In this episode of the Do It For Yourself Podcast, host Steve Taylor welcomes Adam Bergman, founder of IRA Financial, to shine a light on the misunderstood and often overlooked strategy of self-directed IRAs and solo 401(k)s. Adam explains how these tools can be used to invest in real estate, private companies, and other alternative assets—debunking myths and clarifying rules that homegrown entrepreneurs and savvy savers need to know. The discussion ranges from Peter Thiel’s famous $5 billion IRA to using retirement accounts to buy real estate, and practical steps for those thinking of taking the leap.

✍️ Adam’s biggest piece of advice—just start saving, whether it’s in stocks, real estate, or your own business. Taking advantage of retirement vehicles is one of the smartest, most tax-efficient ways to build long-term wealth.

Timestamps

00:00 "Do It For Yourself Podcast Intro"

05:45 "Affordable Self-Directed IRA Setup"

08:41 UBIT Triggers in IRA Real Estate

10:49 "Strategies to Minimize UBIT Tax"

14:47 401(k) Startup Investment Loophole

17:09 Political Challenges in Wealth Regulation

21:52 Avoiding Tax Pitfalls in Investments

23:15 AI & Diversification Insights

Host: Steve Taylor – Linkedin

Guest: Adam Bergman – Linkedin

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Discover How To Fix The $33 Trillion U.S. Debt Crisis with Paul Musson in this eye-opening episode of the Do It For yourself podcast. Financial strategist Paul Musson explores how the U.S. fell into a budget crisis, examining how distorted monetary policy and long-standing government habits created a debt burden that now exceeds $33 trillion. He answers the critical question: how did the U.S. deficit get so big and what can be done about it with Paul Musson?

⏳ Timestamps:00:00 "Special Expert Episode"03:32 Market Distortion and Miscommunication06:54 Federal Deficit and Economic Shifts12:05 Creating Wealth Through Housing Prices15:48 Deficits, Tax Cuts, and Economic Levers18:07 "Natural Rate of Interest Explained"20:32 Housing Crisis: Central Banks' Role26:15 Balancing Deficits and Social Programs29:07 Balancing Innovation and Affordability30:49 Social Security Policy Adjustments33:59 "Bond Vigilantes and Inflation Risks"37:31 Optimistic Path Through Conversation

In this episode of the Do it for Yourself Podcast, host Steve Taylor sits down with Andrea Hoffer, founder of Talent Experts, to unpack the essentials of effective hiring, especially for growing businesses. Andrea shares her "dream hire" framework, starting with how to define what you really need in a role, focusing on outcomes and goals, not just tasks.

She dives into the role of AI in recruitment, how to craft engaging job postings, and techniques for screening and engaging candidates throughout the hiring process. Andrea also emphasizes the importance of candidate engagement, keeping communication strong every step of the way, and how to motivate new hires so they thrive once they've joined the team. Whether you’re hiring hourly, executive, or specialized positions, the episode is packed with actionable advice to help you attract and retain great talent in any business.

• [00:01:21] – Introduction to Andrea Hoffer and Talent Experts
• [00:03:14] – The Importance of the “Define” Stage
• [00:05:50] – Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Tasks
• [00:08:09] – Using AI to Streamline Job Descriptions/Postings
• [00:12:42] – Training AI for Better Results
• [00:16:30] – Standing Out with Engaging Job Postings
• [00:19:43] – Knockout Questions, Applicant Tracking System, and Screening
• [00:24:20] – The Importance of Candidate Engagement
• [00:24:53] – Screening and Interview Approach
• [00:32:50] – Motivation and Employee Lifecycle
• [00:36:09] – Final Advice

Host: Steve Taylor – Linkedin, Website

Guest: Andrea Hoffer – Linkedin, Website

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Amber Paige is the founder of Far Beyond Marketing, a dynamic marketing agency focused on helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses through streamlined systems, teamwork, and authentic branding.

