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3 DIMENSIONAL WEALTH LIVING
December 2022
385-257-2577
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1 TRADITION TO ADD TO YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON BUILD YOUR FAMILY’S LEGACY WITH THIS UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
INSIDE ISSUE
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1 Tradition to Add to Your Holiday Season
For some families, the holiday season means decorating the house, playing seasonal music, or taking evening strolls under glowing lights. For others it’s cultural celebrations, religious observances, and coming together for family meals. However you mark the season, I’d like to recommend one tradition to add to your family’s holiday festivities. Whatever your faith, much of the season’s beauty is based on time-honored stories that bind our families and communities together. Similarly, our families’ stories can become a way to unite us, sharing meaningful, inspiring, and even funny experiences from our lives. I call these I Remember When stories. It’s become a tradition for the Andrew family to set aside time every holiday season to gather for I Remember When time. There’s a story that has become a favorite I Remember When in our family. While it’s a bit embarrassing, since it’s about me I can share it here.
A few years ago, I decided the thing we absolutely must add to our cabin property was a zipline. I went online and found it: the Alien Flier. It arrived — looking like it was going to be a beauty. Now, a couple days before Grandpa’s Camp (which is an annual Retreat With a Purpose my wife, Sharee, and I host for our grandchildren), I was at the cabin installing the zipline. I got just about everything in place: the platform, the line, the flier, and our back-up safety system — strong bungee cords designed to stop you before you hit the tree at the bottom (in case the brakes don’t do their job).
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Tis the Season for Family
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The Theater Is Calling Your Name
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Setting Your Family Up for Lasting Success Dumping Fish Vs. Teaching How to Fish How to Impress Visitors This Holiday Season Best Christmas Tree Attractions to Visit This Holiday Season An Entertainment Hack for Your Commute How Much Does an IUL LASER Fund Cost?
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With about 15 minutes before I needed to head back to Salt Lake City, I was thinking it would be a brilliant idea to have Grandpa test the zipline before the grandkids came up.
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One thing I didn’t figure I needed for the test run was the handlebars — I could just hang on the brakes if I needed to, right?
Make capturing your family’s stories easy — download the I Remember When tool today.
I launched out, and all of a sudden, I started zipping, and I mean zipping. About halfway down, I did the math. The grandkids’ average weight was 65 to 80 pounds. Grandpa was 165 pounds.
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Turns out you don’t need much of a slope (and I had a decent one) to get velocity. And it also turns out they make those handlebars for a good reason. I grabbed the brakes and held on for dear life — they started smoking. As the end of the line came at me, I learned a
few things: 1) They don’t call it zip for nothing 2) While you CAN hold onto the brakes, if you don’t want to burn through them before you approach the end of the line, you should use the handlebars 3) Even though bungee cords can be strong, they’re not strong enough to stop a grown man hurtling down the zipline with burned-out brakes and 4) If you MUST hit the tree at the bottom due to high personal velocity and useless bungee cords, it would have been wise to wear a helmet. I hit the cords, the tree, the deck … and saw stars. I was all alone. I finally got myself to my car to assess the damages:
one big toe nail torn clean off (even inside my shoe!) which took more than a year to grow back, a nasty mark on my forehead that stayed around for the better part of a month, and a few bumps and bruises. Two days later, it was safe for the grandkids. I changed the angle, added those darn handlebars, and replaced the brakes. My grandkids love the story because it proves “even ol’ grandpa doesn’t think sometimes!” Now not all I Remember When stories are funny. Some are inspirational; some reflect on challenges overcome; others relay experiences of our ancestors. The options
TAKE TIME TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS MEMORABLE Some of our biggest joys in life come from time with family, and the holidays can be right up there with the best of those moments. As I look back at my childhood and now the family that my wife, Heather, and I are raising, I’m grateful for the traditions that have created a strong connection for all of us. TIS THE SEASON FOR FAMILY
that is at least a half-mile long. We four-wheel up to the top, then head down. We probably get going up to 20 mph, which can be crazy, but so much fun.
