We’ve all been told to create a financial plan for our future. But what if the best financial plan is one that starts working for you today—not 30 to 40 years down the road?
Let’s flip the script and talk about planning for your present.
The Problem with Traditional Financial Planning
As a former financial advisor, I used to teach people the same thing everyone else does: Save religiously, invest in the stock market, ride the ups and downs, and hope it all works out by retirement age.
Let’s break that down with some real numbers.
The Old Plan: Hope and Pray for 40 Years
Say you start at 25 and invest $10,000 a year at a 12% return. After 40 years, you’d theoretically have over $8.5 million.
Sounds great, right?
But that assumes:
- You consistently earn 12% every year.
- Inflation stays low.
- The market never crashes when you need the money.
- You don’t need that money for 40 years.
Drop the return to just 8%—which is more realistic—and your nest egg shrinks to $2.8 million. And if inflation averages just 5% over those 40 years? That $2.8 million will feel more like $400,000 in today’s dollars.
Now live off 3% of that, and you’re left with $12,000 a year.
That’s poverty-level living… after four decades of sacrifice.
Why Present Planning Matters More
The biggest lie you’ve been sold is that all the benefits of your money come later. That you should delay gratification and hope that future-you enjoys it.
But guess what? Your family needs that money today. You need that freedom now—not just in some distant, uncertain future.
You shouldn’t be sacrificing your best years with your loved ones in exchange for a maybe someday.
What If Your Money Worked for You Today?
Here’s a better question: What if instead of locking your money away in 401(k)s and IRAs, you put it to work creating passive income today?
That’s what we do at Money Ripples. And it’s what helped one of our clients (we’ll call him “John”) hit financial independence in his 40s.
Real Case Study: How One Client Doubled His Income in 6 Years
When John first came to us in 2018, he had:
- $900,000 in investable assets
- A goal to become work-optional
- A monthly income need of $6,500
We created a plan focused on cashflow now, not hypothetical future returns. Here’s what we did:
- Paid off high-interest debts to free up cashflow
- Reallocated money from retirement accounts into passive income investments
- Used infinite banking to increase flexibility and returns
- Invested in real estate, lending funds, and syndications that created immediate monthly income
Fast forward to today:
- He’s making $13,000/month in passive income
- He’s just one investment away from hitting $14,000/month
- He’s financially free—without waiting until his 60s
Compare that to the traditional plan. Even with 12% returns, he’d barely be generating $75,000/year in retirement. Instead, he’s creating over $150,000/year right now—with even more growth potential.
Present Planning: The 5-Step Process We Use
Here’s how we help clients like John create financial freedom today:
1. Passive Income Launchpad
We analyze your current financials, goals, and timeline to identify low-hanging fruit and opportunities to free up cash.
2. Explore Opportunities
We connect you to our vetted investment network, customized to your risk tolerance and income goals.
3. Make the Deal
You start putting your money to work in passive income investments that generate real returns now—not decades later.
4. Protect the Foundation
We ensure your growing wealth is legally and financially protected through the right entities, insurance, and strategies.
5. Reinvest and Accelerate
As passive income grows, you reinvest the surplus to build even more income—creating an unstoppable financial snowball.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
The market is overvalued. Inflation is worse than reported. Government spending has artificially inflated GDP.
If the market drops—and it will eventually—what’s your backup plan?
Don’t be like most Americans relying on hope, luck, and Social Security. Be the exception.
And here’s the best part:
You don’t have to wait 30 years to be financially free.
You could be free in just a few—if you take action today.