Money Ripples Podcast

It's time to start Infinite Banking: https://bit.ly/4nmv7UE IUL vs Whole Life for Infinite Banking: here's the truth agents won't show you. A sneaky insurance agent tried to switch my client from a properly designed Whole Life policy to Index Universal Life (IUL)—and it would've cost him tens of thousands over time. In this video, I break down the real differences between IUL and Whole Life for Infinite Banking (IBC), why Nelson Nash didn't design IBC for IUL, and how surrender charges, rising insurance costs, caps/floors, and wash loans quietly erode results. What you'll learn: Why UL charges increase with age while Whole Life front-loads costs and then backs off How surrender fees limit your early access in IUL vs clean, immediate access in properly structured Whole Life The truth about caps and floors (and who controls them) Why most IUL "make money in two places" claims rely on wash loans (0% net—not compounding) How Whole Life policy loans let your cash value keep compounding tax-free while you use the money Real illustrations: $18k/year IUL vs a Max ROI Infinite Banking Whole Life design (more cash value, higher death benefit, faster break-even) Why banks often prefer Whole Life over IUL for collateral (and may cap IUL LTV) If you're serious about Infinite Banking, you need certainty, liquidity, and true tax-free compounding—not marketing hype. Properly engineered Whole Life (not vanilla WL) is the backbone of IBC because it's designed for maximum cash value and flexibility, not sales commissions.

What if you could not only pay off your student debt but also become a millionaire in just seven years? That's exactly what today's guest, Rose Han, did—and now she's showing others how to do the same. In this episode of the Money Ripples Podcast, Chris Miles sits down with Rose Han, a former Wall Street trader turned financial educator, YouTuber, and author of the brand-new book Add a Zero. Rose shares her incredible journey from being six figures in student debt at age 23 to achieving millionaire status by 30. She opens up about the financial principles, mindset shifts, and bold life decisions that made it possible. You'll discover: How Rose went from living paycheck-to-paycheck on Wall Street to financial independence. The life-changing lessons she learned from quitting her six-figure job to pursue freedom. Why financial education is often "gate-kept" and what you actually need to know. The difference between linear income and exponential income (and why leverage is the key). The surprising "fun-first" philosophy Rose believes leads to wealth and fulfillment. Rose doesn't just talk about money—she talks about freedom, passion, and creating a life you love. Whether you're buried in debt or sitting on six figures wondering what's next, her story and framework will show you what's possible. Her new book, Add a Zero, is a step-by-step playbook that helps you go from debt to millionaire by mastering the phases of financial growth—getting to zero, building stability, and unlocking exponential wealth. Unlike many finance books, Rose includes the missing piece: how to dramatically increase your income, not just save harder. If you've been frustrated with traditional advice that tells you to "just keep saving" or sacrifice for 40 years, you'll love this conversation. Rose and Chris reveal how to create financial freedom sooner—without waiting until retirement. Resources & Links: Get Rose Han's new book Add a Zero: https://addazero.com Follow Rose Han on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: @itsRoseHan Passive income starts here: https://bit.ly/4gaxBDa

Freedom awaits.... https://bit.ly/4lXGlxI Most financial gurus tell you to pay off your debt using either the highest interest first (debt avalanche) or the smallest balance first (debt snowball). But what if both of those methods are actually keeping you stuck in debt longer and draining your financial freedom? In this episode, Chris Miles — the Cashflow Expert and Anti-Financial Advisor — breaks down a powerful system he developed called the Cashflow Index. This strategy helped him personally eliminate over $1 million of debt and has since freed up thousands (and even hundreds of thousands) of dollars for his clients every year. Instead of focusing on just interest rates or balances, the Cashflow Index looks at one crucial factor: your monthly payment burden. Because let's be real — it's not the balance that stresses you out, it's the payment eating into your cashflow every month. By applying this system, you'll learn how to: Stop stressing about interest rates and focus on what really kills your financial freedom Use ROI thinking when deciding which loans to pay off first Identify which debts are sabotaging your monthly cashflow (and should be tackled first) Restructure debt to create options, freedom, and breathing room Avoid common debt payoff mistakes that actually slow down your progress Chris also shares real-life stories of clients who used the Cashflow Index to: Free up $3,800/month in hidden cashflow without making more money Qualify for a mortgage by strategically paying down just $4,100 instead of $7,600 Escape the cycle of negative cashflow and turn crushing debt into an organized, manageable plan Whether you're an entrepreneur, a W-2 employee, or someone simply looking for a better way to get out of debt, the Cashflow Index can transform the way you see your money.    

Want help creating a personalized plan to maximize your freedom? Visit https://bit.ly/4mExB0p. Have you ever been told that the smartest financial move is to pay off your mortgage as fast as possible? I believed that too—until I discovered the shocking truth: paying off your home early could actually COST you years of freedom and potentially millions of dollars. In this episode, I share my personal story, including how my own father and I both learned the hard way that being "mortgage debt free" doesn't equal financial freedom. I'll walk you through why banks want you to pay extra principal, how fractional reserve banking actually works against you, and why wealthy investors and even major companies like Apple keep debt while growing their cash. You'll see real examples of what happens when you compare paying off a $400,000 mortgage versus investing that same money—even at a lower rate. I'll also show you how this connects to passive income, infinite banking, and the Money Ripples philosophy of creating financial independence now, not decades from now. If you've ever wondered whether paying off your home is really the safest path, this episode will open your eyes. By the end, you'll know why equity and net worth mean nothing without cashflow—and what smarter moves you can make to truly become work optional.  

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4pWnc1c  What are these new Trump accounts, and are they actually a smart move for your kids' financial future? That's the question I'm answering in today's episode, because while these accounts are being marketed as an incredible opportunity, there are some serious downsides you need to understand before you jump in. The Trump account was introduced as part of the so-called "big, beautiful bill" passed in the summer of 2025. It's being promoted as a way to give kids a financial head start, almost like a hybrid between a 529 college savings plan and a retirement account. The government even kicks things off with a $1,000 contribution for children born between January 1, 2025 and the end of 2028. Sounds great on the surface, right? But once you dig into the details, things get a lot murkier. In this episode, I break down exactly how Trump accounts work, including contribution limits, taxation, investment restrictions, and withdrawal rules. While you can contribute up to $5,000 per year per child, all of that money goes in after tax, grows tax deferred, and then gets taxed again when withdrawn. That's right double taxation. And if the money is used for non-qualified purposes, there's also a 10% penalty on top of that. We also talk about how these accounts are locked into stock market index funds, meaning there is zero flexibility. You can't invest in real estate, private lending, gold, Bitcoin, or any other alternative assets. You're forced into the market whether it's a good time or not, which raises a big red flag for me as someone who teaches control, flexibility, and cash flow. I also explain why the administration is pushing these accounts so hard, how political incentives play a role, and why these accounts feel more like a popularity grab than a truly helpful financial solution.  When you compare Trump accounts to alternatives like a Roth IRA for kids or even better, properly structured whole life insurance you'll see that there are far more efficient ways to build wealth without market volatility, penalties, or government rule changes. I walk you through the pros and cons, the hidden dangers, and what I believe is a far superior strategy for parents who want certainty, tax advantages, and true financial control for their children. If you've been considering Trump accounts or just heard the hype, this is a must-listen before you make a decision you might regret later.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4pJZiWn  Are my 2026 market predictions wrong?  Is there still an AI-driven stock market boom ahead of us, or are we getting dangerously close to another major correction? In this episode, I challenge my own assumptions and break down why some of Wall Street's biggest institutions believe the bull market is far from over and why I'm still not convinced. I walk you through recent analyst predictions from major financial firms like Goldman Sachs, UBS, and other institutional strategists who argue that the stock market isn't in a bubble. Their reasoning? Strong earnings growth, powerful AI-driven productivity gains, and solid corporate balance sheets. According to them, technology stocks especially the so-called Magnificent Seven are not speculative bubbles, but companies with real profits and real growth. Some analysts are even predicting the S&P 500 could hit 7,700 by 2026 or climb to 10,000–13,000 by 2030. On the surface, that sounds compelling. But I don't stop there. I dig into historical data, long-term trend lines, and my own experience as a former financial advisor, stock trader, and investment coach. I explain why comparing today's market to the late 1990s tech boom and the roaring 1920s should raise red flags not blind optimism. I break down the 30-year average returns of the S&P 500, why the commonly quoted 10–12% return is misleading, and what happens when markets stay above their long-term trend lines for too long. We also talk about bias both theirs and mine. Wall Street firms make money when you stay invested in their funds, so of course their forecasts tend to skew optimistic. That doesn't automatically make them wrong, but it does mean you should question their motives. I explain why the last 17 years of market performance are statistically abnormal, how liquidity and money printing have distorted reality, and why "business as usual" may not last forever. Most importantly, I share what I'm seeing from small business owners and real economic signals that don't show up in stock market headlines. When things feel "off" beneath the surface, it's worth paying attention. This episode isn't about fear it's about awareness, balance, and protecting your wealth before the next shift happens. If you're trying to decide whether to stay aggressive in stocks or shift toward safety and alternative investments, this episode will give you the context and clarity you need to make smarter decisions heading into 2026.