In this special reaction episode, Nick Poppe responds to a (pretty old but very popular) Dave Ramsey clip that calls the Infinite Banking Concept/Bank on Yourself a scam. Nick breaks down key misconceptions about Bank On Yourself and Infinite Banking, explaining their similarities and clarifying how these strategies truly work. He dives into misunderstood topics like insurance company dividends, cash value, commissions, and policy design, offering a detailed defense of the concept.

Nick shares his personal journey from being a Dave Ramsey follower to discovering the power of alternative financial tools and why personalized advice matters. He acknowledges where Ramsey is right and where he misses the mark, emphasizing the importance of working with trustworthy advisors and making choices that fit your unique goals.

See the full Dave Ramsey show clip from this episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MVUN0yGF80

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

In this episode of Living Wealthy, host Nick Poppe wraps up his 3-part series on retirement income strategies by walking you through how to design your own personalized income plan. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your savings into a sustainable income stream—or how to plan for peace of mind, not just performance, this episode is for you.

Nick breaks down how to:

• Identify and separate income needs (necessities vs. lifestyle)

• Take inventory of your assets (Social Security, 401(k)s, IRAs, real estate, annuities, life insurance, and more)

• Layer your income: guaranteed, semi-predictable, and variable sources

• Build flexibility into your plan with tax-advantaged, liquid “buffer assets”

• Manage taxes in retirement without letting them control your plan

This isn’t about one-size-fits-all advice or generic rules of thumb. It’s about helping you align your money with your values, and create a retirement strategy that helps you sleep well at night.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

retirement income strategies, financial planning, passive income, income needs, asset assessment, tax efficiency, retirement planning, financial coaching, wealth management, income layering

You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and built up your nest egg. But now what? In this episode of Living Wealthy, host Nick Poppe unpacks one of the biggest financial transitions: going from saving to spending in retirement.

Nick explains why retirement isn’t just about how much you’ve saved, but how well you’ve planned to turn those savings into income. He breaks down the mindset shift from accumulation to distribution and the key risks retirees face, like sequence of returns, inflation, longevity, healthcare costs, and taxes.

You'll also get a high-level look at several retirement income strategies, including:

• The 4% rule and its limitations

• The traditional three-legged stool of retirement (Social Security, pensions, and personal savings)

• The bucketing strategy for timing distributions

• And a more personalized, multi-source income approach using annuities, real estate, whole life insurance, and business assets

Whether you’re approaching retirement or want to plan ahead, this episode will help you understand what changes when the paychecks stop—and how to design a plan that makes your money last.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

retirement income, financial planning, cash flow, investment strategies, annuities, 4% rule, income floor, bucketing strategy, three-legged stool, retirement planning

In this candid episode of Living Wealthy, Nick Poppe pulls back the curtain on a bold and unconventional financial move he recently made, cashing out the pre-tax portion of his 401(k). While most financial experts would advise rolling those funds into an IRA or another retirement account, Nick explains why he chose to take the tax hit and penalty to access that capital now. He walks through the numbers, his thought process, and the pros and cons of this decision.

Nick discusses why control and flexibility are crucial to him as a business owner and investor, and how having access to this money today allows him to pursue opportunities he believes can outperform traditional stock market return . He’s transparent about the risks, the upfront costs, and the other downsides he faces for going against conventional wisdom. This episode provides a look at personal finance from a perspective of individual goals and unique situations.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

You’ve spent years building your nest egg, but what happens when it’s finally time to live off of it? In this kickoff to a brand new Living Wealthy series, host Nick Poppe flips the script from accumulation to distribution. This episode dives into one of the most overlooked (and underplanned) stages of personal finance: retirement income.

Nick explains why retirement isn’t just about having enough money, it’s about knowing how to use it. He breaks down the mindset shift required to go from saving and investing to turning those assets into reliable, sustainable income. Along the way, he highlights key risks retirees face like sequence of returns, inflation, longevity, healthcare costs, and tax traps—and why the same strategies that got you here won’t get you through retirement.

Packed with real talk, examples, and a clear breakdown of what makes retirement planning so different (and so crucial), this episode sets the stage for a whole series of conversations about creating income with confidence, flexibility, and peace of mind.

If you're anywhere near retirement, or just want to think ahead, don’t miss this one.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

retirement, financial planning, income distribution, investment strategies, retirement risks, financial independence, wealth management, passive income, retirement income strategies, financial security

In this episode of Living Wealthy, host Nick Poppe invites you into a deeply personal reflection on what it means to plan your financial life so you can live without regrets. Drawing on his and his wife Brooke’s life-changing experience following her unexpected cancer diagnosis at age 29, Nick shares how that moment reshaped their entire approach to money, priorities, and legacy.

Inspired by the book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins, Nick discusses how to shift your mindset from endlessly accumulating wealth to intentionally using money to create a meaningful life today. He unpacks concepts like memory dividends, giving while living, and creating a memory budget that supports the experiences and relationships that matter most.

Nick also shares how the Bank On Yourself strategy supports this intentional lifestyle by offering financial flexibility and liquidity, helping you seize opportunities, fund meaningful experiences, and support others without sacrificing long-term goals.

This is a conversation about living on purpose, taking action before it’s too late, and designing a financial life that fuels the life you actually want to live. Nick ends with a simple, powerful challenge: What’s one experience you’re no longer willing to delay?

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial planning, living without regrets, intentional living, legacy, financial freedom, life experiences, budgeting, wealth management

In this episode of Living Wealthy, we climb to the top of the financial pyramid and talk about what most people think is personal finance-investing. But rather than hype stocks or dismiss risk, Nick breaks down the real differences between public markets, private investments, and speculative bets like crypto and startups.

You'll learn:

• The pros and cons of stocks, real estate, and speculative assets

• Where mainstream advice gets investing wrong

• A four-part framework to evaluate any investment (risk, reward, control, and alignment)

• Why liquidity isn’t everything

• How to use a Bank On Yourself policy as a launchpad for smarter investing

If you’ve ever wondered where should I put my money?—this episode is your guide. Real talk, no hype, and strategies you can actually use.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial foundation, investing, public markets, private markets, speculative investments, risk management, personal finance, investment strategies, wealth building, financial planning

In this episode of Living Wealthy, Nick Poppe challenges conventional financial wisdom by flipping the script from chasing net worth to building real, consistent income.

You’ll explore what it means to create an income floor that reduces dependence on a paycheck and adds more freedom to your financial life. Nick dives into income-producing assets like rental real estate, dividend-paying stocks, and annuities, and how these can support your lifestyle and not just inflate your balance sheet.

Plus, hear how Bank on Yourself policies can be used as a funding tool to invest in these income-generating opportunities without sacrificing long-term growth. If you're ready to think differently about how your money works for you, this episode is a must-listen.

Book a free 15-minute Intro call at https://www.fwstrategies.com/

Learn more about the Bank on Yourself strategy with the Bank on Yourself Special Report: https://www.bankonyourself.com/findoutmorenow?wp_src=NP43

Learn more about the power of guaranteed income for retirement and get your Lifetime Guaranteed Income Guide: https://www.bankonyourself.com/guaranteed-lifetime-income-consumer-guide?wp_src=NP43A&srcp

Keywords

financial strategies, investing, income floor, net worth, cash flow, rental real estate, dividend stocks, annuities, financial freedom, personal finance