Our kids also love having more time with their grandparents over the holidays. We alternate Christmas morning every year. At Heather’s family’s, all the men are in charge of breakfast. At my parents', my mom and dad serve up most of the food (including biscuits and gravy — the recipe’s on page 3). Our girls love picking out our Christmas tree each year. Right after Thanksgiving, we go to a lot with live reindeer (which Heather and I suspect are caribou?), and then we decorate the tree. And by “we,” I have to admit I mean “Heather and the girls.” I’m not the most talented when it comes to decorating. Heather adds: “My parents are musicians, so growing up, music was a big part of the holidays. My dad played violin in the San Francisco Opera orchestra for 40 years. He was also amazing on the accordion, and he’d play while our family caroled around our neighborhood in Palo Alto, California. “I sing, so for me, I love being a part of our church choir every holiday season. I also play holiday music throughout the house, starting in mid-November. Music makes the season so much more special.” Whatever your traditions, it’s the time together that matters most. I hope you and your family are able to cherish the experiences that create memories and bring you closer.
Here are a few that have meant a lot to Heather and me — I hope they spark some fond memories, and maybe even some fresh ideas, for your own traditions.
As a kid, I’d love waking up to presents, followed by endless rounds of piggies in a blanket for breakfast —something my mom and dad still make by the dozens (along with Dad’s brown sugar bacon) for all the grandkids. Sledding over the holidays is another thing we did growing up, and we’ve
continued the tradition with our kids and their cousins. There’s a hill near our family cabins in Indianola, Utah,
– Aaron Andrew
2 3DimensionalWealth.com
To get in the holiday spirit this season, consider making a family trip to your local theater. There are a surprising number of Foundational Dimension benefits to seeing a play in person. YOU’LL SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY Theater companies are almost always local organizations, and many of them are nonprofits. That means the money you spend on your tickets will go into the pockets of the actors and/or right back into the company to bring more productions to the community. YOUR KIDS COULD DISCOVER AN INTEREST IN THE ARTS Your child might have a passion for acting or stage design that could enhance their Intellectual Dimension. YOU’LL PROVOKE FAMILY DISCUSSIONS Chatting about the play with your family during intermission and the drive home will help you learn more about each other and forge stronger bonds. What did your kids enjoy about the plot? Which character did your spouse identify with most? Are there any plot holes or unanswered questions that are bothering them? YOU’LL BOOST YOUR FAMILY’S LITERARY KNOWLEDGE A study from the University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform found that students remembered more about stories like “A Christmas Carol” after watching them as plays than they did after watching movies or even reading the original books. Exposing your kids to the work of Shakespeare and Dickens at the theater is a great 5 REASONS TO SEE A PLAY THIS SEASON THE THEATER IS CALLING YOUR NAME
are endless — the most important thing is that they are shared, and then archived in your family’s Legacy Bank.
To help families learn how to capture I Remember When stories, I’ve developed a 3 Dimensional Wealth tool that walks you through brainstorming, jogging memories, writing the stories, and saving them. As you gather with your family this holiday season, I hope you set aside time to invite each family member to share an I Remember When story, and make sure to add it to your Legacy Bank to return to in the future.
– Doug Andrew
FUN FOOD IDEAS GRANDMA’S BISCUITS & GRAVY
Need holiday breakfast ideas? Here’s a must-have for the Andrew family.
INGREDIENTS
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1 package Grands Flaky Layers Original Biscuits
2-3 T flour
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2-3 c whole milk (depending on desired quantity and gravy consistency)
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1 lb fresh ground sausage
way to help them get ahead in their studies.
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1-2 tsp Italian seasoning (to taste)
Dash of salt and pepper (to taste)
YOUR KIDS WILL DEVELOP THEIR TOLERANCE AND EMPATHY The same study out of Arkansas found that students who attended the theater scored higher on tolerance and empathy tests. Watching live helped them identify and relate to the emotional turmoil of the characters. This winter, check your local theaters for holiday-themed productions like "A Christmas Carol," “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and "Miracle on 34th Street." You’ll bring your family closer, deposit more KASH in your Legacy Bank, and embrace the holiday spirit one curtain call at a time.
DIRECTIONS
Bake biscuits according to package directions. While biscuits bake, brown the sausage, crumbling the meat and adding Italian seasoning as it cooks. Once thoroughly cooked, make a rue by leaving fat drippings in pan and adding enough flour to coat the meat. Turn heat to medium-low and add milk slowly, stirring constantly, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue stirring until gravy reaches desired thickness. Serve over freshly baked biscuits (we like to break the biscuits in half). Enjoy!
