Financial Freedom Starts with Skills, Not Sacrifice with Zach Richards Ep. 1

Episode 1: Financial Freedom Starts with Skills, Not Sacrifice What if the “smart” money advice you’ve heard your whole life is keeping you stuck? Our focus with this episode is all about this show’s big idea: saving can only ever get you to zero, but earning can be unlimited. In this episode, co-host Mike Seidl interviews co-host Zach Richards, and they discuss the inspiration of the podcast. You’ll hear why Zach thinks coupon clipping and budgeting hacks are a puddle, not a plan. And he explains how investing in your skills, knowledge, and opportunities can open doors that savings alone never will. You’ll also get Zach’s background story. He grew up solidly middle class, learning the “be careful with money” mindset, and what changed when he started thinking like a business owner. They get into risk, why relying on a W2 can feel “safe” but isn’t always, and why wealthy people talk about money… without it being bragging. If you’ve ever felt like budgeting harder still isn’t getting you ahead, this episode is your sign. Stop trying to “save your way out” and start learning how to build. You’ll Learn in This Episode Who this podcast is for What “Save to Zero” really means Why knowledge is a personal advantage Why day trading isn’t the shortcut people think it is What wealthy people do differently A simple explanation of “house hacking” How Zach’s view of risk has changed What “sequence of returns risk” is What a self-directed IRA is The money myth Zach is tired of Rapid Fire Round: What’s the worst money advice ever received? “Just keep money in a savings account and get ahead.” What’s one book/podcast that changed how you think? Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter What’s your guilty pleasure purchase? A giant excavator for my land to create trails and fields. What do you do with $100,000 in passive income? Take a good chunk of it for a phone-free vacation with my wife, and reinvest the rest. What’s one thing you wish you knew at 21? If I actually sat down and focused, how much further ahead I’d be. I wasted a lot of time. What does financial freedom mean to you? “Time to do what I want, with who I want, where I want.” Quotes “If you spend your time focused on saving money, that’s where you will get your result. If you focus your time on making money, that’s where you’ll get your result.” “Saving money is a puddle… making money is the ocean because it’s unlimited.” “It’s worth it to invest in yourself and bet on yourself and learn new skills rather than focus on household budget and saving money.”   Find REI Capital Guys For Investors & the Fund – Learn how the Fund works and book a call For Borrowers & Deals – Get funding and support for your next investment