Wade Borth - Sage Wealth Strategy

Hosted by Wade Borth

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Jun 2026

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Ready to take control of your financial future? Using properly structured whole life insurance, Wade Borth is dedicated to teaching how to establish the right strategy to create generational wealth. In this podcast, Wade shares the tools for understanding and the clarity of how to to do this for your family. This show is all about sharing that sage wisdom to help others build strong financial futures.

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June 16, 2026Episode 19325 min

The Hidden Medicare Cost That Could Drain $350,000 From Your Retirement (IRMAA Explained)

Summary Most people know Medicare costs money in retirement, but few understand how much their income level affects what they actually pay. In this episode, Wade Borth unpacks IRMAA, the income-related surcharge that can quietly add $162 to $650 or more per month to your Medicare premiums, depending on what you earn. Wade walks through who gets hit, what counts as income in the calculation (including surprises like municipal bond interest and Social Security), and how a single dollar over the threshold can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. He also explains how properly structured whole life insurance creates an income stream that falls outside the IRMAA calculation, giving retirees a meaningful planning advantage. Key Takeaways IRMAA can add hundreds of dollars per month to Medicare premiums, and a single dollar over the income threshold triggers the full surcharge with no gradual phase-in. Every dollar of the surcharge has a compounding cost. That extra $162 per month, grown at 4% over 20 years, is worth nearly $60,000 in real wealth. Income sources many people overlook in the IRMAA calculation include capital gains, Social Security income, municipal bond interest, rental income, and Roth conversions. IRMAA looks back two years, so a one-time income spike follows you into retirement longer than most people expect. Properly structured whole life insurance, when funded correctly, provides an income stream through policy loans that does not count toward the IRMAA calculation, giving retirees real choices when managing retirement income. Links and Resources Sage Wealth Strategy: sagewealthstrategy.com Keywords IRMAA, Medicare premiums, income-related monthly adjustment amount, retirement planning, Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D, retirement income, whole life insurance, infinite banking concept, IBC, policy loans, capital gains in retirement, Roth IRA withdrawals, 401k withdrawals, Medicare surcharge, retirement mistakes, Wade Borth, Sage Wealth Strategy, wealth erosion retirement, family banking Episode Highlights [00:00:00 - 00:01:32] Wade opens with a lunch conversation where a friend approaching retirement had no idea how IRMAA would affect his Medicare costs. [00:05:15 - 00:08:17] Wade explains the $218,000 joint income threshold and how IRMAA brackets step up in full increments, not gradually. [00:08:18 - 00:09:21] One dollar over the threshold adds $162 per month to a couple's Medicare premium, a 40 percent increase with no phase-in. [00:09:22 - 00:12:24] At a 4 percent growth rate, that extra $162 per month is worth $60,000 over 20 years. At the top bracket, the 20-year cost reaches $238,000. [00:12:25 - 00:17:03] Wade walks through every income source factored into the IRMAA calculation, including capital gains, Social Security, municipal bond interest, and Roth conversions. [00:17:04 - 00:19:35] HSA distributions and Roth IRA withdrawals do not count toward IRMAA, creating real planning flexibility for retirees who hold these assets. [00:19:36 - 00:23:46] Properly structured whole life insurance policy loans fall outside the IRMAA calculation, giving retirees an income source they can draw from without triggering the surcharge.

