In this episode of Thrive and Achieve, Dr. Matt Markel sits down with financial strategist and Money Mastery founder Wade L. Reed, who has spent 20 years helping over 1,000+ families and business owners free up $8.3M+ per year in cashflow.

Wade isn’t your typical “financial guru.”
His approach cuts through the noise, the fear, and the emotional chaos surrounding money—and replaces it with clarity, control, and confidence.

This conversation will change how you think about money, savings, taxes, investing, and your long-term financial strategy.

Wade explains the hidden psychological trap that derails even high-income earners—and why traditional “pay yourself first” advice fails for 90%+ of people.

This alone is worth listening to the episode.
Wade gives a simple shift that can increase your savings rate from 5% to 30% without changing your lifestyle.

(And yes, it’s shockingly simple.)

Wade breaks down his signature four-step system:

• Organize
• Systemize
• Optimize
• Maximize
  You’ll understand exactly how to build wealth even if you’ve felt disorganized for years.

This is the opposite of what most people think—and Wade proves why chasing investment returns is often the exact thing keeping you stuck.

Wade talks about why money fog happens, how it leads to anxiety and bad decisions, and how to instantly increase your sense of control.

Direct deposit → checking account?
Wade explains why this one habit destroys your financial potential—and what to do instead.

Not the salesman version—Wade gives the actual math behind:

• Infinite banking
• High early cash value
• Arbitrage
• Asset protection
• Tax advantages that most people never consider

This is a masterclass, not a sales pitch.

Wade walks through his 4-tier pyramid—what’s safe, what’s risky, what’s appropriate, and why most people are way too top-heavy.

Including the trap inside 401(k)s and IRAs, the misconception about tax deferral, and how taxes can destroy an investment if you don’t plan.

Wade’s career advice is crystal-clear, contrarian, and spot-on for W-2 professionals.

• “Savings is just delayed spending.”
• “The order of cash flow dictates the outcome.”
• “Your money should go to you before it goes to anyone else.”
• “Money is emotional. The more control and clarity you create, the happier you become.”
• “The highest ROI investment you’ll ever make is improving your own skills.”
• “Wealth is not a number—wealth is a life you can love and sustain.”