Retirement

The $1.25 Trillion Merger and the Myth of the “Retirement-Free” Future

February 5, 2026 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The financial world woke up today, February 2, 2026, to news that feels like it was ripped from a science fiction novel: SpaceX has officially acquired xAI in a massive merger valuing the combined entity at an estimated $1.25 trillion. Elon Musk’s vision is to create a “vertically integrated innovation engine” that includes launching orbital data centers powered by solar energy to scale AI beyond Earth’s limits.

This news comes on the heels of Musk’s recent “financial bombshell” where he advised listeners to stop “squirreling money away” for retirement because AI-driven abundance will soon make savings irrelevant.

Don’t worry about squirreling money away for retirement in 10 or 20 years. It won’t matter. – Elon Musk

At Intelligent Investing, we have a simple response: We completely disagree.

While we celebrate innovation, we believe that betting your family’s future on a technological utopia is a dangerous departure from the timeless principles that actually build wealth.

A Century of Broken “Abundance” Promises

Elon Musk isn’t the first wealthy visionary to predict the end of the “economic problem.” History is littered with similar, well-intentioned predictions that failed to account for human nature and economic reality.

The 15-Hour Workweek: In 1930, economist John Maynard Keynes famously predicted that by 2030, technology would be so advanced that we would only need to work 15 hours a week. He believed our biggest challenge would be what to do with all our leisure time. We are four years away from that deadline, yet most of us are busier than ever.
The “Everyone Ought to be Rich” Trap: In August 1929, just months before the Great Crash, financier John J. Raskob argued in Ladies’ Home Journal that “everyone ought to be rich” through simple, systematic stock investment. While his math on the power of the market was sound, he underestimated the behavioral gap—the emotional panic that causes investors to sell when markets get scary.

Wealthy prognosticators often underestimate the persistence of human needs and the “inappropriate behavioral proclivities” that cause the average investor to capture much less than half of their potential returns.

Born to Be Productive

We disagree with the idea that retirement is simply “waiting for abundance.” At Intelligent Investing, our philosophy is rooted in the belief that humans are born to be productive.

Productivity as Purpose: We believe we all have purposes in life and have been given money to help accomplish these purposes while building relationships.
The Freedom to Choose: We don’t save just to stop working; we save to have the freedom to choose work that fulfills our life’s purposes and maximizes our life.
A “Crisis of Meaning”: A future of pure “leisure” often leads to a crisis of purpose. We believe in maintaining a positive outlook—optimism as the only realism—but we prepare for that future with a disciplined plan.

The Cold, Hard Math of Compounding

Musk suggests that in 10 or 20 years, your savings won’t matter. This ignores the most powerful force in finance: compounding interest. * The Cost of Delay: Starting early may matter more than increasing savings later. For example, someone starting at age 25 and saving $250 a month at a 3% rate could have $229,297 by age 65; starting at 45 with the same amount yields only $81,713.

Exponential Growth: Compounding allows your money to earn returns on past returns, creating a “snowball effect” that grows exponentially over time.
The Danger of “Waiting”: By not acting today, you lose the one asset you can never buy back: Time. Even stopping just five years earlier can reduce a long-term nest egg by one-third.

Don’t Let the Headlines Drive Your Plan

The $1.25 trillion SpaceX-xAI merger is a fascinating piece of news, but it shouldn’t be your investment strategy. Our value at Intelligent Investing is acting as your behavioral coach—helping you ignore the “siren songs” and headlines that distract from your long-term goals.

We are planners, not prognosticators. We don’t bet on when “orbital data centers” will change the world; we bet on discipline, transparency, and accountability.

If you are an executive or professional still working and saving for your retirement, don’t let the noise distract you. Download our complimentary e-book entitled, ‘Is Your Portfolio on Track’ to ensure your plan is built on principles, not predictions

Download Here!

Disclosure: This blog may reflect the perspectives and research of Intelligent Investing and, where applicable, incorporates insights from guest interviews or expert opinions. Any external views or opinions shared do not necessarily reflect the stance of Intelligent Investing. We may also utilize tools such as ChatGPT to enhance readability, grammar, and flow, while all core ideas remain proprietary to our firm.

