Mick Unplugged - “Pay Yourself First: A Millionaire’s Roadmap with David Bach”

Date: February 20, 2026
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: David Bach (author, “The Automatic Millionaire”)

Episode Overview

This engaging episode of Mick Unplugged features legendary financial strategist and bestselling author David Bach, whose renowned book “The Automatic Millionaire” has inspired millions to reshape their approach to wealth and legacy. Host Mick Hunt dives deep into Bach’s “Because”—the core driving force behind his mission—as well as actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom, legacy building, and living abundantly both now and in the future. The conversation weaves together faith, purpose, money management, and practical steps for individuals and families to create lasting financial change.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Discovering Your “Because”: Purpose Over Motivation

[04:01]

• Bach shares a profound personal calling discovered decades ago: “I was blessed because I figured it out at a young age…if I could just teach people to be smarter with money… I actually think I was put here to free people financially.”
• He reveals a spiritual moment that guided his approach: “I woke up 3 o’clock in the morning…had this dream that I had to end the book on tithing. Had to end the book on giving back.”
  – David Bach [06:22]
• Bach emphasizes that his ultimate why (his “Because”) is about freeing people to discover their own higher calling by removing financial stress.

Authenticity and Faith in Leadership

[07:54]

• Both Hunt and Bach discuss the importance of living authentically and, if faith is integral, not hiding it:

  “I think living a true, authentic life… whatever that means for you.”
  – David Bach [08:13]

• Bach avoids preaching but advocates for showing up genuinely, sharing how faith shapes his actions (“I always ended my speeches with ‘God Bless You’…”).

True Financial Abundance: It’s About Freedom

[09:55]

• Bach reframes financial abundance:

  “It’s literally the freedom to do what you want to do, the way you want to do it, how you want to do it.”
  – David Bach [09:55]

• He contrasts this with the reality that money doesn’t always guarantee freedom; it can create new complications for the wealthy, while teachers with ordinary incomes frequently achieve true financial freedom through consistent saving and investing.
• “Money doesn’t always make people free… On the other side, I had…teachers…that were financially free… It’s about how ordinary couples, ordinary people, built financial freedom on an ordinary income.”
  – David Bach [13:14]

The “Automatic Millionaire” Mindset: Start Young, Start Simple

[15:09]

• Bach highlights practical ways to start building wealth early:
  • Open Roth IRAs for children as soon as they have income, even from family businesses (“I put these kids on the payroll… opened up Roth IRAs…”).
  • Illustrates compound interest via family stories: saving $20/day from age 12 can yield over $10 million by retirement (in a tax-free Roth IRA).
• “Help the people you love start younger… I’m teaching him to fish, right?… When they get their own jobs, they’ll start paying themselves first automatically.”
  – David Bach [16:14]

Building Legacy: Financial Gifts That Last

[18:19]

• Bach and Hunt both share their tradition of giving Roth IRA contributions and investment books as gifts to their children, illustrating the power of multi-generational financial education.
• “There are a few greater Christmas gifts that you can give your children than contributions to a Roth IRA. It’s the gift that continues to give and grow.”
  – Mick Hunt [18:29]
• Bach credits his own grandmother for getting him started (“She took me home, opened up the Wall Street Journal, circled the stock symbol MCD, took me down to a brokerage firm and helped me buy my first share of McDonald’s… That experience changed my life.”)
  – David Bach [21:01]

PAY YOURSELF FIRST: The Heart of Wealth Building

[23:01]

• The pay yourself first principle explained:
  • “When money comes in, the first person who gets paid is you… My message has been, the first hour a day of your income is your freedom money.”
    – David Bach [23:12]
  • While everyone else (government, companies, auto-billing, etc.) gets paid automatically, most people leave themselves for last.
  • Bach’s actionable breakdown:
    • 1st hour/day income → automated savings/investment for freedom
    • Next 30 minutes/day → security/emergency fund
    • Next 30 minutes/day → dreams
      “Automate these three accounts, then focus on living your life.”

Living Rich Now — and in the Future

[25:54]

• Bach demystifies the idea of delayed gratification:

  “Live rich now means it’s actually not about the money. It’s actually about what does it mean to live a rich life?… You wake up, and you’re alive, you’re healthy, you got someone you love… That’s what live rich now looks like.”
  – David Bach [26:12]

• He underscores gratitude, mindfulness, and treasuring relationships and everyday blessings as key elements to a “rich” life, not just net worth.
• Personal anecdote:

  “I meditate in the morning… Sadhguru says, the first thing you should be is like a little kid: Oh my god, I woke up!… We both woke up! That’s an example of living rich.”
  – David Bach [26:28]

Books as Catalysts for Change—and Call to Action

[29:22]

• Host Mick Hunt commits to gifting 20 copies of Bach’s book to listeners, reiterating its transformative value for financial journeys of all stages.
• Bach stresses that true transformation requires action:

  “A book like The Automatic Millionaire can change your life, but at the end of the day, you actually have to change. Your life changes when you change.”
  – David Bach [29:37]

• Practical note: Those unable to afford the book should use the library; access is key.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Purpose:
  “I actually think I was put here to free people financially. Not for the money’s sake…but when I help people free themselves, they can hear the word of the higher power.”
  – David Bach [06:08]

• On Gift-Giving:
  “My kids opened up their Christmas gift… I’m like, and there’s a little note in there; you’re getting a Roth IRA contribution this year.”
  – David Bach [18:03]

• On Action:
  “You can listen to the show, get excited, you can read a book—and you have to do it. Everything I’ve spent my life doing is about action… Without action, we’re just a form of entertainment.”
  – David Bach [29:45]

• On Living Rich Now:
  “Every day above ground is a blessing, and, man, if we don’t wake up and treat it like a blessing, then we just lost out.”
  – David Bach [27:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [04:01] | David Bach’s “Because”: Purpose, calling, and faith | | [07:54] | Authenticity, faith, and leadership | | [09:55] | Redefining financial abundance: freedom over wealth | | [13:14] | Wealth doesn’t always equal freedom—ordinary people can achieve abundance | | [15:09] | Practical advice: Roth IRAs for kids, compound interest, family legacy | | [18:19] | Giving the gift of investing—and stories of Bach’s grandmother’s influence | | [23:01] | Pay Yourself First: Principle breakdown and practical steps | | [25:54] | “Live Rich Now”—Practicing gratitude and present happiness | | [29:22] | Books as catalysts for action: Mick’s book giveaway and Bach’s advice on taking action | | [30:14] | Where to connect with David Bach |

Resources & Where to Connect

• David Bach’s Website: davidbach.com
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter) — linked via his website
• YouTube: Search “David Bach” for additional talks and interviews

Final Thought from David Bach

“Your life changes when you change. Take action.”
— [29:37]

Final Thought from Mick Hunt

“Remember, your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” — [31:09]

This episode is a powerhouse of practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and transformative financial strategy—equally valuable for young listeners, families, and anyone seeking a roadmap to abundance and meaning.