We all need an income that we can count on. Consistent cash flow that shows up in our account every single month, like clockwork. - Tony Robbins

It’s fascinating and quite sad that we live in a time where the media is salivating to take down anyone considered to be “best in class.” Culture seems to lift them onto a pedestal of perfection only to hope they come crashing down. Whether it’s an athlete, a CEO, or a money manager, any false move or seemingly slight crack in the armor is exploited to the fullest. Stone them in the town square of television and the internet.

Governments all around the world, and especially the United States, have spent money they do not have. How are they going to pay it back? By raising taxes. So while no one knows for certain whether taxes will go up or down, my bet here is they’re going up.

Traditional financial planning would say you need to accumulate 20 times your current income, or $5 million in critical mass, to generate $250,000 of pretax income (assuming a 5% withdrawal rate). But if you aren’t required to pay tax, and the actual income you need is $125,000 without taxes, you really need to accumulate only 20 times $125,000, or a total critical mass of just $2.5 million within this structure. That means you get to your goal 50% faster or you get twice the spendable income if you reach your original goal of critical mass in the same time.