The Prosperity Podcast

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

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel dig into the theory that banks are the safest place to save money. Kim explains how life insurance provides better dividends than banks and details what banks ought to be used for. Todd talks about government interventions and how life insurance affects college aid. Finally, Kim and Todd look into the resources available that we provide to broaden your knowledge about life insurance. Have you ever wondered why movies never show a life insurance agency being held 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 [0:33] Banking Myths [0:55] Are Banks a Good Place to Save Money? [2:03] Money Being Reduced to 1's and 0's [4:54] Focus on Control [7:31] Cash Value of Life Insurance for Businesses [8:26] Rates of Return [9:41] Government Intervention in Bank Accounts [12:27] Life Insurance and College Applications [13:25] Live Your Life Insurance (and Book) [13:48] Financial Planning Has Failed [14:33] P.U.A. [17:48] Wrap-Up [18:19] Outro

On today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast, best-selling financial author Kim Butler and No BS Money Guy Todd Strobel uncover the reasons you should know about self-directed IRAs. They discuss their benefits and disadvantages. Kim explains the term "roll" as it relates to finances. Todd compares self-directed IRAs against a 401(k). Finally, they breakdown the different payoffs that are associated with your self-directed IRA. 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 [0:36] Self-Directed IRAs [2:59] Self-Directed IRA Trustees [4:04] Fees and Costs [7:35] Defining the Term "Roll" [9:24] Rolling into a Self-Directed IRA [11:00] Fighting Off the 401(k) Pressure [13:07] Self-Directed IRA Payoffs [14:35] Peer-to-Peer Lending [16:08] Financial Planning Has Failed [16:45] Wrap-Up [17:21] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel respond to a user question about when to talk about money with your children. Kim explains the benefits of starting early and brings up, The Opposite of Spoiled, by Ron Lieber in discussing allowances. Then, Todd breaks down a trend in millennial student debt and they look into alternative solutions to that debt. We all know money talks, but do we know how to talk about money? 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 [0:30] A User-Submitted Question [0:50] What Age to Start? [3:05] Ad Marketing to Young Children [4:34] Exposing Kids to Household Finances [7:26] Teaching Savings [9:41] Setting Up a Family Business [10:21] Changing Attitudes to Curb Trends [11:56] Understanding Alternatives [15:58] Involving Children When Family Finances Change [18:04] Financial Planning Has Failed [18:46] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel go over several ideas, strategies, and best practices to maximize your money. For instance, Kim explains how you may be able to dramatically increase the upper limits of your property and casualty protection… with NO out-of-pocket costs! Kim and Todd also give an important tip on how you can use your smartphone to help protect your belongings! Kim discusses mortgages, life insurance, disability, and long-term care insurance as well. Finally, they discuss where and how to store your cash. When was the last time you looked over your insurance and finances? Has it been too long? Find out what steps to put on your financial checklist 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 [0:39] Choosing a Time to Review [1:08] Automobile Deductibles [5:09] Keeping Pictures of Your Valuables [6:33] Personal Liability Umbrella [10:41] Medical & Disability Insurance [14:19] Long-Term Care Insurance [15:47] Wills, Trusts, and Power of Attorney [19:06] Types of Ownership [20:46] Life Insurance [22:56] Reviewing Your Own Money [24:25] Mutual Funds, Stocks, and Bonds [25:55] 401(k) and IRA's [28:37] Mortgages and Investment Real Estate [31:20] Bridge Loans and Life Settlements [32:30] Financial Planning Has Failed [33:18] Wrap-Up [34:05] Outro

Best-selling financial author Kim Butler and No B.S. Money Guy Todd Strobel explain why Partners for Prosperity has chosen to be part of a MOVEMENT – not simply a "financial practice." They discuss how a movement differs from a practice. Kim tells us how Prosperity Thinkers is focused more on cooperation with others in our industry than gaining a competitive advantage against them. Todd recommends the best type of people to have in your corner on your financial team. Finally, they leave us with action steps to help you analyze your life insurance. Will you join the movement? Find out more on today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show or 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 [1:06] Cooperation in Competition [2:59] Impact of Inflation [4:26] The Prosperity Economics Movement [6:52] Truth Concepts [10:03] Numbers are not Static [12:14] Financial Planning Has Failed [15:45] Handling Your Own Finances [18:20] Building a Financial Team [21:28] Action Steps [23:15] Wrap-Up [24:15] Outro

