Financial Tortoise Community
Build lasting wealth with a clear, proven system
Your roadmap to simplifying your money, systemizing your finances, and streamlining your path to wealth.
Join the Waitlist!
We open doors a few times a year to ensure every member receives the best experience possible. Join the waitlist to be notified.
The community that is transforming people’s lives
“If the words ‘money,’ ‘investing,’ or ‘retirement’ give you stress and anxiety, this community is for you. Tae breaks it down step-by-step, in the simplest and most practical way.”
—Viren, Optometrist
“Joining Tae’s community was one of the best financial decisions I’ve made. His simple approach makes sense and has given me the confidence to map my own economic path.”
—Catherine, Scientist
“Becoming part of the Financial Tortoise community has truly been a godsend. Tae’s approachable, easy-to-understand guidance has completely transformed my outlook.”
—Derrick, Manager
“Having one-on-one meeting time with Tae where I can ask personal and specific questions and get Tae's insight has been incredible!”
—Peter, Creative Director
“Speaking with Tae was so helpful and cleared a lot of things regarding 529, Backdoor Roth, and clarified my mindset about investing. Thanks!”
—Sandeep, Dermatologist
“Tae's sharings were more than sharing of knowledge to me. For me, I was more like saved from my financial ignorance.”
—Grace, Dentist
Who’s This Community For?
If any of these sound like you, you’re in the right place.
The Financial Tortoise Community was created just for you.
You want to take greater control of your finances and investments, but have no idea what step to take first.
You’ve spent hours researching the market and what to invest in, but you find yourself confused and unsure.
You want to fire your financial advisor and manage your portfolio, but you’re worried about making costly mistakes.
You’re ready to grow your wealth, but you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of financial advice out there.
The Challenges of Building Wealth
If building wealth was easy, everyone would be rich.
Most people know they should be investing, but when it comes to setting themselves up for long-term wealth, they feel completely lost.
Everyone seems to have a different opinion, and most of what’s out there is either outdated, overly complicated, or just plain wrong.
One expert says to go all in on tech stocks, another swears by real estate, and social media is filled with get-rich-quick schemes that sound too good to be true (because they usually are).
The real problem? It’s not a lack of options—it’s too many options.
Without a clear strategy, people either make random investment decisions, sit on cash out of fear, or hand everything over to a financial advisor without really understanding what’s happening with their money.
And that is extremely costly…
It leads to wasted time, missed opportunities, and a portfolio that’s either too risky, too conservative, or just plain inefficient.
Instead of building wealth with confidence, they’re constantly second-guessing if they’re doing the right thing—or worse, doing nothing at all.
The Secret To Building Lasting Wealth
Here’s the truth: Building wealth doesn’t have to be complicated.
The secret isn’t about chasing hot stocks, trying to outsmart the market, or spending hours buried in financial news.
It’s about simplifying, systemizing, andstreamliningyour money and investments so your money works for you, not the other way around.
Simplify - Fire your expensive financial advisor, consolidate scattered accounts, and understand what really matters for building wealth.
Systemize - Build an automated system for managing, saving, investing, and spending — so your financial life runs smoothly with minimal daily effort.
Streamline - Optimize your investment portfolio by focusing on what actually matters: proper diversification, low costs, and tax efficiency.
When you have a simple, systemized, and streamlined process, you stop overthinking your finances and let a clear, reliable plan move you forward — no endless research or second-guessing required.
This is how true wealth is built. And the best part? You don’t need a finance degree or a background in Wall Street to make it happen.
“Investing is not a game where the guy with the 160 IQ beats the guy with the 130 IQ.” - Warren Buffett
Hi there, my name is Tae Kim. Also known as Mr. Financial Tortoise.
As the name Financial Tortoise implies, I believe in getting rich slowly.
In the classic fable The Tortoise and the Hare, the tortoise didn’t win by being the fastest—he won by being consistent. Step by step, he kept moving forward. And when it comes to building wealth, the same principle applies. It's not about speed—it's about steady progress over time.
My family immigrated to the United States from South Korea when I was 9 years old. I didn’t speak a word of English, and like many immigrant families, we struggled financially to make ends meet.
I spent much of my childhood moving from place to place as my parents’ business struggled to stay afloat. I remember one day when a man showed up at our house, looking confused to see us still living there. It wasn’t until later that I learned he was from the bank—he had been told the home had already been foreclosed on and should have been empty. Instead, he found my family still going about our lives, unaware of what was coming. By the next day, we were packing up and moving out.
It is not an understatement to say that money has always been a sensitive point for me.
