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3 DIMENSIONAL WEALTH LIVING
April 2024
385-257-2577
3DimensionalWealth.com
TAX SEASON WARNING INSIDE ISSUE
CAUTION: UNCLE SAM’S TRAP UP AHEAD
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Tax Season Warning
As you picture your retirement years, what do you see?
In our book, “The LASER Fund,” we share stories of real-life clients who have stanched the flow of unnecessary taxes to Uncle Sam by utilizing properly structured, maximum-funded Indexed Universal Life policies, or what we call IUL LASER Funds.
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The ability to step away from the stresses of work and focus on the people, projects, and pastimes that matter to you? The opportunity to get away to unforgettable destinations on Family Retreats With a Purpose?
Life’s Unexpected Lessons
SAVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS For example, the Barlows had been saving
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In Case of Emergency
religiously, tucking away the maximum amount each year in Ray’s IRAs and Sarah’s 401(k). But as time went on, they realized that if they continued making annual maximum contributions to their IRAs and 401(k), they would accrue about $750,000 in their tax-deferred accounts by the time they retired. When they eventually took withdrawals, they would likely pay at least a third of that in taxes, or about $250,000. Even if they buckled down and strung out their withdrawals, taking RMDs to their full life expectancy, their at-retirement tax bill could rise as high as $500,000. They decided to perform a strategic rollout over the next seven years, repositioning their money from their IRAs and 401(k) into two IUL LASER Funds. They got their taxes on that money over and done with and simultaneously executed tax-saving strategies to mitigate their overall tax bill. Since then, their IUL LASER Funds have been growing protected from downturns in the market, earning superior rates of return. They are looking at tax-free retirement income that is far greater than what they would have had with their taxed- on-the-harvest traditional accounts. They also have an income-tax-free way to transfer wealth to their children with the death benefit on their policies.
But what if your retirement savings don’t go as far as you planned?
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BLINDSIDED BY TAXES I’ve spoken with countless retirees who were shocked that they would have to budget more than they anticipated during retirement…or worse, they were at risk of outliving their money. Why?
Got Your Scorecard Yet?
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Embrace Change, Enhance Life!
One word: taxes.
Unfortunately, many Americans underestimate the impact taxes will have on the hard-earned money they’ve set aside in traditional accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. They’ve trusted that these accounts would be the gift that kept giving during their golden years, only to find out Uncle Sam has set himself up to snag a good chunk of that gift for himself.
Unlocking the Power of Consistency
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Discover the Healing Wonders of Hot Springs The ‘Back to Eden’ Method for Your Garden
Learn how to shield yourself from unnecessary taxes. Order your free copy of “The LASER Fund” today.
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4 Must-Have Tax Advantages
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AVOIDING A TAX DISASTER Another client, George Witt, was at the age when he would have to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions on his IRAs or face IRS penalties. But he did not need the retirement income yet, and he didn’t like the look of how taxes would take a toll on those minimum withdrawals. He was worried this approach would eventually drain his nest egg, perhaps before he passed on. He had already survived one of the worst decades in America’s financial history, where his IRAs suffered big losses, twice. In 2000 he had $600,000 in his traditional accounts. By 2010, his battle-worn
accounts were just barely recovering, returning to the original $600,000 balance.
