The Prosperity Podcast

How should investors respond to the 401(k) on the decline? Is the stock market poised for another correction? Today's episode presents the argument for self-directed IRAs and non-correlated investments. Kim Butler and Todd Strobel explain the ripple effect that Baby Boomers have had on 401(k). They explain how this will impact the market and why it may be a good thing, in the long run. They also discuss alternative ways to invest, particularly non-correlated asset classes and investments that do not fluctuate with stock market prices. It's all about making your money grow and work for you in today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. We now have our ebook, Financial Planning Has Failed, available as an audiobook. Visit our site and download your free copy now! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:12] Money Flows Out of 401(k) [4:04] How Will This Affect the Stock Market? [7:05] Explaining 401(k) [9:05] Using That Money Elsewhere [9:33] Self-Directed IRA [11:11] Non-correlated Investments [12:39] Creating Income [14:11] Wrap-Up [15:38] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel breakdown college and why the costs keep rising. They analyze higher education based on the Prosperity Principles and also from looking at the numbers. They take into account both the parent's and the student's prosperity as factors. Are there alternatives to handling the cost of education? Yes, and we discuss why a 529 plan is NOT what we recommend. Finally, we answer the age old question of, "What are they teaching kids these days?" in today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. We now have our ebook, Financial Planning Has Failed, available as an audiobook. Go here to get your free copy now! You'll get access to the PDF ebook along with the audiobook version. Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:06] Why Does a College Degree Cost so Much? (Article) [4:12] College by the Numbers [5:38] Parent's Point-of-View [8:36] Is College Teaching Prosperity Thinking? [11:34] The Cost is MUCH More Than Just Tuition [13:31] Underfunded Pensions and How They Affect College Costs [14:12] An Expensive Question [17:00] Pro-Prosperity Thinking [18:56] Wrap-Up [19:39] Outro RESOURCES: Tammi Brannan at Instinctive Life

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel discuss the importance of having meaningful conversations. They discuss the importance of keeping partners involved, informed, and prepared in case of an untimely crises or other changes. The Big D's such as Death, Divorce, Debt, and Documents stage on today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. How can you prepare for the unexpected? Find out on today's show! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:15] How to Prepare for Crises – Communication is KEY! [4:13] Put it on Paper – FiveWishes.org is a great resource, Quickbooks, Mint.com [7:15] Dealing With "The Problem" – What happens when one spouse doesn't want the other to know? [10:46] Pro-activity in Emergencies. – Use TheTorch.com [13:33] Permission to Spend [15:43] Financial Planning Has Failed [16:36] Keep Sending Questions [17:15] Wrap-Up [17:39] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel continue their discussion on mortgages. They show how debt and mortgages are intertwined and how it's not a bad thing. Reverse mortgages are also discussed and can be recommended to a specific audience. Yet Kim proposes a specific solution. The Prosperity Principles are on full display in today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:07] "HAVING" Debt vs. Being "IN" Debt [3:12] Debt, Peace of Mind, and the Unique Role that Mortgages play in Debt [6:32] Why We Became Afraid of Mortgages [9:12] Interest Vs. Tax Deduction [11:11] Reverse Mortgages Can Provide Tax-Free Income (but this should NOT be the goal!) [14:14] What To Do with Extra Money Each Month (How to keep control of it!) [15:35] The DANGER of Pre-Paying Your Mortgage! (from a former mortgage banker) [16:30] Get the Prosperity Accelerator Pack or just Financial Planning Has Failed [17:11] Wrap-Up [17:49] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel set their sights on mortgages in this episode, analyzing different strategies by using the Prosperity Principles to uncover the best options. They discuss down payments, compare 15 vs 30 year mortgages, and tackle other questions to consider when getting a mortgage, with some surprising answers! How big should your down payment be? Is a 15 or 30 year mortgage more efficient in the long run? What is the value of your cash down payment, or your cash flow? And is there value in "peace of mind", even if it means choosing a less effective economic strategy? Find out in today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:41] Mortgages – the Largest Debt Many People Have (and greatly misunderstood) [2:01] Questions to Ask… Your Cash has a Cost [3:33] Considering the Amount to Put Down [8:11] 15 or 30 Year Mortgages (and how to compare correctly) [12:16] How to be More Prosperous by "Investing the Difference" [17:03] Summary of Recommendations [17:57] Outro

Daring to be "politically incorrect," Kim Butler and Todd Strobel attempt to break down the stigmas between economics and politics. Obamacare and the language of economics are discussed, along with the challenge of having honest and open conversations about economics. Is there any room for political correctness in economics? How are Todd's economic discussions affecting his dating life? Find out in today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast! [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:40] Consequential Discussions [2:51] The Science of Economics VS the Art of Politics [4:22] A Change in Vernacular [5:13] Building Wealth [6:57] Are we exchanging Wealth for Freedom? [8:20] The Fifth Principle of Prosperity: Control [9:06] Obamacare and Todd's experience purchasing health insurance for employees [12:15] The First Principle of Prosperity: Think [13:30] Bring it Back to Economics [14:18] Ebook giveaway to our listenings: Financial Planning Has Failed [15:12] Outro