Thus I set out to pursue the American dream. I studied hard and worked hard. I believed that if I just climbed the career ladder, I would eventually find financial success.
Thus by the time I had turned 30, I had a respectable pedigree—a Captain in the US Army, an MBA from UCLA, and a great corporate job as a Finance Director at a quarter billion dollar organization.
I had done everything that was expected of me…
But there was just one problem…
I was completely broke
Without strong financial literacy, I made nearly every financial mistake in the book.
I was buried under $105,000 in student debt.
I made terrible decisions like buying a brand-new car I couldn’t afford and blowing $45,000 on a wedding.
I invested in actively managed funds pushed by financial advisors, losing thousands in fees.
I finished graduate school and started my new job with a negative net worth.
The pressure and anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck weighed on me every single day.
I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to pay rent. Or make a car payment. Not to mention the expenses of kids.
But in those moments of anxiety and panic, something clicked for me.
I realized the “success path” I’d been following wasn’t working.
I was trying to look rich instead of trying to build real wealth.
I realized that everything I had been told about money was wrong.
So I committed to change my approach.
And that decision changed everything for me.
I dove deep into every personal finance and investing book I could find. I started learning how the truly wealthy manage their money and implement practical, proven strategies to grow their wealth. I started:
Tracking my spending and living below my means.
Avoiding risky bets and focusing on long-term investments in low-cost index funds.
Ignoring the noise from get-rich-quick schemes and flashy trends.
I started investing for long-term wealth.
And as I continued to learn, make better decisions, and grow my wealth, I started to see real progress.
Through that journey, my wife and I crushed our six figures in debt, achieved our financial goals years ahead of schedule, and finally achieved the freedom to start living life on our own terms.
These slow wealth strategies have given me both freedom and security. They’ve given me the ability to take care of my loved ones and provide them with financial support. They’ve allowed me to take more risks in my career, and buy back my time.
But most importantly, they have given my wife and I the financial and emotional peace to enjoy our life.
That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing these wealth-building strategies with others—I’ve experienced firsthand how transformative they can be.
And the best part? You don’t have to wait decades to see results. With the right plan, you can start building real financial security and freedom now—without guesswork, without wasted energy, and without sacrificing the things that matter most.
That’s exactly why I created The Financial Tortoise Community—to give you the step-by-step roadmap to achieving financial freedom, no matter where you are at in your financial journey
Let me show you how it works…
How It Works
The Financial Tortoise Community is not just another passive online course or a forum full of scattered advice. It is a comprehensive system to support slow, steady progress toward lasting wealth.
Because, let’s be honest. Building wealth isn't just about having the right information—it's about having the right system to turn that knowledge into consistent action.
You can read every investing book, watch countless YouTube videos, and understand the theory perfectly. But here's what most people discover: knowing what to do and actually doing it consistently are two completely different things.
That's why the Financial Tortoise System is built on Three Essential Pillars that work together to ensure you don't just learn—you succeed.
The Financial Tortoise System
Pillar 1
Curated Education
Master the fundamentals with our specially designed courses: Money Mindset, Freedom Blueprint, Investing Simplified, and Smart Taxes.
Each lesson breaks down complex financial concepts into simple, actionable steps you can implement immediately. No confusing jargon—just clear guidance that transforms you from confused to confident with your money decisions.
Pillar 2
Specialized Tools
Get instant access to Premium CustomTools, and complimentary Monarch Money & ProjectionLab subscriptions—everything you need to track, plan, and visualize your financial future.
Plus, the exclusive Financial Tortoise AI Assistant delivers 24/7 personalized guidance built on thousands of hours of slow-wealth strategies. The right tools turn overwhelming decisions into confident ones.
Pillar 3
Human Support
Three Exclusive 1:1 Coaching Sessions with Tae offer personalized support and help you develop a clear path forward based on your specific goals.
Combined with Monthly Live Group Sessions, Quarterly Book Club, Mini-Masterminds and our Private Community Forum of like-minded professionals, you'll never feel alone on your wealth-building journey.
Join the Waitlist!
We open doors a few times a year to ensure every member receives the best experience possible. Join the waitlist to be notified.
What Our Members Are Saying
Ready to start building lasting wealth?
Here’s a full overview of everything you get the minute you join the Financial Tortoise Community…
1:1 Coaching Sessions With Tae
When you join, you’ll receive Three Exclusive 1:1 Coaching Sessions with Tae. He’ll serve as your financial coach and accountability partner—helping you gain clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of your financial situation. Together, you’ll craft a personalized financial and investing plan designed to move you forward with intention.