He wanted safety. And he wanted better tax advantages. George decided to do a strategic rollout, moving money from his IRAs, paying taxes on the withdrawals, and repositioning it into an IUL LASER Fund. Five years later, he had paid all of his taxes and maximum funded his policy. His money was now safe from the volatility of the market. He was enjoying predictable rates of return of 7% to 10%. He could take an annual tax-free income of more than $50,000 from his policy—which was
LIFE’S UNEXPECTED LESSONS When Everything Goes Wrong
GETTING STUCK…AND UNSTUCK But while all that snow promised high adventure, it also posed a problem. Our trucks got stuck, and no matter what we tried, there was just no way our vehicles were going to make the long trek to the cabin on those winding roads. Rather than turn around and go home, we decided to improvise. We left the trucks and ATVs right where they were and took several trips back and forth on the two snowmobiles to pack in the food and supplies. I was there with my daughter Sienna (my wife, Heather, and daughter, Shelby, had stayed home for Shelby’s dance recital), so Sienna and her cousins pitched right in to get things loaded in and set up. BIG ADVENTURE, BIG LESSONS Once everything was settled, we dove into the fun. We towed the kids on tubes behind the snowmobiles, cooked together, and played games until everyone fell
asleep, exhausted from the big day (well, most of us slept—a few of the grandkids couldn’t quite drop off with all the snoring echoing through the open floor plan). It was a really fun weekend, but the greatest part wasn’t cutting through fresh snow or competing for board game winner. It was facing the challenge of getting snowbound and coming together to make it all work. These are the stories we’ll return to during future I Remember When sessions, because all-too-often life serves up times where the metaphorical roads are blocked and everything you have planned goes sideways. I’m sure that just like you, as a parent, I’m grateful for moments like these we can use as reminders for our kids to rely on resilience and teamwork to get past the hurdles and make the most of life. –Aaron Andrew
Have you ever had one of those family trips where it seemed
everything was destined to go wrong?
A couple months ago, a few of us in the Andrew family decided to get in a winter adventure at my parents’ cabin before spring came. There’s nothing better than being away from everything, up in the mountains steeped in snow, sitting by the woodburning stove, making memories with each other. There had been a recent storm, so we also brought along ATVs and snowmobiles to make the most of the powder.
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What if you or your significant other were to experience a sudden health emergency—do you have a plan in place to ensure your medical wishes are carried out? Healthcare directives, such as living wills and medical powers of attorney, are legal documents that clarify your preferences for care in the event you become incapacitated. LIVING WILL By outlining your preferences in a living will, you can help guide your healthcare providers and loved ones in making decisions about your care. This can include decisions about life-sustaining treatments, such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and artificial nutrition and hydration. MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY In addition to a living will, it is also important to have a medical power of attorney, also known as a healthcare proxy or healthcare agent. This document allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Your healthcare agent should be someone you trust to make decisions that align with your values and preferences. PLAN, REVIEW & SHARE It is important to consult with professionals to create healthcare directives if you do not already have them in place. You’ll also want to review and update your healthcare directives regularly to ensure that they reflect your current wishes and preferences. You may also want IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Outline Healthcare Directives Today for a Smoother Tomorrow ROSS BRUNSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
over three times the $16,000 he would have been taking in after-tax annual income from his IRAs.
George’s financial portfolio was now providing so much more than he needed that he was able to create a family Legacy Bank, which his children and grandchildren could access for endeavors like school, weddings, and business ventures. In addition to it all, he now had an income-tax-free way to transfer his wealth to his children through his IUL LASER Fund’s death benefit. YOUR SAFER ROUTE It’s April, when many Americans are feeling the sting of unnecessary taxes. Whether you do it proactively by putting your after-tax dollars into an IUL LASER Fund, or
retroactively with a strategic rollout, you deserve to avoid the tax-trap up ahead and take a safer, more predictable route to a brighter financial future.
–Doug Andrew
FUN FOOD IDEAS With a little night-before prep, serve this Andrew family favorite at your family’s next brunch. BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
to discuss them with your healthcare providers and loved ones to make everyone aware of (and comfortable with) your wishes.
INGREDIENTS
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1 lb country style sausage
1/4 soup can of water
1 tsp salt
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4 eggs
3/4 tsp dry mustard
2 1/4 cups milk
8 slices of bread, crust on
Having healthcare directives in place can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
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1 cup grated cheese
DIRECTIONS
Without these documents, decisions about your medical care may be left to healthcare providers or family members who may not be aware of your preferences. This can lead to confusion, conflict, and potentially unnecessary treatments. By having clear and specific directives in place, you can help ensure that your wishes are followed and that you receive the care that is right for you.
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Cook the sausage, drain, and set aside. 2. Beat the eggs and stir in the milk, soup, water, salt, and mustard. 3. Layer the bread in the bottom of a 9”x13” pan. Pour egg mixture over bread, then spread the sausage and add a layer of cheese on top. 4. Refrigerate overnight. Bake the next morning at 350° for about 90 minutes.
