Live Abundant Radio with Doug Andrew

Among the many tools Doug Andrew uses to help his clients live abundantly is one he calls his solution formulator. One of the key things when you want to come up with a financial solution for a secure retirement is to have a clear picture of what you want at the end of the day. For those who understand the elements of a prudent investment, this would include several non-negotiable items. In this episode, Doug explains what those items are and why they matter. Here's a snapshot of the topics Doug covers in this episode: * Learn why liquidity is essential and which savings vehicles prevent you from having access to your money. * A secure retirement requires authentic safety of principal. But beware, because many of the most common retirement plans cannot protect you from loss caused by market volatility. * Why does rate of return matter and why do so many people tend to approach their retirement savings with the equivalent of one foot on the gas and the other on the brakes? * Why is it important to get these qualities squared away in the right order? Doug explains the thinking behind his LASER test. * Discover how taxes can affect your retirement savings and why it's critically important to protect your nest egg from the effect of future tax increases. * Can the dangers of higher taxes, inflation and market volatility be eliminated? Doug explains how he's been helping people negate these dangers for decades. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

How helpful would it be to be able to harness the good in every experience that comes your way? Just because an experience wasn't what we wanted, doesn't mean that it can't serve a valuable purpose in our personal education. As part of his weekly goal to share his favorite tools with his listeners, Doug Andrew introduces us to the Better Life Circle and explains how it can bring opportunities to grow and improve into all of our experiences. In this episode, you'll also learn why bad experiences can be turned into positive outcomes. Check out this sneak preview of what Doug covers this week: * If your goals is to improve yourself daily, you must be willing to learn. Doug explains why it's essential that we track what goes wrong as well as what goes right. * If you've ever found yourself making the same mistake over and over, Doug explains how to break the cycle and move forward. * Why is it advisable to write down the steps you intend to take to ensure improvement in future outcomes? Doug shares the reasons why this can be the difference between failure and success. * Learn why the Better Life Circle principles can be applied to virtually every area of our lives when we're serious about improvement. * Doug shares some timely insights on what the market has been doing for the past 3 or 4 years and the key lessons we can learn from what's worked and what hasn't. * Discover how to position your retirement nest egg so ongoing market volatility doesn't affect your savings when the market declines, yet benefit from those years when it expands. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

Each week on his Abundant Living broadcast, Doug Andrew is sharing tools that can help each of us live more abundantly. This week, Doug shares a number of insights on how to activate our goals for the new year. There's a world of difference between what Doug calls SMART goals and run-of-the-mill goals. In this episode, you'll learn why specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely goals are your best bet to making genuine progress in your question for abundant living. Here's a sneak peek at some of the strategies Doug shares this week: * Should you set your goals strictly on a yearly basis? Doug explains the benefit of setting and meeting longer term goals. * The goal activator is one of the most powerful tools you can put to work for you. Learn where to access it and what it can do. * Writing down your goals is smart but what comes next? Doug explains how to set your goals into motion. * There's tremendous power in inspiration. Discover how the things that inspire us can make it more likely for us to achieve the goals we set. * Why do so many people join gyms at the first of the year only to stop going almost immediately? Unlock the power of positive motivation and forever break free of this trap. * Learn how to identify your most abundant-minded supporters and how to harness their encouragement in reaching your goals. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

As our thoughts turn to what lies ahead in the coming year, Doug Andrew is providing his listeners with serious tools to aid them in their efforts to live abundantly. Typically, what holds us back from an abundant life is a lack of knowledge in one or more crucial areas. The tools that Doug is sharing this week are ones he has gained through personal experience and through his association with internationally recognized mentors like success coach Dan Sullivan. Whether you use these tools daily, weekly or monthly, this is information you'll be thankful to have in your possession. Here's a quick preview of some of the tools Doug will be sharing in this episode: * Learn what the "Quick Thinker" tool is and why it should be a part of your family's annual preparation for the new year. * How do you identify the most important resources in your life? Once you know how to prioritize these resources, use them to maximize leverage in accomplishing your goals. * Learn how to seek out and have the kinds of experiences that will mold you into the best possible version of yourself. Never miss out an opportunity to let experience be a powerful teacher. * Why are some goals more likely to be achieved than others? It comes down to knowing the difference between SMART goals and regular old run-of-the-mill goals. * Do you know about the three dimensions of authentic wealth? Learn why it's essential to your success to have each of them in balance. * Discover the 10 Relationships Breakthrough as Doug explains what it can do in the lives of your family members or your employees. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