In this episode, Amber Paige shares her journey from growing up in a family business to running her own marketing agency. She discusses strategies for personal branding, crafting clear messaging, and building trust with clients. Amber also highlights the role of authenticity and trial and error in marketing success.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00: Intro
• 01:23: Amber’s Journey to Far Beyond Marketing from family business to marketing agency founder.
• 02:40: The Role of Personal Branding and scaling success by transitioning from personal to business branding.
• 06:04: Defining Brand Problems and addressing external, internal, and philosophical challenges.
• 08:54: Crafting Clear Messaging and the power of a concise oneliner.
• 12:07: Building Trust Through Communication and focusing on client outcomes and structured plans.
• 15:00: Optimizing Website Design, creating engaging content and effective calls to action.
• 19:10: Balancing Branding and Growth and enhancing the business identity through personal branding.
• 21:31: The Power of Writing a Book and using books as lasting marketing tools.
• 26:16: Authenticity in Marketing and sharing personal stories to build trust.
• 29:46: Outro

"We've taken care of you your whole life, but we have a future as well..."

Navigating college decisions can be a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety, especially when finances enter the chat. Join Steve as he sheds light on balancing dreams with reality and making those pivotal conversations with your future college student as constructive as possible.

In this episode, we cover:

• Initiating crucial financial conversations with your child about college costs.
• Clarifying exactly what a family can afford without sacrificing future financial stability.
• Understanding the real costs behind college tuition, including living expenses.
• Delving into the implications of student debt and why it's crucial to keep it within a "one year's salary" rule.
• Exploring the benefits of federal versus private student loans.

Tired of feeling in the dark about these tough choices? Don't miss the full episode on YouTube, where we dive even deeper! 🌟

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Stop Betting, Start Investing! The Harsh Truth About Sports Gambling 🎲💸 Are you thinking about sports gambling as a way to make money? Think again! In this video, we expose the dangers of sports betting and why it’s NOT a form of investing. While many believe they can beat the odds, the reality is that gambling won’t make you rich—it’s a high-risk game designed for the house to win. 🔴 What You’ll Learn in This Video: ✔️ The rise of sports gambling and its impact on society ✔️ Why sports betting is NOT investing (and never will be) ✔️ The illusion of making money through gambling ✔️ The difference between gambling and investing in stocks, bonds, or crypto ✔️ The psychological tricks gambling companies use to keep you hooked ✔️ Smart alternatives to build wealth instead of wasting money on bets 📌 Key Topics Covered: - Sports Gambling vs. Investing – Why betting on games isn’t a financial strategy - How gambling companies profit – The dark secrets behind the industry - Crypto vs. Sports Betting – Which one is actually an investment? - Fantasy sports & daily betting – How they push people towards gambling addiction - Financial literacy for beginners – How to make smarter money moves

In this episode of the Do It Yourself Podcast, Tricia Brady joins host Steve Taylor to discuss her journey as a business consultant, writer, and advocate for women in financial services. She shares insights into overcoming writer’s block, the importance of community support, and the challenges of transitioning to independence. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, writer, or financial professional, this conversation offers valuable takeaways.

Tricia Brady is a seasoned business consultant specializing in financial services and practice management. With years of experience helping financial advisors transition to independence, she has developed valuable insights into overcoming challenges in the industry. Tricia is also passionate about empowering women and recently collaborated with experts to co-author a book that supports advisors on their independent journey.

Van Carlson is a leading expert in risk management and financial strategies, specializing in captive insurance solutions. As the founder and CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin, Van has spent years helping business owners take control of their insurance costs, reduce tax liabilities, and gain financial security through innovative risk management approaches. His deep expertise in alternative risk financing has made him a sought-after speaker and consultant in the industry.

In this episode of the Do It Yourself Podcast, host Steve Taylor speaks with risk management expert Van Carlson to discuss how business owners can leverage captive insurance to reduce costs, improve cash flow, and safeguard their financial future. Traditional insurance models often leave businesses overpaying and undercovered. Van explains how captive insurance offers a strategic advantage by allowing businesses to self-insure and retain more control over their risk. If you’re self-employed or running a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights that could help you save millions over time.

0:00 - Intro

03:20 What is captive insurance & why businesses use it?

06:17 Biggest financial risks with traditional insurance.

08:10 How captive insurance reduces taxes & boosts cash flow.

11:49 Top industries benefiting from captive insurance.

13:39 Legal & regulatory aspects of captive insurance.

18:54 How captive insurance covers gaps in policies.

24:06 Steps to set up captive insurance.

32:14 Success stories: Businesses saving millions.

41:37 Myths & misconceptions about captive insurance.

43:17 How to get started with captive insurance.

Host: Steve Taylor – https://linktr.ee/meritedwealth

Guest: Van Carlson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancarlson/

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