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/45iVjsF  Is AI really the beginning of the end for jobs or is this one of the biggest opportunities we've ever seen? That's exactly what I dive into in this episode with my longtime friend and former college roommate, Aaron Matthews, a fractional CTO/COO with over 21 years of leadership experience across healthcare, insurance, and technology. Everywhere you look, the headlines are screaming that AI is taking jobs. Engineers are being laid off. Middle managers are disappearing. Entire roles are being redefined. But the real question isn't whether AI is replacing jobs, it's who it's replacing, why it's happening, and how you can stay ahead of it instead of being run over by it. Aaron brings a grounded, real-world perspective from someone who's actually building with AI, not just talking about it. We unpack how tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity are already eliminating entry-level technical work, while simultaneously creating massive leverage for people who know how to use them well. Aaron shares firsthand examples of building functioning software applications without being a traditional coder, and how AI now takes him from zero to 80% in minutes while the final 20% still requires human judgment, experience, and creativity. This episode isn't just about technology. It's about human value. We talk about why empathy, decision-making, critical thinking, and creativity are becoming more valuable not less in an AI-driven world. We also address the dangers: intellectual shortcuts, loss of deep thinking, and over-reliance on machine-generated answers. If you're a parent, this conversation around critical thinking and kids is especially important. We also explore how AI is acting as a "force multiplier." High performers get better. Average performers level up. And for neurodivergent individuals, AI could become the most powerful personalized teacher we've ever seen. That's a game-changer. If you're worried about job security, relevance, or your future earning power, this episode will help you shift from fear to strategy. AI isn't something you can stop but you can decide whether it replaces you or empowers you. The people who win in the next decade won't be the ones who avoid AI. They'll be the ones who learn how to use it intentionally, ethically, and creatively to build more value, more income, and more freedom.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4pInjx7  President Donald Trump is making big promises as he approaches his one-year mark: banning institutions from buying real estate, capping credit card interest rates, and even talking about firing Jerome Powell. If you've been hearing these headlines and wondering, "Is this actually good for the economy, or are we about to make things worse?" this episode is my straight-shooting breakdown of what happens next and why these ideas won't do what people think they'll do. Let me be clear: this isn't a pro-Trump or anti-Trump rant. I'm not interested in political tribalism. What I'm interested in is cause and effect. I'm watching smart investors completely switch standards depending on who says the policy, and that's dangerous. If you want to understand money, markets, and real outcomes, you've got to turn your brain on and stop filtering everything through a "love him" or "hate him" lens. First, I address the idea of firing Jerome Powell. Even if Powell were removed as Fed Chair, he could still remain on the Federal Reserve Board. More importantly, rates aren't set by one person. They're determined by a committee, with multiple Fed presidents voting. So the "fire Powell" narrative makes for a great soundbite, but it won't magically drop rates or fix affordability for everyday Americans. Second, I tackle the claim that institutions are the reason housing got so expensive. The truth is that institutional buyers are a small slice of the market roughly in the 1–3% range. Are there pockets where they influenced pricing? Sure. But they weren't the primary driver. The real driver was demand fueled by cheap money and massive liquidity injections stimulus, PPP, expanded credits, and low interest rates combined with supply chain disruptions, labor costs, and higher construction expenses. I even share my firsthand experience buying in 2021 to show how everyday Americans, not faceless institutions, were creating bidding wars and pushing prices beyond appraisals. Third, I break down the most misunderstood headline: the proposed credit card interest rate cap at 10%. This is where "unintended consequences" kick in hard. Credit cards are unsecured debt no collateral so risk is higher and rates reflect that. If you force a cap too low, banks don't suddenly become generous. They reduce lending, tighten standards, and cut off the very people who rely on access to credit. And when credit availability shrinks, spending slows, layoffs rise, defaults increase, and markets react. The economy runs on the flow of money and credit. Restrict the flow, and you don't solve the problem you accelerate the downturn. Bottom line: banning institutional real estate buyers won't lower prices, firing Powell won't change the committee-driven reality of the Fed, and capping credit card rates won't fix affordability it risks breaking credit access and worsening the correction the economy already needs to go through. If you want to build real stability and become work optional, don't chase headlines. Focus on fundamentals, cashflow, and strategies that work regardless of which politician is talking. And if your 2026 goal is passive income, go to moneyripples.com and use the Work Optional Calculator to find your number.

