Wall Street Journal | New York Times | Barrons' | Financial Times | CNBC | Fox | USA Today | Forbes | Marketwatch | Financial Advisor Magazine
In the press
"A bold point-of-view on debt as being a strategic asset in the management of wealth"
- Fox Business
In the press
"Argues forcefully against the conventional wisdom"
- Financial Advisor Magazine
In the press
"Why you should learn to appreciate debt"
- Marketwatch
In the press
"Get your hands on the book"
- Forbes
In the press
"The Debt Whisperer"
- Advisor Hub
In the press
"Controversial but nonetheless persuasive"
- Financial Advisor Magazine
The Home of Spiral Theory™ :
All investors can benefit from the episodic use of debt
About Balance Sheet Architecture
For a century, retail finance optimized portfolios and largely ignored liabilities. That is an error. Wealth is a balance sheet.
The structural and strategic use of debt—applied deliberately, at the right times, within clear limits—can improve outcomes and lower risk. Planning should be judged by the efficiency of the path to the goal, and debt can enhance that efficiency.
Developed by Thomas J. Anderson, author of The Value of Debt®, Balance Sheet Architecture™ is the operating system for that view. It integrates assets, liabilities, cash flows, and behavior into one model. Spiral Theory™ formalizes the math; outcome-based planning translates it into daily decisions. Total Economic Value™ helps visualize a personal balance sheet the way companies view enterprise value.
Here you will find the tools to make this practical: economic theory, books, a planning platform, and AI systems that allow anyone to test scenarios in real time.
This site unifies the full ecosystem—the research, publications, and companies that prove a simple truth: comprehensive wealth management requires both sides of the balance sheet.
Whether you are an individual, an advisor, or an enterprise, we’re here to help you achieve better outcomes with less risk.
Who we serve
Individuals
Traditional plans deliver 80% confidence. Balance Sheet Architecture™ delivers near certainty: 99.99685%. Join tens of thousands who have discovered a new way to plan, integrating assets and liabilities into one strategy.
Advisors
Asset allocation yields incomplete solutions. Debt is the most powerful negatively correlated asset, and Balance Sheet Architecture™ unlocks it. Growth comes through exceptional strategies—deliver them.
From leaders and scholars
"Thoughtful perspective grounded in proven financial theories"
- Dr. Mahendra Gupta
Washington University in St. Louis
From leaders and scholars
"Applies fundamental concepts from corporate finance to personal finance. Tom Anderson provides an accessible and persuasive discussion of why and how debt should be an important tool in personal financial management."
- Dr. Michael Gibbs
University of Chicago
From leaders and scholars
"While most financial firms today are able to deliver integrated solutions, truly integrated financial advice remains a scarce commodity. Tom Anderson takes an important, balanced, and clear step toward filling this void."
- Lyle LaMothte
Former Head of Merrill Lynch U.S. Wealth Management
From leaders and scholars
"Shows us–both practically and mathematically–that the right kind of low-interest debt can help grow wealth."
- Aaron Pattzer
Founder Mint.com
From leaders and scholars
"Trying to achieve financial success without using one side of the balance sheet is like trying to swim without using one of your arms: you'll survive, but you won't be winning any races. Tom has explained how to strategically and prudently use debt to build wealth and live a better life."
- Raj Date
Former Deputy Director, U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
From leaders and scholars
"“The invention of debt fueled all of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and Silicon Valley, and has resulted in almost every innovation and invention that man uses today. Nobody gets this. Tom Anderson gets this."
- James Altucher
Best Selling Author
From leaders and scholars
"Tom Anderson has skillfully addressed a difficult topic, namely how to make the case for the prudent use of debt by individuals in the context of wealth building and retirement planning."
- Christopher Whalen
Author
From leaders and scholars
"An assortment of tools that transcend all aspects of your personal financial life. Tom will challenge your preconceived notions and encourage you to approach your financial life in a more cohesive way."
- Bill King
Fomer Head of Global Securitized Products - JP Morgan
From leaders and scholars
"There is a wealth of deep knowledge in finance on the value of debt for both corporations and individuals and how the judicious use of debt can ensure that its benefits exceed its costs. However, much of this knowledge remains within academia and is not readily accessed by households and individuals who have much to learn from it. Tom does a great service by taking this knowledge, combining it with his own vast experience in financial markets, and presenting it in a refreshingly new and persuasive way."
- Dr. Anjan Thakor
Washington University in St. Louis
Discover how we can help you
