Next Level 305: How to Be Financially Free by Forty Chapter 2: Saving 50% Without Feeling Deprived

Building wealth is not only about how much money you make. It is also about how much money you keep and how strategically you position your assets for long term growth. In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, Chris Larsen dives into Chapter 3 of the “How to Be Financially Free by Forty” series, focusing on one of the most overlooked pillars of financial success: tax strategy and entity structure.Chris Larsen, founder and principal of Next-Level Income, brings decades of experience in real estate investing, finance, and business strategy to this conversation. After spending 18 years in the medical device industry, Chris shifted his focus toward helping others achieve financial independence through education and strategic investments. With more than 20 years of real estate experience and involvement in over $1.5 billion in acquisitions since 2016, Chris offers listeners practical insights that go beyond traditional financial advice.Throughout the episode, Chris explains why understanding taxes is one of the most important steps toward accelerating wealth creation. Many investors focus heavily on earning income but fail to realize how taxes can quietly erode their financial progress over time. Chris emphasizes that successful investors and entrepreneurs understand the tax code and use it to legally and ethically create advantages that preserve wealth and improve cash flow.Link: https://www.nextlevelincome.com/financialfreedombook

The commercial real estate market is going through one of its most significant shifts in decades. Rising interest rates, tighter lending standards, and changing investor expectations have created both uncertainty and opportunity across the industry. In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, we sit down with Jake Clopton, founder of Clopton Capital, to discuss how debt markets are evolving and what investors should be paying attention to right now.Jake brings years of experience working with real estate owners and operators nationwide, helping clients secure debt and equity solutions in a rapidly changing environment. Throughout the conversation, he explains how today’s higher interest rate environment is impacting everything from underwriting standards to deal flow and investor confidence.One of the major themes discussed in this episode is the dramatic change in borrowing costs over the past few years. Many commercial real estate investors became accustomed to historically low interest rates, which allowed deals to cash flow more easily and encouraged aggressive acquisitions. However, with rates rising significantly, the economics of many projects have changed. Jake explains that lenders are now placing greater emphasis on debt coverage ratios, sponsor strength, and conservative underwriting assumptions.🔗 Resources & Links🌐 https://cloptoncapital.com/

In this episode, the conversation dives deep into one of the most dynamic and often misunderstood sectors of modern finance: digital assets. Featuring insights from John Gillen, the discussion explores where Bitcoin and the broader crypto market are heading—and how investors can rethink volatility as an opportunity rather than a risk.John Gillen brings a unique perspective shaped by his experience working on BlackRock Aladdin platform, one of the most powerful portfolio management systems in the world. His transition from traditional finance to co-founding TRU Capital reflects a broader shift happening across the financial landscape: institutional expertise is increasingly flowing into decentralized and digital markets.A key theme of the episode is understanding volatility. In traditional markets, volatility is often seen as something to avoid. However, in crypto, volatility is the market. Gillen explains that instead of fearing price swings, investors can position themselves to benefit from them through disciplined strategies, long-term conviction, and a solid understanding of market cycles.🔗 Resources & Links🌐 http://trucapital.fund/

In this Episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, host Chris Larsen dives into Chapter 2 of the journey toward financial independence by forty, focusing on a concept that often feels intimidating at first glance: saving 50% of your income—without feeling deprived. While the idea may initially sound extreme, Chris reframes it as a powerful and achievable strategy rooted in intentional living, not sacrifice.Chris Larsen, founder of Next-Level Income and a seasoned real estate investor with over two decades of experience, brings a practical and experience-driven perspective to this discussion. Having been involved in over $1.5 billion in real estate acquisitions since 2016, Chris understands firsthand how disciplined financial habits can accelerate wealth building and create long-term freedom.🔗 Resources & Links🌐 https://calendly.com/taxessaved/taxanalysisWebinar Replay: https://youtu.be/fkJD6e8fIzo?si=i9VjBMPkEYb23w2t

Level Income ShowSubscribe NowIn this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, we dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in personal finance: how high-income earners—especially W-2 employees—can legally and strategically lower their tax burden. Joined by tax strategy expert Davis Oliver, this conversation challenges the conventional belief that only business owners have access to meaningful tax-saving opportunities.Davis Oliver has helped clients save over $88 million in taxes through advanced planning, alternative investments, and innovative structuring. With a background in economics and entrepreneurship from UNC Chapel Hill, his journey began in the oil and gas industry, where he first discovered the potential of emerging assets like Bitcoin. That curiosity evolved into a mission: to bridge the knowledge gap in the accounting world and empower both individuals and CPAs with smarter tax strategies.Resources & LinksTo schedule your complimentary Tax Strategy call, 🌐 https://calendly.com/taxessaved/taxanalysis