On today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast, Kim Butler and Todd Strobel analyze whole life insurance rates of return for different age brackets. Surprisingly, this reveals that "you're never too old for life insurance!" The current net rate of return is discussed. Finally, if you do not qualify for life insurance due to health or lifestyle risk factors, have you considered the alternatives to insuring yourself? There are ways to be the policy owner without having to qualify for life insurance if you can establish an insurable interest in someone else, such as a child, grandchild, business partner or key employee. Kim and Todd also discuss something she is very proud of: Kim's daughter, Kaylea Butler has released a book, Every Day is A Miracle: Lessons from Susan Rammekwa.

On today's episode of The Prosperity Podcast, Kim Butler and Todd Strobel dive into the realm of bonds. They discuss the history and current climate of bonds, such as muni-bonds. The current market and quality of those bonds are examined as well. The recent San Bernadino ruling on bondholders and pension funds is broken down. They wrap the show up by reminding you to adjust your strategies and techniques as the times change. [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:41] What is a bond? [1:55] Investing Today – Bond Funds [3:32] Consider the Stability of the Issuer [5:34] Recent Bankruptcy Hearing [6:28] Pension Promise VS 401k/403(b) [8:52] History of the "Promise" [10:01] A Pension Perfect Storm [11:11] The Current Quality of Bonds [13:33] Will Interest Rates Increase and What Happens if they do? [15:04] Change the Strategies & Techniques with the Times [15:58] Cash Value of Life Insurance [17:10] Outro [17:58] Epilogue Be sure to check out Kim D.H. Butler's book, Live Your Life Insurances, which can be purchased on her site or on Amazon.

In this episode, Kim D.H. Butler and Todd Strobel talk about the differences between Austrian and Keynesian Economics and how these economic theories relate to today's economy. They also share the challenge of having our savings and investments beat inflation. [00:00:32] Today we're talking about Austrian vs Keynesian economics [00:01:32] With our current economic issues it's critical to understand how finances are being managed [00:02:42] The current President is running our country by the Keynesian economic theory [00:03:23] Keynesian economists believe that spending money is what drives things [00:05:29] Talking about Austrian economics [00:06:05] Austrian economists believe that saving is the motor of the economy and that private property and a free market drives growth [00:06:58] The challenge with Austrian thinking is that when we save money we temporarily remove that money from the money supply [00:07:34] Austrian economics type of thinking is a fabulous long term solution [00:07:41] Keynesian type of thinking is a short term solution [00:09:17] In our current interest rate environment we are penalized to save [00:10:13] Many of our grandparents lived in the era of Austrian thinking with little government control [00:11:16] Kim and Todd talk about inflation and how it affects us [00:12:17] "The inflation tax, while largely ignored, hurts middle class and low income Americans the most…" – Ron Paul [00:12:36] We need to look at inflation like we look at taxes [00:13:05] Having investments that earn a low double-digit rate of return is necessary to beat inflation [00:13:49] Roles of a free market under the two economic systems [00:14:58] The United States of America was formed on the basis of a free market and the desire for personal freedom which then comes with personal responsibility [00:17:16] Todd shares a powerful quote from John Maynard Keynes

In this episode, Kim D.H. Butler and Todd Strobel talk about life settlements and the history and benefits of this underrated investment. Life settlement investments produce predictable, healthy returns and follow the "zero risk tolerance" guideline discussed in episode 15. However, they are controversial and often misunderstood. In this episode, Kim and Todd discuss the benefits, the history, and some of the ins and outs of life settlements. Learn if this investment with healthy returns and low, low risk is for you! 0:30 – Introducing today's topic of life settlements 1:18 – Kim explaining life settlements in plain and simple terms 4:02 – Why it's a good idea to diversify with life settlements outside of the markets 5:15 – How this a predictable investment and follows our zero risk tolerance policy 7:02 – Answering the question: How are life settlements related or not related to viaticals 9:17 – Win-Win: We like the fact that life settlements help seniors as well as investors. 12:08 – Todd summarizes the topic and goes into more details about life settlements 13:24 – Using the law of large numbers produces a consistent rate of return 14:40 – Time commitments and barrier to entry for life settlements 15:47 – Get the full resources and details about life settlements at Partners4Prosperity.com – Click for our Life Settlement articles. 16:12 – If you are an accredited investor Kim and Todd have specific websites and information you can access to learn more.