Morgan J Ingram

Turning B2B Influence into Pipeline | CEO @ AMP

My journey wasn't always smooth.

In 2016, I was the worst-performing SDR on my team.

Then I discovered something that changed everything...
Intent + Outbound + Content = big fat pipeline.

Which has led to..
• 4× LinkedIn Top Sales Voice
• Trained teams at HubSpot, Snowflake, Salesforce, and 100+ SaaS companies
• Built frameworks that generate millions in pipeline

But here's what I noticed:

Most B2B teams are drowning in automation instead of mastering fundamentals.

That's why I built Sales Team Six a 45-day sprint that transforms your most committed reps into multi-channel outbound specialists.

We focus on three pillars:
• Intent - Know who's ready to buy
• Outbound - Orchestrate touches that convert
• Content - Build trust before the meeting

LinkedIn is incredible, but it can't be your only channel. It's your command center for detecting signals, personalizing outreach, and scaling what's human.

The edge belongs to teams that master all three.

Ready to build your revenue engine?

3 ways to get started:
• Download the Sales Nav Kit (featured section)
• DM me "REV" to discuss your outbound motion
• Book time at ampsocial.io

Not ready yet? Follow for daily insights on multi-channel outbound, Sales Navigator mastery, and frameworks that book meetings.

→ Speaking & partnerships: aneesh@wishlygroup.ca

Founder and Chief Edutainment Officer (CEO)

At AMP, we’re not just a media company - we are your strategic partner in revolutionizing B2B GTM Production. We craft immersive video content and design unforgettable event activations, bridging the gap between your brand and potential clientele.

Our Mission:

To transform traditional organizational interactions, eliminating outdated marketing practices and cold outbound methodologies. We're creating narratives that resonate, producing visual stories that capture attention and foster genuine brand connections, drive revenue, and solidify trust in today’s dynamic customer interaction landscape.

Specialties:

B2B Media Production: Crafting tailor-made media solutions designed to captivate your B2B audience and elevate your brand presence in the market.

Immersive Video Production: Designing and executing video content that speaks volumes, ensuring your message is conveyed powerfully and memorably.

Event Activations: Orchestrating events activations that drive booth traffic and acquire new customers 

Revenue Generation through Media: Implementing media strategies that don’t just tell stories but drive tangible results, enhancing your ROI through strategic media planning and production.

Brand Connection and Trust Building: Nurturing authentic brand relationships, steering your audience through their buying journey with content that validates and enhances brand trust.

I've been trying to figure out how to say this without sounding like I'm anti-AI. I'm not at all. But something is happening that few people want to talk about.

I believe there are only 2 skills that will be luxury in the next decade:

1. Deep human connection to yourself and to others
2. Having AI proficiency at an elite level

Everyone is sprinting toward #2 right now.
My bet starts with spending the majority of your time on #1 so it supports #2. And it's not even close.

Before you come at me... I'm not saying ditch AI. That's like saying ditch your WiFi. The Wifi is needed yet it won't work unless you know how to use it. 

What I AM saying is that we've gotten so focused on the AI that we forgot to connect as humans. Leaders have forgotten to connect with themselves. And if you're not connected to self... you can't connect with anyone else either.

So if connection to humans or self is not there there then nothing is there for AI to amplify. It amplifies nothing. And that's what I'm watching happen right now.

Since AI is a mirror this will keep happening more and more as we slip away from the human touch. 

Every skill you care about... cold calling, selling, strategy, leadership all falls into one of these two buckets. Connection or leverage in AI. That's it.

Connection is the foundation. AI is the amplifier. You need both but foundation comes first.

We need to master both in order to be successful in the next decade. 

For me that foundation is elevating my relationship with God. And focusing on how to elevate the human connection in the work I do with people and within myself.

Because AI skills are going to change every other month. 

Yet connection will never diminish. 

VP of Sales, SDRs, AEs now I am talking directly to you... 

Start having the conversation around.. as my team and I race to learn AI.. am I still deeply connected to myself and the humans around me?

