THE NEW RETIREMENT FORMULA: Save Smarter, Invest Better, Keep More.

“What if everything you’ve been told about retirement savings is keeping you broke?”

“74% of people under 50 are trapped in what Goldman Sachs calls the ‘financial vortex’—a death spiral where you’re working harder than ever but your retirement account barely moves. And here’s what nobody’s telling you: it’s not your fault. The game changed, but the playbook didn’t.

Housing costs exploded from 33% to 51% of your income. Healthcare doubled. Childcare up 50%. But your salary? Barely budged. So when financial gurus tell you to ‘just save more,’ they’re gaslighting you.”

“Today, I’m breaking down the NEW retirement formula that actually works in 2025. It’s not about sacrifice. It’s about strategy. And there’s one move in particular—most people miss it completely—that could add $200,000 to your retirement without working a single extra hour.

“Let me tell you about Sarah. 34 years old, marketing manager, makes $75K a year—decent money, right? She’s doing everything ‘right’ according to traditional advice. Contributing to her 401(k). Budgeting. Cutting lattes—yeah, we’re still hearing that one.

But last year? She paused her retirement contributions for six months. Why? Her car died, her daughter needed braces, and her rent went up $300 a month. All in the same quarter.

Sarah isn’t reckless. She’s not living beyond her means. She’s living in 2025, where the cost of basic life events is eating retirement dreams alive.

And here’s the kicker—Sarah’s story isn’t unique. It’s the statistical NORM. According to the latest Goldman Sachs data, 42% of younger workers are living paycheck to paycheck, and that number is projected to hit 55% by 2033.

Think about that. In eight years, more than half of working Americans will have ZERO financial margin. None.”

“So what’s this ‘financial vortex’ I mentioned?

It’s not some fancy Wall Street term. It’s simple: life events compete with your long-term savings, and life always wins. Student loans, car payments, medical bills, childcare—they create a whirlpool that sucks money away from your future.

The vortex feeds on itself. You skip retirement savings to handle an emergency. That emergency often leads to debt. Debt payments then prevent future savings. And round and round you go.”

The Real Problem

“Here’s what the data shows—and this is where it gets scary:

- Start saving just 10 years late? You lose 38% of your potential retirement savings. Gone.

- Out of work for eight years over your career? That’s a 27% hit.

- Cash out your 401(k) early just ONCE? There goes 17%.

- And here’s the one that keeps me up at night: getting just 1% lower investment returns over your career costs you 20% of your retirement. For most people, that’s $200,000 left on the table.

These aren’t hypotheticals. These are mathematical certainties. The compound interest that makes wealth building possible? It also makes mistakes EXPENSIVE.

But—and this is crucial—it also makes smart moves incredibly valuable. Small changes, consistently applied, create massive outcomes.

So the question isn’t ‘Can you still retire comfortably?’ The question is: ‘Are you willing to play a different game?’

Because the old playbook—save 15%, buy index funds, don’t touch it—that was built for a world where housing was affordable, healthcare was reasonable, and pensions existed. That world is dead.

We need a new formula.”

PART 1: SAVE SMARTER

“The new formula has three parts: Save Smarter, Bet Better, and Keep More. And in just a few minutes, I’m going to show you how someone making the median income can potentially add an extra $500,000 to their retirement using these strategies. But first, we need to talk about the biggest mistake people make with their 401(k).”

The Guaranteed Win Strategy

“Let’s start with Save Smarter. This is about working WITH the system, not against it.

First move: stop leaving free money on the table.

Goldman Sachs found that people with access to employer-sponsored retirement plans have a 29% higher savings-to-income ratio. That’s not because they make more money. It’s because the structure FORCES good behavior.

Your employer match is the only guaranteed return left in investing. If your company matches 50 cents on the dollar up to 6% of your salary, that’s an instant 50% return. Show me a Bitcoin bro who can guarantee that. I’ll wait.

But here’s what I see constantly: people chasing 10% returns in the stock market while ignoring their employer’s 100% match. That’s not optimizing. That’s financial malpractice.

WEALTH DECISION PRINCIPLE #1: “Guaranteed returns beat optimistic projections every single time.”

What does this mean? It means you match first, optimize later. Before you put a single dollar into crypto, real estate, or that hot stock tip from your brother-in-law, you max out the guaranteed wins. Employer match, HSA contributions, tax deductions—these are your foundation. Everything else is speculation.

Example: Let’s say you make $60K and your employer matches 50% up to 6%. That’s 6% from you ($3,600), plus 3% from them ($1,800). That’s $5,400 per year. Over 30 years at 7% returns? That’s $516,000. And $155,000 of that was FREE MONEY from your employer.

You can’t beat that with day trading. You can’t beat that with side hustles. You can’t beat that with anything. It’s free. Take it.”

Automation Strategy

Second smart move: automate before you see it.

Here’s a psychological truth: you will spend what’s in your checking account. Period. Doesn’t matter how disciplined you think you are. If the money’s visible, it’s spendable.

The solution? Pay yourself first through automation. Set up your paycheck so retirement contributions come OUT before the money hits your account.

