Can You Really Afford a $400K House? What First-Time Buyers Need to Know

Can You Really Afford a $400K House? What First-Time Buyers Need to Know

If you’re looking at a $400,000 house—or even a $300,000 one—this episode is for you. Home prices across the Midwest have climbed steadily, and many first-time buyers are asking the same question: Is it better to keep renting, or is it finally time to buy? In this episode, Brad Connors breaks down the real numbers behind buying a home in today’s market. It’s not just the sticker price. Brad walks through what buyers often overlook: * Why you need more than just a 10% down payment * How closing costs add thousands to your upfront cash requirement * What today’s interest rates actually mean for your monthly payment * Why you shouldn’t borrow your down payment from a 401(k) * How equity building compares to paying rent For example, on a $300,000 home, you may need $35,000–$36,000 saved before you even walk into the bank. And at current rates, your monthly payment could land around $2,100. Compare that to rent in many metro areas—and the math starts to get interesting. Brad also cautions against rushing in without a savings cushion or buying with a short-term mindset. If you sell six months later, the only guaranteed winners are the fee collectors. This conversation isn’t about timing the housing market. It’s about preparation, leverage, and making sure your decision aligns with your long-term plan. If you’re debating rent vs. buy, this episode will help you think through the numbers clearly—and avoid costly mistakes. #iWealth #HomeBuying #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #RealEstatePlanning #FinancialPlanning #MidwestHousing #WealthEducation iWealth SUBSCRIBE Education is first! At iWealth we pride ourselves on helping people make smart decisions when it comes to money. You know how to make money, but do you know how to keep it? Invest it? Manage it so that it works for you? iWealth provides practical thinking tools and structures which will help you achieve your biggest goals and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life. ►Please take a moment to comment and let us know what you thought of this video. Want to learn more about how iWealth can help you feel confident about your financial future? Schedule a complementary 30-minute discovery call to get clear on your financial goals, what might be standing in your way, and if iWealth is a good fit for you. Click here to book your call today: https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors [https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors] ►For more educational tips and wisdom from iWealth: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos [https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me [https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/] Podcast: https://anchor.fm/iwealth [https://anchor.fm/iwealth] Twitter: https://twitter.com/iWealth4me [https://twitter.com/iWealth4me] Book: https://fishdontclap.com/#home [https://fishdontclap.com/#home].

Are Airline Miles a Trap? The Truth About Credit Card Rewards

This episode is for anyone who loves the idea of “free” airline miles, cash-back bonuses, and premium travel perks—but wonders if there’s more going on behind the scenes. Brad Connors and Mega Matt break down the psychology and math behind credit card reward programs—and why Brad instinctively cringes when someone says they “need” a specific card for the miles. On the surface, rewards cards can make sense. If you pay your balance off every single month and stay disciplined, there can be perks. But here’s the bigger question: Who really wins this game? Brad explains how major credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard understand behavioral data at a level most consumers never consider. Entire teams analyze spending habits, payment delays, and human psychology to design systems where a percentage of users inevitably carry balances—and pay high interest. The episode explores: * Why most people overestimate their ability to “beat the system” * How small payment delays can snowball into major debt * The role of behavioral psychology in credit marketing * When rewards might make sense—and when they don’t * Why discipline matters more than perks The analogy? It’s like a casino. You can win—but the building tells you who usually does. If you’re using credit cards for miles, this conversation will challenge you to think deeper about risk, behavior, and whether the rewards are truly worth it. #iWealth #CreditCards #AirlineMiles #PersonalFinance #MoneyMindset #DebtAwareness #FinancialPlanning iWealth SUBSCRIBE Education is first! At iWealth we pride ourselves on helping people make smart decisions when it comes to money. You know how to make money, but do you know how to keep it? Invest it? Manage it so that it works for you? iWealth provides practical thinking tools and structures which will help you achieve your biggest goals and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life. ►Please take a moment to comment and let us know what you thought of this video. Want to learn more about how iWealth can help you feel confident about your financial future? Schedule a complementary 30-minute discovery call to get clear on your financial goals, what might be standing in your way, and if iWealth is a good fit for you. Click here to book your call today: https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors [https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors] ►For more educational tips and wisdom from iWealth: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos [https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me [https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/] Podcast: https://anchor.fm/iwealth [https://anchor.fm/iwealth] Twitter: https://twitter.com/iWealth4me [https://twitter.com/iWealth4me] Book: https://fishdontclap.com/#home [https://fishdontclap.com/#home].

