Peyton Hoppes

Dream Big. Plan Smart. Why a Brokerage Account Could Be Your Secret Weapon.

Written by Peyton Hoppes | Dec 19, 2025 5:00:00 PM

Most people think of retirement accounts as the cornerstone of a financial plan—and they’re not wrong. But what if you’re dreaming beyond retirement?

A second home. A child’s wedding. Buying into a business. Making a bold career move. The real question isn’t just what you’re dreaming about—it’s how you’re going to fund it.

Enter: the brokerage account.

If you’re married, this might be a joint account. If you’re single, it’s your own. Either way, a brokerage account offers something most retirement accounts can’t—flexibility. These are dollars that aren’t locked away until age 59½. Instead, they’re earmarked for opportunity.

We typically start by maxing out retirement savings—but when we’ve done that (or when your timeline is shorter than retirement), brokerage accounts become a powerful next step. You can fund them with extra income, bonuses, or proceeds from a business. And over time, this account becomes a launchpad for future goals.

Need more reasons to consider it?

  • You can tie a line of credit to the account for short-term needs or private investment opportunities.
  • It can provide liquidity when buying a new home—without having to sell your current one in a rush.
  • It gives you the confidence and freedom to say “yes” when opportunity knocks.

Imagine sitting on $500,000 in a brokerage account in 15 years—not as a fantasy, but as a result of intentional planning. That’s the kind of flexibility that reduces stress, fuels dreams, and lets you move forward on your terms.

Because in the end, cash is king—but access to cash is what creates freedom.

 

P.S. - Here are a few things I am reading/watching/listening to: