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I’m happy to share Part 2 with you now, which will dig a bit more into the mindset, and money handling habits, that get you caught up in traditional ways of living (that are usually no longer the best choice in today’s world).  We’ll cover more of how to escape that mindset by using many of the points in David’s book, What’s Your Next?, along with both of our life experiences and lessons. As David says in our interview, his book was “written for all generations … from principles that I’ve learned in my life, and that we certainly teach in Freedom Founders.”  The book is a great read, featuring lots of personal stories that help show that courage, community, and a bit of risk-taking do lead to opportunity and success.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a friend of mine whom you’ve probably heard me talk about here before: Dr. David Phelps from Freedom Founders.  Freedom Founders helps professionals — mostly from the dentistry fields, but not exclusively — build wealth through alternative investments.  I’ve been a Trusted Advisor for Freedom Founders for some time now and recently attended their event in Texas, so it’s fair to say that David and I always have plenty to talk about.  We recently recorded a two-part podcast and video chat that I’m sharing with you today (part 1) and next weekend (part 2). Much of our discussion centered on David’s new book: What’s Your Next? The Blueprint for Creating Your Freedom Lifestyle, which you can order now on Amazon.

How many times have you generously donated to a worthy cause, only to have the sinking feeling that a majority of your money was gobbled up by administrative costs?  Even if 100% of your donation goes straight to the cause, do you ever really know what impact your money made? Our guest this episode, Steve Mestre, Co-Founder and Executive Director of GivingTrail.org, has solved these and other issues that plague charitable organizations through his ultra-efficient crowdfunding platform.  Truly a paradigm shift in the world of fundraising, GivingTrail.org is opening new doors for organizations and businesses who want to help their community.   For more information on today’s guest, access to the show notes and any links we’ve discussed in this episode, or more information on Hughes Private Capital, visit www.HughesCapital.com/Edge

If you know me, you know that I’m always talking about the importance of diversifying your portfolio for safety and growth – particularly by investing in real estate.  But what kind of real estate?  In this episode of “The Edge,” my guest Matt Harris and I debate the age-old question: Is commercial or residential the better investment option?  We discuss the pros and cons of each, and although I won’t give the answer away, let’s just say that it depends on a lot of factors like the type of investor you are, the amount of risk you are willing to assume, and the level of hands-on management that you prefer.  Tune in to this episode and be inspired with new ways to grow your real estate portfolio. For more information on today’s guest, access to the show notes and any links we’ve discussed in this episode, or more information on Hughes Private Capital, visit www.HughesCapital.com/Edge

Throughout the 10+ years that I’ve known this episode’s guest, Joe Rajacic, he never ceases to inspire or amaze me.  Joe tells us how, at 10 years old, when he watched Alan Shepard on TV (the first American to fly in space), he knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up. After 22 years of flying a 747, Joe founded a non-profit called ALEX (Aerospace Learning EXperience). Using flight and drone simulators, Joe teaches specialized classes to pilots in training. He also uses the flight simulator to expose young people to the joys of aviation and to help people get over their fear of flying by showing them how a plane works. For more information on today’s guest, access to the show notes and any links we’ve discussed in this episode, or more information on Hughes Private Capital, visit www.HughesCapital.com/Edge

Hope is not a strategy.  That’s why “hoping” that your business will continue to be successful after you start pushing up daisies or become disabled is a sure-fire way to kill it.  But who has time to think about a succession plan when you’re busy making your business successful?  That’s where Brian Wheeler comes in.  He’s a financial advisor with MassMutual, backed by a team of advanced planning attorneys, CPAs, and other law and tax experts.  As the quarterback of the advisory team, Brian’s goal is to make sure that your business has a solid plan all tied up with a bow before you find yourself standing at the final curtain. In this podcast, Brian walks us through some of the steps involved in setting up a transfer plan, and shows us what processes he and his team have in place to make it as painless as possible for business owners.  After listening to this episode, you’ll see why it is absolutely essential to do this now, not later, no matter how young and healthy you are. For more information on today’s guest, access to the show notes and any links we’ve discussed in this episode, or more information on Hughes Private Capital, visit www.HughesCapital.com/Edge

What goes on behind the doors of America’s number one youth organization?  It’s the 8th largest charity in the U.S., has an annual revenue of $1.8 billion, employs a staff of over 50,000, and serves 4 million children every year.  If you haven’t guessed, we’re talking about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – more specific to this podcast, the BGC of Northern Nevada.  Our guest this week, Steve Smith, has been a volunteer Board Member for the BGC of Northern Nevada for 21 years. In this podcast, Steve talks about the many ways in which the Club is impacting our local community — and not just the kids!  He also entertains us with a few stories about how the Club is successfully (and amazingly) run as an efficient business.  Learn answers to questions like… How much money does the Club raise each year, and how much is government funded?  What ingenious ways is the Club offering their facilities and services to the outside community to help subsidize their costs?  How much waste is there, given that this is a huge organization with so many moving parts?  How can the BGC be a model for other organizations – profit or not? We think you’ll enjoy Steve’s behind-the-scenes look at the numbers, the ROI, and the real impact this organization is having on present and future generations.  For more information on today’s guest, access to the show notes and any links we’ve discussed in this episode, or more information on Hughes Private Capital, visit www.HughesCapital.com/Edge.

