By Elisabeth Dawson, CEO of Copia Wealth Management & Insurance Services
Let me ask you a serious question:
Are you unknowingly throwing away thousands of dollars every month?
Most people are.
And the worst part?
They don’t even realize it.
At Copia Wealth Management, we call this “found money”—the hidden wealth that’s already flowing through your financial life… but not being used efficiently or intentionally.
What if I told you that just by uncovering and redirecting this money, you could dramatically improve your retirement future—without changing your lifestyle?
Let’s explore where this “found money” often hides—and how to start recovering it.
1. Overspending: Death by a Thousand Cuts
It’s not always the big expenses that derail your future—it’s the little ones. The subscription services you forgot about. The impulse Amazon purchases. The fees you’re quietly paying every month without question.
You don’t have to live in scarcity to spend smarter. You just need awareness and a strategy.
Tip: Run a spending audit every quarter. Look at your bank and credit card statements line-by-line. Ask: Do I really need this? And if the answer isn’t a strong yes—it’s a no.
At Copia, we help clients streamline spending and redirect those “financial leaks” into strategies that grow wealth instead of waste it.
2. Debt: The Silent Wealth Drainer
Car loans, credit cards, and even mortgages can eat away at your future if you’re not managing them wisely. The average American household pays thousands in interest every year—and that’s money that could be working for you instead.
Tip: Focus on the highest-interest debt first. Refinance if it makes sense. And always weigh the long-term cost of debt against the potential returns of investing or saving.
We work with clients every day to create custom debt reduction plans that don’t feel like deprivation—and actually build toward abundance.
3. Taxes: The Government Doesn’t Always Deserve a Raise
Here’s a painful truth: most people overpay in taxes every single year. Why? Because they’re not optimizing their tax strategy.
You might be missing deductions. Choosing the wrong type of retirement account. Taking income in a way that bumps you into a higher bracket. It all adds up.
Tip: Think proactively about taxes—before you file. There are legal, ethical ways to keep more of what you earn… if you know where to look.
At Copia, we show clients how to potentially reclaim $30,000+ per year by minimizing unnecessary tax mistakes and maximizing strategic tax planning. That’s real money that can be redirected toward your future.
4. Uncoordinated Financial Accounts: The Chaos Tax
Many people have old 401(k)s, IRAs, bank accounts, and insurance policies scattered across institutions. When your financial life is unorganized, you’re more likely to miss opportunities, overpay in fees, or make emotionally-driven decisions.
Tip: Consolidate and coordinate. Make sure everything is aligned to work toward a single, well-defined retirement goal.
Our Retirement Income for Life Blueprint helps clients bring their entire financial picture into focus so we can spot hidden inefficiencies—and turn them into strategic advantages.
5. No Plan = No Peace
Let me say it plainly: Hope is not a retirement strategy.
When you’re not intentional about your money, your future is left to chance. But when you do have a personalized plan, you stop wondering and start knowing. Knowing you’ve maximized every opportunity. Knowing your future is built on strategy—not luck.
Tip: Don’t go it alone. Even the most successful people have blind spots. Partner with a fiduciary team that sees what you can’t—and helps you make the most of what you have.
At Copia, we specialize in uncovering “found money” and turning it into lasting security. It’s what we do best—and we’ve helped hundreds of individuals and families uncover wealth they didn’t know they had.
Ready to Find the Money You’re Missing?
If you’re ready to stop leaking wealth and start building it, we invite you to get your free Retirement Income for Life Blueprint. We’ll show you how to:
- Identify thousands in “phantom” spending
- Optimize your taxes and income
- Create a clear path toward financial freedom
👉 Click here to schedule your complimentary consultation
Your future self will thank you.
Elisabeth Dawson
Money Coach | Author | CEO of Copia Wealth Management
Helping you build a life—and retirement—you love.
CA LIC #0C71264, #0G81294
Investment advice offered through Copia Wealth Management Advisors, Inc.
Copia Wealth Management Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment advisor.