Doug Andrew has helped thousands of people get on course for a brighter financial future, over the past 45 years. Among the many questions he's been asked over the years are how to avoid becoming trapped in various retirement dilemmas. Often, what's being asked is about whether or not they should continue to participate in a type of savings plan such as a 401(k) or IRA. When your entire retirement is riding on how to answer that question, you can understand why people take this so seriously. Listen in for solid solutions to the challenges posed by saving for retirement in an IRA or 401(k). Doug also shares some of the better alternatives he's found over the past 4 decades. Here's a sneak peek of what Doug covers in today's episode: * Why do so many people choose to save for retirement in a tax-deferred vehicle? Doug explains the faulty premise they're banking on and how it will come back to bite them. * Learn why tax-free accumulation is far more advantageous than tax-deferred and why your money should have as few strings attached to it as possible. * Does the Roth IRA give you a true advantage? Is there a better way to have tax-advantaged savings as you build your retirement nest egg? * When it comes to your choices in how to save for retirement, which savings vehicle can give you the two main advantages of the Roth IRA plus 3 more advantages that the Roth cannot? * If you a farmer who was given the chance to pay taxes on your seeds or on your harvest, which would you choose? How you answer this question says a lot about how you'll approach retirement. * Learn why the expectation of being in a lower tax bracket turning out to be a pipe dream for so many. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

Few, if any of us, would turn down the opportunity to be healthy, wealthy and wise. So, why don't more people make these a top priority? What's holding us back from the abundant life we want is usually a lack of knowledge in one or more areas. That's why Doug Andrew will be providing the listeners of this broadcast with an abundance tool each week for the coming year. These are powerful tools and concepts that are game-changers for those who understand and implement them in their lives. Here's a sneak peak at some of the topics Doug covers is this broadcast: * What are the three dimensions of authentic wealth? You'll learn why it's essential to have all of them in balance. * You'll learn about the 10 Relationships Breakthrough and how it can make a lifelong difference in the lives of your family members or your employees. * What's the difference between SMART goals and regular old run-of-the-mill goal? One is far more likely to be achieved than the other. * Can you identify the barriers in life that are standing in your way? Once you know how to do this, you'll never be stopped in your tracks again. * What are the most important resources in your life? Doug explains how to prioritize the resources in your life to give you maximum leverage to accomplish your goals. * You've heard that experience is a powerful teacher. Now learn how to seek out and have the experiences that will mold you into the best possible version of yourself. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

After 4 and a half decades in the financial industry, Doug Andrew has developed what he refers to as the LASER Test to help his clients determine whether their portfolio is on solid ground. LASER is an acronym for Liquid Assets Safely Earning Returns. Any time Doug looks at a potential investment, he wants to know if it is liquid, if it is safe and if it can be counted on to earn predictable rates of return. If a particular savings vehicle can't pass the LASER test, that's a strong incentive to think twice before using trusting it with your serious cash. Here are just a few of the topics Doug covers in this week's episode: * Why is it essential to have access to your money without a bunch of unnecessary strings being attached? Learn why liquidity equals peace of mind. * What is meant by safety of principal? Once you hear Doug's answer, you'll understand why safety of institutions takes a backseat to protecting your principal. * Can you enjoy the advantages of market growth without having to suffer the pain of market losses? Having the best of both worlds is easier than you think. * Ever heard of indexing? If you've ever felt concerns that your money may be too exposed to the ups and downs of the market, this is a subject you should understand. * How helpful would it be to know how to lock in the gains you make in any given year and reset so you don't lose any of that gain? You may not make anything when the market declines but you won't lose anything either. * Learn why your rate of return is much more forgiving when you're accumulating your money tax-free. Doug explains how this is possible * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

Over the past 4 decades, one of the more common questions that Doug encounters from his clients and students is this one: What should I do about my 401(k) or IRA dilemma? In most cases, what they're asking is whether or not they should continue to participate in this type of savings plan. Considering that, for many people, their retirement is riding on that question, you can understand why this is a fairly weighty decision. It this episode, Doug outlines the challenges posed by saving for retirement in an IRA or 401(k) and points out some of the better alternatives that he has come to trust. Here's a snapshot of some of the topics he covers: * Learn what the basic premise or advantage of tax-deferred saving is and why it can no longer be considered a sure thing. * Why is the lower tax bracket you're counting on being in for retirement just wishful thinking? * Doug explains how the metaphor of whether a farmer would be better off paying taxes on his seed or on his harvest can teach you a lot about how to think about how you should save for retirement. * Just how much advantage will you enjoy by saving in a Roth IRA? Is there a better way to enjoy tax advantaged savings? * What savings vehicle gives you the two main advantages of the Roth and 3 more advantages to boot? Doug will teach you what it is and why it may be the best choice. * Learn how you can save for retirement with truly tax-free accumulation and the fewest possible strings attached. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