If we lose ourself while learning AI, we won't know how to use it properly.

The AI will get better.

But will you?

P.S. Am I crazy for thinking this? Tell me I'm wrong.

Morgan J Ingram 

Making Sales Human in an AI World → More Pipeline, Less Spam for B2B Sales Teams | CEO @ AMP Social l Outbound Coaching & Workshops

I believe SDRs and AEs should only be allowed to use 3 tools when they onboard the first 90 days. And I will defend this until the end.

Yep I said it and I am taking it there. Hear me out though before every sales tech company brings out the pitchforks. 

The adoption rate on most tools is pretty low from what I've seen and heard. We all want reps to use tools to their max ability but it's too difficult if they're overloaded from day one.

That is why we should take a crawl, walk, run approach with tech. 

According to the data, people consume things best in threes. 

So.. when a rep onboards they only use three tools:

1. LinkedIn Sales Navigator (Intent tool)
2. Sales engagement tool
3. Data tool

If you want to count your phone, ok cool Bobby we will add it in there. But that's all you really need to START.

1. Sales Nav helps you find the right people. 
2. Sales engagement tool helps you reach them consistently. 
3. Data tool gives you the info to make it relevant.

Once you're able to maximize those three tools efficiently, then we upgrade you. 

Congrats now you can use video.. now you can use direct mail.. now we will teach you intent signals.. whatever process makes the most sense for your org. 

But not on day one.

Learning a new product, new industry, new team AND a massive tech stack on day one. Woah.. I am overwhelmed typing this. 

We talk about helping reps save time. But I don't think giving them everything actually saves time. It overwhelms them.

If we can get them to understand the industry they sell to first, then the basics and fundamentals of sales skills first, then layer in the technology, that's where we see the most wins.

Master the fundamentals. Then unlock the next level. This is exactly how we work with B2B sales teams inside our program Sales Team Six. Outbound fundamentals first. Double down on what's working. Then layer in the tech.

That's the play.

P.S. Sales leaders.... how many tools does your team actually use consistently? I genuinely want to know.

I spoke at the Funnel 26’ conference last week in Austin with 100 SDR leaders in the room for my keynote. I asked one question that had the room split. 

“Are you all afraid that AI is going to take your job? 

Some hands went up.. some people shook their head.. some people raised their hand halfway because I think they were still trying to figure out where they stood. 

It's clear some people have a deep down fear about AI. 

Yet its not doom and gloom because we had people chime in that they believe AI is not going to replace us and that we can use it to our benefit.

My take is right now we need to make a shift. Instead of believing in AI... we need to start believing in ourselves.

AI is only a mirror. 

Because if we have nothing to say... AI will amplify nothing. Yes the market is screaming for you to use AI. And you should be doing both AI and being a human. 

But don't overindex on the AI. 

During my talk I expressed that focusing on developing your reps to have confidence in their ability, sharpening their business acumen, enhancing their conversational skills (like cold calling) and teaching them how to close the conversations they've started is the way to elevate your SDR team. 

Respectfully, the SDR teams who win won't be the ones with the best AI stack. They'll be the ones whose reps can actually connect with another human being.

That's why inside Sales Team Six we go through social selling, cold calling and how to create personalized videos with B2B teams because these are the skills that matter most right now.

So this is my message to every SDR leader reading this:

You are the talent pipeline in your organization. 

Take pride in that. 

Elevate yourself first. Then coach others to do the same.

Still use the AI...Nobody is saying don't.

But invest in your people and how we truly connect with others. 

This will be the last luxury skill that matters in the next decade. 

Develop the human first. 

The AI will be there when you're ready for it.

P.S. SDR leaders.. how are you feeling about this right now?

A strategic AE booked a meeting with one of the largest companies in Finland from one of my LinkedIn strategies.

Now before we break it down.. I have to preface something that has been bothering me. Speaking to all the AEs out there when you hear the word prospecting please stop immediately thinking it means cold. 

