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Why Most People Stay Trapped in the Financial Rat Race
The conventional approach to money is broken. Too many people work hard, save diligently, and invest traditionally—only to find themselves financially insecure in retirement. Chris Miles, once a financial advisor himself, realized this hard truth firsthand. Despite managing clients' portfolios and following "smart" advice, none of his clients—or his colleagues—were truly financially free.
The turning point came when Chris reconnected with a former trainee who had left financial advising for real estate investing. That conversation sparked a question that forever altered Chris's career: "How many of your clients are financially free—not just retired, but free from worrying about money?"
The answer was zero.
It wasn’t just a realization. It was a wake-up call. A system overhaul. And it led Chris to embrace what he now calls the cash flow mindset.
The Shift: From Accumulation to Cash Flow
Chris's journey took a radical turn as he abandoned the accumulation model of wealth—the traditional strategy of saving and hoping for compound growth. Instead, he focused on building recurring, passive income streams.
This is where "motivated seller leads" come into play. Finding these leads allowed Chris to start building income-producing real estate investments that paid him monthly, freeing him from the need to work full-time.
He began to see money not as something to store up, but as a tool to buy back time.
What Really Works: Passive Income through Real Assets
Chris's path to financial freedom wasn’t through abstract financial products or stock market speculation. It came from real, tangible assets that provided regular cash flow. These included:
- Turnkey Rental Properties: Managed by professionals in cash-flowing markets like the Midwest and Southeast, these provided consistent double-digit cash-on-cash returns.
- Real Estate Syndications: Investing in apartment complexes, self-storage units, and even mineral rights allowed for shared profits without operational headaches.
- Business Partnerships: By identifying his strengths (teaching and strategy) and outsourcing what he disliked (paperwork), Chris was able to create win-win partnerships that generated income with minimal effort.
- Private Lending and Land Deals: Chris diversified by participating in rezoning projects, short-term real estate loans, and high-yield land flips.
The Power of Knowing Yourself
A key theme in Chris's story is self-awareness. He knew he hated paperwork but loved guiding people. So he built systems around his passions and delegated the rest. He turned mortgages into profit-sharing partnerships. He let property managers handle rentals. He found people who loved doing the things he loathed.
That shift—from doing it all himself to leveraging others’ strengths—was essential.
Infinite Banking (Done Right)
Chris also uses Infinite Banking as a stability tool, but he's cautious about how it's done. Many insurance agents oversell or misstructure these policies, costing clients in the long run.
His approach? Design low-cost, flexible whole life insurance policies that allow investors to borrow against their cash value while still earning returns. It’s not the secret to wealth—but when done properly, it can amplify what you’re already doing.
Turnkey Rentals: A Game-Changer for Time-Starved Investors
Chris emphasizes that not all markets are created equal. Turnkey providers in Florida might be overvalued now, but the Midwest and Southeast still offer strong numbers. That’s why he maintains a network of vetted providers across different regions, matching investors with the right opportunity.
These properties aren’t just about convenience—they’re about scalability. With the right provider, investors can build a portfolio without being on call for plumbing issues at midnight.
The Ultimate Goal: Time Freedom, Not Just Money
Chris's vision of freedom is rooted in time, not dollars. Initially, he imagined traveling full-time. Later, he realized he simply wanted control—over his work, his family time, his passions (like ballroom dancing), and his impact.
Today, teaching others how to create financial freedom is his real calling. Whether it’s through helping someone leverage home equity or strategizing passive income opportunities, he sees money as a servant, not a master.
From Accidental Dancer to Purpose-Driven Educator
Chris's story isn’t all numbers and strategy. His journey into ballroom dancing started in college after overhearing a girl say, "There are lots of girls in that class." What began as curiosity led to becoming one of the nation’s top amateur dancers. Though he doesn’t teach dancing today, the experience taught him how to commit, show up consistently, and follow passion—lessons he now applies in teaching financial independence.
The Clark Partnership – Outsourcing for Freedom
While transitioning away from financial advising, Chris stayed involved as a mortgage broker. But he hated paperwork. So he partnered with a colleague named Clark, where Chris would educate the client and Clark would handle the rest—with a 50/50 commission split. That simple partnership generated thousands in passive income and was one of his earliest experiences of outsourcing to buy back time.
Lessons from a Failed Infinite Banking Policy
Early on, Chris lost $25,000 in a poorly designed whole life policy sold to him under the guise of Infinite Banking. The cash value dwindled during the recession, and the policy lapsed when he couldn’t keep up with premiums. This experience fuels his current mission to design low-cost, resilient policies that actually serve investors.
When Travel Isn’t the Dream
Chris originally envisioned full-time travel as his end goal. But when asked if he’d really want to travel 52 weeks a year, he realized he wouldn’t. Instead, a mix of part-time travel and meaningful work (like teaching or consulting) was more fulfilling. Freedom, for Chris, means choosing how to spend time—not filling it aimlessly.
Resilience After Divorce and Business Rebuild
After going through a divorce, Chris had to pare his business down to its leanest form. He rebuilt Money Ripples with a renewed focus and eventually scaled back up by hiring team members, systemizing operations, and returning to the very principles he teaches. His story is one of not just success—but resilience and intentional rebuilding.
Knowing When to Scale and Let Go
Chris confessed he avoided seemingly "small" tasks like setting up a Google Voice number, instead just using his personal cell number on his website. It wasn’t laziness—it was a symptom of trying to do it all himself. Letting go of those duties and hiring people who loved that work was key to real growth.
His Father’s Retirement Reality
Chris’s father did everything "right" per traditional advice: paid off debt, maxed out retirement accounts, saved diligently. Yet, when Chris sat down with him as a financial advisor, he discovered that his dad still wasn’t financially free. That moment underscored a lifelong lesson: following the rules doesn’t guarantee freedom.
Chris's Favorite Book (Besides the Bible)
Though he acknowledges the Bible as the foundational book in his life, Chris also cites Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand as a favorite. The themes of independence, self-determination, and questioning the status quo align deeply with his own financial journey.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mindset matters more than money. Stop chasing accumulation. Focus on cash flow.
- Passive income creates true freedom. Start with motivated seller leads and build from there.
- Know your strengths. Delegate the rest.
- Use Infinite Banking wisely. Structured right, it can boost your returns.
- Invest in real assets. Turnkey rentals and syndications provide reliable income.
- Real estate offers variety. Explore rentals, storage units, land flips, and even mineral rights.
- You don’t need millions. Chris became financially free with modest capital by using smart strategy.
- You can scale without burnout. Systems and partnerships are key.
- Financial advisors aren’t always free. Most don’t practice what they preach.
- Don’t wait. Your freedom begins the moment you choose a new path.
Who Should Pay Attention?
Chris's message resonates with:
- Real estate investors who want reliable cash flow.
- Business owners tired of being trapped in the day-to-day.
- Dave Ramsey graduates who saved well but still feel stuck.
- Anyone questioning whether traditional retirement plans are enough.
If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, you’re the ideal audience.
Build Your Own Freedom
Ready to break out of the rat race and start creating lasting wealth? Don’t just save—strategize.
Start building your business with motivated seller leads, invest in real assets, and design a lifestyle that pays you back.
Visit MoneyRipples.com or check out the Money Ripples YouTube channel to begin your journey.
You don’t have to settle for survival. Build a business that funds your freedom.
