Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4mEJmmI  We’ve all heard the “4% rule,” right? The idea that you can safely withdraw 4% from your retirement portfolio and never run out of money. But here’s the question I’m tackling today: is that belief quietly holding you back and could you actually triple your retirement income overnight?

In this episode, I walk you through why the 4% rule was never a true “rule,” how it was back-tested on a narrow slice of market history, and why it’s even less reliable today with longer lifespans, persistent inflation, and very different market dynamics. Many planners have already downgraded it to a 3% rule for anyone retiring in their 60s and if you’re targeting early retirement, I explain why 2% is often closer to reality. That’s a problem when you’ve got seven figures saved and still can’t create the lifestyle you actually want.

I break down the common myth that the S&P 500 reliably delivers 10%+ forever. Most people don’t realize how much of the old long-term average came from dividends and how today’s index is dominated by mega-cap, low-dividend tech. Even if we grant a 10% average for argument’s sake, accumulation math still gets crushed by velocity turning capital into predictable passive income now, not “maybe someday” returns on a spreadsheet. I compare the traditional “big pile, small drip” approach to a cashflow-first strategy that produces real dollars you can spend without cannibalizing principal.

You’ll hear real examples from families I’ve worked with: a listener with $1,000,000 told by his advisor to live on 3% ($30,000/yr) who re-engineered his plan across alternative, Main Street investments duplexes, apartments, and energy plays to target well into six figures of annual cash flow. I also share the story of a 50-year-old aspiring health coach with $250,000 who thought she needed a million before she could step back. When we reframed her goal around income, not account size, that same $250k working at 10% became ~$25,000/yr enough to buy her time now, not a decade from now.

You’ll also learn:

• Why safe withdrawal rate math forces you to live below your portfolio’s long-term average—and why higher inflation makes it worse.
• How DSR (dollars-to-spend reality) beats SWR (safe withdrawal rate) when your income comes from assets that actually pay you monthly.
• The difference between accumulating assets on paper and building cash-producing assets in the real world.
• Why shortening your time horizon to income reduces the risk of being wrecked by the next market cycle.
• How to think about diversification that actually helps (across income streams), not just across ticker symbols.

If you’re serious about becoming work optional, stop worshiping at the altar of account balances and start optimizing for cash flow. That’s the path to choice, freedom, and the ability to create a real ripple effect in the lives of others. Want help stress-testing your numbers and mapping a cashflow plan that fits you? Head to MoneyRipples.com check out the Work Optional Calculator and our resources on infinite banking and alternative income strategies and let’s put your money to work so you don’t have to.

Imagine a life where work is optional because your money provides the income. Let’s make that your reality; reserve your call today here: https://bit.ly/4nMWJm0  How do you create a ripple effect when you feel like you don’t have much to give? 

In this episode, I pull back the curtain with Alexa DePaolo keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of The Ripple Effect to show you exactly how to build impact and income even when resources feel scarce. If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll invest in myself when I have more time or money,” this conversation will lovingly call out that boldfaced lie and replace it with a practical path forward.

I open with the mission behind Money Ripples: becoming work-optional by building enough passive income to work because you want to, not because you have to. Alexa then shares her raw, rags-to-riches story growing up in poverty without running water or electricity, later a young single mom on welfare who bet on herself with a commission-only career and rebuilt everything. We talk about the mindset shifts that make that kind of turnaround possible: identity, affirmations, and embodied confidence (not fluff). Your brain doesn’t know the difference between truth and a lie so feed it faith, not fear.

We dig into why excuses are expensive and how the most costly thing isn’t education it’s ignorance. Alexa and I break down how to get resourceful when cash is tight: carpooling to events, creative ticket strategies, staying with friends, and focusing on ROI instead of out-of-pocket cost. We also get tactical about the power of proximity how one room, one idea, or one relationship can add six or seven figures to your trajectory. If you’ve ever felt like your background (trailer park, anyone?) disqualifies you, this episode reframes your story as your edge.