This isn’t about willpower. It’s about systems. You don’t ‘try’ to save. You engineer an environment where saving happens automatically.

And here’s the data to back it up: 58% of workers believe they’ll outlive their retirement savings. You know why? Because they’re trying to save what’s LEFT OVER at the end of the month. And there’s never anything left over.

But when you automate it? When that money never touches your checking account? Suddenly it’s possible. You adjust your lifestyle to what’s available, not what’s earned.”

Personalized Planning Edge

Third smart move: get a personalized plan.

Retirees who saved with a personalized financial plan had a 27% higher savings-to-income ratio compared to those who winged it. 27%! That’s not a rounding error. That’s the difference between retiring at 67 and retiring at 62.

This could be a CFP, a robo-advisor, or even a comprehensive financial planning app. The tool matters less than the fact that you HAVE a strategy customized to your situation.

Because your retirement math is unique. Your risk tolerance, time horizon, income stability, family situation—these variables create thousands of possible paths. Generic advice optimizes for nobody. Personalized strategy optimizes for YOU.

PART 2: BET BETTER

“Alright, we’ve covered Solve Smarter—automation, guaranteed wins, personalized plans. Now let’s talk about Bet Better. This is where we address the income problem directly.

Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: sometimes you can’t budget your way to wealth. If 55% of workers are going to be living paycheck to paycheck by 2033, the problem isn’t spending. It’s insufficient income.

You need multiple streams. Let me show you how.”

Side Hustle Mathematics

Stream number one: strategic side income.

Let’s do simple math. $200 extra per month. That’s it. One weekend side hustle—DoorDash, freelance writing, dog walking, whatever matches your skills.

$200 per month, invested from age 30 to 65 at a conservative 7% annual return, becomes $325,000.

Read that again. Three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars. From $200 a month.

That’s the power of compound interest working FOR you instead of AGAINST you in credit card debt.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: ‘Brian, I’m already exhausted. I don’t have time for a side hustle.’ I hear you. But consider this—what if you monetized something you’re already doing?

Love fitness? Personal training pays $50-100 per hour.

Love gaming? Content creators make $3-10K per month once established.

Good at your job? Consulting in your field can bring in $100-200 per hour.

The key is picking ONE thing, mastering it, then scaling. Don’t try to do five side hustles. Do one well.”

“And actually—here’s a question for you: What skill do you have right now that someone would pay for? Reply to my pinned comment below with your answer. I’m curious what untapped income streams are sitting in this audience.”

Passive Income Plays

Stream number two: passive income that actually works.

Not ‘make money while you sleep’ scams. Real strategies:

Rent unused assets: Got a parking spot you don’t use? Rent it for $200-400 per month on apps like SpotHero. That’s $2,400-4,800 per year. Over 30 years invested? That’s $226,000 to $453,000.

Got a spare room? Airbnb it on weekends only. Even $300 per month extra becomes $283,000 over 30 years.

See the pattern? You’re not creating new time. You’re monetizing existing assets.

**Digital products**: Create once, sell forever. Online courses, ebooks, stock photos, design templates. The upfront work is significant, but the ongoing income is truly passive.

Even just $300 per month in passive income becomes $340,000 invested over a career. That could be the difference between retiring comfortably and working until 70.”

Stream three: smarter investment allocations.

Goldman’s research shows that modest allocation to private markets can add 0.50% in excess annual returns. Doesn’t sound like much, right? But over a career, that’s 14% higher retirement savings.

Similarly, allocating 30% to guaranteed income products like annuities can boost retirement income by 23% compared to the traditional 4% withdrawal rule.

WEALTH DECISION PRINCIPLE #2: “Small percentages create massive outcomes over time.”**

This is the hardest concept for people to internalize. A 1% difference seems trivial today. But over 30 years? That 1% lower return costs you $200,000. That 0.5% higher return adds $140,000.

In retirement planning, there are no small differences. Everything compounds.

**Coming up: the ruthless cost-cutting strategies that don’t require sacrifice. Including one insurance hack that could save you $1,200 a year. Don’t go anywhere.**”

PART 3: KEEP MORE

“Okay, we’ve talked about solving smarter and betting better. Now let’s talk about Keep More—because it doesn’t matter how much you make if it all disappears into expenses.

But I’m not going to tell you to stop buying lattes. That’s garbage advice that saves you $4 while ignoring the $2,000 you’re overpaying on insurance.

We’re going after the BIG expenses. The ones that actually move the needle.”

Big Win #1: Housing.

Housing went from 33% to 51% of income over the past 25 years. For most people, this is their largest expense by far.

House hacking: Live in a duplex, rent out the other side. Or rent out your basement. Or Airbnb a spare room. Even $800 per month in rental income equals $9,600 per year. Invested over 30 years? That’s $900,000.

Yes, you’ll have roommates or tenants. But you’ll also retire a millionaire. Choose your hard.

Strategic relocation: Could you handle a 20-minute longer commute to save $500 per month on rent or mortgage? That’s $6,000 per year, which becomes $566,000 over 30 years invested.