Please note that Intelligent Investing does not provide specific tax or legal advice. All investments carry risks, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any specific securities, sectors, or investment strategies mentioned are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation. We encourage readers to consult with Intelligent Investing for advice tailored to their unique financial situation. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this content is prohibited without proper credit to Intelligent Investing.

Leadership Lessons: Culture, Accountability, & Growth with Mike Meilinger

January 15, 2026 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, Hans Blake sits down with Mike Meilinger, managing partner of Meilinger Consulting, to unpack the leadership lessons that have shaped him over the last couple decades. Mike is quick to admit these lessons were not learned from theory alone, but through real mistakes and hard-earned experience.

Here are a few of Mike’s most powerful takeaways for business owners who want to lead better, build stronger teams, and grow the right way.

Be Positive, But Hold People Accountable

Mike points to How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie as a timeless reminder that leadership is deeply tied to people skills. In today’s work environment, he believes positivity matters more than ever, but it cannot come at the expense of accountability.

Mike shares a principle he adopted as a core value: love and accountability. In practice, that means caring about people as humans while still holding the standard.

Lead By Example And Lead With Transparency

One of Mike’s strongest beliefs is that leadership is visible. Your team watches what you do more than they listen to what you say. That’s why he emphasizes leading by example and staying transparent, especially with the numbers.

He encourages business owners to share key performance indicators with their teams, because people want to know what winning looks like and how the business is performing.

Empower High Performers, Coach Everyone Else Up

Mike highlights something that surprises many owners: high performers only represent about 14 percent of the workforce.

Because of that, leaders need to think differently about how they manage their team:

Empower your top performers and avoid micromanaging them. Coach your solid performers so they grow into confident, self led contributors.

Mike’s goal is simple: keep developing people until more of the team becomes the kind of player you can trust with real ownership.

Repeat Yourself More Than You Think You Need To

One of the most practical lessons Mike shares is also one of the most overlooked:

You have to repeat yourself. Over and over.

He explains that leaders often assume something has been communicated clearly just because it was said once. But in real organizations, repetition is what turns values and processes into habits.

Even with something as basic as following up with clients, Mike emphasizes that leaders have to reinforce the standard, and sometimes that means pushing past email and picking up the phone or sending a text.

Culture Will Form, Even If You Do Nothing

Mike also warns business owners about a major blind spot: culture is never neutral.

If you do not create culture intentionally, it will create itself.

And when culture slips, the impact shows up fast: losing key employees, losing clients, and dealing with internal dysfunction that drains the business.

Choose Conflict Today, Or Live With Dysfunction Tomorrow

Mike closes with a quote he likes from Dan Martell:

You can have conflict today and dysfunction tomorrow.

Leadership often requires addressing the hard thing early, even when it feels uncomfortable. Mike’s view is that great leaders do not avoid discomfort, they learn to seek it, because that is where growth happens.

More From Mike Meilinger

Please be sure to subscribe to our podcasts as we will be interviewing Mike on upcoming podcasts where he shares valuable insights on how proactive tax planning, disciplined financial behavior, and long-term business strategy can create lasting success.

Mike Meilinger Bio

Mike Meilinger is the leader and visionary of Meilinger. He’s worked in public accounting since 1995. He has earned over 10 prof designations and his claim to fame is that he’s never failed a professional exam.

Mike’s passion is people. His “why” is he believes that every business owner should have a spiritual vision and that vision should be how they impact the lives of the people they serve. Mike’s vision is to dramatically impact the lives of his customers, his employees, and his vendors.

Outside of work, Mike loves working out and staying healthy. He’s tremendously committed to lifelong learning and is always studying things he thinks can help his clients and his employees get to the next level.

Top Tips to Keep Your Financial New Year’s Resolutions

December 13, 2025 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Top Tips to Keep Your Financial New Year’s Resolutions

If you are like me, it is easy to set a bunch of new year’s resolutions for the new year, only to struggle to keep them until the end of January. Did you know that making New Year’s resolutions possibly started 4,000 years ago by the ancient Babylonians? And I bet they didn’t do a good job of keeping their resolutions either. In fact, I saw a t-shirt that said, “My new year’s resolution is to do last year’s resolution, which was also the previous year’s resolution. Today, I’d like to share with you a resource that should help you as you consider making your New Year’s resolutions. Though the following video was created last year, the truths mentioned are still true.

