Blog

Plain-English articles on Solo 401(k) plans.

Education for self-employed and 1099 professionals - plan rules, structure, real-estate considerations and administration. Educational only; not legal, tax or investment advice.

Investment Guidance

How to Evaluate a Real Estate Investment for Your Solo 401(k)

Thinking about using your Solo 401(k) to invest in real estate? Before you buy, it's important to know how to evaluate a property beyond its asking price. In this guide, you'll learn how to assess cash flow, market trends, appreciation potential, financing options, property condition, liquidity, and IRS compliance considerations so you can make informed investment decisions. Whether you're purchasing your first rental property or expanding your retirement portfolio, this article provides practical insights to help you evaluate real estate opportunities with confidence while keeping your long-term retirement goals in focus.

By Garrett Clark

Wealth Management

How Skipping a $6 Coffee Could Turn Into $60,000

The Power of Small Habits and Big Financial Wins

By Garrett Clark

Investment Guidance

How to Use a Solo 401(k) for Real Estate Investing

Did you know your retirement plan can help you invest in real estate - without paying capital gains taxes up front? A Solo 401(k) offers self-employed individuals the power to invest in alternative assets like rental properties, land, and even real estate syndications. In this blog, we explain how to use a self-directed Solo 401(k) to build wealth through real estate, including IRS rules, tax advantages, and how to stay compliant. If you're ready to diversify beyond stocks, this strategy could unlock serious long-term returns.

By Garrett Clark

Financial Guidance

How to Manage Your Solo 401(k): Should You Do It Yourself or Build a Professional Team?

One of the biggest advantages of a Solo 401(k) is the level of control it gives you over your retirement savings - but with that control comes responsibility. Should you manage your Solo 401(k) yourself, or is it better to work with a team of professionals? The answer depends on your experience, investment strategy, and willingness to stay organized. In this guide, we'll explain what responsibilities come with managing a Solo 401(k), when a do-it-yourself approach may work well, when professional guidance can add value, and how building the right team can help you stay compliant while focusing on growing your retirement wealth.

By Garrett Clark

Estate Planning

How to Find Retirement Accounts You Forgot About

Over the course of a career, it's common to accumulate retirement accounts from multiple employers. Unfortunately, many of these accounts are forgotten after changing jobs, moving, or simply losing track of old paperwork. In fact, billions of dollars in retirement assets remain in unclaimed or inactive accounts across the United States. If you think you may have an old 401(k), pension, or other retirement account that's been left behind, this guide will walk you through how to find it, what to do once you locate it, and how eligible self-employed individuals may be able to consolidate certain former employer retirement accounts into a Solo 401(k) for easier management and greater flexibility.

By Garrett Clark

Retirement planning

How to Use Your Solo 401(k) to Build Your Dream Business-And Retire Early!

What if your retirement plan could also fuel your entrepreneurial dreams? With a Solo 401(k), it can. This blog explores how self-employed individuals can strategically use their Solo 401(k) to not only secure their future but also build the business they’ve always dreamed of. From tax-deferred growth to flexible investment options - including real estate and private equity - you’ll learn how to leverage this powerful tool to grow your wealth and accelerate your path to early retirement.

By Garrett Clark

Tax Planning

How Entrepreneurs Can Potentially Shelter More Income

Learn how entrepreneurs and self-employed business owners may potentially shelter more income through legal, tax-advantaged retirement strategies like the Solo 401(k). Explore contribution opportunities, tax-deferred growth, investment flexibility, and important rules every business owner should understand when building long-term wealth.

By Garrett Clark

Solo Business Guidance

How Firefighters, Police Officers, and First Responders Can Use Side Businesses to Build Additional Retirement Wealth

Many firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and other first responders rely on pensions as the foundation of their retirement plan, but a pension doesn't have to be your only source of future wealth. In this article, we explore how side businesses can help first responders generate additional income, create new retirement opportunities, and potentially build long-term financial security. Learn how entrepreneurship, self-employment income, and tools like the Solo 401(k) can work alongside your pension to help you pursue greater financial freedom, investment flexibility, and retirement confidence both during and after your years of service.

By Garrett Clark

Debt Management

How Military Families Can Create a Bulletproof Budget

Military families live a unique lifestyle, filled with both privileges and challenges. From the frequent relocations and deployments to variable income sources and reintegration into civilian life, managing finances in the armed forces requires an approach that is both proactive and flexible. Traditional budgeting techniques often fall short in a military context, which is why creating a bulletproof budget - one that withstands instability, adapts to life changes, and supports long-term goals - is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step how military families can take control of their financial future with a system that’s resilient, sustainable, and customized for the demands of service life.

By Garrett Clark

Wealth Management

How Much of Your Income Should You Invest?

How much of your income should you invest? Learn how factors like age, income, debt, retirement goals, and business ownership can influence your ideal investment rate, plus how tools like a Solo 401(k) can help eligible self-employed individuals build long-term wealth more efficiently.

By Garrett Clark

Tax Planning

How Solo 401(k)s Reduce Taxes for High Earners

High earners and business owners often pay more in taxes than necessary. This blog breaks down how a Solo 401(k) can reduce taxable income, increase retirement contributions, and create long-term tax-efficient wealth.

By Garrett Clark

Retirement planning

How Fitness Professionals on 1099 Income Can Use an LLC and Solo 401(k) to Build Wealth and Their Business

Fitness professionals earning 1099 income have a unique opportunity to build real wealth. This guide breaks down how to use an LLC and Solo 401(k) together to reduce taxes, access capital, and create long-term financial growth through smarter structure and strategy.

By Garrett Clark

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When the reading has answered your questions, the Application Center walks through what to have ready.

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