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Free Cheat Sheet

Buy, Borrow, Die: The Wealth Strategy Cheat Sheet

The 3‑step framework wealthy families use to access cash without triggering a tax bill, mapped to every income level so you can see exactly where you fit.

  • How to use assets you already own as tax‑free cash sources
  • The borrowing rules that keep the IRS out of the picture
  • Step‑up in basis: how decades of gains vanish at transfer
  • Income‑level breakdown so you know what applies to you
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Inside the cheat sheet

1

Buy

Which assets qualify and what you probably already own

2

Borrow

How to access cash without triggering income tax

3

Die

The step‑up in basis that wipes decades of gains

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Who this is for

If any of these sound like you, the cheat sheet will click immediately.

Business owners ($1M–$10M)

You own property, equipment, or a growing business, and every time you need cash, you trigger a tax bill.

Real estate investors

You have equity sitting in properties but keep selling to access it, losing chunks to capital gains and recapture.

High‑income professionals

Physicians, attorneys, and executives with investment accounts and no strategy for accessing wealth tax‑efficiently.

The 3 steps, simplified

Buy, Borrow, Die isn't complicated. It's just never been explained to you in plain English.

01

Buy

  • Own assets that appreciate over time
  • Commercial property, rentals, your business, brokerage accounts
  • Stop selling every time you need cash
02

Borrow

  • Use assets as collateral for a line of credit
  • Borrowed money is not taxable income
  • The asset keeps compounding while you use the cash
03

Die (the step‑up)

  • Assets receive a stepped‑up basis at death
  • Decades of unrealized gains are wiped clean
  • Heirs inherit at current market value, legally
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Editorial review

Reviewed for tax accuracy

Educational tax content prepared by HavenStone Advisory and reviewed for technical accuracy. It is not individualized tax, legal, accounting, investment, or financial advice. Rules can change, and your facts matter, so confirm decisions with your CPA, attorney, or tax advisor before acting.

Reviewed by Mia Anne Pham Reeves, CPA

See our editorial policy or report a correction.

Verify reviewer CPA license through TSBPA

Primary references

Review standard

  • Primary-source references checked where rule-specific claims are made.
  • Article scope limited to educational information unless a client engagement exists.
  • Time-sensitive tax rules labeled with published, updated, or reviewed dates.

Continue planning

Full Buy, Borrow, Die Breakdown

Read the companion article with examples, risks, and business-owner context.

Entity Structure Matrix

Compare entity choices before changing owner pay, distributions, or asset planning.

Business Tax Strategy

Work with a CPA-led team to validate tax strategy against your actual facts.

Frequently asked

Quick answers about the cheat sheet, the strategy, and how to use it.

Yes. We built this so owners can see how the framework applies at their level. If you want help implementing it, you can book a call, but the cheat sheet stands on its own.
No. We'll send the cheat sheet and occasional useful content. You can opt out anytime with one click.
No. If you own a business, real estate, or investment accounts, the framework applies. The cheat sheet maps it to multiple income levels.
Yes. Buy, Borrow, Die uses provisions built into the tax code: borrowed funds aren't income, and the step-up in basis at death is codified law. Always coordinate with your CPA and attorney.
Take Action

Stop handing the IRS a cut every time you need cash

Download the cheat sheet, see where you fit, and start building a plan that keeps your wealth working for you, not the tax man.

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