The Exact Order Self-Employed People Should Fund Retirement Accounts (5 Steps)

Stop letting your retirement money sit on autopilot — BOOK A FREE CALL with DirectedIRA to set up your self-directed account and start investing BEYOND WALL STREET! https://bit.ly/directed-ira-appointme... Choosing the wrong retirement account can cost self-employed people years of missed tax benefits, lower contribution limits, and lost growth. In this episode, CPA, attorney, and best-selling author Mark J. Kohler breaks down the exact order entrepreneurs, freelancers, side hustlers, and small business owners should consider when funding retirement accounts — from Roth IRAs and HSAs to Solo 401(k)s and Safe Harbor 401(k)s. What you need to understand before choosing your next account: • Why self-employed income can unlock a separate retirement strategy • Why Mark often prefers Roth IRAs over traditional IRAs • How self-directed accounts can help you invest beyond Wall Street • Why an HSA may be one of the most powerful tax-free accounts available • When a Solo 401(k) makes sense for higher-income entrepreneurs • What changes when you have employees in the business The big idea is simple: don’t guess, don’t chase the wrong deduction, and don’t leave your retirement dollars trapped in a plan that doesn’t fit your goals. With the right sequence, consistent contributions, and investments you actually understand, these accounts can become a powerful long-term wealth-building system. This strategy is especially valuable for self-employed people, business owners, side hustlers, married couples, and anyone trying to catch up or accelerate retirement savings while keeping more control over taxes, contribution limits, and investment choices! CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 1:47 What Self - Employed Really Means 3:01 The First Step for Everyone: Fund Your IRA Every Year 4:32 Traditional vs Roth — And Why I Love Roth 10:45 "Before You Go Bigger, Look at the HSA" 15:47 "If You Can Save More, Look at the Solo 401(k)" 18:30 "If You Have Employees, Take a Right - Hand Turn" 19:49 Recap 21:53 Outro RESOURCES: Interview a Main Street Tax Pro that Speaks like Mark: https://taxadvisornetwork.markjkohler... Meet with a Real Lawyer on Zoom: https://kkoslawyers.com/schedule-an-a... Self-Direct Your IRA or 401k- Buy a Business or Real Estate with Your Retirement Account (Directed IRA): https://directedira.com/appointment/?... Keep Your LLC or Corp in good standing and Hide Your Address (Main Street Business Services): https://mainstreetbusiness.com/?utm_s... Become a Certified Tax Advisor in Mark’s Program - https://mainstreetpros.com/?utm_sourc... CONNECT: Website: https://markjkohler.com/?utm_source=m... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjkohl... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markkohler/?... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markjkohler... X: https://x.com/markkohler/?utm_source=... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@markjkohler/?...