June 9, 2026Episode 19222 min

The Business Owner's Pension Blueprint

Summary This is part 3 of our series. What if your quarterly tax bill could become a retirement engine? In this episode, Wade sits down with Rohit Punyani, founder of The Owner's Asset, to unpack the pension strategy most business owners and their advisors overlook. The conversation covers the sequence of financial planning, the psychology of guaranteed income, and how to combine IBC with a defined benefit pension to fund whole life insurance and annuities at wholesale pricing through tax deductions. Ro and Wade also break down who qualifies, what the first conversation looks like, and how a $1.8 million deduction can create an $11 million estate planning shield. The message is clear: structure your capital in the right order, and the numbers take care of themselves. In our previous episodes, we dive in into lots of other topics: In part 1 Wade Borth and Rohit Punyani explore how small business owners can use a cash balance plan to capture six-figure tax deductions while building a seven-figure guaranteed retirement. Rohit walks through the two schools of retirement thought, the mechanics of a pension compared to a 401(k), and the compelling opportunity to purchase whole life insurance inside a pension using pre-tax dollars. If you have been writing painful tax checks without a clear strategy, this conversation shows you where that money could go instead. Check part 1 of this conversation in here In Part 2 of this conversation, Wade and Rohit Punyani go deep on who a cash balance plan actually works for, why older business owners carry the biggest advantage, and how a seasoned whole life policy can transform required minimum distributions from a tax event into a source of non-taxable cash flow. Rohit explains how the IRS has written a secondary retirement system specifically for the business owner who took risk, and how that system can help make up for every year spent building a company instead of a retirement account. If your business has been funding the IRS for years, this episode shows you how to redirect that money. Check part 2 of this conversation in here Key Takeaways Sequence matters more than the total amount of capital. IBC is the foundation, a pension adds whole life and annuities with pre-tax dollars, and markets or real estate come after. Guaranteed income removes the scarcity mindset in retirement. People with income live abundantly; people drawing down assets tend to pull back every time the market dips. If your liquidity does not scale with your wealth and income, your financial plan is fragile. Business owners paying $20,000 to $30,000 or more in quarterly estimated taxes may qualify for a defined benefit pension that turns a tax liability into a retirement asset. Life insurance and estate planning can be layered inside a pension structure, allowing business owners to manufacture significant liquidity at a fraction of the out-of-pocket cost. Links and Resources sagewealthstrategy.com Part 1: Six Figures Off, Seven Figures Built Part 2: Your Business Owes You a Pension Keywords pension strategy for business owners, defined benefit pension, tax arbitrage, infinite banking concept, IBC, whole life insurance, annuities, guaranteed income retirement, cash value life insurance, Wade Borth, Rohit Punyani, The Owner's Asset, business owner retirement planning, 1099 retirement strategy, self-employed pension, estate planning life insurance, family banking, financial liquidity, cash flow retirement, scarcity mindset retirement Episode Highlights [00:01:45 - 00:02:25] Ro explains why capital structure matters as much as total capital, and how starting a $40,000 annual policy in your forties generates six-figure cash flow by your seventies. [00:03:05 - 00:04:06] Wade and Ro align on the need for a process that wins every time, and Wade introduces the sequence framework: how you pack your bags going up the hill determines how you come back down. [00:05:27 - 00:06:24] The 2016 LIMRA annual report and the 2005 Wall Street Journal article 'Friends, Neighbors, and Annuities' show that people with annuities live longer and carry less financial stress. [00:06:25 - 00:07:10] Wade references Tom Hegna's principle: people with income are happy, people with assets are miserable. A real client story about a market dip derailing a boat purchase brings it to life. [00:10:25 - 00:11:25] Ro shares his epiphany as a former chief investment officer and credits Wade with the principle: if your liquidity does not scale with your wealth, your plan is fragile. [00:13:26 - 00:15:02] Ro walks through who qualifies for a pension, what the first conversation looks like, and why roughly 30 percent of inquiries are not yet in the model's sweet spot. [00:17:28 - 00:18:15] Ro describes how a pension structure enabled estate planning for a 70 and 68-year-old couple: $1.8 million in deductions created an $11 million estate planning shield. [00:18:34 - 00:19:23] Wade and Ro clarify who should reach out: self-employed individuals on 1099, K-1, or W-2 from their own S corp, making quarterly estimated tax payments of $20,000 or more.