Your future doesn't start after school, it starts now. 7F Teenage Tycoon teaches teens how money works, how businesses are built, and how real wealth is created. Tap the link and become a Teenage Tycoon today - https://www.7figureflipping.com/teenage-tycoon?fpr=7cwpr0  Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/49AgqYy We talk a lot about building wealth, passive income, and freedom but the real question, especially as parents, is how do we teach our kids to do the same? In this episode, I sit down with Bill Allen, founder of Seven Figure Flipping, to talk about raising financially confident kids who understand money, business, and opportunity. Bill shares his journey from 20 years as a Navy helicopter pilot to real estate investor. One house flip netted him about $43,000, opening his eyes to a second income stream that he later scaled into a high-volume business. What sets Bill apart is his honesty: success isn't effortless. The principles are simple, but the work is real and anyone promising "easy money" is selling a myth. We also break down common business misconceptions, especially around "passive income." Bill explains the difference between active and passive income and why real investing always requires time, skill, capital, or responsibility. If you're not exchanging something, you're not investing you're gambling. At the heart of the episode is Teenage Tycoon, Bill's entrepreneurial community for teens. Built like a business co-op, it includes a book club, weekly calls, guest experts, and real-world conversations about entrepreneurship, real estate, investing, sales, and mindset. It's designed to give parents support especially when kids don't want to hear it from mom or dad. The results speak for themselves: teens flipping houses, running e-commerce stores, reselling products, building 3D-printing businesses, and even flipping high-end watches. We also discuss homeschool grants in some states and how parents can learn alongside their kids. If you want to build a legacy beyond money teaching your kids how to think, earn, invest, and lead this episode offers real insight and a clear next step. Bill Allen's links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-allen-rei/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billallenrei?igsh=MTU3bjhmMXdhbnVuNw==  - Podcast: https://bit.ly/3LsTx1u 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4qNupRT  All of us have hard times. The real question is: how do you bounce back when the setback hits you financially, emotionally, and personally all at once? In today's episode, I sit down with Tatiana Zagarovsky, whose story is the kind that makes you rethink what you're capable of when life punches you in the face. Tatiana immigrated to the United States after growing up in the Soviet Union, where entrepreneurship was treated like a crime and "capitalists" were painted as villains. She later immigrated again through Israel, built a successful career in corporate America, earned patents, and lived what many people would call the American Dream on the outside: house, vacations, and stability. But inside, she felt like she was still working someone else's plan instead of building her own. Then she found real estate. Like many people, she started with education, trainings, mentors, and big momentum until everything fell apart at the same time. Tatiana shares how she lost over $100,000 in an early real estate deal because she didn't understand the power of an operating agreement and how quickly someone can manipulate ownership through an LLC. While dealing with that financial hit, she also found herself in a painful custody battle that forced her to walk away from her corporate job to support her kids. That combination put her into a dark place, and she's honest about the depression and pressure that followed. What I love about this conversation is that it doesn't stop at the tragedy. Tatiana breaks down the exact framework that helped her rebuild: her "three Cs" of clarity, community, and coach. She talks about finding the right people, and the right mentor Damon Remy of REI BlackBook who helped her not only in business, but also pushed her to get personal support so she could heal and perform again. From there, Tatiana found a strategy she's passionate about: seller financing. She explains it simply, how she structures deals, and why it creates wins for buyers who can't qualify for traditional mortgages. We get into how she sells homes on terms that can be comparable to rent, often with stable principal-and-interest payments, and why this approach can restore hope for families who feel locked out of homeownership. We also talk about protecting people from scams, avoiding shame after getting burned, and why integrity and perseverance still win in the long run. If you've ever been scammed, knocked down, or felt like your financial future got derailed, this episode is for you. Tatiana's message is clear: don't let the worst chapter become the end of your story.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/49tEKv8  So many of you have heard the story of my father before, whether it was here on the Money Ripples podcast or inside my book, The Work Optional Blueprint.  But after my dad passed away just a few weeks ago, there's one piece of advice he gave me about money that hasn't stopped echoing in my head. And today, I felt compelled to share it with you. My father was the definition of a penny-pinching saver. Raised after the Great Depression, he believed deeply in saving everything possible. He bought things on sale, avoided debt at all costs, and worked for decades with the belief that if he just saved enough, someday he'd finally be safe. But despite all that saving, his retirement was short, stressful, and financially constrained. And that's where the real lesson comes in. Years ago, during one of the hardest financial periods of my life during a divorce and intense financial stress my dad told me something completely unexpected. He said, "Chris, it's just money. You can always make more of it." Coming from someone who worried constantly about losing money, that advice surprised me. But it also freed me. I reflect on what that advice truly means and how it reshaped my relationship with money. Money is not the goal. It's not the prize. It's a tool. It's a medium of exchange that represents value. And when we treat it as something to hoard instead of something to steward, we often sacrifice our health, our time, and our joy in the process. I walk you through the moment years ago when I sat across from my dad at his kitchen table as his financial advisor, realizing that despite decades of saving, he didn't actually have enough money to retire comfortably. I explain how market downturns, inflation, and relying solely on traditional retirement strategies can quietly sabotage even the most disciplined savers. But this episode isn't about fear. It's about perspective. If you're stressed about money right now whether it's inflation, job uncertainty, rising costs, or feeling trapped in a system that isn't working I want you to hear this clearly: money is something you can create. When you focus on serving others, solving problems, and delivering real value, money becomes a natural byproduct instead of a constant source of anxiety. Saving alone isn't freedom. Accumulating money without intention isn't wealth. Real financial freedom comes from using money intentionally to create a life that's actually worth living now, not someday. This episode is deeply personal, but it's also one of the most important conversations I've had on this show. If you've ever felt pressure, guilt, fear, or shame around money, this message is for you.