The motion of prospecting is sparking a conversation so you can book a quality meeting and close revenue. 

That's it. 

With that being said I will walk you through the play I showed a team at an SKO:

Step 1: Pull your customer list from your CRM and create a CSV of everyone in your region. (if no region just pull your customer list)

Step 2: Upload that list into Sales Nav to identify who might be willing to give you a referral into your target accounts. (if no sales nav manually look at it)

Step 3: Look at where those customers worked BEFORE to ask for an intro to a person who has worked at the same company that they did in the past. We all know random intro ask are terrible, so this gives you a higher chance of success. 

That's what we call borrowed trust in the prospecting world. 

Andrew did this and booked a massive account in Finland. 

Like... that's the whole play y'all. Go run it. 

Come back and tell me what happened. 

I love seeing these wins.

P.S. Andrew ran one play and booked one of the largest companies in Finland. Imagine what happens when your whole SDR/AE team has an outbound playbook like this. That's what we build inside Sales Team Six → https://lnkd.in/gmKb2wHV

How I'd fill pipeline as a sales leader leading a team of AEs selling into $50m-$500m accounts if I started fresh today. 

(Save this for later)

Here is my plan:

1. Find Active Buyers

This one filter in Sales Nav is going to save your life. Thank Me Later as Drake would say.

Focus on prospects who posted in the last 30 days.

Response rates are 2x higher from active profiles.

Quick setup in Sales Nav:
• Create saved searches by seniority
• Build targeted prospect lists
• Update lists weekly for fresh leads

Smart reps look for prospects who are active.

2. Strategic Outreach
   
Too many people say never do a cold dm,

and tell you to sit back and wait.

Please don't listen to this advice. Seriously don't.

Here's what I would do:
• Block 1 focused hour daily
• Send 20-30 targeted messages
• Be brief, be brilliant, be gone

Example framework:
"Reason I am reaching out [specific insight] → This matters to you because [direct benefit] → Imagine [concrete result/use case] → CTA [simple, compelling next action]"

The big fat pipeline is in the outreach.

3. Smart Engagement

Don't just drop "Great post!" comments.

Like real talk.. please don't do this. Also, can we please stop the AI comments it only ruins your reputation.

Start real conversations instead.

The framework:
• Find a post that is relevant to your industry
• Share specific insights from their content
• Engage with people in comments in other people's posts

Now if you did 20 messages a day check the math:
400 messages/month
10% conversion rate
= 40 meetings/month

There are no silver bullets.

This is just an example...

If you stay consistent what could happen.

Oh yeah, last point here is pick up the phone. Having a real life conversation with someone is going to be an elite pattern interrupt. Conversational skills are going to win in the next decade as AI continues to ramp up.

Stay prospecting my friends.

I was playing my N64 over the weekend and it made me think about my favorite N64 games of all time. Here are my top 12. 

 1. Paper Mario
 2. Mario Party 2
 3. Banjo-Kazooie
 4. GoldenEye 007
 5. Super Mario 64
 6. Donkey Kong 64
 7. Pokemon Stadium
 8. Super Smash Bros
 9. Diddy Kong Racing
10. Star Fox 64 (Do a Barrel Roll!
11. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
12. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
    
What am I missing?

If I were a sales leader leading a 10 person AE team trying to close deals at the end of the quarter while my buyers ghost every meeting request, here's the exact play I'd run.

(Share this in your Slack channel)

Step 1: Accept the New Reality

Buying doesn't happen live as much anymore. Your buyers are researching at 11pm, sharing demos internally at 6am, and making decisions in Slack threads you'll never see.

Instead of fighting it, we adjust to the reality and play that game. 

Which leads into the next point. 

Step 2: Build Async Momentum

Don't have your team send links and pray something happens. Because most of the time that leads to nowhere fast. 

Here's what actually works:

↳ Use interactive demos that let buyers explore on their own time
↳ Track WHO is watching and WHAT sections they replay
↳ Set up automated follow-ups based on their actual behavior

Tools like Consensus make this very simple. Imagine, you can see when Sarah from Procurement (we finally got you procurement) watched the pricing section 3 times at midnight. 

