The Prosperity Podcast

Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler sit down to talk about the truths in life insurance returns. Todd breaks down the gross returns and how it’s offset by your policy’s expenses. Kim analyzes what returns for life insurance in 2015 look like. Finally, they implore listeners, if you have any questions or areas of confusion, reach out and we will explain it further and more clearly. How does whole life differ from IUL in how returns are calculated? What ARE the 2015 returns right now for whole life policies at various ages? Find out on today’s episode! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:43] Overview [1:19] Explaining Life Insurance Returns [4:24] Numbers in Gross Returns [7:31] Peeling Back the Expenses [9:24] Mortality Expense [10:53] Index Universal Life Expense [11:56] Breaking Down the Returns [15:15] Live Your Life Insurance [15:32] Impact of Age on Life Insurance [17:26] Inforce Illustrations [19:09] Wrap-Up [19:25] Outro

On this episode of the Prosperity Podcast, Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler examine how to have a positive mindset in a negative news world. Kim describes the way she finds best to shift her mindset. Todd talks about the process of trying to control your thoughts. Finally, they look at the recent interest rate talk and how it may be a matter of mindset shifting. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:55] Overview [2:19] Ideas from Strategic Coach [4:44] Can’t Afford 15-Year Mortgage? Then Don’t Buy [6:48] Falling Into “Scarcity Thinking” [8:38] Shift Your Mindset [10:03] Act As If… [11:12] You Can’t Control What You Think [12:05] Interest Rate Mindset [13:33] Financial Planning Has Failed [15:16] Leave a Comment and Rate Us! [15:40] Outro

“No B.S. Money Guy” Todd Strobel and best-selling financial author Kim D.H. Butler sit down to talk bridge loans for the non-accredited investor. On today’s episode, Todd and Kim explain the difference between being an accredited and non-accredited investor. Kim defines bridge loans and what makes investors eligible for them. Finally, Todd discusses why education on financial matters sits above all else. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:47] Accredited and Non-Accredited Investors [3:28] Unchanged Financial Terms [4:50] Options for Non-Accredited Investors [5:56] Explaining Bridge Loans [8:42] Contact Us for More Information [9:23] Availability of Accounts [10:10] Education is Paramount [10:49] Summary [12:55] Wrap-Up [13:04] Outro

Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler look at important questions to ask on this episode of the Prosperity Podcast. The question of comparison is analyzed by Todd and Kim. Kim breaks down finances into three simple areas. Todd explains what your money should be doing. Finally, Kim describes alternative investing solutions to non-accredited investors. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:42] “As Compared to What?” [3:27] Avoiding Invalid Comparisons [5:39] Finance Area 1: Savings [7:13] Finance Area 2: Cash Flow [8:39] Finance Area 3: Growth [9:34] Everything Your Money Should be Doing [11:08] One Product Won’t do Everything [13:17] Always Ask Questions [14:53] Financial Planning Has Failed [16:32] Solutions Outside of Accredited Investing [18:24] Wrap-Up [19:06] Outro

Today, on the Prosperity Podcast, Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler discuss peer-to-peer lending. In this episode, Kim speaks to the several advantages of P2P lending, for both investor and borrower. Todd lays out a few statistics regarding P2P lending and how these numbers compare to other ways of investing. Finally, they explain the potential dangers of P2P and how to utilize it in your portfolio. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:46] Overview [2:22] From the Investor POV [5:15] From the Borrower POV [6:52] P2P Lending Statistics [10:14] Spreading Out Your Investments [12:45] P2P as a Learning Tool [15:22] P2P in Your Portfolio [17:17] Beware of the Bank Players [17:59] Financial Planning Has Failed [18:25] Outro

To pay, or not to pay, that is the question on today’s episode of the Prosperity Podcast. Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler respond to a client question about how to approach and handle money in a pre-tax account against when it’s in a post-tax account. Kim and Todd explain the issues that arise with the 401(k) and IRA realms. They offer alternatives to handle IRA money, as well as, options outside of traditional thinking, which include bridge loans, life settlements, and life insurance.   If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:31] Overview [1:16] Pre-tax vs. Post-tax Money [4:11] ‘Net’ It Down [5:23] Explaining the Stretch IRA [7:41] Split-Up Your IRA [10:04] Shift Your Thinking [12:00] Leaving Money for a Charity [13:57] Money in a Tax-deferred Account [15:32] Converting to a Roth IRA [17:53] Summary [18:31] Financial Planning Has Failed [18:50] Wrap-Up [19:13] Outro

Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler take a look at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report on how the average American spends their money. Todd goes over the demographics and how it reflects the “average” American. Kim explains what each category means and what the numbers are indicative of. Finally, they look over the most troubling numbers of all regarding Americans life insurance and pension expenditures. What do the spending trends reveal? Do you know how your spending stacks up? Find out on today’s episode of the Prosperity Podcast. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:35] Overview [1:17] A Look at the Demographics [1:48] Owning and Renting Residences [4:01] A House As An Investment [5:09] Annual Costs of Dwellings [6:29] Food At and Away From Home [8:07] Transportation Costs [10:04] Health Care Expenditures [11:53] Personal Insurance and Pensions [15:46] Insurance Summary [16:13] Entertainment vs. Education [17:26] Wrap-Up [18:13] Outro

Todd Strobel and best-selling financial author Kim D.H. Butler look at the recent downturn and volatility in the stock market. Kim explains that risk does not have to equal reward. They offer alternative investment options away from the market. Todd questions the thrill of gambling. Finally, they discuss leaving the wild ride and share information to contact our Prosperity Economic Advisors. If breaking even is your goal, do you know the opportunities you’ve already missed? Find out how to get OFF the stock market roller coaster on today’s episode of the Prosperity Podcast! If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:31] Overview [1:27] Volatility in the Market [2:44] We’ve Been Programmed to Accept Risk [3:55] Know What You Know [8:29] People Looking For a Thrill [10:11] Breaking “Even” [12:39] Phase-Based Investment Strategy [13:54] Our Open Door [14:59] Financial Planning Has Failed [15:40] Outro

Today, on the Prosperity Podcast, Kim D.H. Butler and Todd Strobel explain what occurs when whole life insurance policyholders miss one or more premium payments. They discuss the flexibility built into whole life insurance policies, and what many policyholders forget – that if they have an interruption in income, their policy may be able to HELP them pay essential bills! Kim breaks down the order to use your money when you’re able to make payments again: base premiums, repaying the policy loan, or paid-up additions? Todd looks at the benefits in the self-employment realm. It’s important to have your money accessible when it’s needed – do you have that safety net? Find out on today’s episode how life insurance provisions can help. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:43] Overview [1:22] Automatic Premium Loans [4:22] Where to Focus Your Money [5:27] You Always Qualify for Your Cash Value [6:31] Start on the Base Premium Payments [7:35] Reduce the Loan Down [8:24] Paid-Up Additional Contribution [9:40] Self-Employed Life Insurance [11:10] Life Insurance Flexibility [13:14] Financial Planning Has Failed [13:49] Outro

Todd Strobel and Kim D.H. Butler explore what people do when they can’t (or don’t want to) make their life insurance premium payments. On today’s episode, Kim dives into the possibility of selling your policy to investors of life settlements vs. just cancelling your policy and taking the cash value. Kim discusses the benefits and potential drawbacks of selling a policy, and who might be able to sell a policy. Todd chimes in with the type of policyholder that may have the most to gain from selling their death benefit. Finally, they assess how life settlements have increased the flexibility and choices for both investors and policyholders. If you are “too young” to sell your policy, you’ll also want to read this article for more options: “7 Ways to Save a Life Insurance Policy (even when you can’t afford the premiums)” If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or to be a guest on our show, be sure to keep sending us questions and reach out to us! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:46] Overview – What if You Don’t Want or Need Your Policy? What then? [1:57] Understanding Life Settlements from Policyholder Perspective. [5:18] Benefit of Selling Your Death Benefit [6:36] Separating from a Viatical Policy [7:19] What You Lose if You Sell [8:45] Making the Most of Your Assets [11:13] Leveraging Your Death Benefit [14:06] How Life Settlements Build the Industry [16:33] The Growth of the Settlement Market [17:32] Summary [18:02] Requirements for an Investor [18:41] Non-correlated Investments [19:18] Outro