The Prosperity Podcast

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

Tim Wright, of ASR Alternative Investments, joins Todd Strobel on the Prosperity Podcast. They discuss what alternative investments are and their benefits. Tim explains the type of client that would gain the most from life settlements and why they're similar to owning real estate. Finally, the look at the type of returns to expect within a growing market. Can you make your money more prosperable and less of a gamble outside the stock market? Find out on today's episode. 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 [0:20] Intro [0:50] What are Alternative Investments and Life Settlements [3:50] The Ideal Client [5:04] Comparing Life Settlements to Real Estate [8:50] Calculating a Rate of Return [10:52] What to Anticipate as an Investor [13:20] Explaining Underwriting [16:21] Whose Market is it? [18:02] Wrap-Up [18:37] Your Portfolio Shouldn't be a Gamble [20:37] Outro

"No B.S." Money Guy Todd Strobel and best-selling author Kim D.H. Butler look at what it takes to become a Prosperity Economics Advisor. Todd explores what an advisor does on a day-to-day level. Kim breaks down the steps in becoming an advisor. Finally, they explain the type of person best suited for prosperity economic advising. Have you got what it takes? Find out on today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. (By the way, Kim took the "long route" to being a Prosperity Economics Advisor, getting her CFP designation and Series 6 then Series 7 licenses, as well as a Series 63, Series 65 and additional education and experience (such as 4 years as co-trainer of Truth Concepts financial software and a banking background. All of the above have been learning experiences but NOT necessary to get started!) Not mentioned in the show but also HIGHLY recommended are Truth ConceptsSoftware, Truth Training (some advisors attend about once a year), and The Summit for Prosperity Economics Advisors. If you were going to do ONE thing to jump-start a new venture as a Prosperity Economics Advisor – or even to just seriously explore it – we would say, "Come to The Summit!" If you would like 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 [1:07] Overview [2:33] Life Insurance Licenses [3:28] Alternative Investments [4:38] Planning and Processes [7:02] Five-Step Prosperity Pathway [9:03] Fiduciary vs. Suitability Standard [10:35] The Big Picture [12:50] What is Your Passion Level? [13:19] The "Secret" [15:13] Wrap-Up [15:30] Financial Planning Has Failed [15:48] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel respond to a user-question about annuities, analyzing annuities to see what they can and can't do for you. Kim and Todd take a hypothetical annuity through the gamut of our Prosperity Principles. Kim defines the different types of annuities. Todd uses the Prosperity Principles against annuities. Finally, Kim and Todd explain where the apprehension towards annuities comes from and look at what to do with an annuity you already possess. Do you know how to apply the Principles of Prosperity to financial decisions? 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 [0:37] Annuity Clarity [2:02] Fixed and Variable Annuities [7:01] Think From a Prosperous Mindset [8:41] Look From a Macroeconomic POV [9:39] Life-Only Payout [12:17] Low Interest Rates [13:37] Measure Opportunity Cost [14:45] Where Does the Objection Come From? [16:45] LIFO [17:24] Cash Flow [19:56] Control Your Money [20:43] Money Should Move Through an Asset [22:19] Multiply [23:31] Summary [24:05] Financial Planning Has Failed [24:46] What to do With an Annuity [26:28] Wrap-Up [27:30] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel dive into financial strategies to best utilize your assets by actually spending down your taxable assets first, and relying on non-taxable assets later in life. Kim explains three strategies and their upsides. Todd focuses on the benefit of life insurance to maximize the strategies effectiveness. Finally, they discuss resources available through Partners 4 Prosperity that explores these strategies further. Is your financial strategy allowing you to have your cake and eat it too? 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 [0:32] Have Your Cake and Eat it Too Strategy [4:19] Strategy 1: Pay Down, Spend Down [5:53] Using the Life Insurance Benefit [6:55] An Alternate Giving Strategy [9:56] The Permission Slip [9:38] Type of Life Insurance to Utilize [11:02] Strategy 2: Reverse Mortgages [12:38] Using Other Types of Assets [13:40] Strategy #3: Charitable Remainder Trust [15:39] Live Your Life Insurance [16:38] When is it Too Late? [17:35] Where to Start – Ask for Permission to Spend Special Report [19:22] Financial Planning Has Failed [19:25] Wrap-Up [21:12] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel dive into an old article of Kim's entitled, "7 Phases of Financial Success." Whether you started saving in your 20's or whether you're just starting in your 50's or 60's, you can adapt these phases for you. Kim explains each phase of life and it's accompanying financial goals. Todd breaks down effective ways to reach those goals. Finally, the importance of life insurance (and later converting it to whole life insurance) is analyzed as the backbone of your financial success through each phase. Which financial phase are you in and is it too late to be successful now? 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 to the phases of financial success [0:48] Phase 1: Leaving School, Entering Workforce (20s) [4:17] Savings Before Debt [5:41] Paying the Minimums [6:22] Completing a Will [7:03] Life Insurance and "Human Life Value" [8:43] Insurance Outside of Your Employer [9:35] Phase 2: Building a Prosperity Flow Through Account (30s) [10:49] Converting Term to Whole Life Insurance [12:14] Advantages of Life Insurance Over Banks [12:59] Mortgages [13:59] Phase 3: Conversions & Upgrades (40s) [15:39] Rates of Returns [17:28] Non-Correlated Assets [18:11] Whole Life Insurance Interest Rates [19:28] Aggressive Risks [20:41] Phase 4: Paying Off Life Insurance Loans (50s) [22:20] Phase 5: Don't Retire, Yet (60s) [25:22] Phase 6: Taking Dividends & Stopping Premium Payment (70s) [26:49] Reverse Mortgages [28:08] Phase 7: Focusing on the Death Benefit (80+) [29:38] Financial Planning Has Failed [30:37] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel respond to a user-question about why the American society refers to investing with the stock market. Kim discusses ways around the market and the multiple outlets outside of the stock market. Todd explains the importance of educating yourself on all the ways in which your money can be invested. Finally, life settlements from life insurance are analyzed. Where else can you invest? Find out about investing away from the stock market 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 [0:32] Why Does Investment Equate to the Stock Market? [2:19] You Get What You Pay For [4:02] Potential Market Scare [6:38] Non-Correlated Investments [9:38] Are These Partners 4 Prosperity Inventions? [12:22] Financial Planning Has Failed [14:00] Educating Yourself [15:32] Life Settlements [19:25] Wrap-Up [20:14] Outro