Financial Tortoise AI Assistant
Have more questions? No problem. When you join, you'll also gain access to the Financial Tortoise AI Assistant—your personal financial coach available 24/7. This custom AI has been trained on thousands of hours of Financial Tortoise content and provides instant, personalized guidance rooted in our proven slow-and-steady wealth-building philosophy.
Money Mindset Course
In this 5-Module Course, we’ll explore how to think differently about money. Many of us were raised with certain beliefs around spending, debt, and what it means to be “rich.” Some of those beliefs are helpful, others not so. And a few might be holding us back entirely. I’ll break down key principles to help you build a healthier, more grounded mindset about money.
Freedom Blueprint Course
There is a systematic process for finding financial peace and, ultimately, financial freedom in our lives. In this 12-Module Course, I will show you the exact tactical steps you can take today—e.g., tracking your expenses, calculating your net worth, automating your finances, maximizing your tax-advantaged investment accounts, and many more.
Investing Simplified Course
The financial industry thrives on making investing feel complicated. Why? Because confusion is profitable. But good investing doesn’t need to be complex. Often the simplest strategies work best. In this 15-Module Course, I’ll walk you through common investing mistakes to avoid, core principles, and sample portfolios you can start with immediately.
Smart Taxes Course
Taxes are one of the biggest expenses you’ll face in your lifetime. That’s why it’s critical to do everything you can to minimize your tax burden. In this 12-Module Course, I’ll walk you through how the US tax system works, the key deductions available, and smart, legal strategies to reduce what you owe so you can keep more of what you earn.
Monarch Money Subscription
The Financial Tortoise Community membership includes complimentary access to Monarch Money — one of the best budgeting and financial tracking tools available. Once you link all your accounts, you can monitor your net worth, track progress towards financial goals, and get powerful insights in your spending in real-time.
ProjectionLab Subscription
The membership also includes complimentary access to ProjectionLab, a powerful financial planning tool for mapping out your path to retirement. Not only can you build a personalized model of your finances and visualize your entire financial future, you can run different scenarios and see your probability of success through Monte Carlo simulations.
Monthly Live Q&A Sessions
Every month, we get on a live call together. You bring your real questions — should I stay in my 401(k) target date fund? When does it make sense to do a Roth conversion? How do I evaluate whether this fund is actually worth it? — and we work through them as a group. These aren't polished webinars. They're honest, live conversations with real professionals.
Quarterly Book Club
Each quarter, we explore a handpicked personal finance, investing, or personal growth book designed to accelerate your progress. These interactive sessions bring together Community to unpack key insights, share real-world applications, and discuss how each book's principles apply to our unique financial situation.
Mini-Mastermind
Get grouped with a small cohort of like-minded professionals, all working through the same financial journey. Your group meets regularly, in three month increments, to share progress, hold each other accountable, and work through real financial decisions together. Because the path to financial clarity isn't just having the right information — it's about the right people.
Live Session Library
When you join, you don't just get access to future sessions — you get the entire archive on day one. Every past live call, Q&A, and book club discussion is recorded and available the moment you join. Past sessions have covered topics like evaluating different funds, ideal Roth conversion timing, and what the data actually shows about dollar-cost averaging.
Exclusive Community Access
Building wealth is easier when you're not doing it alone. Inside the community, you'll connect with a private group of like-minded professionals who are on the same path you are. Post your questions in the forum, share what's working, and get real, thoughtful feedback from people who actually understand where you're coming from.
Money Tools Library
Financial calculators and tools can assist you with a wide range of financial decisions—including investing, tax planning, mortgage payoff strategies, retirement projections, and more. I’ve personally developed and compiled all the essential tools you need in one convenient place so you don’t have to waste time searching for reliable resources.
All Future Courses & Resources
New courses and resources are continually being added to support your financial journey. When you join the Financial Tortoise Community, you’ll get immediate access to all current and future courses, feature updates, and additional tools — at no extra cost. There are no hidden upsells, surprise charges, or tiered pricing.
You also get instant access to our growing library of Specialist Playbooks — deep-dive mini courses built around the specific high-stakes financial decisions.
Fire Your Advisor Blueprint
Ready to take full control of your investments? Many people want to fire their financial advisor but aren't sure how to make the switch. In this bonus course, I'll walk you through exactly how to transition away from your advisor, move your money, and implement a simple investment strategy—step by step.
Safe Withdrawal Framework
During accumulation, the playbook is simple: earn, save, invest, repeat. But once you start withdrawing, the rules change—you need to make your money last. In this course, I'll walk you through building an effective withdrawal strategy, including how to manage sequence-of-returns risk.