That's intel we can leverage in our sales cycle. 

Step 3: Let the Demo Do the Selling

Unfortunately most buyers don't trust salespeople. (I know, it stings.) That's why your demos need trusted voices like customers, executives, etc proof that isn't just your reps pitching.

Your buyers are sharing your demo internally without telling you. This is an opportunity to leverage that insight.

Make sure your demo:
↳ Answers objections before they're raised
↳ Speaks to multiple personas (not just your main contact)
↳ Gives you visibility into who else is watching

When the CFO watches your ROI section, you know the deal is moving. Even if no one replied to your email.

Step 4: Follow Up With Context, Not Desperation

Instead of "Just checking in..." or "touching base" these are the worst by the way. By the way, please stop doing this and whoever taught this I am coming after you. 

Anyways, try this:

"Hey Sarah - looks like your team spent time on the integration section. Typically when people look at that section they have questions around x,y, and z. Opposed to me looping in our solutions engineer to answer any technical questions?"

No guesses here. Just proactively solving the problems that are already in their head. 

The best sales teams in 2026 aren't chasing buyers. 

They're building momentum buyers can't ignore.... even at midnight.

#ConsensusPartner

Making Sales Human in an AI World → More Pipeline, Less Spam for B2B Sales Teams | CEO @ AMP Social

I've coached over 50,000 B2B sales professionals in the past decade. And the humbling truth is... the best stuff I teach I learned from them. And.. it's time you heard from them directly.

That's why I'm bringing back Muffins with Morgan.

If you followed me back in 2020-2022 you know what this is... I would eat muffins, laugh with you all and answer questions. It was awesome. 

Yet I am doing it differently this time. 

I am not going to be the only voice giving advice. Like y'all don't need to hear from me every single week.. you need to hear from the reps and leaders who are actually generating pipeline RIGHT NOW.

So here's the move...

1. I'm bringing on Sales Team Six graduates who went through our program and cooked. 
2. People in the community who are getting real results. 
3. And leaders sharing their best practices with their teams. 

Because let me keep it real with y'all.. I've only sold into sales and marketing. That's my lane. So if you're selling into finance or operations or engineering.. I can share frameworks yet I know others have deeper context.

These types of conversations will happen at the Muffins with Morgan show every week on Friday.

Come join us → https://lnkd.in/gCXVyEg8

Every sales podcast talks AT you. 

This one is going to sell WITH you.

Financial planning and education (without the jargon) I Creating blueprints for high-earning sales executives and business owners

I left the financial industry because I saw a problem.

People wanted to work with a planner, but they ended up becoming a number on a spreadsheet.

I had to leave to start something new.

And now?

I'm a fee-only planner who helps salespeople & equity compensated employees under 45 give a purpose to their paycheck.

I left the large financial institutions to start my own independent company. I did it so people could pay for real planning and not just an agenda to sell a hidden product. 

As a true fiduciary, Pashman Financial, LLC was built on that promise by focusing on you and you only.

🔵 Why people hire me? 

Well, people have come to me with the following problems:

- They want peace of mind with their money
- Their old advisor barely communicates with them
- They want an answer tailored to them, not from Google
- They felt pressured to buy a product that wasn't a right fit
- They are great at making money but struggle to keep it
- They want a simple plan that's easy to understand
- They want someone to hold them accountable
- They want someone they can trust

🔵 What are my services?

I help identify your goals, craft a financial blueprint that lays out action items to hit them, and monitor your progress. 

💵 Cash Flow Management  
📈 Equity Compensation
🏡 Real Estate Planning
📊 Investment Planning
📍 Retirement Planning
🛡 Insurance Planning
📚 Education Planning
💲 Tax Management
💳 Debt Repayment
📃 Estate Planning

🔵 Who do I serve?

Age: Individuals and families between 30-50 years old
Target: Sales pros, tech employees, other millennial families
Location: Virtually anywhere in the U.S.

