In this episode of Brick by Brick, Loren Wernette sits down with Rebecca Irey, the founder and CEO of Blue Skye Financial, to talk about the new rules of money, retirement, and financial independence. Rebecca shares her personal journey—from growing up on a ranch to building a national financial planning firm—and how that shaped her belief that the American Dream isn’t broken… most people just never got the roadmap.

Together, they dig into why traditional financial advice often fails younger generations, how entrepreneurs overlook their own retirement, and what practical, tax-efficient strategies actually create financial clarity.

• Financial education is the missing piece. Most people never learned the rules of money, which keeps them stuck.

• The American Dream still works—but you need non-traditional tools to get there today.

• Rebecca’s ranch-to-finance journey shows how money can create opportunity for anyone, regardless of where they start.

• Entrepreneurs are great at making money… but often horrible at planning for themselves.

• The traditional retirement system is broken for Gen Z and millennials, requiring new strategies.

• Leverage beats spending. Wealth is built by using money as a tool, not a lifestyle.

• Retirement isn’t an end. It’s about giving yourself the freedom to do the work you want to do.

• Long-term care planning matters—people are living longer, and ignoring this creates huge financial strain.

• Avoiding taxes legally is a civic responsibility, not a cheat code.

• Money is energy. Creating wealth helps you, your family, and society as a whole.

00:00 — Welcome & Introduction
03:12 — Rebecca’s upbringing on a ranch & her path into finance
10:45 — Why financial education is failing Americans
17:20 — The challenges entrepreneurs face planning for themselves
25:08 — How retirement planning has changed for younger generations
33:50 — Leveraging money vs spending it: what actually builds wealth
40:15 — Taxes, long-term care, and planning for longevity
48:30 — Rebecca’s message: a roadmap exists no matter where you're starting
54:10 — Final thoughts and where to connect with Rebecca

🔑 Key Takeaways🎧 Episode Chapters (Corrected & Structured)

Website: https://blueskyefinancial.com
Meet the Team: https://blueskyefinancial.com/meet-our-team/
Instagram: @blueskye_financial