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DO YOU HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST?
Setting Your Family Up for Lasting Success
Learn more in Doug’s groundbreaking book, “Entitlement Abolition.” Order your free copy at EntitlementAbolition.com.
Does your family have a trust in place? When we ask Utah audiences this question, about a third of the hands go up. In
California, about 90% of the hands are raised.
We then break the news that their families will likely never read any of it, except the one page where it says how much they’re going to get. Why? Because most trusts are based on equal distribution of financial assets only. Most attorneys and estate planners don’t know how to help families create a trust that goes beyond “divide up the pie in equal slices.” On the other hand, the advisors we endorse help clients develop an Equal Opportunity Trust, which sets the stage for generational wealth. It brings new life and resources to future generations in a way that fosters responsibility and accountability. With an Equal Opportunity Trust, you have in writing a plan for your children, grandchildren, and future generations to continue carrying out your family’s KASH Blueprint. They will be able to borrow from the family bank for things like education, charitable efforts, personal emergencies, and more. As they repay the bank at low interest rates, the cash continues to fund the KASH in perpetuity. As the money in the bank is placed in smart financial vehicles, such as properly structured, maximum-funded Indexed Universal Life policies (what we call IUL LASER Funds), it can continue to grow, as well. This way, the family Legacy Bank is a repository for more than just money. It’s also where your family’s growing foundational and intellectual assets are gathered and shared, in printed or digital form. It essentially
becomes the Fort Knox for all things valuable and abundant in your family.
In the Andrew family Legacy Bank, Doug and Sharee have put together an official, written document that encapsulates their rules of governance for situations like taking “loans” from the family bank for education, religious missions, business ventures, etc. The document goes beyond outlining guidelines for just the Financial Dimension, however; it includes their approach for capitalizing on the Foundational and Intellectual Dimensions of Authentic Wealth, as well. They have designed their Equal Opportunity Trust to ensure the future generations of their family will have equal opportunities to participate in the family’s abundance, but only with accountability and responsibility. Want to help your family’s future generations reap similar rewards? Make this YOUR time to establish your rules of governance and empower your family for great things to come.
4 3DimensionalWealth.com
DUMPING FISH VS. TEACHING HOW TO FISH
IT’S ABOUT GIVING OUR KIDS A HAND UP, NOT A HANDOUT
We’ve all heard the adage, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
In the late 20th century, author Jim Stovall wrote “The Ultimate Gift,” in which he weaves a tale that illustrates the destruction that can come from dumping wealth in children’s laps. He contrasts this with the transformation that can come from requiring heirs to put some of their own “skin in the game.”
In our decades of work with thousands of clients, we have witnessed the temptation for well-intentioned parents — particularly those with substantial financial means — to “dump” fish in their children’s laps, rather than teaching them how to fish. They hand them expensive cars, luxury vacations, and the latest fashions, paving the way for lives of ease. While it’s a natural instinct to want to spare children from hardship, when parents step in to make the way ahead smoother for their children, they often end up stunting them.
With the first-world entitlement that is rampant today, these principles are more timely now than ever.
They’re at the heart of what Doug teaches in his book, “Entitlement Abolition.”
In our work with 3 Dimensional Wealth clients, it’s our hope that we can help parents (and grandparents) help their families truly thrive by teaching them how to fish. It’s why we’ve created tools like the Values & Vision Statement and The KASH Blueprint to help families establish what matters most to them and to incorporate those values into their rules of governance.
Throughout time, wise thinkers have cautioned against this kind of approach.
Download tools that can help teach your family to fish — access Entitlement Abolition Resources today.
In The Bible, the Parable of the Talents addresses the importance of taking personal responsibility to make the most of what one is given.
This holistic approach helps teach children and grandchildren how to lead responsible 3 Dimensional Lives of abundance.
