Not Your Average Financial Podcast™

Episode 402: Fee Comparisons of Bank On Yourself® Whole Life vs. Investments with Evan Greathouse

May 16, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

How might you finance your future without the fees?
How might you grow and accumulate wealth?
How about the transformative reality of whole life insurance?
Who is Evan Greathouse?
How about comparing the costs?
How about a case study?
Would you like to hear Episode 143?
What about irregular or variable premium amounts?
What about flexibility?
What happens when premium payments stop?
What about whole life insurance commission?
What about investment advisor fees?
Who makes more?
What about the performance?
What about the outcomes?
What about the liquidity of the cash value life insurance?
What about the fees and taxes on the investment account?
What are the limits of a Roth IRA?
What about capital gains tax?
What about the cash value?
What you like to hear Episode 392?
What about long-term financial planning?
What are the takeaways?

Evan Greathouse, Bank On Yourself® Professional, brings over 12 years of expertise as a seasoned Real Estate Investor. Holding a Business Management degree from Abilene Christian University, Evan is deeply passionate about his work. His extensive skill set encompasses construction, renovation, sales, marketing, and team building. Evan’s philosophy embraces the mantra of doing things wholeheartedly, driven by a belief that a strong ‘why’ can conquer any ‘how.’ He advocates for embracing failure as a stepping stone to success and cherishes his role as a devoted husband and father to three wonderful children. Evan is located in Nashville, TN. Meet with Evan

Episode 401: More Proof Direct Recognition Loans are Terrible for Bank On Yourself®

May 9, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Is the policy correctly structured?
How about a case study?
Does the policy with the most cash value always win?
What is the difference between a direct recognition and a non-direct recognition whole life insurance policy loan?
What did the footnotes say?
What are some possible outcomes?
What happened to the dividends with an outstanding direct recognition loan balance?
What happens to the dividends with an outstanding non-direct recognition loan balance?
What’s the difference?
How much loan interest?
What’s the big takeaway here?
Why would this policy become a modified endowment contract (MEC)?
How about another example?
What happened with the dividends?
What about the policy loan interest?
What are the takeaways?
Why do Bank on Yourself® type whole life insurance policy loans use non-direct recognition policy loans?

Would you like to avoid direct recognition loans and loss of dividends?

Is my policy a Bank on Yourself® type whole life insurance policy?

Agent

Is my agent captive or independent? (Can he/she work with multiple companies or just show me one company’s product line?)
Is my agent trained to confidently and competently answer all of my questions? (Am I having to educate him/her?)
What is the agent’s training and stability? How long will the advisor be around to help me?
Is my agent among the ~200 Bank on Yourself® Professionals in good standing with the Bank on Yourself® organization?

Insurance Company

Does the company offer whole life insurance? (Do I have Whole Life or a Universal Life, Variable Life, Indexed Universal Life or Term policy?)
Is the insurance company mutually owned or stock owned?
Is the insurer’s customer service department educated enough to help me with policy loans?
Does this company have a high Comdex Rating and solid financial strength? Will they have the stability to be in business for the next 100 years at least?

Tax considerations

Will this policy become a modified endowment contract (MEC)?
Will both principal and gains be accessible tax-free under current law?

Riders

Are paid-up additions (PUAs) offered through premiums or just through dividends?
What is the Insurance Company’s PUA load cost? How does it compare to other whole life products?
What are the PUA limits (and any other gotchas)? When and why must we reduce our PUAs, even if we don’t want to?
Were any other riders available to help accelerate my cash value growth, like term riders?
If I miss a premium payment, are there protections? What will happen to the policy?
Is there a Chronic Illness Rider or similar available? What are the fees for this rider?
What are the limits on Chronic Illness, Long Term Care and Accelerated Death Benefit riders?

Dividends

Does the insurer who issued my whole life insurance policy pay dividends?
Does the whole life product I purchased receive dividends?
Is the dividend based on company performance, with me participating as an owner, or is it merely “interest sensitive” based on industry performance?
Has the insurance company paid dividends at least 100 years straight?
Was there significant dividend variability over the last 12 years, suggesting risk to future cash value growth?