Start making a passive income here: https://bit.ly/3YsnCkG  What were the biggest financial surprises of 2025 and more importantly, what should we realistically expect heading into 2026? In today's episode, I break down what truly caught investors, economists, and money managers off guard in 2025, and why many of the same warning signs are flashing even brighter as we move into 2026. A year ago, when I was asked what I expected for 2025, my honest answer was simple: who knows? Looking back now, that uncertainty turned out to be one of the most accurate forecasts anyone could make. We saw several major surprises in 2025 that very few people anticipated. Massive tariff wars shook markets and rattled confidence. Gold and silver exploded to historic highs, with silver nearly doubling in a matter of months. Even more surprising, stocks continued pushing to new highs at the same time precious metals surged something that rarely happens and signals deeper issues beneath the surface. I also address why inflation may not be as "under control" as headlines suggest, why crypto failed to act as digital gold, and why the AI-driven tech boom continues to inflate valuations despite growing similarities to past market bubbles like the 1920s and the dot-com era. Most importantly, I explain what these trends mean going into 2026. We're now approaching nearly 17 years of an extended bull market with only one meaningful down year. Historically, markets don't behave this way without consequences. While some experts predict the market can keep rising for years, that would be unprecedented and if it happens, the eventual correction could be far more painful. I walk through how money supply, credit availability, and government intervention are propping up the economy, and why liquidity not productivity is currently driving growth. I also explain why rising unemployment, tightening consumer spending, and growing household financial stress could create cracks that no amount of money printing can permanently fix. I share my personal positioning as both an investor and saver why I'm staying cautious on stocks, prioritizing liquidity, building infinite banking policies, and focusing on real assets like real estate, precious metals, and asset-backed investments. This isn't about fear; it's about preparation. If you're approaching retirement, building wealth, or simply trying to protect what you've already worked hard to earn, this episode is a critical listen. I'm not claiming to predict the future but I am urging you to stop relying on hope and start thinking defensively before the next major shift arrives.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/494BbwM As we close out the year, I wanted to do something a little different on the Money Ripples Podcast. Instead of bringing on a guest or breaking down a single strategy, I decided to look back and answer one important question: what were the top 10 Money Ripples podcast episodes of 2025, and why did they matter so much to you? This episode is a recap of the most downloaded and most watched episodes of the year across YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. These weren't just my favorites these were your favorites. And what stood out to me most was the clear pattern in what resonated: people are questioning traditional financial advice more than ever. From challenging Dave Ramsey's teachings, to exposing myths around the 401k match, the 4% rule, and "buying the dip" in the stock market, 2025 was a year where a lot of sacred cows got challenged. And based on the response, it's clear that many of you are hungry for something deeper, more honest, and more aligned with real financial freedom. I break down each of the top 10 episodes, explain why they performed so well, and remind you what key lessons you can take from them heading into 2026. We cover topics like passive income strategies, infinite banking, private equity investing, home equity without monthly payments, and why relying solely on 401ks and IRAs may not give you the freedom you're hoping for. You'll hear why episodes like "Stop Buying the Dip: The Stock Market Trap No One Talks About" became the clear number one episode of the year, why Dave Ramsey–related episodes consistently rank high, and why so many listeners are questioning whether traditional retirement advice still works in today's environment. I also share a few honorable mentions, episodes that performed incredibly well on audio platforms but didn't quite crack the top 10 when YouTube views were factored in. These include powerful conversations around building a family bank, infinite banking strategies, and how to significantly increase retirement income without relying on outdated withdrawal rules. If you're new to the Money Ripples Podcast, this episode is the perfect starting point. And if you've been with me for years, it's a great reminder of the conversations that helped shape the direction of this show and this community. My goal has always been simple: help you become work optional, live a rich life, and create a ripple effect that blesses others. As we move into 2026, this episode sets the stage for what's next and reminds us why questioning the status quo is often the first step toward real freedom. Ready to make work optional? Subscribe to our podcast for real-world strategies, mindset shifts, and financial freedom insights and grab your copy of The Work Optional Blueprint to turn ideas into action. 👉 Subscribe here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/money-ripples-podcast/id895555599 👉 Get your copy here: https://a.co/d/fFzl9Zw

This episode of the Money Ripples Podcast is different than anything I normally release. There's no guest, no strategy breakdown, and no investing deep dive. Instead, this is a personal message straight from my heart as we close out the year and head into a new one. Recently, my father passed away just before Christmas. Many of you have heard me talk about him on this podcast and even in my book, The Work Optional Blueprint. Losing him has forced me to slow down, reflect, and really think about what actually matters in life. Because of that, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to you not as your cashflow expert, but as another human being navigating loss, gratitude, and perspective. In this short episode, I share why we're pausing new podcast episodes until the new year and why that decision matters to me. But more importantly, I ask you a powerful question: if this were your last Christmas or your final New Year, how would you treat it differently? How would you spend your time? Who would you be with? What would truly matter? As I've gone through my dad's belongings and reflected on his life, one thing has become incredibly clear, the best things in life are not things. They're people.  Moments.  Conversations.  