Alexa previews Ripple Effect Live (October 17–18, Denver, CO): a high-intent room for lenders, realtors, and growth-minded entrepreneurs where top performers (consistently closing $50M–$250M+ a year) unpack the exact strategies that move the needle 40%+ while others are shrinking. We talk humility and hunger why you don’t need to be the smartest person in the room, just the most coachable and consistent. We cover the daily disciplines that turn positive self-talk into results: morning mindset reps, clear KPIs, and non-negotiable action.

You’ll also hear a reminder from me: you’re always one conversation away from a breakthrough. When I was deep in debt, I sacrificed to get in the right rooms. The more it cost me, the more intentional I became and the bigger the ROI. If you’re on the fence about investing in yourself, ask the real question: What’s the cost of staying where you are?

If you’re ready to expand your impact and income, build a network that elevates your net worth, and finally embody the person you keep telling yourself you’ll become “someday,” this episode gives you the mindset and the moves to start now. Alexa's links: - Website: https://www.alexadepaolo.com/  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-depaolo-456352158/overlay/about-this-profile/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealexadepaolo/  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexaCOHomeLender/   

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

Can you be a passive real estate investor and still enjoy powerful tax advantages that accelerate your wealth? Absolutely and in this episode, I bring on CPA and tax incentive expert Jason Melillo to show you exactly how.

Jason has spent over 25 years in the tax and real estate space. Early in his career, he discovered cost segregation studies, a tool that allows investors to accelerate depreciation and dramatically reduce their tax burden. While Fortune 500 companies have used this for decades, most everyday business owners and real estate investors have never tapped into it. Jason and his firm made it their mission to bring these tax-saving strategies to small and mid-size investors, and the results are incredible.

We talk about how business owners like doctors, dentists, or chiropractors who own their buildings are often leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table simply because they don’t know about cost segregation or bonus depreciation. Jason explains how these strategies can take a normal $10,000 annual deduction and turn it into a $150,000 year-one deduction—freeing up capital to reinvest into more properties and accelerate wealth.

You’ll also hear how real estate professional status works, including the 750-hour rule, and how even short-term rentals like VRBOs can create active business income that offsets W2 income. Jason breaks down how investors can move from one property to many, using tax advantages and leverage to scale without paying more to Uncle Sam.

We also cover:

- Why bonus depreciation has put cost segregation “on steroids” - How to use tax deductions from one property to shelter income from others - Creative ways W2 employees can benefit, even without becoming full-time investors - How the wealthy structure real estate to legally pay little or no taxes for life - The role of 1031 exchanges and the step-up in basis to eliminate taxes permanently

This isn’t theory. These are strategies billionaires use every day and Jason shows how everyday investors can do the same. If you want to keep more of what you earn, reinvest it wisely, and reach financial freedom faster, this is a must-listen episode.

Jason's links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmelillocpa/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3Ibe49f 

Almost everyone out there is saying, “Wait until age 67 or 70 to take Social Security.” But is that really the smartest move or could it actually cost you the freedom you could have right now? In this episode, I dig into the real math behind Social Security and show you how in many cases, you can actually come out ahead by taking it earlier.

I share the story of one of my clients who faced this exact decision at age 61. Using his real numbers, I walk you through how different claiming ages impact not just the monthly payment but also the opportunity cost of waiting. By applying the concept of velocity of money, I demonstrate how reinvesting Social Security income can often create higher cash flow and more options today versus holding out for a slightly bigger check later.

Along the way, I challenge the traditional advice from financial gurus like Dave Ramsey. While I agree with his point that the government isn’t doing a good job with your money, I show you where the math actually proves the case for taking Social Security early especially if you’re smart about where you reinvest it. I also highlight why simply dumping that money into the stock market isn’t the best answer in today’s economic climate.

You’ll learn:

• The time value of money and why earlier cash flow often beats delayed payouts
• How to evaluate whether waiting until age 70 really benefits you—or just delays your freedom
• Why inflation-adjusted COLA increases don’t keep up with reality
• Smarter alternatives like passive income investments, secured real assets, or even life insurance strategies
• How reverse mortgages can complement Social Security for homeowners at age 62 and beyond

This episode isn’t just theory it’s about putting control back in your hands. Whether you’re already in your 60s and weighing your options, or you’re younger and just want to stop worrying about Social Security, the takeaway is clear: stop waiting on the government and start creating your own freedom today.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/46c7IiX 

You’ve been told forever that 401(k)s and IRAs “save you taxes.” They don’t. They delay your tax bill and if rates rise, you could easily pay more later than you would today. 