New Year’s Resolution Facts

This is the time of year where most people make New Year’s Resolutions. According to the University of Scranton, only 8% of those who make New Year’s resolutions actually keep them. In fact, research conducted by Strava using over 800 million user-logged activities in 2019 predicts the day most people are likely to give up on their New Year’s Resolution is January 19. Well that’s depressing. Wouldn’t it be better to just not have resolutions, that way there isn’t the associated guilt of not keeping them?

As Zig Ziglar says, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

I’ve found that one of the best ways to meet your financial goals is to break them down into smaller chunks.

I tend to start with writing down annual goals (including some stretch goals) that are a little beyond my reach.

Let’s say you want to pay off a $50,000 loan next year, you can break that down into quarters, months, and even paychecks. Remember, there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.

Financial Freedom Calendar

Intelligent Investing believes in minimizing financial stress to maximize your lives. We created this financial freedom plan that includes monthly tasks as well as things to consider buying and things to avoid buying each month.

For example, the Financial Freedom calendar suggests that in January you should consider automation. Recently, I decided to automate all my bills to be paid and I can already tell you that the stress has been reduced instead of wondering, did I already pay that bill? When is that one due?

We love organizing our clients’ “financial junk drawers” and would love to organize yours as well. Feel free to share this Financial Freedom Plan with others.

A Resolution You Can Keep

One last resolution to consider…becoming more financially educated. You can start by simply subscribing to our Intelligent Insights Newsletter. You can also subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts.

If you are ready to get some accountability partner and are looking for a new financial advisor, we’d love to have a complimentary call or coffee with you. Click here to get started.

How to Prepare for a Successful Business Exit with Mike Meilinger

December 4, 2025 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, Hans Blake, CFA, CPA, sits down with Mike Meilinger, CPA, ABV, CFF, PFS, and managing partner of Meilinger Consulting, on how to guide clients through critical business transitions such as valuations, succession planning, and exit strategies—topics that often determine the long-term success of both the business and its owner.

Planning Ahead Pays Off

Mike explains that the ideal scenario is when business owners start preparing five to ten years before selling their company. This window allows time to build value, strengthen financial systems, and plan strategically for taxes and wealth transfer. “If a client actually comes to us ten years before a sale, that’s a godsend,” he says. “There’s so much we can do to make that exit more tax efficient.”

His process begins with a baseline assessment—a valuation that establishes where the business stands today and what it could be worth in the future. From there, he and his team design a roadmap to help owners grow their business’s value while positioning it for an eventual sale.

Understanding the Tax Landscape

When it comes time to sell, Mike notes that most transactions are structured as asset purchases rather than stock sales. This protects the buyer from unknown liabilities and allows for valuable tax deductions over time. However, sellers often face a mix of ordinary income and capital gains taxes, which can significantly reduce their proceeds.

“Even with today’s relatively low rates, a $10 million sale could result in roughly $2.5 million in taxes,” Mike explains. To mitigate that burden, he recommends long-term tax and estate planning, including gifting strategies or transferring ownership into trusts before a sale. These techniques, when done properly and early, can preserve millions in potential taxes and allow those funds to compound for future generations.

The Importance of Time and Teamwork

Both Hans and Mike emphasize that the key to a successful exit lies in collaboration. Having a financial advisor, CPA, and estate attorney work together gives business owners a coordinated plan that addresses both the sale and life after it. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs wait too long—often approaching professionals only months before closing a deal.

“The biggest lost opportunity we see,” Mike says, “is when business owners come to us 90 days before a sale. At that point, there’s very little time to implement meaningful strategies.”

Planning ahead, he adds, not only maximizes value but ensures peace of mind during one of the biggest financial transitions of a person’s life.