Loans

If I take a loan, how will it affect the policy, short-term and long-term?
Do I have non-direct recognition loans or direct recognition loans?
When will I pay policy loan interest (at the end of year or immediately)?
What limits are at work for policy loans? Is there a maximum amount per loan
What will they allow me to borrow out at a time?
What is my loan interest rate on this policy? Is it above or below the industry average?
Is the loan simple interest or compound interest?
At what time interval is the loan interest being accrued (annually, daily, etc.)?

Would you like a second set of eyes to review an existing policy, or would you like to discuss your specific situation? Reach out to meet with Mark or one of Mark’s associates.

Episode 400: How to Never Run Out of Money – Even if You Live to 120!

May 2, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Would you like to join us live for the Bank on Yourself® Rescue Your Retirement Bootcamp on May 6th, 2025, 1PM-5PM ET?
Will you run out of money if you live to 120?
What are we going to do make sure your money doesn’t run out before you do?
What about market volatility? Do you remember 2008?
What replaced the pension plans?
What about inflation risk?
Is the answer investing in the market?
What does the economist William Sharpe say?
What percentage can one take out of a 401(k) without running out of money?
What percentage of 65 year-olds will live beyond age 90?
Who is underspending?
What about annuities?
What about inflation-protected payouts?
What is the only true form of retirement security?
What are endowments?
What is the history of the annuity?
What happened to Babe Ruth?
What about Ben Bernanke?
What is a fixed indexed annuity?
What about immediate pay annuities?
What about letting your money grow before turning on income in an annuity?
Why do so many financial infotainers bash annuities?
Are there quality annuities?
What about special benefits?
What about increasing income?
How about some case studies?
What about guaranteed lifetime income?

JOIN US LIVE
for the Rescue Your Retirement Bootcamp
WHO: The Top Bank on Yourself® Professionals
WHAT: An afternoon-long bootcamp
– a deep dive into the workings of Bank on Yourself® –
(lifetime access to the recording available!)
WHEN: May 6th, 2025, 1PM-5PM ET
COST: $47
WHERE: ONLINE
REGISTER NOW

Episode 399: How to Pay for Everything in Life

April 25, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Would you like to join us live for the Bank on Yourself® Rescue Your Retirement Bootcamp on May 6th, 2025, 1PM-5PM ET?
What deals are you making?
What does it take to start a bank?
Where do banks keep their capital?
What is Tier 1 capital?
Who needs a liquid, regular parking spot for savings?
How does the money continue to grow, even while you’re using it?
What about major wealth transfers?
What are people saying?
Why work with us?

JOIN US LIVE
for the Rescue Your Retirement Bootcamp
WHO: The Top Bank on Yourself® Professionals
WHAT: An afternoon-long bootcamp
– a deep dive into the workings of Bank on Yourself® –
(lifetime access to the recording available!)
WHEN: May 6th, 2025, 1PM-5PM ET
COST: $47
WHERE: ONLINE
REGISTER NOW

Episode 398: The Golden Parachute

April 18, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Are you interested in 3 ways to leverage cash value life insurance for a secure business exit?
Who has an exit plan?
What are the benefits of a golden parachute?
What happened in the ’80s?
What lowers the risks of takeovers?
What are some example scenarios?
Do you have a Bank on Yourself type whole life insurance policy in the business?
What about securing a legacy while also ensuring business continuity?
Would you like to join us at the FREE Not Your Average Financial Community at notyouraverage.mn.co?

Episode 397: Can You Bank On Yourself® with over 200 Rental Properties? with Bryan Powers and Ben Berry

April 11, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

What about getting started?
Who is Bryan Powers?
Who is Ben Berry?
What is Bryan’s story?
What do they love about Bank on Yourself® type whole life insurance policies?
How have they used their policies so far?
What are some problems with borrowing money from the SBA?
Is it compounding?
Can you see a new perspective?
How would it feel to discover an extra million?
What leads to a whole lot less financial stress?
What about retiring early?
What about the ongoing relationship?
How about the next generation?
What about adjusting as life happens?
What about reaching financial milestones without taking unnecessary risk?
What about resilience?
Who wins? …the banks?
How did Menard’s emerge as a giant?
What are Bryan’s aspirations with his policy?
How is this different from a self-directed IRA?
Would you like to listen to Episode 209?
Would you like to text Ben at 563-570-2367?
Would you like to email Ben at bencberry@gmail.com?
What principle would Bryan leave for his kids?
What are the takeaways?
What is the most important thing?
Doesn’t it make sense to build the foundation first?