But I love working with people that are driven to make a change. So even if you don’t fit these criteria, feel free to reach out. Your personality is everything. 

🔵 Why I'm different?

1) My model is primarily a flat fee service. No time trap. 

2) I do not require you to hand over your investments nor require a minimum to work with. Managing your assets is optional and I'll still assist you if you do it yourself. My focus is ongoing financial planning. 

3) I focus on how to increase your cash flow, not just your assets. I work with you to ensure your systems are set and consistently educate you on how your finances work. I get paid to truly keep you accountable over time.

You can find my pricing in my "featured" section on the website. 

Stop delaying action. Shoot me a message to schedule a complimentary intro.

Max Pashman, CFP®

50% of people have no idea what tax bracket they're in.

And most think more taxes mean less income. WRONG.

It's not a flat rate. 

The US tax system works at a progressive rate. 

In other words, each level of income is taxed at different rates. 

As new income is included, it is taxed at a higher rate. 

BUT that doesn't mean all of the income is taxed at that rate. 

The highest tax rate is called the "marginal rate". 

The overall tax rate (taxes divided by taxable income) is called the "effective rate". 

Big difference!

Helping Founders and Executives Plan for Early Retirement and Exit

You could skip your annual $7,500 vacation with your family.

Instead, you could contribute to a Roth IRA.

At an average 7% return, over 30 years, that $7,500 annual could grow to about $708,000.

By skipping it, you’d be closer to your retirement.

But there’s one problem.

You traded moments with your family for a bigger portfolio.

Your children will be yours forever.

But they also won’t be kids forever.

For some families, prioritizing these moments matters more.

Because what good is a retirement if it means sacrificing the life you care about along the way?

Most people focus on return on investment (ROI).

We try to focus on something else.

Return on life.

ROL.

Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments
Your RSUs are income not investments

There's a reason it has "compensation" in equity compensation. 

It's because they are treated just like your cash. 

Don't believe me?

When they vest, check out your W2. 

It's listed right there next to your salary (your cash compensation).

They may be withheld differently, but it's taxed just the same as income when it comes to tax season.

If you leave it as is, sure it's equity that be treated as an investment. 

But the moment you get it? May as well be just like your cash compensation.

So if you don't know what to do, answer one question instead:

"If this was cash instead of equity, what would you do with it"?

Would you save it?
Would you spend it?
Would you invest it?
If you invested, where?

Your answer really dictates how you should reallocate it.

Especially based on...drum roll please*.... your goals! 

You're already taxed on it when it's fully vested.

Your choice of what to do from there.

Most have no clue what a write-off does.

Here's a quick breakdown of what it is:

A write-off is merely a deduction.

So use the example:

→ You get a $20,000 expense to write off
 → If your income starts at $200,000?
 → It gets lowered to $180,000
 → So what does that mean?

Here's what it does not mean:

IT DOES NOT MEAN $20,000 LESS TAXES.

A deduction does one thing:
Reduces income taxable.

In this case, a single person in 2025:
(Using only federal taxes in this example)

→ The entire $20,000 is in the 32% bracket
 → The amount taxed? $6,400 federal
 → So with the taxes saved?
 → You netted - $13,600

So yes, you saved more in taxes.

But you still spent money in the end.

It's not a dollar-for-dollar save.

It's a reduction in income taxed.

Big difference!

Note: Post is purely educational and not financial or tax advice*

Capital gains taxes can be your biggest ally or your worst enemy.

Here’s everything you need to know how they can affect your tax bill:

What is a Capital Gain?

It’s a tax applied when you sell an asset for a profit.

These assets can include:

-Stocks
-Crypto
-Real estate
-Businesses
-Personal property

There are two types of capital gains:

Short Term (STCG):

-> Assets held less than 1 year
-> Taxed as ordinary income

Long Term (LTCG):

-> Assets held more than 1 year
-> Taxed at preferential capital gains rates, separate from income taxes

Here’s a breakdown of the federal long-term capital gains rates for 2026:

Single:

-0%: $0–$49,450
-15%: $49,451–$545,500
-20%: $545,501+

Married Filing Jointly:

-0%: $0–$98,900
-15%: $98,901–$613,700
-20%: $613,701+

Relative to income brackets, you can see the immediate difference.