Kim D. H. Butler and host Todd Strobel discuss an article in Money Magazine, "13 Things to Do with $100k." Should you remodel your home? Buy a franchise? Purchase an annuity? They break down the list of options and also discuss alternative investments. Kim defends the belief of protecting the principle. Todd praises Kim for all her work in making clients' money do more for them. If they had $100,000, wouldn't our hosts buy a Tesla, 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, be sure to keep sending us questions! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:32] 13 Things to Do with $100k [2:07] Remodel Your House [4:27] Pay Off Your Mortgage [5:43] Opportunity Costs [7:02] Buy a Franchise [8:42] Invest in a New Degree [10:46] Buy an Annuity [12:39] Financial Planning Has Failed [13:20] Buy a Tesla [15:05] Cash Flow Stream [17:50] Buy a Vacation Home [20:51] Buy an Indexed Fund [22:06] Summary [23:35] Wrap-Up [24:11] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel discuss a recent analysis from an insurance company we do business with. What do the findings tell us? What kind of life insurance do our clients buy, and why? What do they do with it? What do we know about our clients from the study? Find out on today's show. If you would like the opportunity for us to answer your question on the show, be sure to keep sending us questions! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [1:01] What's Up at Partners 4 Prosperity? [2:49] Assets Under Management [4:11] Death Benefit Over Time [9:01] Creating an Arbitrage [11:08] The Insurance Benefit [12:47] Big Picture Numbers [16:08] Shift in Thinking [18:02] Diversity in Ages [19:39] Financial Planning Has Failed [20:11] Wrap-Up [20:21] Outro

P4P's Kim Butler and No BS Money Guy Todd Strobel answer another listener-submitted question. Life insurance terminology and lingo is the topic of discussion. Kim and Todd travel the A to Z's of life insurance with a few pit stops along the way. Also, will this episode be the last for Todd's favorite phrase, "super?" 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, be sure to keep sending us questions! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:52] Understanding Life Insurance Terms and Terminology [3:11] Premiums [5:08] Cash Value [8:43] Dividends [12:37] Gross Cash Value [13:22] Automatic Paid-Up Additions [16:35] Waiver of Premium [18:36] Death Benefit or Face Amount [19:41] Financial Planning Has Failed [20:34] Increasing Death Benefit [21:15] Interest [23:42] Positions Within Life Insurance [25:52] Automatic Premium Loans [27:02] Reduced Paid-Up [29:26] Opportunity Cost [30:41] Wrap-Up [31:29] Outro

Kim Butler and Todd Strobel stay after class to finish their test. Questions about Financial Literacy are asked, answered, and discussed as Kim and Todd go through the last half of a financial literacy test. This section of the test features segments about saving and investing. Also, the final part of our test asks a few questions about taxes and the role of government over your money. Sit down and take out a No. 2 pencil for today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast! If you haven't already, get your copy of Financial Planning Has Failed, now available as both an audiobook and ebook! Read or listen today to learn how you can build wealth without Wall Street risks and worries. Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:38] Irrelevant Questions [2:01] Annual Interest Earned on a Savings Account from a Bank [3:19] Mutual Funds and Securities [5:53] Accounts for Retirement with After-Tax Contributions [7:16] Conservative Holdings on an Account [9:30] Families Most Affected by a 10-Year Period of High Inflation [12:26] Assets that Protect You Against Inflation Increases [13:49] Actions to Benefit Large Sums of Money (and the importance of liquidity!) [15:39] How to Calculate Savings [16:30] Taxes that Change When You Move [17:47] Retirement Income from the Federal Government [18:30] United States Corporate Tax Rates [21:49] Federal Income Tax Payment [23:54] Wrap-Up [24:45] Prosperity Accelerator Pack [25:31] Send Us More Questions [25:58] Outro