Mike Meilinger Bio

Turning Your Business into an Asset with Mat Hultquist

November 6, 2025 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, Hans Blake, CFA, CPA, continues his conversation with Mat Hultquist, CPA and president of The Hultquist Firm, a Greenville-based tax strategy and advisory practice. Mat shares the most common tax planning opportunities business owners miss and how to turn a growing business into a long-term asset rather than just a job.

Small Habits That Add Up

Mat explains that every business owner, whether just starting out or already established, should understand the fundamentals of tracking income, expenses, and profitability. For startups, simple habits like logging mileage, keeping receipts, and accurately recording income and costs can have a big impact at tax time. Tools such as MileIQ or even a basic spreadsheet can help create that foundation. He emphasizes that understanding where your business makes and loses money—especially cost of goods sold—is critical for sustainability and smart decision-making.

As businesses grow, Mat often sees owners overlooking key opportunities like retirement planning. Many focus entirely on sales and operations but forget to save for their own future. Mat encourages setting up a simple IRA or 401(k) early, allowing business owners to take tax deductions while building long-term financial stability. Hans adds that this strategy is about transforming human capital into financial capital—ensuring that the energy and effort poured into building a business today support financial freedom tomorrow.

Build a Business That Works for You

Mat also reminds listeners to view their company as a true asset, not just employment. Building systems, delegating responsibility, and planning for eventual succession all increase the value of a business beyond its founder. Buyers want to purchase a company that runs independently—not a job that disappears when the owner retires.

Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, Mat’s message is clear: track everything, plan ahead, and remember that your business should work for you, not the other way around.

More From Mat Hultquist

Please be sure to subscribe to our podcasts as we will be interviewing Mat on upcoming podcasts where he shares valuable insights on how proactive tax planning, disciplined financial behavior, and long-term business strategy can create lasting success.

Mat Hultquist Bio

Mat Hultquist brings over 30 years of experience in tax and public accounting to his role as president of The Hultquist Firm. His career began with Arthur Andersen in Atlanta, where he served in the Tax Consulting Group and worked with individuals and businesses across industries to optimize tax strategies. In 2003, he founded The Hultquist Firm with a vision to go beyond simple tax preparation and to provide proactive planning, deeper business insight, and personalized advisory services.

He holds degrees from Auburn University and is committed to translating complex tax and financial matters into straightforward language that clients can understand and act on.

Building a Legacy Through Adaptation with Scott Groves

October 30, 2025 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

When the energy crisis hit the United States in the late 1970s, few could have predicted that it would spark the creation of a family business that would stand the test of time. For Scott Groves, now CEO of CUI Distribution in Greenville, South Carolina, that story began with his father’s vision to meet a simple but vital need: helping people heat their homes affordably and safely.

Kerosene Heaters to a Heating Products Leader

Back then, gas lines wrapped around city blocks, inflation soared, and interest rates climbed into the double digits. Scott’s father, then a furniture retailer in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, saw an opportunity. By selling kerosene heaters directly in his store, he tapped into a growing demand for alternative energy sources. That small pivot turned into a booming venture—within three years, he and his partner sold over a million heaters across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

With the business’s early root in heater sales, it evolved into CUI Distribution, known for carrying a massive inventory of heating-products from top manufacturers. The company emphasizes fast availability and wide selection.

Adapting to Change While Staying True to Core Values

Scott’s leadership reflects a deep respect for the past and a clear vision for the future: “We’ve always been about meeting real needs. The products may change, but that mission doesn’t.” His story highlights how innovation and adaptability can sustain a business across generations.

CUI’s evolution—rooted in resilience, foresight, and family-values—serves as a reminder that smart, sustainable growth isn’t just about reacting to challenges, but anticipating them. It’s a philosophy that mirrors the principles of intelligent investing: long-term thinking, disciplined decision-making, and trust in the foundations that endure.

More From Scott Groves

Please be sure to subscribe to our podcasts as we will be interviewing Scott on upcoming podcasts where he shares valuable insights on principles of stewardship, adaptability, and long-term thinking that drive both business and investing success.

Scott Groves Bio

Scott Groves is the Chief Executive Officer of CUI Distribution, a leading heating products supplier headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. With more than four decades of experience in the industry, Scott has guided CUI through significant growth and transformation since taking over the family business founded by his father in 1978.

