Most people don’t lose wealth all at once.
They lose it quietly.

A little here. A small decision there. A habit that feels harmless in the moment. And over time, what looked like progress starts to feel slippery.

In this episode of LIFE’s Inside Track, we unpack a truth that shows up again and again in real life and real estate:

Growth without stewardship becomes erosion.

This conversation sits inside Episode 7 of the Wealth Formula Expanded Journey, and it’s one of the most practical, honest, and hope-filled discussions we’ve had in the series.

Let’s walk it through together.

Small Leaks Are the Real Threat

When people think about financial risk, they often picture dramatic failures—market crashes, bad tenants, or one catastrophic investment.

In reality, most damage comes from small leaks.

High-interest borrowing that “just barely works.”
Spending habits that slowly creep back in.
Skipping due diligence because something feels right.

None of these look dangerous on their own. Yet together, they quietly drain momentum.

Integrity, in wealth terms, simply means this:
Does your plan work? Can it hold wealth over time?

If it leaks, growth won’t save it.

When Paying Monthly Can Be Wise—and When It’s Not

There’s an important distinction many people miss.

There are seasons where contributing a small amount monthly toward a property can be part of a smart, long-term plan—when that money is paying down principal, acting like forced savings, and aligned with a bigger picture.

And then there are situations where monthly shortfalls are simply funding interest, inflated risk, or misalignment with your actual capacity.

Same behavior. Very different outcomes.

This is why we always slow things down, run the numbers properly, and ask deeper questions before moving forward. Wisdom lives in the details.

The Leaks You Can’t See at First

Some leaks aren’t financial. They’re internal.

In this episode, Ken shares a very personal realization—how earlier success quietly collided with an old internal blueprint:

Who am I to have more than my parents?
Who am I to exceed what feels familiar or safe?

That internal tension led to rushed decisions, incomplete due diligence, and eventually significant financial losses.

The insight mattered more than the loss.

Because sometimes the leak isn’t the investment.
It’s the pattern underneath it.

Why Steady Compounding Beats Speed

We live in a world obsessed with fast results.

Yet wealth rarely responds well to urgency.

In Segment B, we revisit the Rule of 72, a simple way to estimate how long it takes money to double based on its rate of return. The takeaway is not the math—it’s the mindset.

Time does the heavy lifting.

Starting earlier.
Staying consistent.
Reusing the same “seed money” wisely instead of constantly starting over.

This is why steady compounding almost always outperforms late urgency. It’s not flashy. It’s faithful.

Don’t Cross the River Alone

In Segment C, the conversation shifts to mentorship and community.

The image is simple:
If there’s a river between you and better investments, you don’t jump in blindly. You build a boat.

That boat is made of:

• Cash flow
• Discipline
• Mentors who’ve crossed before
• A team of experienced professionals
• A community of like-minded people

Trying to do this alone is expensive. Not just financially, but emotionally.

The right guidance doesn’t remove risk.
It reduces blind spots.

Trust Experience, Not Just Confidence

One of the most important insights in this episode is this:

Don’t trust people only for who they are.
Trust them for what they know and what they’ve done.

Experience matters. Lived wisdom matters. Especially when decisions have long-term consequences.

We’ve learned this the hard way ourselves. And we share it so you don’t have to.

A Gentle Question to Leave You With

If your wealth journey feels heavier than it should, consider this:

Is something broken—or is something leaking?

Because leaks can be patched.
Stewardship can be learned.
And steady compounding still works.

Ready for the Next Wise Step?

If you’d like a second set of eyes on what you’re building, the first step is simple.

A 15-minute clarity call helps determine whether:

• a deeper conversation makes sense,
• a small adjustment could change everything, or
• you’re already on the right track and just needed reassurance.

Visit https://dekkerteam.com/clarity-call/ when you’re ready.

You don’t have to rush.
You don’t have to do this alone.
And you don’t have to figure it out the hard way.