How financially literate are students? Kim Butler and Todd Strobel head back to high school to take a test. Questions about Financial Literacy are asked, answered, and discussed, as well as why a few of the questions themselves might be misleading! This financial literacy test features a segment about investing, financial responsibility and insurance, as well as a segment on credit cards and debt. There will be no talking during the test on today's episode of the Prosperity Podcast. If you haven't already, check out our ebook, Financial Planning Has Failed, now available as an audiobook as well. Visit our site and download your free copy now! Show Notes: [0:00] Prologue [0:19] Intro [0:37] The Financial Literacy Test [1:59] The Best Source of Investment Advice [4:22] Brokerage Firms that Provide Lowest Cost of Shares [5:31] Who Supports the Loss of Value in a Mutual Fund? [7:10] When are You Least Likely to be Asked About Your Credit Score? [8:30] Which of These People Needs the Greatest Amount of Life Insurance? [11:43] Prosperity Accelerator Pack [12:21] Insurance that Covers Automobile Flood Damage [13:05] Credit Cards for Those that Pay the Monthly Balance [14:54] Minimizing Future Interest Payments [16:30] Terms Not Associated with Borrowing [16:58] Actions that Most Change a Credit Score [17:51] Credit Scores and Finance Charges [19:59] Wrap-Up [20:38] Outro

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.

How to Save Better, Grow Your Assets Faster and Create Substantial Cash Flow… Without Stock Market Risks! This special episode of The Prosperity Podcasts features an interview Mark Cosman from Experts Showcase did with best-selling financial author, Kim D.H. Butler. Mark presses Kim to name the 3 biggest problems that investors face: 1. When saving, they don't know where to store cash where it can keep pace with inflation. 2. When investing, they have a hard time creating growth in their assets without risking principal. 3. When desiring investment income, they don't know how to use their assets to create efficient cash flow. Fortunately, Mark also asks Kim for her proven investment solutions! Kim shares her favorite financial strategies and vehicles for saving money, growing assets, and creating cash flow. They also discuss how to protect yourself from risk, why Kim has "zero risk tolerance," and how risk tolerance questionnaires make investors think they have no choice but to subject their assets to the risks of the stock market to earn respectable gains! Fortunately, that is not true. Mark reveals how listeners can get more details as part of the Prosperity Accelerator Pack. You certainly don't want to miss this special episode! 0:17 – Kim Butler and Todd Strobel share some highlights of the interview 2:23 – Start of The Experts Showcase interview 3:54 – The 3 main themes of the show 4:17 – Finding alternatives to storing your money in banks and money market accounts. 5:53 – Kim reveals 200 year old financial secret that earns 4 – 5% and can replace your inefficient bank account 8:03 – Creating cash flow in our investments today 10:15 – Sharing examples of a consistent cash flowing investment 12:20 – How to avoid losing your money! 13:35 – Why I have a zero risk tolerance for losing money 15:45 – Mark talking about the prosperity accelerator pack 17:09 – How to get your money to work at least as hard as you do

In this episode, Kim D.H. Butler and NO BS Money Guy Todd Strobel tell the real story of the qualified retirement plan. Who really benefits? Which types of plans give you the most freedom towards your prosperity, and which should you AVOID? One key thought in today's conversation is, "When the government is benefiting, it typically means that we are not." 0:27 – Let's talk about the real story of the qualified plan 2:01 – The difference in tax treatments between qualified plans 3:05 – Is the qualified retirement plan structure truly beneficial? 3:54 – Sharing the 7 Principles of Prosperity 5:11 – In order to gain prosperity, you need to have your brain on, you need to be thinking, you need to be consciously doing things not just letting it happen. 5:21 – Todd's profound quote, "prosperity follows responsibility" 7:48 – Why is the government providing a tool for tax deferrals and is it really beneficial 8:57 – When the government's benefitting, it typically means that we are not 9:44 – Should you contribute to the up to the match or the max in your retirement plan? 11:24 – Kim talks about her latest book, Busting the Retirement Lies 12:50 – Why you should be investing for cash flow from the get go 14:30 – Investing for cashflow vs. equity 15:55 – You should have control over your structure and over the investments inside that structure 18:00 – How to create movement with your money 19:39 – When money is moving or leveraged in any way, it is healthier money 20:52 – How to get your money to multiply 22:33 – When dollars are just doing one job, if they're just enabling us to retire, if they're just educating a child, that's not as effective or as efficient as dollars that could do both. 22:58 – How to avoid paying huge penalties in taxes to use your own money