Time spent with the people we love while we still can. This message is a reminder to live intentionally. To stop running on autopilot. To stop delaying joy, connection, and meaning for "someday." All we really have is today, and I believe we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to live our lives now not tomorrow. I also want to personally thank you. Because of you, this community has grown to over 5,000 subscribers on YouTube and thousands more on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Many of you have been following me for years, some for over a decade, and I don't take that lightly. I know you're here because you want more than just surviving, paying bills, and waiting for retirement. You want a meaningful life. A purposeful life. A life that creates ripples for others. This episode is my holiday message to you, to slow down, be present, cherish your loved ones, and live fully right now. We'll be back with new episodes in the new year, but until then, I hope this message encourages you to make this holiday season truly count. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of the Money Ripples community

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/48Sh5nS  If you were to die today, would you honestly be happy with the life you've lived? That's not a hypothetical question for today's guest. In this powerful and emotional episode, I sit down with Derek Carlson, CEO of Realty ONE Group MVP, to unpack how a near-death experience forced him to radically change his life, his health, and the way he leads one of the fastest-growing real estate organizations in the country. Derek didn't just face adversity, he was hit from every direction. At the peak of his success, running a top-100 real estate brokerage nationwide and closing over $2 billion in annual sales volume, Derek suffered multiple heart attacks while on vacation in Europe. What makes this story even more shocking is that he didn't realize what was happening until he returned to the United States and collapsed into urgent care, where a doctor told him he was actively having a heart attack. That moment became the turning point of Derek's life. In this episode, Derek shares how sitting alone in a hospital room forced him to redefine what success actually means. He introduces the MVP Framework, which now stands for Mindset, Vision, and Purpose, and explains how this shift saved his life and reshaped his company culture from the inside out. But the challenges didn't stop there. Just months later, Derek's business was targeted during the National Association of Realtors class-action lawsuit, putting his company and livelihood at risk. Instead of collapsing under pressure, Derek doubled down on discipline, surrounded himself with elite mentors and mastermind groups, and made a bold strategic pivot by aligning with Realty ONE Group, ultimately becoming CEO of 10 franchises across Florida. We dive deep into what it really takes to lead through adversity, why health is often the missing piece for entrepreneurs, and how surrounding yourself with the right tribe can compress decades of growth into months. Derek also shares how his transformation sparked a ripple effect across thousands of agents helping them lose weight, get off medication, invest in real estate, and rediscover purpose beyond commission checks. This episode isn't just about business success. It's about what happens when life forces you to slow down and ask harder questions. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or high performer who feels burned out, stuck, or disconnected from your why, this conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. Derek's links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekcarlson/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekcarlsonmvp/?hl=en  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/275638393296257/user/100004702208963/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4j657Mi  Where is the future of real estate going from here? Is real estate doomed, or are we staring at one of the best opportunity windows we've seen in years?  That's exactly what I dig into today with my friend Tim Bratz (Legacy Wealth), a real estate investor and operator who's owned and managed thousands of units and has bought over 6,000+ doors over his career. If you've been watching the last few years unfold rising rates, shrinking cash flow, insurance spikes, expense inflation, and multifamily values getting hammered you're not alone. The question is: what happens next, and where should smart investors be looking now? Tim and I cut straight to what matters: supply and demand. He explains why the 2008 crash had a very different setup (too much supply), and why today's environment has a different problem a housing shortage that keeps getting worse. He breaks down what he's watching as new construction slows, builders hesitate, and the pipeline for new units starts drying up. If the next several years bring fewer deliveries while demand keeps building, that creates pressure in rents, pricing, and demand for the right kind of housing. We also talk about what "the right kind" actually means. Tim's conviction is clear: the opportunity isn't in giant luxury homes or chasing whatever looks sexy on social media. The opportunity is in workforce housing the older, well-located homes and apartments that real people can afford. We discuss why properties priced under typical "new build" replacement cost can get more attention, why older multifamily with larger unit layouts may become more valuable, and why families may increasingly need more bedrooms as affordability stays tight. Then we pivot into a topic I'm hearing more investors obsess over: management and efficiency. Tim shares why he believes bad property management has destroyed more value than most investors want to admit and how weak systems, fragmented tools, and poor data lead to missed income, wasted expenses, and operational chaos. That's why he built Smart Management, an all-in-one, AI-enhanced property management software designed to consolidate operations and automate decision-making from spotting utility bill anomalies to streamlining maintenance workflows and tenant communication. He's used tools like AppFolio, Yardi, RealPage, Rent Manager, Buildium, DoorLoop, Entrada, and more and he explains what's been missing and why efficiency is the real advantage going forward. If you've been afraid of real estate lately, I'll say what I always say: fear can be a signal… especially when fundamentals still point to demand.  The key is positioning buying the right assets, with the right strategy, and refusing to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. Tim's links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbratz/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timbratz/?hl=en  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tlbratz/  - Website: https://legacywealthholdings.com/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/3Y1kgoq  Do you remember those old Spike Lee Nike commercials where he kept saying, "It's gotta be the shoes"? Everybody wanted to believe Michael Jordan's greatness came from Air Jordans.  