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GOT YOUR SCORECARD YET? Asking the Right Questions Can Help You Acquire New Customers
As entrepreneurs, we’re often asked by clients to share business strategies— many of which are captured in Doug’s book, “The 10 Keys Transformation.” Here we share some of those insights with professionals in our 3 Dimensional Wealth community. Can you quantify why your potential clients need your services or products? Do you have a way for them to see where they are today and where they could be tomorrow if they utilize your business? This is exactly why we invite our prospective clients to complete scorecards, such as our 3 Dimensional Wealth Scorecard, 10 Keys Transformation Scorecard, and the Habits of Abundance Assessment. CREATE A SELF-MOTIVATOR These scorecards empower our potential clients to analyze their progress in critical areas for success. When they can self-identify their own gaps, they are motivated to take action to improve those areas, which leads them to engage with us as experts in entrepreneurship and the 3 Dimensions of Authentic Wealth. While we tend to use PDF-based scorecards, you can utilize any number of platforms to create the scorecard experience: online quizzes, Google Forms, print questionnaires, etc.
Here, a potential client might see they’re on the less-than- ideal end of safety: “You’re susceptible to market volatility and the potential for loss is extremely high.” They might be in the middle: “You diversify by offsetting high-risk vehicles with some low-risk vehicles,” or on the high end: “Your vehicle has very low risk. Your money is protected from market volatility and inflation.” This way, not only are they able to quantify their current progress, but they can see we have a firm grasp of what success truly looks like, and the ability to help them get there. CREATE YOUR OWN SCORECARD Taking the time to create a scorecard (or series of them) can be a gamechanger for you, as well as your new clients. Not only can it draw them in, but a comprehensive scorecard can provide greater clarity, helping clients chart their course to greater satisfaction and success utilizing your products or services.
Whichever format you choose, the principles are essentially the same for effective scorecards.
QUANTIFY THEIR PROGRESS Go beyond basic statements to provide your potential clients the opportunity for deeper reflection. For example, let’s look at a financial services scorecard. We could have potential clients score themselves from one to 10 on a simple statement like: “You feel comfortable with your current financial strategies.” But how much does that really tell them? Instead, on our 3 Dimensional Wealth Scorecard, we separate out elements like liquidity, safety, rate of return, and tax advantages. Under safety, for example, we provide five different statements that help clients see where they fall on the spectrum.
Interested in learning more about scorecards? Order your free copy of “The 10 Keys Transformation” today!
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EVOLVING WITH INTENTION How to Thrive in Times of Change
The world today changes constantly, sometimes very quickly, and each twist and turn brings a new adventure! As we journey through each phase of life, change remains a familiar companion, offering a blend of new experiences and difficult situations. Here’s how to navigate this ebb and flow with confidence and ensure you’re keeping all 3 Dimensions in mind: Foundational, Intellectual, and Financial.
you adapt and find creative solutions. Imagine yourself as a mature, healthy tree, swaying with the winds of change without being uprooted. This is the key to maintaining a strong Foundational Dimension throughout your life. EMBRACING THE PROCESS Remember, evolving with change is a journey, not a sprint. It’s normal to need time to adjust to new surroundings or situations. Be kind to yourself, seek support when necessary, and savor each step. After all, mastering the art of change is one of life’s most valuable skills. As you face change and the need to evolve, consider it a doorway to new experiences, not an insurmountable hurdle. It truly is a chance to grow, learn, and enjoy life from a fresh vantage point. So, take a deep breath, dive into the adventure, and be proactive when it comes to strengthening all 3 Dimensions!
SHAKING UP YOUR ROUTINE Sometimes it’s helpful to go on the
offensive and make intentional changes in your life. Simple acts, like studying new financial strategies or learning a second language (or third or fourth!), can help you gain fresh perspectives and energize your Financial and Foundational Dimensions.