In this episode of the Prosperity Podcast, you'll learn why you should be very careful with any government plans and strategies when it comes to your wealth! Kim D.H. Butler and NO BS Money Guy Todd Strobel talk about freedom and liberty, and how they relate to prosperity. They share excerpts from the book 'Are We Good Enough for Liberty?' by Lawrence W. (aka Larry) Reed of FEE.org. FEE is the Foundation for Economic Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating future leaders about the economic, ethical and legal principles of a free society. 0:33 – Today we are talking about the book, Are We Good Enough For Liberty? 1:21 – Kim shares how she was introduced to FEE and Larry Reed the head of the organization. 3:04 – FEE's mission is to enhance each individual's understanding of themselves and the systems that they live in. 3:35 – How to be in control when everything feels out-of-control. 4:07 – The three requirements in order to have an effective and productive society. 6:06 – Why private property encourages pride of ownership. 6:15 – What does free competition mean and how can we benefit from it? 7:59 – The fight towards increasing wage and what affect it has on you. 11:08 – Why we prosper with a severely limited government. 11:43 – Kim shares a story where Donald Trump stepped in and outperformed the government because of the free market. 12:53 – Any time the government puts forth a plan, strategy or structure we need to be really careful. 15:04 – Todd talks about the base of the prosperity pyramid. 16:45 – "No people who lost their character ever kept their liberties" 17:25 – The one key quality Warren Buffett looks for in people. 20:10 – Talking about the integrity of the main character in the movie Cinderella Man. 21:05 – The #1 thing you can do to improve your character.

In the debate over what kind of financial advisor you should (and shouldn't) take advice from, it is clear where best-selling financial author Kim Butler and "No B.S. Money Guy" Todd Strobel stand. In this podcast they discuss the differences between advisors who operate from a Fiduciary standard and those who work from a Suitability standard. Kim stresses the value of the focus a fiduciary advisor will place on their client, contrasted with the focus the advisor will put on themselves. Whose best interests take priority? Todd summarizes the episode's theme in one poignant comment. He encourages buyers to listen for two different sentences when meeting with their advisors. If they say, "I am required to say if the recommendations I make are good or bad for you," their focus is on not on you. If they say, "I am required to say if the recommendations I make are the best for you," your success is the first point on their agenda. The two leave the podcast with a few words regarding the value of Prosperity Economicsand ways that those listening can hear more about it. 0:00 Intro 0:18 Welcome 0:32 Fiduciary vs. Suitability Standard 1:21 Advisor working from a fiduciary standard definition 1:51 Advisor working from a Suitability standard definition 4:40 Good or bad for you vs. best for you 5:19 License differences 6:05 Assets under management 7:00 Investment fees separate from advice fees 9:56 Qualifications for making a decision on a specific investment advisor 12:00 Prosperity Economics vs. typical financial planning. 13:58 List of Kim D. H. Butlers books on Prosperity Economics. 15:14 Wrap up

Today's episode of The Prosperity Podcast continues the debate over whole life insurance vs. term life insurance. Best selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler and "No B.S. Money Guy," Todd Strobel pick up where they left off previously, discussing comments sent in by a reader in support of term insurance vs. whole life insurance. The arguments and responses covered include: price comparison, investing comparison, and large commission comparison. Kim and Todd address the reasoning behind each question the viewer had and then proceed to teach why both whole life and term insurance are important and practical. Most clearly, they express why term on its own is not a long term option, as its name suggests. Once again, the final consensus is that a combination of both insurance options is the best way to stay protected as well as save for the future. 0:00 – Introduction 0:18 – Welcome 1:06 – Recap on previous podcast concerning term insurance vs. whole life insurance debate 2:51 – Argument #5 Why is term insurance cheaper than whole life? 3:02 – Response to argument #5 Immediate price comparison is not helpful because they have different functions over time. It's like renting vs. buying. 6:16 – Argument #6 "Unbundling" gives the client more cash back and more options on investing. 7:10 – Response to argument #6 part one: Actually, it's the "investing" part of "buy term and invest the difference" that often doesn't work well. 9:33 – Typical advisor recommended investment information. 10:15 – Response to argument #6 part two: Whole life out-performs many other savings vehicles and even many investment vehicles, depending on the environment. 12:00 – Sales of term insurance helps the insurance company meet the 4 to 5 percent net figures to the whole life policy owners. 13:24 – Argument #7 insurance agents sell whole life to make huge commission. 13: 34 – Response to argument #7: Term, whole life and mutual funds can all deliver good commissions. Commissions are necessary to business success. It is ludicrous to think that a 200-year old product has survived only because of commissions! 14:44 – Wrap up