One of the big questions on a lot of people's minds today is what we can expect from our financial markets in the days ahead. Doug is often asked about this by various news journals. He explains that it's possible to stress-test a person's portfolio--the vehicles in which their are accumulating their wealth--by using what he calls the LASER test. In a nutshell, this acronym refers to Liquid Assets Safely Earning predictable rates of Return. If you haven't applied this test to how you're currently preparing and saving for your retirement, now is a great time to do it. Here's a quick overview of a handful of the topics Doug shares in this week's broadcast: * Do you know why liquidity, or quick access to your funds, should be a higher priority than your rate of return? Doug lays out the reasons why this is a top priority. * How can you know that your principal is safe? Simply having your money in a safe institution isn't enough. * Learn how indexing makes it possible to enjoy the upside when markets are growing yet protects your principal from loss in those years when the market declines. * Doug explains how to lock in the gains that you make and to reset in a way that shelters your money from market volatility. * A great many people choose to save in tax-deferred vehicles. Discover why tax-free accumulation is a better way to keep more of your retirement nest egg. * Learn how the LASER test can mitigate much of the market risk to which too many people are willing to subject their hard-earned savings. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

If you're serious about optimizing your financial assets, minimizing unnecessary taxes and empowering your authentic wealth, you're in luck. In today's broadcast, Doug reveals a few of his preferred financial instruments or vehicles by which you can safely arrive at the brighter future you're planning for and working towards. One of the biggest takeaways from today's show is that your finances are just one aspect of your authentic wealth. Once you understand this, you're a lot less likely to make the simple but serious mistakes that others are making. There are a few things you should understand about your serious cash that you're accumulating for the future. Here's a brief snapshot of some of the ideas Doug covers in this week's episode: * Ever heard of a family bank? Once you've heard Doug's explanation, you'll understand why is an essential part of a well-planned future. * If you're saving for retirement in an IRA or 401(k) just because that's other lots of other people are doing, wait until you hear about the others options you didn't know exist. * If you're confused about all the various definitions of success, wait until you hear Doug describe what genuine success looks like at home and in business. * Is it possible to enjoy genuine liquidity while safely earning predictable rates of return? Why can't every vehicle do this? * There may be plenty of savings vehicles but the Max-Funded Tax Advantaged one can do things that other financial vehicles cannot. * What is a tax-free savings instrument and why does it beat the pants off a tax-deferred vehicle? * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

There's a lot of talk right now about the president's proposed tax reform measures. Whether all of these proposals, just a portion or none of them are eventually enacted, there are some things you should understand. Tax reform can be very difficult to get through Congress and even when it is enacted, it's not a permanent fixture. We saw this with Reagan's Tax Reform Act back in 1986. This means that you need to be setting up your serious money for the future in such a way that its protected from unnecessary taxes, no matter what Congress does. Check out this sneak peek of what Doug covers in this week's episode: * Most tax reforms include eliminating certain deductions. Learn why this can come back to bite you at the time you least expect it to. * How is it possible for the government to raise more tax revenue by lowering taxes than it would if it had simply raised tax rates? Doug explains why this is so. * Discover why sitting back and thinking things are grand when tax reform has occurred can lure you into a false sense of security. Doug spells out what you should be doing and why time is of the essence. * Why is the proposed lowering of the corporate tax rate such a big deal? Hint: it has everything to do with how jobs are created. * How will these proposed tax reforms impact sole proprietors and small business? * Learn why it's a mistake to believe that tax reforms are going to last and what you can do to ensure you're benefitting from tax cuts that grow the economy yet still protected from higher taxes and their negative effect on the economy. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

Over the past 45 years, some of the common desires of the people with whom Doug Andrew has interacted have been optimizing their financial assets, minimizing unnecessary taxes and empowering their authentic wealth. In today's episode, Doug shares some of his favorite financial instruments or vehicles by which a person can safely arrive at the brighter future for which they're planning. If you've been thinking about your serious cash, in other words, the money you're setting aside for very important things in your future, there are a few things which you need to know. Finances are only one facet of authentic wealth and the folks who understand this are the ones most likely to avoid the mistakes others are making. Here's a quick preview of the topics Doug covers in this week's broadcast: * Ever heard of a family bank? Once you've heard Doug's explanation, you'll understand why is an essential part of a well-planned future. * Learn why genuine success at home and in business depends upon knowing the difference between "me, me, me," and "we, together we're better." * Discover the tax-free savings instrument that Doug has been utilizing for years. Why is tax-free superior to tax-deferred? * What is a Max-Funded Tax Advantaged vehicle and what does it offer that other financial vehicles don't? * If you have your retirement nest egg sitting in an IRA or 401(k), Doug explains better options you may not have realized exist. * Is it possible to safely earn predictable rates of return while maintaining liquidity with your savings? Doug spells out the happy reality. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

