(And yes, there’s a Kai-Zen connection…)
Back in 2017, I invested in a swim spa. I keep track of my miles swam and I think I am over 1,000 miles. It’s relaxing, therapeutic, and thanks to a remote app, it keeps me informed about its chemical balance — specifically, the chlorine (Cl) and pH levels.
For those who don’t know, chlorine sanitizes the water. pH measures how acidic or alkaline it is. Too much or too little of either, and the whole system becomes unstable — irritating skin, damaging the spa, and reducing effectiveness.
If chlorine is off, bacteria grow.
If pH is off, the chlorine doesn’t work.
You can’t “set it and forget it.” You need to monitor, maintain, and rebalance regularly.
And as I watched these tiny digital indicators fluctuate on my phone, it hit me:
💡 This is just like managing wealth.
Too much risk (like low pH)? It’ll corrode your financial foundation.
Too little growth (like low chlorine)? Your wealth won’t be protected or productive.
Get the balance right, and everything flows — calm, clear, and confident.
Most people I talk to don’t realize their current retirement strategy may be out of balance.
They’re overly dependent on volatile markets or tax-heavy tools like 401(k)s and IRAs.
They think they’re doing fine — just like water that looks clear on the surface — but underneath, the chemistry is off.
This is where Kai-Zen comes in.
🧪 Just like a well-balanced spa needs the right mix of elements, Kai-Zen blends three components:
- Your Contributions – the fuel.
- Smart Leverage – oxygen that amplifies your potential.
- Indexed Growth with Downside Protection – steady heat without the burn.
The result? A tax-advantaged strategy that can provide more retirement income, more legacy, and more protection, all without the chaos of market corrections or outliving your money.
Kai-Zen is financial chemistry done right.
So whether you’re a spa owner or an executive, a business owner or a high-income earner — I invite you to check your “financial pH.”
✅ Is your growth sanitized from risk?
✅ Is your tax exposure corrosive to your wealth?
✅ Is your retirement plan really balanced?
If you’re not sure — let’s test the water together.
Jim Barlow, MS, The Alchemist of Leverage
OakTree Strategic Leverage -Smarter Leverage. Greater Outcomes.
A Legacy Business- sharing wisdom, helping others, staying sharp.
Because whether it’s a spa or a strategy — you deserve peace of mind and clarity in what you’ve worked hard to build.
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