In this episode, I pull the curtain back on one of the most expensive myths in personal finance and show you why deferring taxes can sabotage your freedom.

I start by laying out how traditional retirement plans really work: you contribute pre-tax dollars, they grow tax-deferred, and you withdraw at ordinary income rates the highest rates on the tax chart. 

Then I ask the only question that matters: do you want to pay tax on the seed or the harvest? If you’re planning to live an abundant life with strong cash flow, paying later on a larger harvest can become a costly mistake.

I also break down why many employees lose major deductions by retirement (mortgage interest and dependent credits), while healthcare and lifestyle spending often increase. Add inflation, and you must withdraw more nominal dollars to buy the same life pushing more of your withdrawals into higher brackets. We look at the history of top marginal tax rates and the current reality of federal debt and deficits, making the case that betting on lower future tax rates is wishful thinking.

If you’re a business owner, I get even more direct: stuffing cash into a 401(k), SEP IRA, 403(b), or TSP can be a raw deal. You’re often in your lowest effective tax rate today thanks to business deductions then you voluntarily trade that for higher ordinary income taxation later, after you’ve sold your business, lost deductions, and possibly entered a tighter bracket structure. And remember: with ERISA plans like the 401(k), you’re not the true owner the government writes the rules and can change them (RMD ages, penalties, access) whenever it wants.

What about Roth IRAs? They’re better than traditional accounts, but still government-controlled with tiny contribution limits, income phase-outs, and the ever-present risk of rule changes. The “backdoor Roth” can also be closed at any time. If you’re serious about becoming work-optional, you need control, liquidity, and tax strategy you can count on.

I explain why I prefer using properly structured whole life insurance as a cash-value foundation (what many call “infinite banking”): contractual guarantees at the time you start, tax-advantaged access along the way, and the ability to redeploy capital into cash-flowing real assets like real estate—where depreciation and other strategies can offset income. I also share how I personally treat old plan balances (e.g., legacy DB/IRA funds): I don’t count on them, and when possible, I look to self-direct into assets I understand.

Bottom line: traditional retirement plans don’t “save” taxes; they postpone them, often to a worse time. If you want real freedom faster, prioritize vehicles and strategies that give you control now, protect you from inflation and rising taxes, and produce passive income that lets you work because you want to not because you have to.

If you want help mapping this out, head to MoneyRipples.com, try the Work Optional Calculator, and keep your eyes out for my new book, Work Optional Blueprint. 

Too many investors get stuck overanalyzing, stuck in fear, stuck waiting for a “perfect” moment that never comes. Meanwhile, real opportunities pass by. 

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Foley, known as Vertical Blonde, whose story and framework for identity-level change will help you get moving again. Sarah went from TV host and spa director to internationally recognized speaker and coach featured on the Tony Robbins Podcast and the Mel Robbins Show. What I love about her approach is that it translates directly to building wealth: the fastest way through hesitation is shifting who you’re being, not just what you’re doing.

We talk about how she created “Vertical Blonde,” an iconic identity she chose on purpose one that guided her presence, habits, and decisions. You’ll hear how her media background in Palm Springs, leadership experience running a major spa in Park City, and later years in Maui all converged into a simple, reliable system for momentum. Sarah shows why most people get trapped in their heads trying to appease the room, and how to drop into the body, trust your gut, and speak and act from lived results. That’s not toxic positivit  it’s disciplined alignment.

If you’ve felt frozen by market headlines or analysis paralysis, this conversation is your reset. We dig into “live ready” the practice of preparing your mindset, energy, and routines so you’re ready to create opportunity each day, not chase it. Sarah explains how to name and design your own iconic identity, how to build daily readiness (from movement to morning setup), and how to surround yourself with people who are already in motion. When you lead from inner alignment, networking becomes natural, conversations open, and decisions get easier. That’s exactly what investors need when everyone else is waiting on the sidelines.