June 2, 2026Episode 19127 min

Your Business Owes You a Pension

Summary In part 1 Wade Borth and Rohit Punyani, founder of The Owner's Asset, explore how small business owners can use a cash balance plan to capture six-figure tax deductions while building a seven-figure guaranteed retirement. Rohit walks through the two schools of retirement thought, the mechanics of a pension compared to a 401(k), and the compelling opportunity to purchase whole life insurance inside a pension using pre-tax dollars. If you have been writing painful tax checks without a clear strategy, this conversation shows you where that money could go instead. Check part 1 of this conversation in here We continue this episode in part 2, as most business owners know they should be saving for retirement. What they don't know is how much the tax code has stacked the deck in their favor. In this episode, Wade and Rohit Punyani of The Owner's Asset dig into who a cash balance plan actually works for, why older business owners have the biggest advantage, and how to run a pension and a 401(k) together for maximum effect. Rohit also breaks down one of the most underused strategies in retirement planning: depositing required minimum distributions into a seasoned whole life policy to convert taxable income into accessible, non-taxable cash flow. If your business has been funding the IRS instead of your future, this conversation is for you. Part 3 ends up with Wade and Rohit, going deep in conversation to explore a strategy most advisors never mention. Together they walk through how sequence, guaranteed income, and a pension structure can reduce tax bills, fund whole life insurance at wholesale, and build a retirement income that removes the scarcity mindset. The conversation ties IBC, annuities, and pension design into a single framework built around clarity, perspective, and guidance. Check part 3 of this conversation in here Key Takeaways The ideal candidate: a stable business with consistent taxable income, quarterly estimated payments above $20,000 to $30,000 per quarter, and at least some active K-1, S-corp, or 1099 income. After age 52 or 53, the IRS tables allow deductions that can exceed your active income. A 60-year-old with $100,000 in side income may be able to deduct $250,000. A pension and a 401(k) can and should coexist. The 401(k) stays in the market for growth. The pension funds your guaranteed safety-first income. The pension contribution is a top-line deduction. A $200,000 contribution on $1 million in revenue means the IRS taxes you on $800,000, and it can drop you into a lower marginal bracket. Required minimum distributions should never be spent directly. Depositing an RMD into a seasoned whole life policy and drawing on the policy's cash value can convert a $40,000 taxable distribution into $100,000 or more of accessible, non-taxable cash flow. Links and Resources sagewealthstrategy.com Part 1: Six Figures Off, Seven Figures Built Keywords cash balance plan for business owners, who qualifies for a pension, K-1 income retirement, 1099 pension plan, self-employed retirement planning, age advantage cash balance plan, RMD strategy whole life insurance, infinite banking RMD, required minimum distributions whole life, pension and 401k together, business owner tax deduction, Wade Borth, Rohit Punyani, The Owner's Asset, Sage Wealth Strategy, solopreneur retirement, cash flow vs income IRS, top-line deduction, talent retention pension, small business pension plan Episode Highlights [00:04:35 - 00:05:46] Rohit defines the ideal candidate in human terms: a stable business writing quarterly estimated tax payments above $20,000 to $30,000 that could instead be flowing into a pension. [00:07:20 - 00:08:36] The age advantage: after 52 or 53, you can deduct more than your active income. A 60-year-old with $100,000 in side income can potentially deduct $250,000 and erase a tax bill entirely. [00:11:05 - 00:11:28] The 401(k) and pension should coexist. Stay in the markets with the 401(k). Use the pension to buy your safety-first guaranteed income. [00:13:48 - 00:14:53] Top-line deduction explained: a $200,000 contribution on $1,000,000 in revenue means the IRS taxes you on $800,000, and it can push you into a lower marginal tax bracket. [00:17:56 - 00:19:20] The catch-up concept: after years of building a business without contributing to retirement, a cash balance plan lets you redirect $200,000 to $300,000 a year and rebuild what was missed. [00:21:29 - 00:25:43] The RMD strategy: take a $40,000 distribution, deposit it into a seasoned whole life policy, use the policy's 3x to 4x release to pay taxes and keep the rest, turning $22,000 of after-tax income into $102,000 of cash flow.