Ben Berry is a financial strategist dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to achieve financial control and stability. Recognizing the limitations and volatility of traditional investment and retirement planning, Ben and his wife, Erica, embarked on a decade-long exploration of more ethical, rational, and reliable wealth-building methods. This pursuit led him to develop strategies focused on predictable, long-term growth, independent of market fluctuations.

As a Bank on Yourself® Professional and licensed insurance agent, Ben is the owner of Berry Financial Services in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He specializes in crafting personalized financial strategies that diverge from conventional approaches offered by stockbrokers, lawyers, and other financial advisors. His expertise encompasses a range of solutions, including strategic real estate investments, effective college funding strategies designed to minimize financial burden, and the development of secure, lifetime retirement income plans.

Ben works with clients seeking predictable wealth accumulation and financial self-sufficiency, with a particular focus on generating tax-free retirement income. He provides proven, tax-efficient financial solutions designed to help clients regain control of their financial destinies and achieve their long-term financial goals.

Bryan Powers has been an entrepreneur since 2000, owning a recording studio, a live music venue and a couple of restaurant franchises to include Lenny’s Sub Shops and McDonald’s. In 2013, Bryan started Family Home Solutions, a Real Estate Investment Company that expanded into a Local Property Management Company, Realty Brokerage and a Real Estate Acquisitions and Dispositions company. Powers currently shares ownership in over 200 single family rental units and AirBnb properties in 3 states as well as a 356-bed student housing apartment syndication. In 2018, Powers co-created the Angler Aid Brand, a fishing first aid and safety company that is now widely distributed online and through Bass Pro Shops.

Since 2023, Powers is co-owner of the Mobility City franchise markets in Southwest Missouri and Arkansas. Mobility City is a Boca Raton based franchise system that has quickly become Southwest Missouri’s Premiere Mobility Products store and has plans to open a second location in Northwest Arkansas by May of 2024. Bryan has also served on the board of two local non-profit organizations as well as serving on the advisory council of 2 national franchise systems.

Bryan is a Husband, Father of 3, and Grandfather of 1 and loves time at the lake with family, travel, and music composition.

Episode 396: Double Bonus Strategy: Enhancing Employee Benefits With 162(a) Plans

April 4, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Would you like to meet with Mark?
What are the challenges for small businesses?
What’s wrong with a small business’s 401(k) offering?
What is the problem with fees?
What is the problem with liquidity?
What are the penalties?
What about the severe loss of control?
What about forced participation?
Why, with all of these problems, does everyone set up 401(k)s?
What about a financial Frankenstein?
Is the proof in the pudding?
How are we fairing?
What is the average 401(k) balance for a 55 year-old?
How might a business owner attract the best talent and offer the best benefits?
Why are Bank on Yourself® type whole life insurance policies superior?
Would you like to hear Episode 36?
What about tax?
What about eliminating restrictive rules?
What about going from a 401(k) to a 162(a)?
What are executive bonus life insurance contracts?
What are the administrative costs?
What are the additional benefits?
What are the considerations?
What are the backup options?
How about an example?
What is a double bonus?
What about the tax?
Would you like to hear Episode 206?
What can the employees do?
What about the taxation of social security benefits?
What if tax rates double on you on income in required minimum distributions or other qualified distribution income?
What are additional benefits of the 162(a)?
Would you like to establish a better than a 401(k) alternative that benefits your employees profoundly?
Would you like to meet with Mark?