We also connect this to passive income: if you want freedom, you need action. Readiness compounds into traction; traction compounds into results. Whether you’re new to Money Ripples or you’ve been with me for years, you’ll come away with a practical playbook: define who you’re being, keep your energy clean, move first, and let like-minded people and opportunities find you. If you’ve been looking for a permission slip to take the next step this is it.

Sarah Foley’s links:  - Website: https://www.verticalblonde.com/  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VerticalBlonde/  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfoley-verticalblonde/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4mE3uFX 

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

We just got a wake-up call from the BLS jobs report revision 911,000 fewer jobs than originally reported over the last year. That’s not a rounding error; that’s a major reset that changes how investors, homeowners, and business owners should think about the economy right now. In this episode, I break down what the BLS revision means, why the numbers were off in the first place, and how it could ripple through interest rates, unemployment, the stock market, and real estate values.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’m an “anti-financial advisor.” I don’t chase the headlines or the herd; I care about cash flow, control, and creating a work-optional life. 

Today I walk you through how the BLS constructs the monthly jobs report (including the “birth-death” model), why revisions tend to go down late in the cycle, and why the March 2024–March 2025 period is especially important. We’ve now had back-to-back downward adjustments roughly 600,000 last year and 911,000 this year meaning the last two years overstated job growth by about 1.5 million. That should make every serious investor rethink risk.

I also connect the dots between jobs data, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and the 10-year Treasury. The Fed doesn’t move in a vacuum they’re watching Treasury yields just like we are. I explain why I expected only gradual cuts this year, what could force a larger move, and why a bigger-than-expected cut isn’t necessarily “good news.” If the Fed moves 50 bps or more, it could be because the cracks are wider than most realize.

What does that mean for your wallet? I spell out the practical impacts:

- Why HELOC and credit-card rates may ease a bit with Fed cuts, while 30-year mortgage rates barely budge unless the 10-year decisively breaks lower. - The level I’m watching before buyers really flood back into housing (hint: think sub-6% mortgages). - How waiting for “perfect” rates can backfire because when rates finally look attractive, demand and prices can snap higher first. - Why this could be one of those contrarian moments when buying real estate before the crowd returns creates the biggest advantage (especially with lenders offering low- or no-cost rate-recast/refi options).

We also talk about what happens if companies keep cutting costs, lean harder on AI, and delay hiring how that filters through small businesses, consumer spending, and ultimately corporate earnings. If we slide from a “soft landing” into a soft grind a longer, lower, stickier slowdown savvy investors will prioritize capital protection, liquidity, and targeted opportunities that cash flow now.

Bottom line: This is not the time to “wait and see.” It’s time to think independently, protect downside, and position for moves most people will only make after it’s obvious. 

Now is the time to open your own Infinite Banking Policy: https://bit.ly/47EWtRd 

Is “buy term and invest the difference” actually the superior strategy or are both sides missing the bigger picture? In this episode, I break down the classic BTID vs. whole life debate with real numbers, real timelines, and a third approach I believe builds more wealth and more flexibility now and later.

I start by laying out what BTID really assumes: you buy a cheap 20-year term life policy and diligently invest the rest (most folks don’t but let’s assume you do). For a healthy 45-year-old male, I use an example premium of $674 per year for $600,000 of coverage, and assume you invest $24,326 annually at a generous 8% market return for 20 years. That grows to about $1.2M before taxes. If you follow the (already shaky) 4% rule, that’s $48,000 a year then taxes trim it to about $36,000 a year, roughly $3,000/month. Oh, and when the term ends, the premium explodes (think $20k+ per year in your late 60s), which is why

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4nqhLXt  What does it actually take to stop being a hearer and become a doer? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Evan Hirsch (Energy MD Method) about the exact mindset and actions that helped him cross that line from conventional saving to building financial freedom and designing a life he loves. Evan’s a physician who specializes in chronic fatigue, long COVID, and what he calls the “toxic five”: heavy metals, chemicals, molds, infections, and nervous system dysfunction. He shares how his own crash pushed him to rebuild his health with a methodical, 12-month, natural detox program and how the same principles of root-cause thinking, mentorship, and disciplined execution now power his investing.

