I recently had a deeply profound and emotional day at a Cash Cabin Immersion experience with a client, Renee.
I was witnessing legacy in motion. Together, we crafted something deeply intentional: a family constitution, a family crest, and a structure for a family bank.
We didn’t just map her finances. We mapped her family’s destiny.
I even got emotional reading the first draft of her Family Constitution and Family Crest description.
She cried reading the philosophy aloud and again on FaceTime with her son.
Why? Because it wasn’t just a document. It was a declaration: of who her family is, what they stand for, and how they will thrive for generations.
This is the heart of what I call living your legacy.
Legacy isn’t about the money you leave behind. It’s about the life you live now and the blueprint you pass forward.
The Power of Intelligent Financial Design
We took a temporary term life insurance policy and transformed it into a permanent asset through premium financing.
It required minimal money out of pocket, recovered hundreds of thousands in term premiums, gave her a death benefit that will outlive her, and created the foundation of a Family Bank.
This was security. This was certainty. This was making sure the policy funds the family trust the moment she passed.
Why does that matter? Because now her heirs will:
- Never borrow from banks.
- Avoid the hoops, fees, and delays of conventional financing.
- Use the family trust to finance homes, fund weddings, support businesses, and invest in education—not just in classrooms, but in life.
Instead of making banks rich, the family captures that interest for themselves. Wealth circulates within the family, not out of it. This isn’t just about avoiding loss. It’s about earning—and doing it with intention.
The Rockefeller Method: Legacy That Lasts
In What Would the Rockefellers Do?, we explore how most family wealth disappears within three generations—but it doesn’t have to. The Rockefellers didn’t just leave money. They left a method.
This includes:
- A family constitution—a document that articulates family values, purpose, and protocols.
- Regular family retreats to reconnect with values and plan for the future.
- A family crest, serving as a symbolic representation of what the family stands for.
- A trust structure, not just to transfer money, but to mentor the next generation.
We brought that to life at Cash Cabin. Together, we defined mantras. Captured philosophies. Created a safe space for reflection, vision, and structure.
It wasn’t theory. It was her real life. Her real family. And it’s all now in motion.
Policies for Every Grandchild: Securing Future Possibility
We designed and secured life insurance policies for each grandchild, not only to protect insurability and create future cash flow, but to:
- Provide early financial education.
- Fund passions and purpose-driven projects.
- Empower entrepreneurship.
- Reward responsibility, not entitlement.
This creates a family bank. One that pays interest back to the family. That outperforms traditional savings vehicles. That is tax advantaged, flexible, and backed by guarantees.
In a world where most financial “advice” is tied to stock market speculation and relinquished control, this is elegant, empowering, and efficient. It’s about using money to elevate—not just accumulate.
Symbols and Systems: Legacy Made Visible
Creating a family crest was a highlight. My client gave me permission to share it with you:
That symbol? It’s not superficial. It’s substance. A talking point at family dinners. A reminder of purpose. (See the explanation below.)
Just like companies use logos and religions use symbols, the crest grounds the family in meaning. It inspires. It tells a story.
Paired with the family constitution, it becomes the preamble to her trust—not just a legal container, but a living philosophy.
Wealth With a Why
This isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy. This is for anyone ready to be intentional and impactful.
To those who want to:
- Replace entitlement with empowerment.
- Trade stock tips for family traditions and invest in their heirs.
- Use retreats to reconnect, not just vacation.
- Leave letters, lessons, and love alongside dollars.
Because money without values can destroy. But money with values can deliver impact for generations.
I’m not here to give you a product. I’m here to help you create a philosophy.
That day with Renee? We remembered her mother. The way she showed up. The words she used. The hopes she held.
We dreamed up how she wants to show up for her children and grandchildren. And we built a structure to do just that.
This is more than financial planning. This is a spiritual practice disguised as a strategy session. It’s about living wealthy—now, and long after you’re gone.
What is Your Living Legacy?
What does legacy mean to you? What family values do you want echoed for decades to come? What do you want to contribute? Who do you want to impact?
You don’t need millions of dollars to define your mission. You just need time. Attention. And a willingness to invest in your family like you would your business.
This is your invitation. Your permission slip. Your blueprint.
Because legacy isn’t later. Legacy is now.
To your legacy,
Garrett
P.S.
Here’s the explanation of the Deal Family Crest, which I share with permission from Renee:
Our family crest centers on a heart because love isn’t just a feeling in the Deal family—it’s how we show up for each other. Whether it’s gathering around the dinner table after a long day, celebrating someone’s achievement, or rallying together when times get tough, that heart represents the choice our family makes every day to put each other first.
The shield shape isn’t about medieval battles. It’s about how our family creates a safe space where everyone can be themselves, take risks, and know they’ll be supported no matter what. When one of us faces a challenge at work or school, the others step in naturally, forming that protective circle the shield represents.
The rich red color speaks to the warmth and energy that defines Deal family gatherings. It’s the color of shared laughter, passionate discussions around the table, and the fire that drives our family to stand up for what matters. Red doesn’t fade quietly—just like our family’s commitment to each other.
The smiling face and sun aren’t just decorative touches. They capture something essential about our family’s approach to life: we choose optimism, we find reasons to celebrate, and we bring light to situations that might otherwise feel dark. Even during difficult times, there’s an underlying current of hope and joy that keeps everyone moving forward.
Our motto, “love conquers all,” isn’t about fairy tale endings. It’s about the practical truth our family lives every day—that when we lead with love, we can work through disagreements, overcome obstacles, and build something stronger together than any of us could manage alone.
This crest will remind future generations of Deals that they come from people who understood something important: love isn’t just what you feel, it’s what you do. And when we do it consistently, with the warmth and protection this crest represents, we create a legacy worth passing on.
P.P.S.
This is what Renee sent me while writing this:
“Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home and heart during our immersion. The time we spent together was truly inspiring. Creating the family crest and constitution was such a powerful experience, emotional and I’m excited to share the final version with you soon.
“What meant the most was not just the work we did, but the way you opened your doors and made me feel like part of your family. I deeply admire what you’re building and the way you’re involving your own family in such meaningful ways. It reminded me so much of the joy I feel working with my kids and my PayDay family.
“I’m so grateful to be on this path with you and am looking forward to everything we’ll build together for generations to come. Also keeping the friendship.”