I’m not saying everyone should do this. But if you’re 30 years old and struggling to save anything? This math is worth considering.”

Big Win #2: Insurance optimization.

Most people overpay on insurance by hundreds per month because they set it and forget it. Let’s fix that.

Homeowners insurance: Shop every single year. Get quotes from at least three companies. Increase your deductible from $500 to $1,000—you’ll save 10-25% on premiums. Bundle home and auto with the same company for another 15-25% discount. Remove insurance on items you can afford to replace yourself.

Average savings? $600-1,200 per year. That’s $11,300 to $22,600 over 30 years invested.

Auto insurance: Same strategy. Shop annually. Increase deductibles. Remove collision coverage on cars worth less than $3,000. Ask about low-mileage discounts if you work from home. Drop rental car coverage if you have other vehicles.

Another $400-800 per year saved. That’s $7,500 to $15,000 over a career.

Health insurance: Maximize your HSA. This is the most tax-advantaged account in existence—tax deductible going in, grows tax-free, withdrawals are tax-free for medical expenses. And after age 65, it works exactly like a traditional IRA for non-medical expenses.

Max contribution is $4,300 for individuals, $8,550 for families in 2025. Over 30 years at 7% returns? That’s $434,000 to $864,000.”

Big Win #3: The subscription audit.

Average household wastes $80 per month on forgotten subscriptions. Gym memberships they don’t use. Streaming services they’ve replaced. Apps they downloaded once.

30 minutes. That’s all this takes. Go through your bank statements. Cancel ruthlessly. Automate that $80 per month straight to retirement.

That’s $960 per year. Over 30 years invested? $91,000.

From deleting apps.

**WEALTH DECISION PRINCIPLE #3: “Convenience costs compound, discipline creates wealth.”**

Every subscription, every automatic payment, every ‘small’ expense—they all compound against you. But when you flip that script and redirect those small amounts toward assets? They compound FOR you instead.

That’s the game. Get compound interest working in your favor, not against you.”

ACTIONABLE TAKEAWAYS & ACTION PLAN

The 5-Minute Challenge

“Alright, here’s your action plan. I want you to take action on this TODAY. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.

The 5-Minute Retirement Accelerator Challenge:**

Step 1 (2 minutes): Log into your 401(k) and check your employer match. Are you maxing it out? If not, increase your contribution TODAY to capture the full match. This is the highest-return move you can possibly make.

Step 2 (2 minutes): Set up ONE automatic transfer from checking to a Roth IRA or brokerage account. Even if it’s just $50 per paycheck. Automate it. Make it invisible.

Step 3(1 minute): Cancel one subscription you’re not actively using. One. That’s it. Take that monthly amount and add it to your automatic transfer from Step 2.

Five minutes. Three moves. Potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.”

Advanced Action Steps

“If you want to go deeper—and you should—here are your next steps:

This week:

- Shop your homeowners and auto insurance. Get three quotes minimum.

- Audit all subscriptions and cancel unused ones.

- Calculate your side hustle potential. What’s one skill you could monetize for an extra $200-500 per month?

This month:

- Meet with a financial advisor or set up a robo-advisor account for personalized planning.

- Max out your employer match if you haven’t already.

- Set up or max out your HSA contributions.

This quarter:

- Explore house hacking opportunities if applicable.

- Launch your side income stream.

- Review and optimize your investment allocations.

Remember: 58% of workers think they’ll outlive their retirement savings. But that doesn’t have to be you. You now have the formula: Solve Smarter, Bet Better, Keep More.

The question is: will you execute?”

CONCLUSION & CALL TO ACTION

“Let’s recap the three Wealth Decision Principles from today:

**Principle #1**: Guaranteed returns beat optimistic projections every single time. Max your employer match before chasing market returns.

**Principle #2**: Small percentages create massive outcomes over time. A 1% difference compounds to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

**Principle #3**: Convenience costs compound, discipline creates wealth. Every small expense works against you—unless you redirect it to work FOR you.

If this video helped you see retirement planning differently, smash that like button. Drop a comment below telling me which of the three strategies you’re implementing first—Solve Smarter, Bet Better, or Keep More. I read every single comment and I’ll reply with personalized advice for your situation.

And obviously, subscribe to the channel. We drop a new Wealth Decisions episode every week, breaking down complex financial topics into actionable strategies you can use immediately.*

“Here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud: the retirement system is broken. It was built for a different economy, a different cost structure, a different world.

But that doesn’t mean YOU’RE broken. And it doesn’t mean retirement is impossible.

It means you need a better strategy. Not more sacrifice. Not more guilt. Just smarter execution.

74% of people under 50 are trapped in the financial vortex. You now have the tools to escape it. Use them.”

“Next week, we’re diving into something controversial: why your financial advisor might be keeping you poor, and the three questions you need to ask to find out. If you have a financial advisor—or you’re thinking about hiring one—you can’t miss that episode.

Until then, go take the 5-Minute Challenge. Make one smart money move today.

This is Brian, and you just made a better wealth decision. I’ll see you next week.”