In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, Chris Larsen takes a personal and practical approach as he introduces his upcoming eBook, How to Be Financially Free by Forty. Chris shares the inspiration behind the book, his own journey, and the foundational principles outlined in Chapter 1.Chris begins by explaining why financial freedom by forty is not just an ambitious goal—it’s an achievable milestone with the right mindset and strategy. Drawing from over two decades of real estate investing experience and his involvement in more than $1.5 billion in acquisitions, he emphasizes that financial independence isn’t about luck or timing the market. Instead, it’s about discipline, education, and consistent action over time.Resources & Linkshttp://www.nextlevelincome.com/financialfreedombookEp. 127: The Perfect Week For Dads (And Everyone Else) With Craig BallantyneEp 245: The Dark Side of Discipline with Craig BallantyneGet a Free Copy of Perfect Week FormulaConsider working with a coach or operator partner, like Craig BallantyneThe 8-Week Passive Income Roadmap Course: Heartbeatapp.heartbeat.chat/nextlevelincome/invitation?code=B23674

In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, the concept of “freedom” has taken on a whole new meaning. For many entrepreneurs, investors, and ambitious professionals, true freedom is no longer just about financial success—it’s about flexibility, mobility, and control over how and where life is lived. In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, Bobby Casey shares powerful insights on how to design a life that aligns with those ideals.Bobby Casey is not your typical entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience starting, acquiring, and exiting businesses, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor in international tax strategy, asset protection, and global mobility. As the managing partner of Global Wealth Protection and the founder of BusinessAnywhere, Bobby has helped thousands of clients structure their businesses and finances in ways that unlock both wealth and freedom.🔗 Connect with Bobby Casey🌐 https://businessanywhere.io🌐 https://linktr.ee/taxjesusYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@businessanywhereInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessanywhereioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessanywhere.ioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BusinessAnywhereLLCPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/BusinessAnywhere/X: https://x.com/BizAnyio

In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, I sit down with Thomas Cox, a Financial Architect and Infinite Banking Strategist, to break down one of the most talked-about yet misunderstood wealth-building strategies today: Infinite Banking Concept (IBC).Thomas Cox brings a unique blend of real-world entrepreneurial experience and sophisticated financial strategy. Before stepping into the world of private capital and real estate, he successfully built and scaled multiple seven-figure catering businesses. Today, he owns 32 multifamily units across the Southeast, operates short-term rentals, and leads a private lending network that fuels deals across the region. Through his firm, Cox Capital, he has helped business owners and investors deploy millions using IBC and private lending strategies designed to build and protect long-term wealth.🔗 Connect with Thomas Cox🌐 https://www.thomascox.co/🌐 https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/5kpri8txgYvqP1j55mGzYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomascox4141Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomascox.coTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thomascox.coFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomascoxmealfit/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomascoxco/

In this milestone episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, I sit down with Craig Ballantyne—widely recognized as the “World’s Most Disciplined Man.” Known for his no-nonsense approach to productivity, performance, and personal growth, Craig has built a reputation for helping high-performing entrepreneurs eliminate chaos, master their time, and achieve extraordinary results.Craig’s journey didn’t begin with perfect discipline. Like many entrepreneurs, he faced setbacks, distractions, and periods of uncertainty. But through years of refinement and relentless commitment, he developed systems that transformed not only his own life, but the lives of thousands of business owners around the world. Today, he stands as a leading business coach for those seeking clarity, control, and consistent high performance.Resources & Links  www.craigballantyne.comEarlyToRise.com

Success at the highest level of sport is rarely just about physical ability—it is about mental resilience, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure. In this episode of the Next Level Income Podcast, we sit down with Brent Bookwalter, a former Olympian and 16-year veteran of professional cycling, to uncover the powerful mental frameworks that fueled his elite career and now help others elevate their performance.Brent’s journey is one of relentless perseverance. As a key domestique on Cadel Evans’ 2011 Tour de France-winning team, Brent understood that success is often built behind the scenes—through teamwork, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to a larger goal. This experience shaped his perspective on leadership and collaboration, emphasizing that true excellence comes from lifting others while staying grounded in your role.Resources & Linkshttps://www.brentbookwalter.com/