In this episode of The Prosperity Podcast, best selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler and "No B.S. Money Guy," Todd Strobel take on some misconstrued ideas regarding whole life insurance vs. term insurance. Looking at a comment that was left on Partners for Prosperity's blog, they clarify four aspects of whole life insurance, busting four common myths: These include: Do you "pay for two and get one" benefit? Is there really "zero cash value"? What about the death benefits – does term really give you more? and Is whole life too expensive for middle income families? The question and answer sequence of this particular podcast is a great way to uncover misconceptions that various insurance buyers might have, especially if they are relying on "internet advice" or even advice from financial planners who do NOT specialize in life insurance. This episode presents facts that will help buyers make properly informed decisions. Through questions and answers, Kim and Todd determine that a combination of both whole life insurance and term insurance may actually be the safest and most reasonable option for many families. 0:00 – Introduction 0:18 – Welcome 0:40 – Recap on past podcast encouraging combination of term insurance and whole life insurance. 1:00 – Whole Life insurance vs. Term Insurance 2:44 – Comment on partners4prosperity.com website with concerns regarding whole life insurance. 3:36 – Argument #1 Pay for two and only get one with whole life insurance (death benefit or cash value). 3:41 – Response to argument #1 Pay for one and get three or four benefits! 6:17 – Argument #2 Zero cash value. 7:39 – Response to argument #2 Cash value always grows with whole life. 7:53 – Examples of growth and also paid-up additions rider. 9:01 – Argument #3 Insurance company takes accumulated cash value in exchange for the death benefit. 9:50 – Response to argument #3 Death benefit grows along with cash value. Rate of return is excellent when claims are paid. 12:00 – Term insurance is limited because claims are rarely made. 13:15 – Argument #4 Cost to cover death benefit is too expensive for middle income family 13:54 – Response to argument #4 Whole life insurance is one of the best places to save money long-term. 15:00 – Wrapping up.

Our hosts are back in this episode of The Prosperity Podcast to answer all of your life insurance questions. "No BS Money Guy," Todd Strobel, and best-selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler instruct listeners in Life Insurance 101. Answering common questions, Kim and Todd clarify differences between types of life insurance, and give listeners sound insurance advice. They explain the many different ways we can use life insurance, and which types are the most ideal for different situations. This truly is a life (insurance) lesson you won't want to miss! 0:19 – Welcome 0:42 – Common questions regarding life insurance 1:00 – What to do with your cash? 2:00 – The oldest life insurance product 3:40 – Clarifying whole life vs. term insurance 6:10 – Summarizing functions of life insurance 7:07 – Convertible term insurance 9:31 – Term/whole life hybrids 13:49 – "In force" illustrations 15:10 – Kim's last thoughts

Are financial advising and financial planning the same thing? Todd and Kim say they are NOT! In this episode of The Prosperity Podcast, "No BS Money Guy" Todd Strobel and Kim D. H. Butler, best-selling financial author, clear the murky air and set straight the differences between financial advising and planning. Our hosts point out the impossible problems of financial planning and the traps we can fall into when relying on financial planning. They also talk about how financial advising is different and WHY it works better than financial planning to build wealth and prosperity. 0:20 – Welcome! 0:45 – Financial Advising vs Financial Planning 1:48 – The faults of financial planning 4:20 – The advantages of financial advice 5:50 – "Projected" retirement age? 7:30 – The risk tolerance question 9:00 – Average vs. Actual 11:10 – Target portfolios and the stock vs. bond split 12:30 – Full disclosure 13:20 – Focusing on the next 3-5 years 13:45 – Using Prosperity Economics 14:40 – Wrapping up

