Start the F.I.R.E: Create a Growing Income Engine
A 14-Part Educational Series with Steve Selengut, Author of Retirement Money Secrets
Income-Focused Retirement Investing
What if your retirement portfolio could pay you, consistently and predictably, without having to sell off your investments every time you need cash?
This course, Start the F.I.R.E: Create a Growing Income Engine, is a multi-part educational series that brings the core principles of Retirement Money Secrets to life, giving you a step-by-step plan for building a reliable income machine using Closed-End Funds (CEFs). Whether you're already retired or simply planning ahead, this course will help you move beyond Wall Street's obsession with growth and focus on what really matters: monthly income you can count on.
Inside the course, you'll learn how to:
- Stop worrying about market downturns and actually use them to grow your income
- Build a high-yield portfolio without chasing risky investments
- Take profits consistently without the stress of guessing the next big market move
- Transition from traditional "set-it-and-forget-it" advice to active, income-first management
Steve Selengut doesn't just teach theory, he teaches a philosophy that turns volatility into opportunity. This course is your opportunity to internalize this idea and apply it directly to your financial future.
Who Is This Course For?
Start the F.I.R.E: Create a Growing Income Engine is designed for the readers of Retirement Money Secrets—people who are done with vague financial advice and ready to take control of their retirement income.
Ideal participants are those who are:
- Ages 45-65+ with retirement either on the horizon or already underway
- Recommended $100k+ in annual income or $500k+ net worth
- Retired professionals, business owners, corporate leaders, account managers, or self-directed investors
- Pragmatic and cautious but decisive and commited to financial independence
- Fearful of running out of money and frustrated with speculative strategies that don't produce income
- Professional advisors who want to bring income independence to their clients
This course is a clear, proven system for generating sustainable income that gives you the peace of mind you need to sleep soundly at night, knowing exactly what you'll earn each month with the right income-generating tools (that don't rely on market luck).
What's Included?
A $4,180 Value for an Introductory Rate of $625
For financial professionals wanting to use this course as a staff development tool, please contact us directly for enrollment.
What Does the Curriculum Look Like?
Each of the 14 lessons are grouped into five separate modules that creates a structured learning environment. Click on the module headings below to get a breakdown of what's included.
Does Income-Focused Investing Actually Work?
Market Value Growth Comparison: Retirement Money Secrets Portfolios vs. SPY and BND
The black line in this chart is the Retirement Money Secrets portfolio. Here you can see it outperform major indexes like SPY and BND.
Portfolio Income Production Enhanced Using Retirement Money Secrets Strategies
"I've tried just about every method of trading and investing. When I read Steve's book, Retirement Money Secrets ", I knew immediately that my money had found its home. I haven't yet been able to shake the use of some indicators to help me with entry and exit timing on some CEF's but by and large I'm following Steve's plan. I'm happy, worry free, and becoming more wealthy with every dividend payment. Bravo Steve. Thank you for helping so many people like me. Happy 2025."
Daniel Canaday
"I've been using the investment strategy outlined in Retirement Money Secrets since retiring 17 years ago. I've been through two market downturns, and the income from the CEFs was stable throughout both market cycles. I highly recommend the book and the strategy."
David Flemming
"I just finished reading your new book. Congratulations, it's a winner! Having followed you for a number of years (since hearing your talk at AAII in Atlanta), I have the perspective of seeing your progression to 'all in' on CEFs. I wish I had been all in on CEFs when the pandemic downturn happened. Lesson learned. My CEFs weathered the down cycle with usual, great results."
John Paul Jones
"Great book and easy to read, excellent information regarding taking a different approach to investing to develop an income portfolio, as opposed to relying on market growth (or no growth), and getting into a mindset of creating a bunch of 'dividend' income paying sources (CEF Universe) using Closed End funds (CEFs)..."
G. Kane
"I have used the strategy explained in this book since I retired more than 18 years ago. My IRA and my wife's IRA are both invested 100 percent in Income CEFs. During the market collapse of 2008 and the long recovery period that followed, we never missed a check. If you are retired or nearing retirement, you should be focusing on building a stream of income to pay your bills. This is the way to do it."
David Fleming
Best Paired with Retirement Money Secrets
Retirement Money Secrets is the foundation of this course and is required reading for anyone wanting to implement its methodologies.
If you have not read it yet, you are eligible for a free, mailed-in copy from Steve when you buy the course. Otherwise, the eBook and audio versions are available for purchase if you want a more immediate delivery.
Shift your focus from chasing market value "returns" to creating a consistent stream of spending money. Learn the secret to receiving reliable income without selling your hard-earned investments.
- 4.7 Average Rating
- Over 230 5-Star Reviews
- 7,000+ Copies Sold
Great read! - Financial Freedom in Your Golden Years
Selengut's expertise shines through in his practical, straightforward approach to building and managing a retirement portfolio. The book demystifies complex financial concepts, making them accessible to the layperson, and provides actionable strategies for generating sustainable income in retirement.
I would rate this book with ten gold stars if I could! No joke.
By far this is the most influential book in personal financial management I have ever read. If you don't read this, you WILL regret it. I am a middle class professional, retired 3 years ago at 71 because I had to work as long as possible, and saved every darn penny I could over the years. [...] Steve Selengut is absolutely correct in the basic premise of this book.
Life-Changing
Like many other reviewers have said, this is an extraordinary and life-changing book. Clear, concise, easy to understand and above all, effective. I bought the book late last year and I've been following Steve's principles for the past six months - six extremely financially rewarding months. My retirement looks very different now than it did in the early part of last year, thanks to this book.
The bright light of all my experiences
Any other type [of] retirement planning I have been exposed to all require you to sell positions for operating capital that reduces your working capital each year into your retirement. Not CEFs! Do yourself a great favor and that of your family, read the book!!! You too, will likely want revel with enthusiasm.
About Steve Selengut
Steve Selengut is a retired private investment portfolio manager, managing over 300 portfolios at a time before selling his business in 2023 with over $110 million in assets. He's introduced several proprietary concepts, including QDI + PT, Smart Cash, The Working Capital Model, The Investor's Creed, Base Income, and the Investment Grade Value Stock Identification System.
As a 44-year investment professional, he's developed a simple yet little-known system for producing reliable stock market returns. He created income-generating portfolios for his clients for decades.
Now semi-retired himself, his mission is to bring this system to as many retirees as possible. Learn more about Steve's income independence coaching services.