Welcome to The Edge with Greg Hughes episode #005.  Tim Nelson is no ordinary CPA.  In between 100-mile bike rides and blindfolded bungee jumping, Tim finds satisfaction in helping his clients at his firm, Evans Nelson & Company CPAs, where he enjoys advising small businesses and adding a dash of humor to the dry business of accounting.  Recently, Tim has been testifying in tax audit court cases, and he is here to give us the skinny on some pretty shocking stories!  Whether it’s about an office manager conning their dying boss out of their estate or the man who burned down his house in order to claim it as a tax deduction, Tim has something to say about it.  While these stories are entertaining and at times deplorable, ultimately, there’s a lot we can learn about successfully avoiding the perils of tax court. For more information on today’s guest, access to the show notes and any links we’ve discussed in this episode, or more information on Hughes Private Capital, visit www.HughesCapital.com/Edge

Angel Investor in Silicon Valley, Anesthesiologist, Major and Flight Surgeon in the Air Force Reserve, Real Estate Investor…Sami does it all.  Episode #004 features a fascinating guest who I’ve known for a long time as a Hughes Capital investor, but who I’ve only recently gotten to know on a more personal level.  And believe me when I tell you that there is a lot to learn from this driven, multifaceted guy! A Michigan-based anesthesiologist, Sami decided to join the US Air Force Reserves at the age of 40, where he is now a Major and a flight surgeon.  Since then, he has been traveling the world transporting sick and injured members of the US military back home for treatment and doing flybys on the Russian border.  Sami is also a big believer in real estate investing, and is an Angel investor for a tech startup called Knightscope in Silicon Valley, which predicts and prevents crime using autonomous robots that look like they came straight out of a Star Wars movie.  Sami and I share some similar opinions about the value of non-traditional real estate investments which we talk about in this interview. For show notes and additional information head over to www.HughesCapital.com/Edge.     

Welcome to The Edge with Greg Hughes episode 3. In last week's episode, we dispelled negative myths and exposed the far-from-ugly truth about reverse mortgages.  This week, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, Chris Askin, explains how this innovative nonprofit treats giving like an investment.    More than just a charity, the Foundation gives donors the opportunity to choose the kind of legacy they’d like to leave, start their own fund, and even receive a return.   One of the most frustrating plights with traditional giving is that you are completely in the dark about where your donation is going and how it is being used.  Chris’s Foundation takes a very different approach: through their strict reporting requirements and transparent process, donors are treated more like trusted business partners; they can see exactly how their money is being used and what impact it is having on the recipients.      In this episode, you’ll learn things like:  How philanthropy can work as an investment AND fund a worthy project  Little-known ways the Foundation can help you create a lasting legacy  How to sustain your wealth by diverse giving  What the “zero tax formula” is and how it can provide a huge tax advantage, put money in your pocket, and create a positive impact  How a $20,000 contribution turned into a multimillion-dollar anti-bullying program that is helping over 65,000 elementary and middle school kids in over 50 WCSD schools.  Plus, learn how the Foundation’s groundbreaking new Caregiver Support Initiative in Reno is helping thousands of families. You could be one of them!  To hear more, check out the episode below.  If you’d like to learn more about the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada or the Caregiver Support Initiative, visit http://nevadafund.org/.   For show notes and additional information head over to www.HughesCapital.com/Edge.   

You’re listening to The Edge with Greg Hughes episode number 2. In the last episode, you learned the importance of having a trust and keeping it up to date with estate planning attorney Jason Morris.  This week’s episode takes you behind the scenes of an industry that garners a lot of negativity: reverse mortgages. My guest, John Terveer, is the owner of CTC Financial, Inc., a mortgage brokerage that specializes in reverse mortgages.  He explains why a reverse mortgage can be a powerful and flexible financial tool for those who understand how to use it correctly.  We discuss why reverse mortgages have been cast in a negative light and which new regulations make this no longer the case. John answers questions like: What is a reverse mortgage and how does it work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of reverse mortgages? What’s the secret formula that tells you how much you qualify for? How can someone with bad credit qualify for a reverse mortgage? What is the interest rate on a reverse mortgage? Can you really lose your home when you take out a reverse mortgage? For show notes and additional information head over to www.HughesCapital.com/Edge.   

You’re listening to The Edge with Greg Hughes episode number 1.  In this week’s episode my guest, Jason Morris, an attorney and estate planning expert, delved into concrete takeaways on topics such as: why trusts are essential, the consequences of not putting one together correctly, and the importance of keeping your trust up to date.  Seriously, folks, there are some really juicy bits in our 60-minute discussion that I know will motivate you to open up your desk drawer and put together that scrappy list of assets, but more importantly, to call an estate-planning attorney and get ‘er done! For show notes and additional information head over to www.HughesCapital.com/Edge.