IMPRESS THE GUESTS
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and soon, we’ll share laughs while enjoying the festivities with our loved ones. Before the celebrations begin, you must prepare your home for visitors, especially if they stay overnight. It can be stressful whether it’s your in-laws, best friends, or distant cousins coming to stay with you. You want to leave a good impression, but how do you ensure everyone’s needs are met, including yours? Here are three tips for setting yourself up for a successful holiday, regardless of who stays with you. STOCK UP ON YOUR GUESTS’ FAVORITES Have you ever stayed with someone who didn’t have extra food for their guests? Don’t put your guests in this situation. Load up your pantry, refrigerator, and cupboards with your guests’ favorite foods and drinks. If you don’t know what they are, ask ahead of their visit! Your guests will appreciate your conscientious gesture and have a much more enjoyable time if they can eat their favorites while visiting. PREPARE A GUEST ROOM If your guests are staying with you, you need to prepare somewhere for them to sleep. Make sure you make up the bed, WITH THESE HOLIDAY HOSTING TIPS
have plenty of pillows and blankets on hand, and provide
adequate closet space for their clothes. Even if they aren’t staying in a traditional bedroom, their sleeping area should still be ready when they arrive. Clear off a table for them to use as a nightstand and put sheets on the couch or mattress where they'll sleep. USE REAL DISHES When we have company over for a meal, especially a large gathering, it’s usually easier to use plastic or paper options — saves on cleanup, too! The holidays are not necessarily the time for this shortcut. Break out the fine china if you have it, or use regular dishes for your guests. It’s okay for the kids to have paper plates, but if you want to make a good impression on visiting adults, nicer dishes will dress up the table setting and meal. When you invite family to stay for the holidays, you have the opportunity to create new traditions that will last for generations. Use this time to share conversations, teach important principles to your young relatives, and make memories that will strengthen your Foundational Dimension.
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LIGHTING UP LIFE Travel-Worthy Christmas Trees
THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. This American favorite has long been a tradition. Every year, the ceremony begins with live performances by musical artists, and the president’s message of peace is an annual highlight. President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to light the National Christmas Tree in 1923. The tree was 48 feet high and decorated with 2,500 red, white, and green electric bulbs. A local choir and a quartet from the U.S. Marine Band performed as the tree was lit. THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT TREE IN IDAHO Also known as the World's Tallest Living Christmas Tree, this grand fir holds the record at 162 feet tall. It is festively
decorated with more than 40,000 lights that twinkle in time to the music of “Jingle Bells,” and the tree is crowned with a 10-foot-wide star! THE BILTMORE CHRISTMAS TREE IN NORTH CAROLINA This majestic 55-foot Norway spruce tree is in front of the Biltmore Estate and is seen as guests make their way down the path of luminaries. With ornaments and miles of garland, this tree is selected for the Banquet Hall each year for guests from all over to see. Some are lucky enough to live near or in a city with a magnificent tree, but if you don’t, consider traveling to one of these locations to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. You can even turn the trip into a Family Retreat With a Purpose to make everlasting memories.
As the holiday season approaches, the twinkling lights and spectacular Christmas tree attractions are always a must-see! Here are the best travel destinations where your family can catch a glimpse of one of the pillars of the holidays. THE ROCKEFELLER CENTER TREE IN NEW YORK CITY The Rockefeller Center tree is located just west of 5th Avenue from 47th through 51st streets in New York City and dates back to the Depression era, with the first tree placed there in 1931. This beloved tourist attraction draws thousands yearly with its dazzling lights and grand scale. To even be considered a contender for this role, a tree must be at least 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide!