Under his leadership, CUI has expanded from its origins in kerosene heaters and cans to become a trusted distributor serving residential, commercial, and industrial heating markets across the nation. Known for his practical leadership style and deep commitment to customer service, Scott emphasizes innovation, reliability, and family values as the foundation of CUI’s success.

How to Build Financial Freedom Beyond Your Business with Mike Meilinger

October 29, 2025 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, Hans Blake, CFA, CPA, sits down with Mike Meilinger, CPA, ABV, CFF, PFS, and managing partner of Meilinger Consulting, on financial freedom truly means and some of the most common blind spots that even successful business owners face.

Redefining Financial Freedom

For many of Mike’s clients, financial freedom isn’t defined by a specific dollar amount. Instead, it’s about having the confidence and flexibility to make decisions on their own terms—knowing they have the financial foundation to pursue new ventures or retire comfortably.

Mike emphasizes that predictable cash flow and tax efficiency are key pillars of true financial independence. He and his team help clients identify concentration risks, diversify income streams, and structure their businesses to operate more sustainably. As Mike explains, “Tax efficiency is one of the main drivers of financial independence. It’s not just about what you earn—it’s about what you keep.”

He also encourages business owners to invest in assets that create stability outside of their primary income, such as owning the real estate their business occupies or working closely with a financial advisor to build diversified wealth over time.

Building a Sellable Business

When discussing business exits, Mike notes that about 80% of privately held businesses in the U.S. aren’t sellable. The biggest reason? Overreliance on the owner. If a business can’t run without its founder, it has little transferable value. He uses a powerful analogy: “If the business is a tent and the owner is the pole, what happens when you pull out the pole?”

Creating documented systems, empowering employees, and building a playbook for how the business operates all make it more attractive to buyers—and help owners step back without the company collapsing.

Avoiding the Biggest Blind Spots

Beyond finances, Mike highlights several personal and operational blind spots that can derail even the most successful entrepreneurs. These include neglecting health, overlooking key relationships, failing to embrace technology, and reactive tax planning instead of proactive strategy. He also stresses the importance of having a formal exit plan—both for the business and for life after it.

Hans adds that technology adoption, such as leveraging automation and AI, is increasingly vital for firms that want to stay competitive and efficient. Both agree that maintaining balance between financial goals, health, and relationships is crucial to enjoying the rewards of long-term success.

Mike Meilinger Bio

From Big 8 to Building His Own Firm with Mat Hultquist

October 26, 2025 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, Hans Blake, CFA, CPA, interviews Mat Hultquist, CPA and president of The Hultquist Firm, a tax strategy and advisory firm in Greenville, South Carolina. Mat shares how his journey from Arthur Andersen to entrepreneurship shaped his approach to serving clients and building lasting relationships.

Mat originally studied architecture at Auburn University before realizing his natural strength in accounting. After earning both his undergraduate and master’s degrees, he joined Arthur Andersen in Atlanta, one of the “Big 8” accounting firms at the time. There, he gained extensive experience in tax consulting and mergers and acquisitions, developing the technical skills and strategic insight that would later define his career.

Building a Firm on Relationships

After several years in corporate accounting, Mat wanted a more personal connection with his clients. When his uncle, a CPA in Santa Fe, invited him to join his small firm, Mat embraced the opportunity. Immersed in the day-to-day work of small business owners, he gained valuable experience in client communication, tax preparation, and business management.

In 2003, Mat and his wife moved to Greenville, South Carolina, where he launched The Hultquist Firm. Starting with a small office and a handful of clients, he built his business through genuine relationships—personally reaching out to attorneys and advisors, inviting them to lunch, and creating a trusted referral network.

Today, The Hultquist Firm continues to serve clients across industries with a focus on proactive tax strategy, personalized advisory services, and long-term planning. Mat’s story is a reminder that lasting success often begins with persistence, humility, and the drive to serve others well.

Mat Hultquist Bio

He holds degrees from Auburn University and is committed to translating complex tax and financial matters into straightforward language that clients can understand and act on.