A $10 Million Life Insurance Mistake What Kyle Busch’s Story Teaches Investors

This episode is for anyone who owns life insurance—or is considering it—and wants to understand what they’re actually buying. After a client sent Kyle Busch’s viral TikTok video about a lawsuit involving a life insurance policy, Brad Connors and Mega Matt unpack what likely went wrong—and what everyday investors can learn from it. The conversation centers around a high-dollar policy reportedly issued by Pacific Life and why not all life insurance is created equal. Brad explains the critical difference between term insurance and permanent policies like whole life, universal life, indexed universal life, and variable universal life—and how death benefit size dramatically impacts commissions, cash value growth, and long-term performance. Here’s the key takeaway: Two policies from the same company can look similar on paper but function completely differently based on how they’re designed. Brad breaks down: * How large death benefits can reduce cash value growth * Why illustrations matter (and what assumptions to question) * The importance of asking “What could go wrong?” * Why blind trust—without understanding—can be costly * How commissions can influence policy structure This isn’t about attacking companies or individuals. It’s about responsibility. Consumers must ask better questions, demand realistic projections, and understand how policies are structured before committing serious money. Whether you’re evaluating life insurance as protection, a cash-value tool, or part of a larger strategy, this episode will help you think more clearly and avoid common design pitfalls. #iWealth #LifeInsurance #FinancialPlanning #KyleBusch #WealthEducation #InsuranceDesign #MoneyDecisions iWealth SUBSCRIBE Education is first! At iWealth we pride ourselves on helping people make smart decisions when it comes to money. You know how to make money, but do you know how to keep it? Invest it? Manage it so that it works for you? iWealth provides practical thinking tools and structures which will help you achieve your biggest goals and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life. ►Please take a moment to comment and let us know what you thought of this video. Want to learn more about how iWealth can help you feel confident about your financial future? Schedule a complementary 30-minute discovery call to get clear on your financial goals, what might be standing in your way, and if iWealth is a good fit for you. Click here to book your call today: https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors [https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors] ►For more educational tips and wisdom from iWealth: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos [https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me [https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/] Podcast: https://anchor.fm/iwealth [https://anchor.fm/iwealth] Twitter: https://twitter.com/iWealth4me [https://twitter.com/iWealth4me] Book: https://fishdontclap.com/#home [https://fishdontclap.com/#home]

5 Mistakes to Avoid in a Market Downturn

If you’re feeling nervous about a potential market downturn, you’re not alone. After two strong years in the market, it’s natural to wonder what comes next—and how to protect what you’ve built.In this episode of the iWealth Podcast, Brad Connors shares five practical principles to help you think clearly when markets get volatile. This isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about controlling what you can.Brad walks through five common mistakes investors make during downturns:1. Panic selling when markets drop2. Trying to time the market3. Ignoring diversification4. Skipping portfolio rebalancing5. Overreacting to headlines and news cyclesHe explains why emotional decisions often do more damage than the downturn itself—and how disciplined behavior over time leads to better outcomes.If you’ve ever felt the urge to “do something” when markets fall, this conversation will help you pause, zoom out, and focus on long-term strategy instead of short-term fear. Market volatility is part of investing. The key is having a plan before emotions take over.Watch this episode to learn how to stay steady, stay diversified, and stay aligned with your long-term goals—no matter what the market does next.#iWealth #MarketDownturn #InvestingWisely #LongTermInvesting #FinancialPlanning #WealthEducation #MarketVolatility**iWealth****SUBSCRIBE**Education is first! At iWealth we pride ourselves on helping people make smart decisions when it comes to money. You know how to make money, but do you know how to keep it? Invest it? Manage it so that it works for you? iWealth provides practical thinking tools and structures which will help you achieve your biggest goals and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life.►Please take a moment to comment and let us know what you thought of this video. Want to learn more about how iWealth can help you feel confident about your financial future? Schedule a complementary 30-minute discovery call to get clear on your financial goals, what might be standing in your way, and if iWealth is a good fit for you. Click here to book your call today: [https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors](https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors)►For more educational tips and wisdom from iWealth:YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos](https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos)Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me](https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me)LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/)Podcast: [https://anchor.fm/iwealth](https://anchor.fm/iwealth)Twitter: [https://twitter.com/iWealth4me](https://twitter.com/iWealth4me)Book: [https://fishdontclap.com/#home](https://fishdontclap.com/#home).

Should You Hire a Financial Advisor You Know?

This episode is for anyone who’s been asked to work with a financial advisor simply because you know them—through church, a bowling league, your neighborhood, or mutual friends—and you’re wondering how much weight that relationship should really carry.Brad Connors and Mega Matt dig into a question that comes up more often than people admit: *Should familiarity automatically equal trust when it comes to your money?* And just as importantly—when should it not?Brad explains why knowing someone socially can be helpful, but only if their character, behavior, and values consistently line up with yours. Over time, how someone talks about others, handles conflict, carries themselves, and lives out their values becomes a powerful indicator of how they might treat your financial life. Familiarity doesn’t create trust—patterns do.The conversation also explores the difference between hiring someone you personally know versus working with an advisor recommended by a trusted friend. In both cases, Brad emphasizes slowing the process down, asking thoughtful questions, and treating the relationship like dating—not marriage. Your life savings deserve more than a quick decision made out of social pressure or convenience.They also address a common fear: *“What if the market goes down and I’m mad at someone I know?”* Brad challenges that thinking, arguing that when markets are volatile, the person who cares most about you may actually be the best guide—not a stranger.If you’ve ever felt awkward navigating money conversations with friends, family, or referrals, this episode will help you think clearly, trust wisely, and choose an advisor based on alignment—not proximity.#iWealth #FinancialAdvisor #ChoosingAnAdvisor #MoneyConversations #WealthPlanning #TrustAndMoney #FinancialEducation**iWealth****SUBSCRIBE**Education is first! At iWealth we pride ourselves on helping people make smart decisions when it comes to money. You know how to make money, but do you know how to keep it? Invest it? Manage it so that it works for you? iWealth provides practical thinking tools and structures which will help you achieve your biggest goals and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life.►Please take a moment to comment and let us know what you thought of this video. Want to learn more about how iWealth can help you feel confident about your financial future? Schedule a complementary 30-minute discovery call to get clear on your financial goals, what might be standing in your way, and if iWealth is a good fit for you. Click here to book your call today: [https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors](https://go.oncehub.com/BradConnors)►For more educational tips and wisdom from iWealth:YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos](https://www.youtube.com/user/iWealthTV/videos)Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me](https://www.facebook.com/iWealth4me)LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradconnors/)Podcast: [https://anchor.fm/iwealth](https://anchor.fm/iwealth)Twitter: [https://twitter.com/iWealth4me](https://twitter.com/iWealth4me)Book: [https://fishdontclap.com/#home](https://fishdontclap.com/#home)