HSA Mastery Roadmap
The Health Savings Account (HSA) is one of the most powerful—and underutilized—tax-advantaged accounts available. Most people treat it as a medical expense fund, but it can also double as a wealth-building tool. I'll show you how HSAs work and how to maximize them as a retirement savings vehicle.
Cash Optimization System
Many people keep cash in one account or scatter their cash across too many institutions—and have no idea if they're optimizing it. In this course, I walk you through exactly how to set up the complete cash management framework, so you never think about it again—step by step.
Dividend 101 Playbook
Dividend stocks feel like "free money"—but the math tells a different story. This course reveals why chasing dividends actually hurts your wealth, the psychology that keeps investors hooked, and the simple strategy that captures both dividends and growth without leaving money on the table.
Roth Conversion Blueprint
Your 401(k) isn't tax-free—it's tax-deferred, and Uncle Sam will eventually want his cut at it. This course teaches you the 5-step framework to strategically convert tax-deferred accounts to tax-free Roth IRAs, so you can pay less in taxes and gain complete control over your retirement withdrawals.
But that is not all. I want to ensure you have all the resources necessary to succeed financially, so I’m bundling several incredible bonuses.
Financial Tortoise Bonuses!
Bonus #1
Investment Fee Analyzer
Discover how much you're actually paying in investment fees. This tool compares your advisor's expense ratio against low-cost alternatives, revealing the cost difference over time. Input your investment amount, current fees, and expected returns to see exactly how much extra you're paying.
Bonus #2
Social Security Timing Analyzer
This analyzer models your lifetime benefits across different claim ages showing monthly payments, annual income, and total lifetime earnings. Input your estimated benefit at 67 and life expectancy to discover the optimal claiming age and see exactly how much more you could earn by waiting.
Bonus #3
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate your capital gains tax liability instantly. Input your filing status, holding period, annual income, cost basis, and sale price to see your exact tax bill. This calculator reveals your tax rate, effective rate, and net proceeds—helping you understand the true cost of selling investments.
FAQs
What's the difference between this and your free YouTube content?
While my YouTube channel offers valuable financial education, the Financial Tortoise Community takes it further with a structured, step-by-step system to simplify your finances, optimize your investment strategy, and build long-term wealth. Inside, you’ll get direct access to me and other like-minded professionals through 1:1 coaching, live Q&A calls, mini-masterminds and group discussions. You’ll also have exclusive access to specially curated courses, and custom tools like templates, spreadsheets, and tools. Most importantly, you’ll be part of a private, supportive community committed to growing wealth the slow and steady way—together.
Is it financially worth it?
Financial advisors typically charge 1-2% of your portfolio annually. If you have a portfolio of $1M, this comes out to $10,000 to $20,000. Hourly advisors charge $500-$1,000 per hour for their services. When you meet with them multiple times throughout the year, this comes out to $3,000 to $5,000 annually. With the Financial Tortoise Community, you pay a flat annual fee for 12 months of unlimited access to everything included—without any hidden fees, upsells, or ongoing commissions.
What commitment is required from me?
The Financial Tortoise Community is built to fit into your life, not take it over. Everything is self-paced, so whether you have 10 minutes a day or an hour a week, you can still make meaningful progress. There’s no pressure to complete everything at once. You can start small and see real results. The strategies are designed for immediate action, so you’ll improve your finances without needing to spend hours studying.
When will enrollment open again?
The Financial Tortoise Community opens up enrollment only a few times a year, depending on capacity. I want to ensure that every member who joins receives the best experience possible. The best way to stay updated is to join the waitlist and keep an eye on my emails. That way, you’ll be the first to know when doors open again.
Is this program self-paced, or is it cohort-based?
The Financial Tortoise Community is self-paced with a mentorship, curriculum and community component. As soon as you join, you get instant access to the entire curriculum, tools and community hosted inside of Skool (a community platform), as well as every resource and bonus listed above. You can work your way through the material as quickly or as leisurely as you want.
Join the Waitlist!
We open doors a few times a year to ensure every member receives the best experience possible. Join the waitlist to be notified.
Still Not Sure If It’s Worth It?
Last but not least.
We want to make The Financial Tortoise Community a no brainer for you.
So our refund policy is simple.
If you join the program and you don’t feel like you got the value that you hoped for, we will give you a 100% refund within 30 days of your purchase.
No questions asked.
The reason we're offering this is because we know that the frameworks and strategies we teach work.
What we don't have control over is that you have to put them into action.