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Could your 401(k) or IRA actually be costing you more in taxes than it's saving you?

In this episode, I dive into a powerful Roth conversion strategy the wealthy use for tax-free growth and how artificial intelligence is changing the game for tax planning and long-term wealth.

I'm joined by Kenner French, founder of Vast Solutions Group and Vast Asset Defense, a pioneer who started using AI for tax planning back in 2010, long before it was trendy. He's been recognized by Kevin O'Leary (Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank) for his innovative use of AI to help entrepreneurs save on taxes. Kenner's background runs from Harvard to Wall Street, to partnering with Sharon Lechter (co-author of Rich Dad Poor Dad) and now to using AI to help business owners and high earners make more, save more, and protect more.

We break down what a Roth IRA really is, who it's best for, and how a Roth conversion works in plain English. If you've ever wondered whether you should convert part of your traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth, we walk through the scenarios where it can make a lot of sense especially in low-income or "down" years, after a layoff, during a bad business year, or when your tax bracket temporarily drops. Kenner explains why those "ugly" years can become golden opportunities for strategic Roth conversions and long-term tax-free growth.

We also compare Roth strategies with properly structured life insurance (what I often use with my clients), and we talk about when life insurance can offer even more flexibility than a Roth especially for business owners, real estate investors, and people who care about asset protection. We dig into why I use life insurance as a tax-free safe storage place for cash that I can then deploy into real estate, private lending, and businesses while keeping the tax advantages and lawsuit protection that many people overlook.

Kenner shares how his AI model "Einstein" works behind the scenes to analyze tax returns and identify strategies, and why AI alone isn't enough you still need experienced CPAs, tax attorneys, and advisors to review, guide, and interpret the recommendations. We also talk about my own journey from resisting AI to embracing it inside my business and how it's allowed me to be more effective, not more passive.

If you're a W-2 earner at a place like Google, a successful entrepreneur, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you rethink where your money is growing, how it's being taxed, and what you can do starting this year to legally and intelligently reduce your tax bill.

We tie it all back to the Money Ripples mission: helping you become work optional by building sustainable passive income and keeping more of what you make.

By the end, you'll see why the wealthy are so intentional about Roth conversions, tax-free growth, AI-driven tax planning, and asset protection, and how you can start using the same tools in your own financial life.

 Kenner's links:
- Website: https://vastsolutionsgroup.com/ 
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r-kenner-french-8138211a6/ 
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/r.kenner.french 
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.kennerfrench?igsh=ZDBpZW92dDF0djhy