May 26, 2026Episode 19028 min

Six Figures Off, Seven Figures Built

Summary Most business owners know that taxes are their biggest expense. Fewer know there is a legal, IRS-approved way to redirect that money into a guaranteed retirement asset. In this episode, Wade sits down with Rohit Punyani of The Owner's Asset to walk through cash balance plans, the modern business owner's version of a pension. Rohit explains how owners with active income can take deductions of up to $300,000 per year, how whole life insurance can be purchased inside the plan with pre-tax dollars, and how the plan can eventually feed an infinite banking strategy. If you are tired of writing tax checks, this conversation shows you where that money could go instead. In Part 2 of this conversation, Wade and Rohit Punyani go deep on who a cash balance plan actually works for, why older business owners carry the biggest advantage, and how a seasoned whole life policy can transform required minimum distributions from a tax event into a source of non-taxable cash flow. Rohit explains how the IRS has written a secondary retirement system specifically for the business owner who took risk, and how that system can help make up for every year spent building a company instead of a retirement account. If your business has been funding the IRS for years, this episode shows you how to redirect that money. Check part 2 of this conversation in here Part 3 ends up with Wade and Rohit, going deep in conversation to explore a strategy most advisors never mention. Together they walk through how sequence, guaranteed income, and a pension structure can reduce tax bills, fund whole life insurance at wholesale, and build a retirement income that removes the scarcity mindset. The conversation ties IBC, annuities, and pension design into a single framework built around clarity, perspective, and guidance. Check part 3 of this conversation in here Key Takeaways Business owners with active income can deduct up to $300,000 per year through a cash balance plan, compared to the $23,500 cap on a 401(k). The two bookends of retirement planning are the 4% rule (market-based probability) and the safety-first school of thought (guaranteed income). A well-designed plan draws from both. A cash balance plan allows you to purchase whole life insurance with pre-tax dollars, one of the very few ways to do so in the entire tax code. The money earmarked for taxes is already leaving your world. The only question is whether it goes to the IRS or into a guaranteed retirement asset. A policy funded inside a pension can later be moved out and used for infinite banking, giving you both the tax deduction and the long-term liquidity. Links and Resources sagewealthstrategy.com Part 2: Your Business Owes You a Pension Keywords cash balance plan, defined benefit plan, tax deduction for business owners, retirement planning for business owners, infinite banking, whole life insurance, guaranteed retirement income, pension plan for small business, 4% rule, safety-first retirement, pre-tax life insurance, Rohit Punyani, The Owner's Asset, Sage Wealth Strategy, Wade Borth Podcast, business owner tax strategy, generational wealth, cash value life insurance, death benefit, liquidity Episode Highlights [00:02:21 - 00:03:02] Rohit delivers the core promise: a six-figure tax deduction for a seven-figure guaranteed retirement, and explains why taxes are every business owner's biggest leakage. [00:11:13 - 00:12:31] The 4% rule explained, including what success actually looks like: having one dollar left the day you die. [00:13:05 - 00:15:33] Wade explains the safety-first school of thought and why transferring longevity risk to a life insurance company changes the retirement equation. [00:22:10 - 00:24:02] The first two differences between a cash balance plan and a 401(k): deduction limits ($300,000 vs. $23,500) and the ability to purchase whole life inside the plan with pre-tax dollars. [00:24:54 - 00:25:15] Wade and Rohit land the key insight: the money is already leaving. The only question is where it goes. [00:25:37 - 00:26:28] The fourth and most compelling difference: the policy can be pulled out of the pension and used for infinite banking.

May 19, 2026Episode 18925 min

Is Infinite Banking Too Good to Be True?