But we all know the truth: it wasn't the shoes, it was the player. And in money, it's not the investment that makes you wealthy… it's the investor. In this episode, I'm breaking down a trap I see all the time: people chasing the "hot" investment like it's a magic bullet. Real estate. The stock market. The perfect policy. The newest strategy.  Everyone's looking for the shortcut, and I get why. I've been on countless podcasts where people ask me, "Chris, what's the best investment right now?" But the real question should be: "How do I become the kind of investor who wins in any market?" I share why your results aren't determined by the vehicle, but by the person behind the wheel. That's exactly why some people gamble in the stock market and lose their shirt while a small group consistently wins. It's why some people buy rental properties that never appreciate, or end up with "cheap" houses that come with headaches, vacancies, and regret. And it's why people can invest in multifamily syndications and still lose money when they don't know what questions to ask, what risks to identify, or how to verify what's actually happening behind the curtain. I'm also adding context to the popular line from Rich Dad Poor Dad: "There are no risky investments, only risky investors." I agree with the principle, but I'm also going to be blunt: there are investments that are just plain stupid. I've watched investors chase hype, speculation, and "get rich quick" plays… and the market eventually exposes all of it. I walk through the key perspectives that separate investors from gamblers, including why the belief that "high risk creates high returns" is backwards. Risk is the chance of loss. A higher chance of loss does not magically increase your odds of winning. That idea often benefits the people collecting fees while you take the volatility. Then I shift into one of the biggest lessons I learned from downturns: liquidity matters. Markets can change fast, and long time horizons can magnify risk if you're not protected. We saw it in the last recession, and we saw it again when interest rates spiked and valuations dropped in commercial real estate, retail, self-storage, and multifamily. I explain why short-term strategies can reduce market-timing exposure, and what you should be looking for when evaluating operators, audits, financial transparency, and cash reserves. Finally, I pull back the curtain on infinite banking and why people misunderstand it. I explain why it's not enough to pick a "good" carrier like Penn Mutual, MassMutual, or Guardian. Not all agents are created equal. I walk through a real example from a neurosurgeon who was put into a poorly designed whole life policy where her first-year cash value was zero after paying $60,000. Then I contrast it with how we design it, where the first-year cash value is about $50,000 same company, same health rating, totally different outcome because the levers matter. This is what I teach my VIP clients and inside the Work Optional Blueprint and Wealth Accelerator Academy: become an investor first, and the investments take care of themselves. Stop chasing the shoes.  Start becoming the player.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4qil70f  You've heard the same retirement advice for decades: max out your 401(k), live below your means, get out of debt, and hope it all works out. Susie Orman, Dave Ramsey, and the Wall Street machine have been preaching that message for years. But if their retirement planning formula really worked, why are so many retirees still coming up short, stressed, and feeling like they'll never be able to stop working? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the traditional retirement playbook and show you why it is failing today's retirees and future retirees. I walk through what Suze Orman is currently teaching about "guaranteed income," annuities, pensions, Social Security, and 401(k)s, and I break down the math on why even a seven-figure portfolio often isn't enough to create the income people actually need. We look at the Fidelity millionaire stats and why having $1 million in your 401(k) or IRA still often only translates to $30,000–$40,000 a year of income. That is not the financial freedom most people are dreaming of. I also go through Dave Ramsey's advice around budgets, 401(k)s, living debt free, and "just stay in the market and ignore the news." While there are solid principles buried in there like being intentional and having a plan the strategy of simply saving more, spending less, and praying the stock market cooperates is broken in today's economy. With rising housing costs, healthcare, college costs, and general inflation, simply "saving harder" is not the answer. Then I shift to something even the mainstream financial media is beginning to acknowledge: the traditional 401(k)-only model is not working. I reference a Yahoo Finance piece talking about the retirement savings shortfall and how firms like Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, T. Rowe Price, Empower, and Voya are now pushing private assets things like private equity, private credit, infrastructure, and real estate inside retirement plans. On the surface that sounds exciting, but I explain the hidden risks: higher fees, less transparency, illiquidity, and the danger of big institutional money creating bubbles and buying bad deals with your retirement dollars. From there, I contrast that with how I invest and how my clients invest using true 401(k) alternatives: private real estate, private lending, and other alternative investments that can actually create cash flow now, not just someday. I talk about the difference between blindly handing your money to Wall Street and being part of a community that shares real experiences, real due diligence, and real results. I even share how staying out of one "hot" real estate deal years ago saved people from an operator who is now literally going to prison. If you've ever looked at your 401(k) balance, run the numbers, and thought, "There is no way this gets me where I want to be," this episode is for you. I show you why the "set it, forget it, save forever, spend nothing" model is dying, and why getting your money liquid, out of retirement account prison, and into real assets that pay you passive income can completely change your trajectory. My goal is not to give you investment advice or tell you what to sell. My goal is to open your eyes to the fact that there is another path a path where your money actually works harder for you, so you do not have to work so hard for it. If you are ready to become work optional and move toward true financial freedom, this episode will challenge what you have been told and help you start thinking like a real investor, not just a saver.