We dig into the difference between information and transformation and why transformation only happens when you invest, implement, and iterate. Evan walks through his wealth journey: reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, buying his first property in residency, listening to BiggerPockets, and then realizing that the “ten paid-off rentals at 65” plan wasn’t the only way. When real-world numbers on single-family cash flow didn’t pencil (tenants, repairs, and thin margins), he looked for a smarter path to become work optional sooner, not decades from now.

You’ll hear how he’s restructuring with self-directed IRA and Solo 401(k) accounts, selling several rentals, and reallocating into vetted private deals for steadier monthly cash flow enough to generate about $5,000/month outside retirement accounts. Why? Because he and his family are moving to the Netherlands next year for their daughter’s university, and they want flexibility without relying on business income alone. We talk candidly about taxes, why a 1031 didn’t fit his objectives, using cost segregation and accelerated depreciation where appropriate, and the tradeoffs of liquidity versus deferral.

Evan also shares practical health takeaways: why constant fatigue isn’t “just burnout,” how to think about detox pathways, why “feeling worse to get better” is a myth, and how a step-by-step approach addresses fatigue, sleep issues, brain fog, and pain. If you or someone you love is dragging through the day, his site (EnergyMDMethod.com) has nearly a hundred case studies and access to his bestselling resources.

Most importantly, we tie health and wealth together. If you truly want a rich life, you have to prioritize both. That means mentors who’ve done it, a plan you will actually follow, and small daily improvements. Whether you’re just getting started or retooling your portfolio for cash flow, this conversation will help you move from knowing to doing so you can build options, create impact, and enjoy your life now. Dr. Evan Hirsch links: - Website: https://www.energymdmethod.com/  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrEvanHirsch/  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drevanhirsch/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanhirschmd/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/46ukpWj 

Everyone keeps saying the S&P 500 is the safest, smartest place to invest. But here’s what almost no one is telling you: it’s massively concentrated, historically overvalued, and dangerously reliant on a handful of mega-cap names.

In this episode, I break down the hidden risks of indexing that could quietly delay your financial freedom plus what I’m doing instead to create dependable passive income.

I used to be “all in” on Wall Street. I started as a traditional financial advisor, graduated to index evangelist, and even traded the S&P 500 itself. Indexing felt diversified and predictable. But look at what’s changed: the index is now dominated by a tiny group of tech giants. If a single name like NVIDIA sneezes, the “market” catches a cold. That’s not real diversification that’s concentration risk with a prettier label.

You’ll also hear a fiery exchange from Dave Ramsey with a caller who accuses him of being “stupid and arrogant.” Dave makes one point I agree with: most investors who don’t do the homework are often better off in simple index funds than in fee-heavy, underperforming mutual funds. But let’s be honest about how wealth is actually created. Even Dave didn’t build his fortune by maxing out an S&P 500 index. He built a wildly profitable business and bought a lot of real estate. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett runs Berkshire Hathaway an actively managed holding company and openly holds record cash when the market looks frothy. Actions speak louder than slogans.

We revisit history: Enron and Lehman Brothers taught us how quickly “blue chips” can implode and how slow big mutual funds can be to exit. We run the math on the S&P’s long-term return profile and what that means after inflation and taxes. If you’re dutifully stashing $20k a year for 30 years hoping the index will set you free, you may be disappointed when the “withdraw 3–4%” rule meets a bad decade. Sequence risk is real.

Then I contrast that with a cash-flow-first approach: real, tangible cash-flowing assets (income-producing real estate, private credit, private equity in operator-led small businesses, and other alternatives backed by real value). Instead of praying for price appreciation, I focus on streams of income that can pay me this year not “someday.”

Key takeaways:

• The S&P 500 isn’t as diversified as you think; it’s increasingly cap-weighted and top-heavy.
• Forward returns after long, euphoric runs are usually lower, and margin-fueled manias don’t end gently.
• “Average investor” advice keeps you average. Financial freedom comes faster when you own cash-flowing assets.
• Wealthy families don’t rely on a single paper index they own businesses, real estate, and private deals that spin off cash.

If you’re serious about becoming work-optional, stop asking, “What did the market do?” and start asking, “What did my cash flow do?” That’s the metric that moves you from hope to freedom.

Want to see how quickly your money could replace your income? Run the passive income calculator at MoneyRipples.com and let’s map your Work-Optional Blueprint.