Episode Summary In this episode of Wade Borth Podcast, Wade Borth and Beth Reich tackle one of the most common reactions people have when they first hear about Infinite Banking and whole life insurance strategies: "This sounds too good to be true." Wade breaks down why skepticism around alternative financial strategies is natural, while also challenging listeners to examine the traditional banking and retirement systems with the same level of scrutiny. The conversation explores the difference between guaranteed assets and speculative investments, the role of liquidity during economic downturns, and why education and intentionality are essential when making financial decisions. Throughout the episode, Wade emphasizes that Infinite Banking is not about chasing unrealistic returns—it's about building control, certainty, access to capital, and long-term financial flexibility. Beth provides the perspective of the everyday consumer, asking the questions many listeners are already thinking: What's the catch? What are the risks? Why doesn't everyone do this? The episode ultimately becomes a discussion about mindset, financial literacy, and the risks of inaction when it comes to personal wealth-building. Links & Resources sagewealthstrategy.com Keywords Infinite Banking, Whole Life Insurance, Family Bank, Financial Freedom, Cash Flow, Policy Loans, Wealth Building, Personal Finance, Guaranteed Assets, Financial Literacy, Retirement Planning, 401k Alternatives, Liquidity, Opportunity Cost, Financial Education, Wealth Strategy, Passive Wealth, Banking System, Financial Independence, Wade Borth Episode Highlights 00:00–01:12 – Wade introduces the concept that money tends to flow back to people who understand how to use it effectively. 01:12–02:15 – Discussion on the profitability and structure of the modern banking system. 02:15–03:14 – Recommended books for understanding both the banking system and personal financial control. 03:34–04:58 – Wade explains why more people use Infinite Banking than most realize—it's simply private. 05:01–05:47 – The vision behind creating a "family bank" and building generational financial control. 06:19–07:33 – Why fear often comes from not understanding financial products and outcomes. 07:33–08:29 – Wade contrasts guaranteed assets with speculative investment returns. 08:29–09:26 – How policy loans provided liquidity and opportunity during the 2008 financial crisis. 09:26–10:28 – The importance of long-term thinking versus short-term liquidity concerns. 10:28–11:17 – Wade critiques the passive "set it and forget it" mindset around 401(k)s. 11:18–12:35 – The difference between arguing and genuinely wanting to learn. 13:46–14:58 – Wade answers the question: "What's the biggest risk with whole life insurance?" 14:58–16:07 – The hidden cost of inaction and lost financial opportunity over time. 18:58–20:06 – Common financial results come from common financial behavior. 22:02–22:57 – "A confused mind takes no action" — Wade explains why education matters more than selling.

May 12, 2026Episode 18829 min

Breaking Down the Truth About Whole Life Insurance & Infinite Banking

Episode Summary In this episode of the Wade Borth Podcast, Wade Borth sits down with assistant Beth Reich to tackle one of the most common reactions people have when hearing about Infinite Banking and whole life insurance strategies: "This sounds like a scam." Through an open and candid conversation, Wade explains why skepticism often comes from misunderstanding how whole life insurance works, the stigma surrounding insurance products, and the prevalence of financial misinformation online. He emphasizes that Infinite Banking is not a "get rich quick" scheme, but rather a long-term financial system built on discipline, intentionality, and education. The discussion explores the difference between empowerment and dependency in financial planning, how policy loans have existed since the 1800s, why mutual insurance companies operate differently from Wall Street-driven institutions, and how individuals can regain control over the financing function in their lives. This episode serves as both an introduction and a reality check for listeners curious about Infinite Banking, whole life insurance, and personal financial sovereignty. Links & Resources sagewealthstrategy.com Keywords Infinite Banking, IBC, whole life insurance, financial education, financial freedom, policy loans, mutual insurance companies, personal finance, wealth building, cash flow, banking system, financial empowerment, skepticism, financial literacy, money mindset, long-term wealth, life insurance strategies, financial control, Wade Borth, policy cash value Episode Highlights 00:00–01:16 – Wade introduces the episode and explains the goal: addressing the "unasked questions" many listeners have about Infinite Banking and whole life insurance. 01:16–02:22 – Beth discusses how online comments often label the strategy as "a scam" or "too good to be true." 02:22–04:23 – Wade explains that there is "no magic in this business, just a lot of magicians," emphasizing transparency and financial empowerment. 04:23–06:17 – Wade explains that Infinite Banking requires intentionality, discipline, and understanding—not an "easy button." 06:17–07:23 – Discussion about financial incentives and how money managers profit whenever money moves. 08:39–10:17 – Beth asks whether stigma around insurance products contributes to skepticism surrounding whole life insurance. 10:17–12:05 – Wade explains how mutual insurance companies operate for policyholders rather than shareholders. 12:05–13:25 – Wade breaks down the concept of paying premiums versus receiving a larger death benefit. 14:03–15:30 – Wade explains that whole life insurance is not an investment, but a professionally managed bond and real estate portfolio. 15:30–16:33 – The history of policy loans is discussed, dating back to 1848. 16:33–17:27 – Wade describes Infinite Banking as "the opposite of get rich quick"—a long-term wealth-building process. 18:15–19:06 – Wade discusses how people should evaluate whether a financial strategy truly serves their goals. 19:06–20:39 – Conversation about skepticism versus curiosity and the importance of open-minded learning. 22:21–24:48 – Discussion about how modern media amplifies both education and misinformation around financial concepts. 25:47–28:23 – Wade explains the historical origins of banking and references The Creature from Jekyll Island when discussing centralized banking systems.