For Example (Single):

If you earned $200k and had $10k in STCG, it’s taxed as ordinary income.

Assuming a 32% marginal tax rate:

$10,000 × 32% = $3,200 in federal taxes

For $10k in LTCG, it’s taxed at the capital gains rate:

$10,000 × 15% = $1,500 in federal taxes

A huge difference!

But here’s where people mess this up:

Your capital gains rate depends on your total taxable income.

“Taxable income” is your adjusted gross income (AGI) minus below-the-line deductions (standard or itemized).

Which means those ranges include both your income AND your capital gains.

Example #1: Single, $50,000 Income, $10,000 LTCG

Total taxable income: $60,000
This puts all LTCG in the 15% bracket.
Tax:
$10,000 × 15% = $1,500 (Federal)

Example #2: Single, $30,000 Income, $10,000 LTCG

Total taxable income: $40,000
This falls entirely within the 0% bracket.
Tax:
$10,000 × 0% = $0 (Federal)

Example #3: Single, $30,000 Income, $20,000 LTCG

Total taxable income: $50,000
The income takes up the first $30,000.
Leaving $19,450 left in the 0% bracket.
$19,450 × 0% = $0

The remaining capital gains spill into the next bracket:
$550 × 15% = $82.50
-> Total LTCG tax: $82.50 (Federal)

This is why being strategic about when you realize capital gains matters.

By spreading gains over multiple years, you may take advantage of lower brackets.

Finally, remember:

Capital gains are not taxed inside tax-advantaged accounts
(e.g., 401(k)s, Roth IRAs).

That’s why most tax-loss harvesting opportunities live in taxable brokerage accounts.

Disclaimer: This is for financial education purposes only and not financial or tax advice.

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pashman-financial-llc

schooloffinances

"W2 employees never become millionaires."

Bulls***. I've consulted with 100s entering early retirement. 

Many were W2 employees, never actually owning a business. 

Or at least use it as a primary means of accomplishing millionaire status

They've crossed that point using the following methods:

- High savings rate towards stocks and real estate
- Equity compensation (More commonly via ISOs)

Owning a business is a massive opportunity to get there. 

And we've seen people retire early thanks to it too.

But it's not the ONLY method to create wealth.

Gotta pick that path that aligns with you.

But what do they all share in common?

Not sitting on the sidelines. 

They let investing take action. 

You earned hard for your paycheck. 

Now make it work harder for you.

A 👏 401k 👏 IS 👏 NOT 👏 A 👏 SCAM 👏

Here are some interesting facts about it:

- Has higher contribution limits than an IRA
- Provides a match via an employer
- Does not have income limitations
- Can offer a Roth component
- Can provide a Mega Back Door Roth

But you're probably thinking...

"My money is trapped in here forever!"

Not really. 

Why you won't generally get penalized until you are 59 1/2, there are exceptions to this:

But there are exceptions to getting funds out early penalty-free:

- Roth Conversion Ladder
- 72(t) Withdrawals (SEPP)
- Financial hardship (if allowed)
- Qualified Reservist Distributions
- Medical expenses
- Rule of 55
- Disability
- Death
- Etc.

In other words, you can take your money out with exceptions and specific strategies.

It can be an excellent vehicle for financial independence. 

Do you have a 401k?

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If you like these visuals you'll love my newsletter with more visuals like this.

Be sure to be subscribed below:

https://lnkd.in/gJC9mTQH

I love it when LinkedIn Influencers are like "the new algo is hurting my reach" and I will look at their content and think yeah it's definitely not the algo bro...

Investing in moments like these, where AI isn't around for miles, is becoming one of my favorite things to do. 

Feel like this is going to be a massive trend in 2026 in beyond. 