CULTIVATING RESILIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY
Navigating change successfully is all about balance. Being resilient means you meet challenges head-on, while flexibility helps
5 TIPS FOR YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE
3. FIND EXERCISES YOU ENJOY Exercise shouldn’t be a monotonous chore. Exploring various activities to find those you genuinely enjoy will help you remain consistent. Whether it’s rock climbing, hiking, cycling, Zumba, or aerobics, find engaging activities that you love. This will increase the likelihood of long-term commitment as the exercise is something you want to do. 4. ENLIST A WORKOUT BUDDY Journeys are more enjoyable when shared. Find a workout buddy who shares similar fitness goals and schedules. Exercising with a friend can establish accountability and bring a fun social element that encourages staying on track. 5. BE KIND TO YOURSELF Understand that setbacks are natural. If you miss a workout or face setbacks in your fitness journey, that’s okay! Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism to just focus on recommitting to your routine. Consistency is built over time, and resilience is crucial in maintaining it. Assure yourself that you can do it, despite any challenges.
Beginning a journey toward a healthier, more active lifestyle is vital for strengthening and maintaining your health and Foundational Dimension. What better time to focus on your physical health than spring, aka the season of renewal? Here are five tips to ensure you’re consistent this season and beyond. 1. SET REALISTIC GOALS Start with realistic goals. Instead of aiming for dramatic changes overnight, focus on incremental milestones. Celebrate little wins to foster a sense of achievement that will fuel your motivation to continue.
2. CREATE A SCHEDULE
Just as you schedule appointments and meetings, prioritize scheduling your workout sessions. Designate specific days and times for exercise, treating them with the same importance as any other commitment. This structured approach helps integrate exercise into your routine seamlessly.
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HOW HOT SPRINGS WORK Hot springs are heated by geothermal energy. Water meets volcanic hot rocks, resulting in boiling mineral-rich water. Regions far away from volcanic activity can also have hot springs; those occur when a spring runs so deep that it hits rocks close to the Earth’s crust. These rocks are naturally very hot, which then heats the water. HOW MINERALS AND HEAT IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH The water in hot springs contains a plethora of minerals, so the water can be healthy and rejuvenating, providing benefits for your skin, cardiovascular system, and more. Every spring has a unique mineral makeup known to contribute to various health effects—here are four of the most common.
circulation, as they can promote oxygen flow.
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Radiant Skin: Nitrogen, silica, and other minerals are known for exfoliating skin. Less Stress: As the warm water melts stress away, the magnesium and lithium are known for improving your mood. Pain Reduction: Sulfate can help reduce pain, while hot water soothes muscles and reduces inflammation.
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Ever tried soaking in the heated waters of a hot spring? There is much more to this geothermal wonder than meets the eye. The naturally heated, mineral-rich water nourishes the body and mind, allowing you to shed stress as you easily float on the surface. With all these benefits, hot springs are an exceptional choice for your next Family Retreat With a Purpose. The Allure of Hot Springs Earth’s Geothermal Wonder
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND HOT SPRINGS A quick search for the top hot springs in the U.S. typically includes destinations like Glenwood Springs in Colorado, Chena Hot Springs in Alaska, Castle Hot Springs in Arizona, Crystal Hot Springs in Utah, and Warm Springs Pools in Virginia (where Thomas Jefferson once soaked). Consider making your next getaway an all- around Foundational Dimension winner with hot springs’ combination of physical health
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Improved Blood Circulation: Minerals like calcium, iron, and sodium bicarbonate are known to help blood
benefits, stress-reducing relaxation, and plenty of time with those who matter most. GET ‘BACK TO EDEN’ IN YOUR YARD
WITH REGENERATIVE GARDENING
Regenerative gardening, often called the “Back to Eden” method, is a game-changer for gardeners. This approach harnesses the power of nature to create a thriving, sustainable garden with minimal effort. Meanwhile, gardening can also help you maintain your Foundational Dimension by increasing your physical activity and bringing you home-grown, nutritional foods. We’re here to share what regenerative gardening is, why it’s an excellent choice for gardeners, and how to implement it yourself. WHAT IS REGENERATIVE GARDENING? Paul Gautschi’s documentary “Back to Eden,” featuring his transformative garden, put regenerative gardening on the map. The concept is based on replicating natural ecosystems within your garden by following three basic steps:
