Ep 82: I Spent $72,000 on One Decision—Here’s Why It Wasn’t Crazy
Release Date: 10/22/2025
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Ep 86: Leading at Home and at Work: How I Balance Being a CEO, Father, and Husband
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Ep 84: Why Being in Debt Might Be the Best Time to Invest in Yourself
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Ep 82: I Spent $72,000 on One Decision—Here’s Why It Wasn’t Crazy
Money On My Mind
Episode Description Investing $72,000 in yourself might sound crazy, but it was one of the best business decisions I've ever made. In this episode, I break down why I joined an exclusive mastermind of 225 highly successful entrepreneurs and how it's already paying dividends in ways I never imagined. This wasn't an impulsive purchase or ego play. This was about proximity, getting access to the right people in the right rooms who could collapse my timeline to success. Within just five days of joining, I've already received deal flow worth more than my investment, access to 32 SOPs from $100...
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Ep 81: How Ryan and I left our Deloitte Job
Money On My Mind
Ryan made $3 million, lived in a Chicago penthouse, and had only been to three of his daughter's soccer games in 16 years. That moment on his rooftop changed everything for me. In this raw conversation with Rayn Bakke, I share why we both walked away from Big Four careers to build something that actually matters. From getting mocked by Deloitte leadership for pursuing my dream to proving I could replace my salary in just 10 months, this is the real story of leaving corporate America's golden handcuffs. I'll take you inside the moment HR gave me an ultimatum, why I paid off my house the same...
info_outlineEpisode Description
Investing $72,000 in yourself might sound crazy, but it was one of the best business decisions I've ever made. In this episode, I break down why I joined an exclusive mastermind of 225 highly successful entrepreneurs and how it's already paying dividends in ways I never imagined.
This wasn't an impulsive purchase or ego play. This was about proximity, getting access to the right people in the right rooms who could collapse my timeline to success. Within just five days of joining, I've already received deal flow worth more than my investment, access to 32 SOPs from $100 million businesses, and mentorship that's shifting how I think about wealth building entirely.
Most people focus on cost instead of value. They ask "How much does it cost?" before understanding what they're getting. Wealthy people think differently, they calculate ROI first. When you shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset focused on value and proximity, everything changes.
Episode Timeline & Highlights
[0:00] – The $72,000 investment that changed everything
[0:48] – What proximity really means and why access beats content
[1:27] – Cost vs. value: The guacamole analogy that explains wealth mindset
[2:30] – How to collapse your timeline by 5-10 years
[3:33] – Why most people ask the wrong questions about investments
[5:15] – The CPA firm deal that already covered my investment
[7:28] – Scarcity vs. abundance: The two roadblocks to wealth
[9:41] – Why failure is part of the game (the Call of Duty analogy)
[10:49] – From $0 to $1 million the hard way vs. $1 million to $5 million with access
[15:04] – My mentor's reaction to my "$10 million goal" (and why I needed that challenge)
[18:04] – Being "too tolerant" as a leader—and how it was holding me back
[20:23] – Why you need to be the dumbest person in the room
[22:05] – The cost of waiting: How hesitation hurts your family
Key Takeayways
Access Trumps Content: You're not buying information; you're buying proximity to people who've already achieved what you want.
ROI Over Cost: Wealthy people ask "What's the return?" before "What's the price?" This mindset shift changes everything.
Proximity Collapses Time: The right rooms can speed up your journey by years or even decades.
Challenge Breeds Growth: You need people who will push your limits and challenge your comfort zone.
Quotables
"What I bought wasn't content. What I bought was access."
"You're either going to pay with time or money, just realize that."
"I've been the smartest person in the room for way too long, and it's time to level up."
"The shortcut isn't buying another PDF or course. It's getting proximity to people playing the game at the level you want to rise to."
Links & Resources
Learn more about Budgetdog Academy: https://budgetdog.com
My book, The Roadmap to Financial Freedom: https://budgetdogacademy.com/order-now
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/budgetdog
Ready to join BudgetDog Academy? Book a call with my team in the show notes below.
If this episode shifted your mindset about investing in yourself, share it with someone who needs to hear this message. And don't forget to rate, follow, and review, it helps more people break free from scarcity thinking and start building real wealth.