April 16, 2026Episode 18722 min

The Path of Money to create legacy

Summary What would happen if $5 million suddenly landed in your bank account today? Would it change your life for the better—or quietly destroy it? In this episode, Wade Borth explores a powerful and often overlooked truth: money doesn't create success—it amplifies who you already are. Without the right mindset, habits, and financial framework, even large sums of money can disappear quickly, leaving families worse off than before. Through real-life experiences delivering multimillion-dollar life insurance checks, Wade reveals how lack of preparation—not lack of money—is the real problem. He introduces the concept of the "Path of Money", a simple yet powerful framework to help families manage, grow, and protect wealth across generations. This episode is a call to action: stop avoiding money conversations and start building a financial legacy through intentionality, education, and family alignment. Links & Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnrmblds0Jo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jeNtlmvceM sagewealthstrategy.com https://www.loom.com/share/eb55c619dbc6452d9acee8199432f243 Keywords money mindset wealth building family legacy financial literacy inheritance planning life insurance path of money liquidity financial habits generational wealth stewardship financial education infinite banking personal finance discipline wealth psychology Episode Highlights 00:00–00:34 – The core question: What would you do with $5 million today? 00:34–01:02 – Why sudden wealth (like the lottery) often leads to negative outcomes 01:02–01:28 – The idea: money redistributes based on behavior, not luck 01:28–02:07 – The real issue: lack of systems and financial frameworks 02:07–02:45 – Life insurance payouts: real stories of wealth disappearing quickly 02:45–03:25 – Why money itself isn't bad—it's just a tool 03:25–04:00 – Misconception: "I don't want to leave money to my kids" 04:00–04:42 – Introducing the Path of Money framework 04:42–05:18 – The danger of defaulting to spending without thinking 05:18–06:04 – The importance of a "liquidity bucket" before decisions 06:04–06:40 – Applying family values to financial decisions 06:40–07:22 – Money amplifies behavior: discipline vs. chaos 07:22–08:05 – Helping vs. handing money to the next generation 08:05–09:14 – Why money conversations must happen openly in families 09:14–10:22 – Teaching habits early: small lessons → lifelong impact

March 24, 2026Episode 1867 min

The Secret Playbook Investors Use

🎙️ Episode Summary Have you ever felt like everyone else is getting the best investment opportunities — except you? Market downturns happen. Crypto dips. Real estate deals surface. And somehow… you're watching from the sidelines. In this episode, Wade Borth explains why. It's not because others have a secret playbook. It's not because you're not smart enough. It's not even about access. It's about liquidity and framework. The difference between chaos and opportunity is often one thing: access to cash with a plan. Wade shares a client story about a disciplined saver who had built significant reserves — yet still felt financial pressure. The problem wasn't a lack of money. It was a lack of clarity about how much was enough. Once they defined his burn rate and established a one-year liquidity target, everything changed. He didn't just feel safe. He felt free. This episode is about building a structure that protects your family first — and gives you a permission slip to invest second. 🔗 Links & Resources sagewealthstrategy.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFjV_yhiO4 🔑 Keywords Liquidity Burn Rate Investment Framework Financial Certainty Cash Access Opportunity Investing Market Downturn Strategy Wealth Building Financial Freedom Permission Slip Investing Emergency Fund Strategy Scarcity vs Abundance Real Estate Investing Crypto Investing Financial Confidence 🔥 Episode Highlights 00:00–00:30 – Why it feels like everyone else gets the deals 00:00:46–00:01:08 – The difference between opportunity and chaos 00:01:26–00:01:50 – Why most people feel financial anxiety 00:02:06–00:02:26 – The two-step solution: security first, opportunity second 00:02:41–00:03:21 – Client story: disciplined saver with financial pressure 00:03:21–00:03:58 – Determining how many days of liquidity are enough 00:04:15–00:04:33 – Realizing he had twice the liquidity he needed 00:04:33–00:04:50 – The "permission slip" to invest 00:05:08–00:05:26 – Building investment criteria around personal values 00:06:19–00:06:37 – The life jacket analogy: protect first, prosper second 00:06:59–00:07:13 – When accumulation becomes clarity