Whether his audience consists of young people or adults, Doug Andrew has spent a lot of time teaching others about how to organize their lives to where their opportunities outweigh their capabilities. Sometimes, we miss out on a good thing simple because we didn't fully recognize the opportunity that was before us. It's essential that each of us have the ability to filter the opportunities in our lives. Just because it's an opportunity doesn't necessarily mean that it's a good one. Some of the riskiest opportunities are the ones being pushed on us by questionable individuals who are seeking to take advantage of us. Some of the opportunities that require our greatest diligence are those that affect how we prepare for retirement. Here are some of the high points that Doug covers this week: * Which opportunities should you seize? Which are okay to delegate to others? Is it okay to walk away from some opportunities? * Why is it so important to be able to analyze an opportunity based on your unique abilities or talents? * How does impact play into the opportunities we consider? This one is essential as it applies to your retirement planning. * Learn why it's so important to be willing to get out of your comfort zone. * Doug explains how the best opportunities cause an increase in value, not just of financial things but also the people with whom we interact. Don't settle for less than win-win-win. * Discover how referral plays a role in our greatest opportunities and how it can save us a lot of wasted time trying to learn from trial and error. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

During a recent event in Chicago with some of the brightest minds in the financial industry, Doug Andrew had an interesting conversation with a highly respected CPA. He and this accountant discussed the myth that a vast majority of Americans cling to as they prepare for retirement. This is the myth that saving their retirement funds in a tax-deferred vehicle like an IRA or 401(k) is optimal because they anticipate being in a lower tax bracket at retirement. Unfortunately, this hasn't been axiomatic for over two decades now. A lot of people with savings in tax-deferred vehicles are in for a very rude awakening in the not so distant future, unless they recognize and deal with the risk coming right at them. Here's a sneak peak at the dangers revealed and the solutions offered in this week's episode: * Why do tax-deferred accounts promote a false sense of security to the folks who use them? It starts with the realization that a large chunk of that nest egg isn't really yours. * How do people who are faithfully saving for retirement hamstring themselves by doing the financial equivalent of driving down the highway with one foot on the brake and one on the gas? * Doug explains how, without the deductions you've always counted on, it's entirely possible to pay more taxes in retirement than you were paying during your peak earning years. * Learn why so many people lean on the hope that by deferring taxes until some future time, that taxes will go down. One look at how Congress is spending should tell you that taxes aren't going down any time soon. * Discover why preventing tax concerns now is preferable to trying to "cure" tax concerns down the road. Just like your health, prevention is the wiser course. * There are alternatives to accumulating your retirement savings in tax-deferred vehicles. Learn what they are and how to put your worries over future tax increases to rest. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.

For better than four decades, Doug Andrew has been helping his clients and students get to where they want to go. The most important thing they must know, before they can proceed, is where they currently stand. Once they have a clear understanding of where they are in their lives, then they can move with confidence in the direction they wish to go. It's a principle expressed by success coach Dan Sullivan when he states, "All progress begins with telling the truth." Nowhere is this more essential than when someone is setting out to live abundantly. It's no secret that sometimes the truth about where we stand financially can require courage in order to face it honestly. Here's a preview of what Doug shares in this week's episode: * Learn the three dimensions of authentic wealth. If we wish to live abundantly, there's a lot more to consider than simply finances or material possessions. * What do the people and relationships in your life have to do with abundant living? More than you might think. * Why is learning more important than a particular experience? If you're serious about growing your wisdom, you need to hear this. * Doug explains which of your different assets is most disposable and why people in the know don't fear the loss of this asset. * Learn why traditional estate and financial planning tends to focus on the least important asset and why all three dimensions are essential to your happiness now and in the future. * Are you inadvertently missing out on a fortune because of what you're doing with your money? Doug has some simple ways to show you if you're at risk. * And much, much more… Start by visiting with a wealth architect today. *Life insurance policies are not investments and, accordingly, should not be purchased as an investment.