magazine once called “the Millennial parenting whisperer.” Recent episodes
If you haven't checked out NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast ... well, you're missing out on great self-improvement tips for yourself and your family! Podcasts can be fantastic resources for on-the-go parents, and you can also use them to enhance your Foundational and Financial Dimensions. With a podcast at the ready, you level up your life from anywhere, including your commute or behind your lawnmower. Check out these three podcasts to hear helpful advice for parenting and life in bite-sized chunks. ‘GOOD INSIDE’ This podcast is hosted by Dr. Becky Kennedy, a psychologist, author, and mom of three who TIME 3 PODCASTS WORTH LISTENING TO Make Your Commute More Productive
of the show include “Is It Okay to Quit,” which dives into whether you should let your kids ditch a hobby or activity, and “Are We There Yet?” which offers tips for surviving a road trip with young children. The podcast covers everything from emotional intelligence to medical issues that affect kids. Check out the back catalog by searching for “Good Inside” in your podcast app of choice. ‘LIFE KIT’ This podcast from NPR offers handy life advice for parents and non-parents alike in 10–25-minute bites. If you want to listen as a mom or dad rather than for self-improvement, look for episode titles that apply to your family and kids, like “What You Need to Know About Preparing Financially for a Baby” and “Raising Kids is Hard Work.” “Life Kit” also offers episodes geared toward particular hobbies and lifestyles that could help you bond with your teens. To find the podcast, search “Life Kit” in your podcast app. ‘3 DIMENSIONAL WEALTH RADIO' Doug himself hosts this podcast, and it’s a fantastic resource for financial, estate planning, and family leadership advice. Recent episodes like “How Family Retreats With a Purpose Can Make You Believe in Education More Than School,” “The 6 Main Benefits of a Trust Over a Will,” and “Getting Out of Debt, Doug’s Take vs. What Other Financial Planners Say” will provide the guidance you need to abolish entitlement and set yourself and your family up for generations of success in all 3 Dimensions of Authentic Wealth.
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HOW MUCH DOES AN IUL LASER FUND COST?
10%, we’re happy. We’d have to be earning 15% in a tax- deferred account, like an IRA or 401(k), to be able to net 10% after-tax–and after fees we’re only netting 9%. In a properly structured IUL, we only have to earn 10% to net 9%, and personally Doug has done that predictably for 25 years. In “The LASER Fund” book, in Section I, Chapter 10, we also delve into comparisons between IUL LASER Funds and traditional financial vehicles, like a 401(k), and an after-tax account with tax-deferred growth and LIFO distribution, like a brokerage account or a managed money account. And Why You Can’t Afford Not to Have One
We’re often asked what a properly structured, maximum-funded Indexed Universal Life policy ( or what we like to call an IUL LASER Fund) will cost.
Like most financial vehicles, IUL LASER Funds do incur expenses. Your policy costs will include premium charges, admin fees, expense charges, and cost of insurance. You might have heard that IUL LASER Funds are too expensive to use as a capital accumulation tool. But this is one of the biggest misperceptions. Many uninformed financial professionals repeat this “insurance is too expensive” myth, without stopping to really understand and compare the costs. They often point to the first few years of an IUL LASER Fund, when the costs are higher than many other financial vehicles during that time frame. But as we illustrate in our book, “The LASER Fund,” in Section I, Chapter 10, IUL LASER Funds are a long-term financial vehicle, and when you treat them as such (properly structuring and funding your IUL policy over time), they can yield cost-effective results. Once you get into years 3 to 6, the IUL LASER Fund often begins to pay for itself. In the long run, it’s among the least expensive vehicles, with an average of 1% to 2% in policy charges. IUL LASER Funds have earned historical average returns of 5% to 10%. So let’s say this year your policy earns 10% and your charges are around 1%; if this is the case, then that means you are netting 9%. Returns can even be higher in some years; we have clients who earned 16% and then netted 15%. Essentially, that one percentage point is paying for all the fees AND the insurance (which can grow tax-free and pass along to your heirs income-tax-free). To us, that’s not a cost. That’s an opportunity.
You might find that comparison helpful, to see illustrations of how fees and taxes impact the performance of each vehicle over time.
When it comes to the benefits of tax-free growth, tax- free access to income, AND income-tax-free transfer of wealth to your heirs … the way we see it, the cost of your IUL policy is paying for itself. So again, it’s not a matter of “What does it cost?” It’s all about “What does it make you?”
Find out how to combat rising taxes and inflation. Order your free copy of the best-selling book “The IUL LASER Fund ” today.
Because of IUL LASER Funds’ superior tax advantages, if we’re earning 11% in a given year and netting
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3 DIMENSIONAL WEALTH LIVING
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ...
Making the Holidays Memorable page 2 This Is the Kind of Trust You Should Have in Place page 4
Essentials for Creating Your Legacy of Authentic Wealth
1 NEW TRADITION YOU’LL WANT TO ADD THIS SEASON
This activity might just become your family’s favorite — and it can build your family legacy. Read more on Page 1 …
The Podcasts You Shouldn’t Miss page 6
Why You Can’t Afford Not to Have This Financial Vehicle page 7
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