March 17, 2026Episode 18510 min

Dealing with cash panic

🎙️ Episode Summary In this deeply personal episode, Wade Borth clarifies what he really means by "liquidity." After releasing a previous episode on burn rate and days of liquidity, someone asked him a simple question: "What's liquidity?" That question sparked this conversation. Liquidity isn't jargon. It's simple: Do you have enough cash — or access to cash — to sleep at night? Wade shares the story of being unexpectedly let go in 2009. The panic. The physical reaction. The scarcity mindset. And then the turning point — realizing he had access to cash through his policies. That access didn't eliminate the problem. It eliminated panic. Liquidity bought him time. Time created clarity. Clarity allowed better decisions. This episode is about certainty in uncertain moments — and why accessible cash changes everything. 🔗 Links & Resources sagewealthstrategy.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFjV_yhiO4 🔑 Keywords Liquidity Cash Access Financial Certainty Emergency Funds Burn Rate Scarcity Mindset Financial Stress Income Loss Whole Life Policy Money & Peace of Mind Financial Anxiety Cash Flow Strategy Financial Resilience Wealth Strategy Decision-Making Under Pressure 🔥 Episode Highlights 00:00–00:29 – Recap of burn rate and liquidity conversation 00:00:50–00:01:29 – What liquidity actually means (no jargon) 00:01:29–00:01:52 – Stress, uncertainty, and unhealthy decision-making 00:02:35–00:03:58 – The day Wade was unexpectedly fired in 2009 00:03:58–00:04:37 – Physical reaction to income loss (panic mode) 00:05:16–00:05:37 – Joshua 1:9 and finding strength in uncertainty 00:06:13–00:06:35 – Calling the insurance company to check available cash 00:06:35–00:06:58 – Realizing he had 6–10 months of liquidity 00:07:58–00:08:17 – "Cash buys you time to breathe." 00:08:33–00:08:53 – The two most important times you need liquidity 00:09:10–00:09:27 – Why everyone needs to know their liquidity number 00:10:07–00:10:25 – Turning crisis into growth through certainty

March 10, 2026Episode 18413 min

Understanding Liquidity Days

🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode, Wade Borth breaks down a powerful yet surprisingly simple framework to eliminate financial pressure: understanding your burn rate and calculating your days of liquidity. Instead of complex financial strategies, Wade focuses on clarity through simplicity. By knowing exactly how much you spend daily and how much accessible cash you have, you can determine how many days you could survive without income. This isn't about budgeting. It's about buying time. It's about certainty. It's about sleeping at night. Wade explains how most financial anxiety stems from not knowing your numbers — and how once you do, you can move from scarcity-based decisions to freedom-based decisions. 🔗 Links & Resources sagewealthstrategy.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFjV_yhiO4 Email - wade@sagewealthstragey.com with the subject "Burn Rate" to get a copy of the spreadsheet & we can review it together. 🔑 Keywords Liquidity Burn Rate Financial Pressure Emergency Fund Cash Flow Savings Strategy Financial Clarity Money Mindset Financial Freedom Wealth Building Sequence of Investing Financial Security Personal Finance Certainty vs Scarcity Income Protection 🔥 Episode Highlights 00:00–00:34 – Why financial pressure keeps you up at night 00:00–01:02 – Simplicity creates clarity (not complexity) 00:02:28–00:03:06 – "Do I actually know my numbers?" 00:05:37–00:06:17 – Calculating your burn rate (Annual expenses ÷ 365) 00:06:38–00:07:14 – Why liquidity matters more than investments in a crisis 00:08:12–00:08:40 – Example: $78,000 liquid cash = 262 days of security 00:09:58–00:10:16 – Most people have less than 30 days of liquidity 00:10:54–00:11:15 – Setting a target: 365 days of liquidity 00:11:15–00:11:39 – Why freedom comes after certainty 00:11:55–00:12:14 – Making investment decisions from confidence instead of fear 00:13:09–00:13:28 – The key question: How many days can you survive without income?