Most people lock up money too early in retirement accounts and miss flexibility when opportunities show up. In this episode we walk through how we’d think about allocating $10k, $100k, and $1M, why we prioritize the employer match, how a self-directed IRA can expand options, and the tradeoffs between post tax dollars, real estate, and diversified holdings.

Timestamps

0:00 - Setup & stakes

1:06 - Matching the 401k

1:33 - Why going past the match could hurt

3:27 - 401k loan used strategically

6:44 - The “idle cash” mistake

7:42 - Rolling into a self-directed IRA

10:55 - Roth vs Traditional tradeoffs

21:32 - Unlock the IRA

47:47 - Final lessons 

This video is for education only. Not financial, legal, or tax advice. No results are guaranteed. Individuals are urged to do their own research and consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.