Make sure your financial plan accounts for them! 

What experiences are you investing towards?

This is your reminder to get lost in nature. 

Just don't get lost in your finances. 

When you're ready, we're here to help :)

Joe w/ $50K wants as much as Mia making $100K. 
 
Mia w/ $100K wants as much as Bob making $200K. 
 
Bob w/ $200K wants as much as Zoe making $400K. 
 
The problem? 
 
Income levels don't have a ceiling. 
 
And there are 8 billion people on this planet. 
 
So it's inevitable someone will be making more than you. 
 
Do yourself a favor and use a fair benchmark to compare to: 
 
Joe with $50K should aim to make more than Joe. 
 
Mia with $100k should aim to make more than Mia. 
 
Bob with $200K should aim to make more than Bob. 
 
Zoe with $400k shound aim to make more than Zoe. 
 
Stop basing your progress on someone else's. 
 
Want a better measurement to use? 
 
Grab a mirror and stick with it.

If you didn't have to worry about money, what would you do?

You know what you wouldn't say?

- Try to make more income
- Try to increase your wealth more
- Try to find strategies to stay tax efficient

Those aren't your real goals. 

Those are the technicals that bring you to those goals. 

Never make your end goal a specific number. 

Make your end goal a lifestyle choice. 

Wealth is just the bridge to that.

40% of business owners aren’t sure they picked the right entity.

Here's what you need to know about entity structure:

When choosing a tax entity, you gotta choose with what aligns with you.

Some of the characteristics include:

→ What legal protection is provided
→ Is the income earned a pass-through
→ Are there self-employment taxes 
→ How much admin is there
→ What are the tax impacts 
→ Is there double taxation
→ How much does it cost

And so on. 

Consulting with the combo between a CPA and CFP is a great way to make sure you are on the right path here!

What kind of business do you currently have?

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If you love visuals like this you'll love the weekly money visual newsletter!

Be sure to be subscribed here:

https://lnkd.in/gJC9mTQH

There’s a more tax-efficient way to own an index.

But is it worth it? Here’s a breakdown of direct indexing:

What is direct indexing?

It’s still passive investing.

But instead of owning an index fund, you own the individual stocks that make up the index.

Same market exposure.
Different implementation.

The goal isn’t higher returns.
The goal is tax efficiency.
Index funds are already very tax-efficient, especially ETFs.

But there’s one thing they can’t do:
They can’t pass individual stock losses to investors.

Losses inside a fund stay inside the fund.
With direct indexing, you own each stock directly.

That allows for:

Ongoing tax-loss harvesting
Offsetting capital gains
Deferring taxes while staying invested

Over time, this can increase after-tax wealth even if pre-tax returns are similar.

Some studies suggest direct indexing can add incremental after-tax value over long periods (often cited at 1%–2%), but results vary widely based on volatility, tax bracket, cash flows, and implementation.

Important tradeoffs to understand.
This strategy is not a free lunch.

Here’s what actually matters.

1) Cost

Most platforms charge roughly 0.10%–0.20%.
But additional costs may include:

Trading costs
Cash drag
Tracking error
Etc.

These reduce the net benefit and must be weighed against expected tax savings.

2) New money works best

Selling existing index funds to switch strategies often creates taxes that wipe out the benefit.

Direct indexing tends to work best with new dollars, such as:

Income
Liquidity events
Sale or acquisition proceeds
Using fresh capital avoids unnecessary tax friction.

3) Tax benefits depend on markets

The biggest advantage comes from harvesting losses, which requires volatility.

In prolonged bull markets:
Losses become harder to find
Unrealized gains accumulate

Tax benefits shift from harvesting losses to deferring gains, and eventually decline.

4) Wash sale coordination matters

Loss harvesting must be coordinated across taxable accounts, spousal accounts, and any index funds held elsewhere.

Poor coordination can reduce or eliminate the benefit.

5) You need an exit strategy

Deferred taxes eventually come due unless there’s a plan.

Is this money for retirement, charity, heirs (step-up in basis), or future liquidity?