mimicking the forest floor. This mulch conserves moisture and slowly breaks down, providing nutrients to the soil. No Tilling: Unlike traditional gardening, regenerative gardening encourages minimal soil disruption. No digging or turning of the soil is needed, reducing weed growth and preserving beneficial soil organisms. Natural Composting: Instead of chemical fertilizers, composting is used to enrich the soil naturally. Nutrient-rich materials are added on top of the wood chip mulch, allowing rainwater to help leech the nutrients into the soil. WHY CHOOSE REGENERATIVE GARDENING? It’s low-maintenance, serving as an effective weed barrier and moisture retainer, reducing the need for constant weeding and watering while maintaining soil health. Additionally, this method promotes sustainability by removing
chemical additives from your garden. The gradual decomposition of wood chips enriches the soil naturally over time, yielding impressive harvests without synthetic fertilizers. HOW TO GET STARTED Clear existing weeds to prep the garden, then apply a substantial layer of chemical- free wood chips, at least 4–6 inches deep. Adding a layer of compost atop the wood chips will initiate the natural decomposition process. For planting, create holes or trenches within the wood chips and place your seeds or seedlings directly into the compost layer. To maintain your garden, top the wood chip mulch layer as needed, and continue adding compost annually to nurture your garden. Regenerative gardening is an innovative approach that can transform your green space into a thriving, low-maintenance oasis and keep your Foundational Health stronger than ever.
Wood Chip Mulch: The garden bed is covered with a thick layer of wood chips,
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4 MUST-HAVE TAX ADVANTAGES How IUL Gives Your Future an Edge
It’s tax season, and let’s face it: Taxes have their pros and cons.
They’re an important responsibility, a way for all of us to contribute to our nation’s critical programs and infrastructure. But they can also take a toll on our current and future lives. This is why it’s helpful to avoid unnecessary taxes, ensuring we can provide an abundant life for our families, as well as give back to our communities. And this is also why the savvy turn to properly structured, maximum- funded Indexed Universal Life (what we call IUL LASER Funds), because they value the four must-have tax savings that IUL can provide. TAX SAVINGS #1 Unlike IRAs and 401(k)s, you put after-tax dollars into IUL LASER Funds. This means you’re getting your taxes over with at today’s tax rates. Since most experts agree that taxes will continue to rise in the future, you’re likely better off getting taxes out of the way as soon as possible. TAX SAVINGS #2 You can access the money in your IUL LASER Fund tax-free, via a policy loan (which you’re not required to repay during your lifetime). What’s more, if you choose an Alternate Loan, the money in the insurance policy (e.g., the cash value that is collateral for the loan) continues to earn the indexed rate (which has historically averaged 5% to 10% annually, tax-free).
remains in-force (as opposed to accounts like traditional savings accounts, money markets, CDs, mutual funds, etc., that typically have tax liabilities on their gains). TAX SAVINGS #4 When you pass away, your death benefit will pass along to your heirs income-tax-free. All of this is possible thanks to Internal Revenue Codes and long-standing tax laws surrounding life insurance. So while Uncle Sam may seem greedy when it comes to traditional financial vehicles, you have much more protection from unnecessary taxes with IUL LASER Funds. By minimizing your tax liabilities and maximizing your opportunity for tax-free growth and an income-tax-free wealth transfer, those tax savings can go on to benefit your life, and your family’s for generations to come. Want to learn more about safeguarding your financial future from unnecessary taxes and market downturns? Order your free copy of “The LASER Fund” at www.laserfund.com or by scanning the QR code on pg. 1.
TAX SAVINGS #3
With your policy linked to indexes of your choice, any gains your policy sees are earned tax-free, as long your policy
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3 DIMENSIONAL WEALTH LIVING
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ...
Achieving Breakthroughs, Even on Vacay page 2
Essentials for Creating Your Legacy of Authentic Wealth
UNCLE SAM’S FUTURE OR YOURS?
Score for the Win in Business page 4
Wondering how to avoid the tax-trap? Map your way to a
Heat Up Your Next Getaway in a Natural Oasis page 6
more abundant legacy for you and your family. Read more on Page 1 …
The 4 Tax Advantages You Deserve page 7
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