Breaking the Bank: Becoming Your Own Bank with Joseph Lombardi

In this empowering episode of Peace, Love, and Bring a Bat, host David Chametski sits down with financial expert Joseph Lombardi, founder and CEO of Iron Hawk Financial. Joseph shares his compelling journey from humble beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized financial strategist, teaching listeners how to "be your own bank" and protect your financial future. Key Highlights: 1. Meet Joseph Lombardi: A Financial Visionary Founder & CEO of Iron Hawk Financial. 21 years in business, winner of 27 industry awards. Featured in International Business Times, Business Insider, Market Insider. Author of three books: Being Your Own Bank There’s a Better Way Than a 401(k) Long-Term Care Without Long-Term Pain Built a trusted reputation with over 2,000 clients nationwide. 2. Joseph’s Transformational Journey: Born into poverty; parents divorced when he was 4. Worked in construction with his father from a young age. Tragic accident changed his family’s fortune, forcing Joe to step up as caretaker for his younger sister at just 15 years old. Learned crucial financial lessons from his family’s struggles—lack of planning led to complete financial ruin. 3. The Birth of a Financial Mission: Driven by his personal experiences—father’s disability, mother’s untimely death, grandmother’s devastating financial losses to long-term care—Joseph committed to helping others avoid similar fates. Started in finance at 19, inspired by a Wall Street lifestyle and the desire to protect everyday people. Early career marked by determination: chasing contractor trucks on highways to provide financial security for working-class individuals. 4. Becoming Your Own Bank: Joseph discusses the concept of "being your own bank," providing strategies that offer tax-free growth, liquidity, protection from market downturns, and protection from creditors. Critically analyzes common financial myths about retirement and taxation. 5. Risks of Traditional Financial Thinking: Warns about the hidden dangers of 401(k)s, IRAs, and traditional retirement plans—highlighting potential tax burdens and market volatility. Reveals the reality behind seemingly advantageous employer matches in retirement accounts. 6. Practical Financial Advice for Everyone: Start by eliminating high-interest debt; it’s a “cancer” to financial health. Establish a clear and intentional budget. Prioritize diversified investments, tax strategies, and liquidity. Balance present desires against future financial well-being to build a robust plan. 7. Planning for Life’s Certainties: Joseph explains four unavoidable life scenarios: Living long and risking financial depletion. Dying prematurely and leaving loved ones financially vulnerable. Becoming disabled and losing earning power. Needing long-term care and risking asset depletion. Encourages proactive planning around these inevitabilities. 8. The Power of Financial Knowledge & Teamwork: Importance of working with reliable financial experts (CPAs, elder law attorneys, financial advisors) to safeguard financial stability. Emphasizes community, teamwork, and diversified knowledge sources. 9. Joseph’s Golden Advice: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”—diversify your financial strategies and assets. Memorable Quotes: “If you fail to plan, your plan is to fail.” “We’re trained to sacrifice our future self for the comfort of our present self.” “Money is just the option to do fill-in-the-blank.” “Success is about the behavior and relationship you have with money—not your income.” How to Connect with Joseph Lombardi: Website: IronHawkFinancial.com Email (for free books): joe@ironhawkfinancial.com (Mention "Free Books") Calendar Link: calendly.com/ironhawkfinancial Final Words from Host David Chametski: David emphasizes the importance of financial education and strategic planning, reminding listeners to ground their lives in peace, love, and purposeful action. Keep swinging for your sweet spot!