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4ixiEfx  You keep hearing it in the news: "The real estate market is done. Prices can't go any higher. It's not worth investing anymore." But is that actually true everywhere? Are there still pockets of the U.S. real estate market where you can find solid deals, strong cash flow, and real opportunity, especially in affordable housing? In this episode, I sit down with Ohio real estate investor and educator Tiffany High to answer that question head on. Tiffany runs a high-volume, systematized real estate flipping business and wholesale operation based in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio, and her story is powerful. She walked away from a corporate career in oil trading and building materials, jumped into flipping houses by maxing out a credit card for education, and did around 40 flips in her first year just by hand-writing lists at the courthouse and door knocking. From there she scaled into wholesaling, doing over 160+ contracts in a year. But it wasn't all up and to the right. Tiffany shares how putting the wrong people in the wrong seats nearly destroyed her company, led to deep burnout, and even a suicide attempt. She's incredibly open about ending up in a mental institute for a week, what that did to her perspective, and how a pivotal conversation with her father convinced her not to walk away. Instead, she rebuilt everything from the ground up with a one-on-one mentor from the corporate world who helped her install true infrastructure: recruiting, onboarding, training, scorecards, leadership, and real KPIs. Today, Tiffany runs a streamlined operation that's obsessed with data-driven comps, days on market trends, and staying within the median home price and affordable housing range in each zip code. We talk about why she loves markets like Toledo, Ohio, where renovated homes in the $150,000–$185,000 range are still accessible to blue-collar families, and why investors from California and other high-cost markets are flooding in to buy these properties as cash-flowing rentals. We also get into how she's shifting more into private lending and wealth preservation, turning two into four and four into eight instead of holding every rental forever. Tiffany explains how she works with private lenders on her flips, why she pays 12% annualized interest, and the protections she gives lenders personal guarantees, conservative ARVs, strong reserves, and the ability to come walk her operation in person. If you've been feeling nervous about the headlines but still want your money working hard in real estate, this conversation is for you. We cover mindset, market selection, leadership, and how to build a business that doesn't own your life. Whether you want to be hands-on or passive, you'll see how Ohio real estate investing done right can still be a powerful path to cash flow, equity, and long-term wealth. Tiffany High's links: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyhighofficial?igsh=dnFnMjF0dzlxam5u  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-high-66535118/  - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialtiffanyhigh/  - Website: https://resultsdrivenrei.com/ 

Start making passive income here: https://bit.ly/4otFJ3X  If you're waiting for the economy, the market, or your confidence to all line up perfectly before you invest, you're going to be waiting forever. In this episode, I break down exactly how overcoming fear of investing really works, and why the people who win financially are the ones who move before they feel fully ready without gambling everything. I start by talking about a pattern I've been seeing everywhere: people are frozen. They're standing in a shaky boat, gripping the sides, hoping the waves calm down instead of simply stepping onto the dock, reassessing, and getting into a better boat. That same fear of doing anything different shows up in marriages, health, careers, and especially investing. If you do nothing and hope it all works out, it almost never does. I share one of my favorite quotes from Will Rogers: "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." Then I dive into what I've learned from coach Bill Belichick in his book The Art of Winning. He makes a powerful point: you're not born confident, and you can't just talk yourself into confidence with affirmations and visualization. Real confidence is built through repetition and practice. He used that approach with the New England Patriots, leaning into what they repeatedly practiced the passing game with Tom Brady rather than overthinking and trying to be "tricky" when it mattered most. I connect that directly to money and investing. I tell my own story of going from a shy, introverted kid who hated speaking in front of even two people, to someone who now presents, records this podcast, and gets feedback from people like Shannon, who told me she was completely drawn into my story. That transformation didn't come from magically waking up confident it came from doing it again and again. Then I share a real conversation I had with a guy who had just been laid off. He had time, he had money freed up from his 401(k), he had a slow season in his new business coming up which made it one of the best times for him to make a strategic move. And yet he was completely paralyzed by uncertainty, waiting for a crystal ball to tell him exactly what to do. That's what analysis paralysis looks like in real time: wanting guidance, but refusing to act on it. I compare that mindset to sitting in your driveway waiting for every traffic light between you and your destination to turn green before you'll even start the car. Life and markets don't work that way. The lights change while you're on the road. The waves keep coming whether you're in a crappy boat or a better one. The investors who win don't ignore risk they take thoughtful, guided action with imperfect information. I also talk about how even someone like Warren Buffett doesn't sit on the sidelines doing nothing. He's cautious, he keeps cash ready, he's picky, but he still invests. He doesn't live on "hopium" and neither should you. The difference between people who create real passive income and those who just dream about it is simple: they take the first step, learn from mistakes, and keep moving. If you're tired of spinning in your head, scared of losing money, or waiting for the "perfect time," this episode is your wake-up call. I'll show you how successful investors build investing confidence through calculated action, how to avoid letting fear quietly drain your future, and why having the right mentors and community around you changes everything.