In this episode of the Prosperity Podcast, "No BS Money Guy," Todd Strobel and best-selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler talk about the different types of financial advisers that exist and the pros and cons of each type. They answer questions about which type of adviser is the most beneficial for various situations and how to decide which is best for your situation. Our hosts answer the question about free financial advice and whether or not the phrase "you get what you pay for" rings true in those types of situations. Referring to insurance, Todd and Kim remind us that investments are not our only way toward gaining financial stability and growth. 0:19 – Welcome to another edition 0:31 – Praise for Prosperity 1:15 – Developing a prosperity mindset 3:14 – What is a financial adviser? 4:30 – 1st camp: the suitability standard 5:15 – 2nd camp: fiduciary adviser 6:11 – 3rd camp: insurance agents 6:50 – Investments aren't everything 7:45 – Clarifying questions 8:05 – Which one do I need? 13:12 – What about free financial advice? 15:29 – Take care!

Picking up where they left off last episode, "No BS Money Guy," Todd Strobel, and best-selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler, resume talking about life insurance and how we can use it for our benefit before our death. Todd and Kim discuss two different working examples of how we can utilize our death benefits during our lifetime. They present the pros and cons of various life insurance policy options and make recommendations on which they believe could be in our best interest in certain situations. Many people do not realize how life insurance can be used to transfer wealth while the policyholder/insured is still alive and well! We are encouraged by the hosts to not wait until death to use our insurance to benefit others, but rather to give while we live. 0:19 – Hi everybody! 0:33 – Picking up where we left off 0:50 – Using your life insurance in your 70's 80's and 90's 1:11 – Benefiting the next generation with life insurance 1:29 – Utilizing both term and life insurance 2:20 – Example of how to use your own death benefit during life 4:00 – Second Example 6:58 – Clarifying examples 8:20 – Buying life insurance for permission to spend 9:40 – Touching on universal life insurance policies 10:17 – Question: using life insurance to give 11:35 – Wrapping up

Together again, "No BS Money Guy," Todd Strobel, and best-selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler, take on the topic of the hidden tax that all Amercians face. It's a silent, stealth tax that no voters approve, yet it robs us nonetheless. The hidden tax our hosts refer to in this episode is INFLATION. It erodes our savings and injures our earning potential. With an open transparency, Todd and Kim discuss this hidden tax and tell us what the government doesn't want us to know about who it is benefiting. They caution us against lifestyle inflation as well, and give us tools to help us navigate through these sly and concealed financial thieves. 0:18 – Welcome back 0:40 – Preview of episode content 2:02 – What exactly is this hidden tax? 3:45 – Who is inflation actually benefiting? 6:15 – Talking about lifestyle inflation 7:00 – Addressing top challenges of inflation 9:10 – Reviewing top challenges 11:10 – For personal situations, visit our website

What is it you want to accomplish with your money? Is what you're doing with your dollars helping to make that happen? Join "No BS Money Guy" Todd Strobel and bestselling financial author, Kim D.H. Butler as they discuss how the power of focus relates to your prosperity. Are your thoughts and actions helping you reach your financial goals? Hear examples and suggestions of how our focus can serve us and help us build peace of mind as well as financial prosperity. When investors try to be fence sitters, their dollars end up compromised and ineffective. Todd and Kim discuss how putting some money firmly on each side of the fence can stabilize us and help prevent a nasty financial tumble. By looking outside the stock market, the hosts show listeners how they can increase control over their dollars and produce the best, most immediate financial results. 0:19 – Hi and Welcome 0:49 – What are we talking about in this episode? 2:00 – The power of focus and why we must focus on what we can control 3:30 – Don't sit on the fence with your money! 5:20 – Safety outside of the stock market 12:20 – Are you making your money do what you want it to? 13:00 – What to do about the rumored collapse of the US dollar 14:24 – Last minute 401K question 16:40 – Thank you for listening!

