in the stock market while the rest is working for them through real estate, private equity, and alternative ventures.

We unpack how you can adopt that same model whether you're earning six figures or running a business by shifting from accumulation theory (the "save, wait, and hope" retirement model) to cash-flow investing that pays you now. Dave explains how the wealthy use the tax code as a roadmap, not a penalty system, leveraging incentives in energy, real estate, and business ownership to legally reduce taxes and supercharge returns.

We also dive into how Infinite Banking (IBC) fits into this bigger picture using your own capital as a warehouse to fund deals, create liquidity, and compound growth tax-efficiently. You'll see how the ultra-wealthy combine IBC, real estate, and private investments to multiply returns and achieve near-zero tax exposure all while maintaining control over their capital.

If you've ever wondered why the rich keep getting richer while everyone else keeps "diversifying" into Wall Street mutual funds, this conversation will change the way you think about money forever.

Get your free copy of Dave's book, "The Holistic Wealth Strategy," at holisticwealthstrategy.com and start building your own framework for lasting wealth beyond the markets.

Dave's links:

-Website: https://pantheoninvest.com/  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wolcott-863306/  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dave.wolcott.589  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pantheoninvest/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4h5jT4Q 

The stock market isn't just hot, it's overheated. Everyone's greedy, valuations are inflated, and history tells us this is when the smart money takes profits. I've been warning you about this moment for a while, but now even Wall Street insiders and mainstream economists are starting to sound the alarm. In this episode, I'll break down exactly why this could be your last best chance to cash in before the correction hits and what smart investors are doing right now to protect and multiply their wealth.

For over a decade on The Money Ripples Podcast, I've helped thousands of people build passive income, break free from financial stress, and live a life of purpose and abundance. Today, I'm showing you what's really going on behind the scenes of this so-called "bull market" that's being propped up by speculation, hype, and dangerous overconfidence.

You'll hear about the wild truth behind the AI bubble, what the Citigroup Panic/Euphoria Index is revealing, and why current market valuations at 25 times earnings should have every smart investor on alert. I dive into what "call options" really mean and why the surge in speculative trading could be the biggest red flag since 2000.

I also expose how companies like Oracle are skyrocketing in value despite reporting worse-than-expected earnings a clear sign that logic and fundamentals have left the building. This kind of frothy euphoria has always ended the same way: a painful correction.

So what do you do about it? I share practical, actionable strategies on how to scale out of the market, take your profits, and diversify into real, cash-flowing assets that can protect your wealth. Whether it's infinite banking, alternative investments, or other private opportunities, I'll show you how to keep your money growing even while Wall Street burns.

And here's the truth: doing nothing is still a decision. You can stay in, hope the market keeps rising, and risk losing the gains you've worked for. Or you can follow what the smartest investors like Warren Buffett are already doing: holding cash, staying patient, and positioning for opportunity.

If you're ready to take control, this episode will show you how to think like the 1%, act before the herd, and make moves that protect your freedom, your family, and your future.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4o6MkS8  Dave Ramsey says you should save to pay cash for a house. But is that really smart in today's market?  In this episode, I'm going to show you why that strategy might actually cost you your dream home, and why locking in a mortgage yes, even with higher rates can be the more financially sound and wealth-building move.

I've heard countless stories from hardworking people trying to "save their way" to homeownership, only to watch prices skyrocket faster than their savings can grow. In fact, one woman I spoke with is working 80 hours a week at two jobs just to save cash for a home. Admirable? Absolutely. But effective? Not really. When I ran the numbers, what I found even shocked me and it's something Dave Ramsey doesn't talk about.

In this episode, I dive deep into the real math behind buying versus saving. You'll hear how saving for 15 or 20 years could mean chasing a moving target as home prices double or triple while your purchasing power declines. I'll walk you through an example comparing someone saving $1,500 a month for a $200,000 home versus locking in a mortgage today and how the difference could mean more than a decade of your life lost to the chase.

We'll break down:

• Why real estate appreciation can destroy even the most disciplined savings plans.
• How inflation and rising prices make "waiting to buy" one of the riskiest strategies out there.
• The hidden benefits of locking in your price now, even with PMI or higher rates.
• How to make inflation work for you, not against you.
• Why having liquid assets and financial flexibility beats being "house rich and cash poor."

I'll even show you why, by paying your mortgage strategically or investing the extra cash at decent returns, you could pay off your house in 8 years instead of 19 without sacrificing your peace of mind.

This isn't about reckless debt or ignoring financial discipline it's about using smart leverage and sound strategy to build wealth faster, without chasing your tail or missing out on the very opportunities you've been working so hard for.

If you've ever wondered whether saving cash or using a mortgage makes more sense, this episode gives you the data, the logic, and the freedom-focused mindset to make the right move for your future.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4h2bOOs  

Can a YouTube channel actually help you raise more capital, attract better real estate deals, and scale your brand faster than cold calls and mailers? 

