Money Ripples Podcast

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.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3KD6Xa9  With all the uncertainty swirling right now, should we run to gold, silver, or something entirely different? And is the U.S. dollar really in trouble or just going through another cycle? In this episode I bring on David Morgan veteran analyst, author, and publisher of The Morgan Report to cut through the noise and help us separate financial dogma from reality. David’s been studying markets for over four decades, and his path started young back when U.S. coins moved from 90% silver to clad. That curiosity led him to dig into how money is created, fractional-reserve banking, and why “all fiat fails” is more than a slogan. You’ll hear the story of how, while working in the aircraft industry as a B-1 bomber crew member, a test pilot’s contrarian newsletter opened the door to an entirely different way of thinking about wealth. We get practical. David explains why most media keeps you in an echo chamber (think Operation Mockingbird and algorithmic bubbles), how to cross-check narratives using international sources (yes, even South African and Russian outlets for a different lens), and how to apply an engineer’s mindset objectivity and first principles to your money. Then we go deep on currencies. Will the dollar “die,” or simply reprice? David outlines two classic paths debt-liquidating deflation vs. hyperinflationary depression and why the likely reality is a split outcome: over-levered assets (like margin-soaked equities and some real estate) reprice lower while essential commodities (especially food) can climb. We talk what that means for everyday investors who want cash flow and stability, not headlines. We also tackle the next phase of money: tokenization and potential CBDCs. David walks through how a digital-first system could roll out (with “on-ramp incentives,” digital ID, and iris-scan pilots already normalizing the idea), what the BIS (Bank for International Settlements) is publishing about the rails, and the kind of “crisis pretext” that could accelerate adoption. Whether you’re crypto-curious or crypto-cautious, you need to understand the direction of travel even if you ultimately choose to stay analog. Actionably, we cover how to position for resilience: • Why hard assets matter (paid-off real estate, energy and ag exposure where practical). • How precious metals can be more than “dead assets” via royalty/streaming companies and selective miners that pay dividends with the potential to boost yield through options overlays like covered calls. • When cryptos might fit as a satellite holding vs. core money metals. • Why self-reliance (even basic home and trade skills) is a real edge in a tech-heavy, fragile system. Finally, David shares resources at themorganreport.com/money (including a concise outline, documentary recommendation, and a complimentary consultation) and his bigger mission: truth, transparency, and financial freedom through honest money. If you care about cash flow, optionality, and owning your financial future not renting it this conversation gives you frameworks you can actually use. David's links: - Website: https://www.themorganreport.com/   - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavidmorgan/   - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/silverguru/videos   - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMorganReport/  

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3VGVJnx  Uncertainty is everywhere right now will the Fed actually cut rates, will tariffs escalate, are we headed for a recession, or another melt-up? If you’ve been frozen on the sidelines, this episode is your wake-up call. I’m joined by David McWilliams economist, bestselling author of The History of Money, founder of Kilkenomics (the world’s only economics + stand-up comedy festival), and a rare voice who makes complex macro easy to act on. We cut through the noise and talk about the only decisions that matter for investors and business owners when markets feel irrational. David explains why zero rates broke traditional valuation, why the S&P 500’s concentration is a warning sign, and how a wave of “unicorns” could face a liquidity crunch as insiders try to exit. We cover the bond vigilantes, the political tug-of-war around the Federal Reserve, and what happens if headline cuts collide with a rising long end. Translation: don’t anchor your future to a single narrative. We also zoom out: reserve-currency shifts from sterling to the dollar didn’t happen overnight and today’s geopolitics (think Modi, Putin, Xi) suggest the next regime is forming in plain sight. David lays out the 40-year cycle change we’re living through: from free trade to tariffs, small to big government, low to rising inflation, open borders to deportations and why those flips create both fear and once-in-a-cycle opportunities. Most important, we bring it back to action. If you’ve listened to me for any length of time, you know I want you work-optional with passive income so you can live free and create a ripple effect. That requires discipline in frothy markets: take profits without guilt, build dry powder, and allocate on your terms, not on Reddit’s. David reminds us: “Nobody ever lost money selling too early.” I’ll add: nobody gets free by outsourcing their thinking to FOMO. We hit practical takeaways on risk management, why cash is a decision not a “do nothing,” how to read the tape when algorithms replace traders, and why money is ultimately a human technology which is why your judgment and relationships matter most. David's links: - Website: https://www.davidmcwilliams.ie/ - X: https://x.com/davidmcw?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmcw/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmcw_podcast/?hl=en  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damcwilliams/?originalSubdomain=ie 

Explore the myth of the 4% rule and why it may be limiting your retirement income potential. Learn how inflation and longevity make the 3% rule more realistic today. Discover insights on the S&P 500's shifting landscape and how to generate income now, rather than relying on uncertain future returns. Hear real-life examples of investors who have dramatically boosted their cash flow using smarter strategies. Shift your focus to income-producing assets and secure your financial freedom today!

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/   

Join CPA Jason Melillo, a seasoned tax-incentive expert with over 25 years of experience, as he reveals secrets to maximizing tax benefits for real estate investors. Discover how cost segregation can transform a $10,000 deduction into a staggering $150,000 deduction, unleashing capital for reinvestments. Jason explains how real estate professionals can leverage short-term rentals to offset W2 income and discusses the power of 1031 exchanges for long-term tax savings. Get ready to learn how strategic real estate investing can minimize your tax burden for life!

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.