You've heard what the 7 Principles of Prosperity™ are, now how do you use them to maximize your money? In this episode of The Prosperity Podcast, No B.S. Money Guy, Todd Strobel, and best-selling financial author, Kim D. H. Butler, examine a real life example through the lens of the 7 Principles. Using the 7 Principles of Prosperity as an "opportunity filter," Kim and Todd look at Bridge Loan investments in the form of first lien commercial and investment mortgages. (Read about bridge loan investments and hard money lending here.) Breaking it down, principle by principle, Todd and Kim explain how each of these 7 concepts work in the example of a first lien mortgage situation. They also explain how to evaluate any investment for its wealth-building potential according to the 7 Principles of Prosperity™. 0:18 – Welcome with Todd Strobel 0:30 – Episode Preview 1:11 – Starting off with first lien mortgage loans 2:20 – Using the 7 Principles of Prosperity as an opportunity filter 2:35 – Applying Principle #1: Thinking about investments 4:53 – Applying Principle #2: Seeing from a big picture perspective 7:29 – Applying Principe #3: Measure opportunity costs 9:30 – Appling Principle #4: Cash Flow10:49 – Applying Principle #5: Controlling your investment 12:20 – Applying Principle #6: Move your dollars 13:10 – Applying Principle #7: Multiply your money 13:39 – Touching on life insurance 14:05 – Optimizing your dollars 15:18 – Recapping/Clarifying 16:55 – Utilize our advice! 18:20 – Closing comments

Picking up where they left off last episode, Kim D. H. Butler joins No BS Money Guy Todd Strobel in discussing the remaining 4 principles of the 7 Principles of Prosperity. Kim and Todd start the episode off by reminding us of the first 3 principles – Think, See, and Measure – and briefly recap details and applications of these 3 principles. Continuing on, Kim then introduces the remaining 4 principles: Flow, Control, Move, and Multiply. She goes into detail about what these principles are and what they mean for us. She provides strategies involving these principles to help us more fully utilize our money and maximize our prosperity potential. After Kim briefly reviews with us the 7 principles, Todd recounts two real-life client examples to help illustrate how using these principles can help us be more financially prosperous and have financial flexibility. He then compares that to a story illustrating how ignoring these principles can cause fiscal hurt and restrict our financial freedom. 0:00 – Introduction 0:15 – Hello with Todd Strobel 0:27 – Picking up where we left off 0:51 – Reviewing first 3 principles of prosperity 4:23 – Principle #4: Flow 5:08 – Cash flow should start the day you start saving money 5:45 – Money shouldn't end when in a retirement or savings account 7:04 – Principle #5: Control 7:30 – Who controls your money? 8:49 – Principle #6: Move 9:30 – Move your money through things, not to them 11:00 – Principle #7: Multiply 11:50 – Do your dollars do multiple things? 12:35 – Review of 7 Principles 14:00 – Example of real life clients 15:48 – Wrapping up

Bestselling author Kim D. H. Butler and co-host Todd Strobel sit down to talk Prosperity and discuss strategies to help us reach that lofty goal. Kim shares what Prosperity means to her and how to get our dollars to do more by utilizing a prosperous mindset. Kim and Todd discuss the differences between Scarcity and Prosperity and the benefit of recognizing continuous potential for more resources. We can learn how to experience prosperity without taking away from someone else. Todd and Kim tell us about how we don't have to take greater risks with our money in order to experience prosperity; we don't have to settle and deal with risk tolerance. They introduce us to the 7 Principles of Prosperity and review the first three: Think, See and Measure. 0:17 – Introduction with Todd Strobel 1:21 – Kim D. H. Butler's take on the word Prosperity. 3:10 – Prosperity versus scarcity. 6:22 – Isn't prosperity related to risk? 10:20 – Introducing the 7 Principles of Prosperity. 10:30 – Principle number one: Think. 13:51 – Principle number two: See. 16:32 – Principle number three: Measure (opportunity cost). 18:42 – Questions? Reach out to us! 20:44 – Wrapping it up