Hi all,
Long time listener, first time writer. Here is my scenario with real numbers.
I talked this over with Dave and he mentioned posting it here. Curious if you think I’m handling it the right way. I’ve got thick skin and can handle the criticism.
Scenario: $225k in policy loans. Paying back currently $1k per month minimum. (Not being the best banker.) Plan to pay back involves using proceeds from commercial real estate syndications as they mature. This likely will be in 2028.
Currently have $200k in cash value.
Needs: 125k in promised real estate syndication pending. (Not called for monies yet.) Unexpected kitchen remodel due to a water flood this summer. Total gut job. After insurance leaves a delta of around $100k.
Reality… I’m looking at $400k in policy loans and draining my cash value to nearly 0 with loan interest payments of $25k annually even without touching the principal, this seems like a lot.
Options:
1. Do it all through my policies and take on the debt burden.
A) the Infinite Banker says “Do it!”
B) being a bad banker already says that added debt will make it challenging to even cover the interest amounts.
2. Reduce the PUA by all or a percentage (all versus 50%?, 🤷♂️)
A) infinite banker says, “No! You’re affecting your CV downstream and ability to have more in the end. Think long term!”
B) Realist says, “you’re not being an honest banker currently and you’re digging a bigger hole for yourself. What if you eliminate or reduce PUAs for a year or two in order to pay off this kitchen, then start to reduce to debt load some. Then, once the syndications start popping, go back up on the PUAs to the degree that you’re allowed to do so.”
C) Realist also says, “I know that this may affect your policy some, but you have riders that can expand your kids policies beginning in as early as 3 years from now. If you have excess money and loans become more manageable, but because of your boneheaded move now for short term gain, you can always shift those extra premiums into your kids’ policies as they become available.”
I’m kind of leaning towards 2. C, for the reasons that I feel like I’m drowning a bit in the policy loans. Plus I’m still not being a completely perfect banker. Let me get my feet back underneath me for a couple of years and dig out, then let’s plow back forward again.