That's exactly what I dig into with my friend Kyle Stanley an investor, former sports anchor turned entrepreneur, Airbnb operator, and creator behind @realKyleStanley. If you're an active investor who wants deal flow on autopilot or a passive investor who wants a smarter way to source and vet operators, this conversation will show you how long-form content becomes your best lead generator.

We start with Kyle's backstory going from struggling entrepreneur to doing his first real estate deal six weeks after joining FortuneBuilders, then building and selling both an Airbnb management company and a mid–six-figure education business. The common thread? He built trust at scale through YouTube and podcasts. Instead of hoarding "secrets," he leaned into abundance, shared his playbook publicly, and almost by accident created inbound deal flow, private money conversations, and high-value partnerships.

We unpack the three channel archetypes any investor can use:

- Expert: teach frameworks and case studies when you have reps. - Reporter: interview credible experts (yes, even before you're one). Borrow authority while you build it. - Documentarian: film the journey property walkthroughs, underwrites, wins, and lessons. 

Kyle explains the 7–11 rule (seven hours across at least 11 touches) and why YouTube's long-form format compounds trust faster than short-form social. We talk strategy for raising money without "pitching," how consistent content turns you into a magnet for agents, wholesalers, lenders, and limited partners, and why giving away the "what" and "why" inevitably creates paid demand for the "how." We also hit mindset objections "I'm not charismatic," "there's too much competition," "I don't have time" and show you how to publish simple, honest videos that attract the right people and quietly repel the wrong ones.

If you're a passive investor, this is a cheat code: use a channel to interview and diligence operators in public. You'll expand your network, surface better opportunities, and gather insights you'd never get from a pitch deck. 

For active operators, Kyle lays out a practical path to consistent posting, realistic expectations, and the compounding effects of showing up weeklyeven when the views are small. We compare celebrity launches (The Rock's tequila), why audience beats product on day one, and how a steady drip of value creates reciprocity and referrals you can't buy with ads.

We wrap with resources to follow Kyle, how to book a consult if you want help building a channel that raises capital, and a reminder I learned the hard way over 11 years: imperfect action beats perfect planning. You don't need studio lights to start building trust. You need a phone, a point of view, and the discipline to hit publish.

Kyle Stanley's links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realkylestanley/  Website: https://realkylestanley.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealKyleStanley  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-stanley-b0a4a487/ 

Ready to see how infinite banking could work for you? Book a free call here: https://bit.ly/42wZeAO  and let's make your money work harder, tax-free.

Everyone talks about Roth IRAs and many of you ask me about infinite banking but almost no one shows you how to combine infinite banking with real estate, business, or even oil and gas to create what I call a potential "tax-never" outcome. In this episode, I break down exactly how I use properly structured whole life (max-ROI infinite banking) alongside tax-advantaged investments so my money can work in two places at once growing uninterrupted inside the policy while I put capital to work in cash-flowing deals.

First, I level-set what a Roth IRA really is: a tax wrapper, not an investment. You can hold CDs, stocks, or even certain real estate inside it. Roth shines when the underlying investment has no tax advantages like simple lending or plain vanilla income funds because the wrapper gives you tax-free growth and withdrawals later. But when you're using investments that already come with write-offs or depreciation, the Roth can actually block benefits you could have taken elsewhere.

That's where infinite banking is different. I fund a high-cash-value whole life policy with after-tax dollars; the cash value grows tax-advantaged and I can access it via a policy loan or line of credit to invest in whatever I choose without age restrictions. I can't "place" the investment inside the policy (this isn't an IRA), but I can leverage the cash value to fund opportunities and keep my dollars compounding. People always ask, "Can I write off my life insurance premiums?" Generally, no if you try to deduct them, you risk losing key tax benefits elsewhere. The smarter move is to let the policy grow and then deploy those dollars into activities that do create deductions.

For example, as a business owner (S-Corp), legitimate expenses marketing, R&D, team, systems are deductible. If I borrow against my policy to fund those expenses, I'm still earning crediting inside the policy while capturing the tax write-off at the business level. The interest I pay on policy or bank lines used for bona fide business purposes can often be deductible, too. Same idea in real estate: if you or your spouse qualify as a Real Estate Professional, bonus depreciation and other write-offs can offset active income. I walk through how couples sometimes position the lower-W-2 spouse to achieve RE Pro status so depreciation can reduce the household's overall tax bill.

We also talk about energy specifically oil & gas working interests where portions of your capital can be deductible in year one (depending on the deal structure). Imagine using policy cash value to fund that investment: you get potential deductions up front, income from the project, and your policy value continues compounding in the background—helping you reach work-optional status before age 59½, unlike Roth rules.

I tie this into my "Wealth Wheel": Get Lean (increase cash flow, slash taxes), Get Liquid (store reserves in max-efficiency infinite banking, not in tax-prisons like 401(k)s), and Get Out (deploy into passive, tax-advantaged cash flow). I share how I personally hold emergency and opportunity cash in policies, then cycle it through business, real estate, and energy to accelerate wealth while keeping optionality and minimizing the drag of taxes.

If you've been looking for a practical, real-world way to combine infinite banking with tax-smart investing and to build freedom without waiting decades this episode gives you the blueprint.