Direct indexing works best when paired with broader tax and estate planning.

6) Benefits skew toward higher earners

The tax alpha is largest when tax rates and taxable balances are high.

For lower brackets or smaller portfolios, added cost and complexity may outweigh the benefit.

Bottom line

Direct indexing isn’t a magic upgrade.
It’s a tax optimization tool.

For the right investor, at the right time, with the right plan, it can add meaningful after-tax value.

For others, a low-cost index fund may be the better answer.

That’s why this should be a planning decision, not a product pitch.

If you’re exploring it, talk with a fee-only planner to see if it actually fits your situation.

Daniel Goodman CFP®

Most people have no idea how their accounts actually work.

And the IRS is quietly counting on it. Let’s break it down:

You’ve got four main individual accounts:

→ Brokerage
→ Traditional IRA
→ Roth IRA
→ HSA

But here’s the kicker:

 They don’t play by the same rules.

Some hit you with early penalties.
Some don’t.

Some have contribution limits.
Some let you pile in unlimited cash.

Some force you into Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
 Others? They leave you alone.

→ If you’re saving without knowing these rules, you might be losing thousands in taxes and penalties without even realizing it.

What works for someone might not work for you. 

It's more than picking the best tool. 

It's the best tool for YOUR shed.

Do you have any of these?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Ini47

I feel like I've seen these phases with early reitrees:

Stage 1: They fire their advisor cause they don't like performance or service
Stage 2: They do it themself and are happy with it
Stage 3: The more they research, the more they realize there's more to just investing
Stage 4: They keep getting conflicting answers to from thousands of voices online, but unsure which applies to them
Stage 5: They hire a financial planner for a second-hand opinion 

And guess what?

That new advisor is not the person trying to sell them some fancy product or performance.

It's the advisor who:

- Looks at their whole picture
- A structure to implement it
- Has an incentive to do so

I love it when people are able to handle finances on their own. 

But once you need some help?

You know where to find us.

Most people don’t actually know the tax status of their accounts.

Quick refresher 👇

Taxable Accounts:

- Individual Brokerage
- Joint Brokerage
- UTMA / UGMA

Pre-Tax Accounts:

- Traditional IRA
- SIMPLE IRA
- SEP IRA
- 403(b)
- 401(k)
- 457

Post-Tax Accounts:

- Roth IRA
- Roth 457
- Roth 401(k)
- Roth 403(b)
- Roth SEP IRA
- 529 (Could have a state deduction)

Triple-Tax:

- HSA (One of a kind)

Before worrying about returns?

Make sure you know how your money is taxed.

Which of these are you using?

If the recent 4,000 employees laid off by Block caught your attention, this is your wake-up call to revisit your emergency fund. 

Not your retirement accounts.
Not your brokerage accounts.
Not your company equity.

Your cash. 

Yeah, the boring cash loses to inflation over the long run.

But in the short run:

- Easily accessible
- Removed from market volatility
- Not taxed when withdrawn or liquidated

How much to fund is how you answer this question:

"How long can I reasonably live off my essential expenses?"

Just understand this about the stock market. 

It carries a risk of losing money, no matter how long you park it for.

But the longer you have it, the chances of that are cut significantly.

Not "eliminated", but the risk of losing money is statistically lower. 

That risk is put on full max if you need it now. 

The S&P 500 is not a viable fund in the near term. 

The asset that remains fixed near term is. 

Adjust accordingly!

Top ways early retirees pull their accounts penalty free:

- Roth conversions that have been moved after 5 years
- Distribute HSA funds backed by medical expenses
- Separation of service with a 457 plan
- Use a brokerage account
- Roth IRA contributions
- Rule of 55
- 72(t)

Alongside many more to implement. 

The question becomes which of these applies to you?

You won't know with a black and white answer. 

Find the one for you.

taplio

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Max Pashman, CFP®

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The Battle

Morgan J Ingram

Max Pashman, CFP®

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Morgan J Ingram's LinkedIn Performance

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