Episode 395: Buy-Sell Agreements: Your Exit Strategy Blueprint

March 28, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Have you subscribed on YouTube and/or your favorite audio platform?
Could your business survive without you?
Why do most small businesses fail to survive after a generation?
Are you thinking long range with your business?
When was Hoshi Ryokan in Japan founded?
What is a buy-sell agreement?
What are the benefits?
Who wants to buy the business from someone who has passed away?
How does a buy-sell agreement guarantee a buyer?
What are additional benefits?
What are the events that trigger a buy out?
Who writes and funds a buy-sell agreement?
How about an example?
What about a sinking fund?
What about a bank loan?
What is the most efficient way to fund a buy-sell agreement?
What are the benefits of funding a buy-sell agreement with life insurance?
What about a story?
What about cross-purchase?
What happens when tragedy strikes?
What happens next?
What are the considerations?
Would you like to book a meeting with Mark or one of Mark’s associates?
What are the steps?
What about the business valuation?
What are the correct policies?
What is the timeline of funding?
What is the premium amount?
What about drafting the buy-sell agreement?
What about policy ownership?
What about cross ownership?
What about performance review and adjustments?
What about the key stakeholders, partners and team?
What would happen to your business if a key person or partner suddenly dies or becomes disabled?
How would we manage the transition?
How much capital would we need to buy out a partner’s interest and over what time frame?
Have we considered how changes in our business’s value might affect insurance coverage needs or terms of our buy-sell agreement?
What terms should we include to handle disputes or changes to the business environment?
Are there any specific clauses we need to add for certain scenarios (i.e. divorce, bankruptcy of a partner or an external offer to buy the company, etc.)?
What about Bank on Yourself® type whole life insurance policies?
Would you like to meet with Mark?

Episode 394: What Counts as Financially Successful Today?

March 21, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Would you like to unlock the magic and Request a Meeting?
Where did Mark travel as a kid?
Do we live in the future?
What about the stagecraft?
What does financial success look like for Americans?
Would you like to view the Houston Chronicle article?
How much would it take to feel financially successful?
What about Generation Z?
What does social media have to do with it?
What are the numbers?
What’s the viability of the numbers?
Who has seen Inventing Anna?
What about Leon Festinger’s social comparison theory?
What about F.O.M.O. and envy?
What’s the allure?
What does this do to the human soul and human psyche?
Has the American dream become an American fantasy?
What are the differences in the generation’s views?
What about overcoming the social media hype?
What about digital detox?
What about volunteering?
What about mindfulness and self-awareness?
Are you being manipulated?
Are you comparing yourself?
Who can help?
What about blocks?
What happens when people have lost it all?
Who doubles down on the risk?
What about figuring out a better way?
What are the ten secret places…?
What about creating a business?
What about hiring family?
What about real estate?
What did Reader’s Digest say about life insurance?
What does your financial success look like?
What is the reality?
Who gets to define your financial success?
Who taught you think this way?
Are you ready to lift off?

Episode 393: [Client Spotlight] Financial Independence in the W-2 with Jon Thiele

March 14, 2025 by Not Your Average Financial Podcast

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In this episode, we ask:

Should you quit your day job?
What does it take to truly be a leader?
How do you unhook yourself from “default” mode?
Who is Jon Thiele?
What’s Jon’s daily morning ritual?
What’s extremely important?
How did Jon’s career evolve?
How did Jon find Mark?
What happens when “the math isn’t mathing”?
What questions did Jon ask other advisors?
What has become richer?
What has bothered Jon?
What breaks compounding?
How has the money grown?
What happens with a financial contractual agreement?
What about non-direct recognition policy loans?
What has Jon’s family done with policy loans?
What about paying back a loan from the insurance company with simple interest?
What happened when the hurricane hit Florida?
How does one bring banking back down to the “you and me” level?
What would Jon like to do with his policies in the future?
Would you like to hear Episode 298?
Can you take another policy loan if you already have a loan taken out?
How do you define leadership?
Would you like to reach out to Jon on the FREE Not Your Average Financial Community?
What are the takeaways?
Would you like to meet with Mark or one of Mark’s associates?

Jon Thiele is a W-2 employee, who is passionate about the company he works for, not just for their mission, but for the opportunities that the company has allowed for his career to expand to include fields outside of what he went to school for (which was Architecture). Although he is an Architect, licensed in California and Florida where he and his wife and two kids currently live, he has spent the last couple of years in the Financial Planning & Analysis side of business and has most recently taken on the role of Chief of Staff to one of the Finance VPs. Jon met Mark just before the COVID pandemic began in 2020, and started his journey with Bank on Yourself®. He continues to study ways to be “not so average” with his finances, and he looks forward to passing down this knowledge to his children, as they get older.

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