Let’s get one thing straight: debt is not the enemy. The real enemy is how most people think about debt—emotionally, reactively, and with zero strategy. We’ve been sold the lie that all debt is bad. That it should be avoided, feared, and eliminated as fast as possible. But here’s the truth: when used correctly, debt is not a burden—it’s a wealth-building tool.

At CreateTailwind, we don’t just reject conventional thinking—we flip it on its head. Debt, when properly understood and intentionally leveraged, can be one of the most powerful tools in your financial arsenal. But you have to approach it like a banker, not like a consumer.

Let’s unpack what that means.

The Problem: Debt Has Been Demonized

We’ve all heard it:

• “Debt is slavery.”
• “Cut up your credit cards.”
• “The goal is to be 100% debt-free.”

And listen—we get where that sentiment comes from. Most people are in bad debt. High-interest credit cards, car payments on depreciating assets, student loans with no ROI. They’re trapped in a cycle where debt is consuming their cash flow instead of multiplying it.

But debt, in and of itself, is neutral. It’s the use of debt that determines whether it’s toxic or transformative.

The Shift: Think Like a Banker

Banks don’t hate debt. Banks sell debt. They borrow money at one rate and lend it out at a higher rate. That spread? That’s where their profit is made. They’re not emotional about it. They’re strategic. They know how to use leverage.

And you can do the exact same thing—when you control the terms.

Here’s the rule:

If debt produces income, grows your net worth, or lets your money grow in multiple places at once—it’s a tool.

If it does none of those things? It’s a burden.

Let’s walk through some real examples to show you the difference.

Example 1: Using Debt to Control Real Estate

Let’s say you have $100,000 and you want to get into real estate. You’ve got two options:

Option A: Pay Cash

• Buy a $100,000 property outright
• Rent it for $1,200/month
• Net $800/month after expenses
• Annual ROI = $9,600 / $100,000 = 9.6%

Option B: Use Leverage (Debt)

• Put $100,000 down on a $400,000 fourplex
• Loan: $300,000 at 5.5%, 30 years → $1,700/month mortgage
• Gross rents: 4 units × $1,200 = $4,800/month
• Expenses (including mortgage): ~$3,200/month
• Net cash flow: ~$1,600/month
• Annual cash flow: $19,200
• Plus appreciation at 3%/year: $12,000/year
• Annual ROI = ($19,200 cash flow + $12,000 appreciation) / $100,000 = 31.2%

Same $100,000. Three times the return.
The only difference? One person fears debt. The other understands leverage.

Example 2: Using IBC to Stack Growth and Leverage

Now let’s layer in Infinite Banking.

Same scenario: You have $100,000. But instead of taking it directly to the real estate deal, you fund a properly structured whole life policy.

• The cash value grows at ~3–5% tax-free
• You borrow against it at ~5% simple interest
• You use the borrowed $100,000 to fund your real estate deal (see above)
• Meanwhile, your policy continues to grow as if you never touched the money
• After 10 years, your policy’s cash value could exceed $130,000, on top of the returns from real estate

Now you’re earning on both sides of the transaction. That’s the banker mindset.

The Bottom Line: Debt Is a Tool When…

• It lets you control appreciating or income-generating assets
• It allows your money to grow in multiple places at the same time
• You control the terms of the loan (instead of the bank)
• It enhances cash flow and long-term equity

But it requires clarity. Strategy. And a willingness to break away from the consumer trap and start playing the game like the banks do.

Final thought… 

People who fear debt are usually the ones paying it. People who understand it are the ones profiting from it.

If you’re ready to stop being a customer of the banking system and start becoming the bank, it’s time to rethink everything you’ve been taught about debt.

We teach this inside the free CreateTailwind Community. You’ll find courses, workshops, and a no-B.S. group of people who’ve stepped off the Wall Street hamster wheel and are building wealth by controlling the banking function in their lives.

Debt isn’t your enemy. It’s your opportunity—if you know how to use it. Let’s get to work.