Category Archives: Building Wealth

Unpopular Rules Wealthy People Follow

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There are several ‘unpopular’ rules wealthy people follow that most don’t

The ultra-wealthy are less concerned with scrimping and saving and more focused on investing and growing and building their wealth.

By observing and learning from their habits, Vivian Tu made her first million by age 27. Here are four unpopular rules rich people follow that most others don’t:

1. Don’t worry about impressing people

Rich people put most of their spending power into buying assets (stuff that makes them money over time) instead of liabilities (stuff that costs them money over time).

Instead of buying, for example, a flashy Lamborghini that loses a third of its value as soon as you drive off the lot, a truly rich person will take that same chunk of change and buy a two-family duplex and rent it out.

They don’t care what you think of them or whether you’re impressed. They’re happy to just cash your rent checks and let youpay their mortgage.

2. Have an abundance mindset

So many people have a scarcity mindset — a constant feeling that we’re never going to have enough money, that we’re one slip-up away from disaster and we have to hoard every last cent.

The problem with this mindset is that it can make people very competitive with other folks in similar financial situations. So you have people at the bottom of the pyramid spending all their time and energy fighting each other for resources, instead of trying to overthrow those at the top.

Rich people have an abundance mindset. Since they know they’re going to be able to take care of their bills, they’re not worried. This gives them the freedom to decide what they want to do with their time, rather than only focusing on what they need to do to survive.

3. Think long-term

Rich people understand that sometimes, things take time, and they’re happy to wait. They’re kings and queens of delayed gratification.

A rich person has no problem, for example, socking away money in a retirement account. Yes, the $6,000 they invested in their IRA account this year is off-limits until they’re 59-and-a-half.

But they know that just because they can’t spend that money now, it’s not like it has disappeared. It’s actually the opposite: the longer they wait, the more money they get later on.

4. Share, swap and scratch each other’s backs

Rich people love being known as the smartest person in their friend group: the one with the best taste, who is on top of all the trends. You’ll often hear them say things like:

– “I have this great tax person — you should work with them.”
– “I found the best cocktail bar — you have to try the martini.”
– “I joined the best country club — and I’ll sponsor you to join, too.”

They recognize that when they’re open about their knowledge, other people will be more inclined to share what they know. It is another valuable form of currency, and it’s the same reason rich people love nothing more than putting their besties in positions of power.

Their thought process is: “I’m not qualified for this job, but my friend is, and once she gets it, she’ll owe me a solid. Then, as soon as she’s in a leadership position, I’m automatically tapped into that whole network.”

Vivian Tu is a former Wall Street trader-turned expert, educator, podcast host, and founder of the financial equity phenomenon Your Rich BFF.

Investing Like Warren Buffett

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Here are 10 Lessons from “7 Secrets to Investing Like Warren Buffett” by Mary Buffett:

1. Invest in what you understand: Warren Buffett’s approach to investing emphasizes the importance of investing in businesses and industries that you have a deep understanding of. This helps mitigate risks and make informed investment decisions.

2. Focus on long-term value: Buffett is known for his long-term investment approach. The book teaches readers to focus on the long-term value of their investments rather than short-term market fluctuations.

3. Look for companies with strong competitive advantages: Buffett seeks out companies with durable competitive advantages, such as a strong brand, unique product, or high barriers to entry. These advantages contribute to long-term profitability.

4. Practice patience and discipline: Successful investing requires patience and discipline. The book emphasizes the importance of sticking to your investment strategy and resisting the urge to make impulsive decisions based on short-term market movements.

5. Value a company based on its intrinsic worth: Buffett believes in valuing a company based on its intrinsic worth rather than relying solely on market trends. The book teaches readers how to assess a company’s value and make investment decisions accordingly.

6. Focus on cash flow and profitability: Buffett places great importance on a company’s cash flow and profitability. The book explains how to identify companies with strong financials and the potential for long-term growth.

7. Diversify your portfolio: Buffett advocates for diversification to reduce risk. The book provides insights on how to build a well-diversified portfolio that includes a mix of different asset classes and industries.

8. Be patient during market downturns: During market downturns, it is crucial to remain patient and avoid panic selling. The book teaches readers to see market downturns as opportunities to buy quality stocks at discounted prices.

9. Avoid excessive debt: Buffett is known for his aversion to excessive debt. The book emphasizes the importance of investing in companies with a conservative approach to debt and solid financial stability.

10. Continuously educate yourself: Successful investing requires continuous learning. The book encourages readers to stay updated on market trends, financial news, and investment strategies to make informed decisions.

Source:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/h6UWDdeeWBoLH3sP

Just One More Year’

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When contemplating retirement, the scarcity mindset can lead to a common rationalization: If I work another year (or two, or three …), it will ensure that I have enough retirement assets to last in retirement.

The “Just One More Year Syndrome,” stresses that while retirees should continue work if they find it rewarding, but “each additional year of work only guarantees that you’ll die with more money.” More money to pass on to your heirs and the Internal Revenue Service.

You are trading life energy (which is limited) for money that you did not need. Will it be worth it?” he asked. More importantly, will working one more year ease your scarcity mindset and help you sleep better at night? What about more workplace stress and less time with your family?

Visceral Fat

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Visceral fat is a type of body fat that lies deep within your abdominal walls and surrounds your organs.

Some levels of visceral fat are healthy and help protect your organs. However, too much visceral fat can be dangerous for your health.

Visceral fat is sometimes called “active fat” because it plays an active role in how your body functions. Too much visceral fat can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Difference between visceral fat and subcutaneous fat

  • Subcutaneous fat is fat that’s stored just beneath your skin. It’s the kind that you can pinch between your fingers. Visceral fat is different.
  • Visceral fat is behind your abdominal muscles and can’t be seen. It surrounds your stomach, liver, intestines and other organs.

Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat are both types of belly fat.

Reducing visceral fat is crucial for overall health, as it surrounds vital organs and can increase the risk of serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Several effective strategies to help you rid yourself of visceral fat include:

Dietary Changes:

Reduce Carbohydrates: Cut down on high-carb foods like rice, starch, and sugary items.

Increase Protein and Healthy Fats: Focus on a diet rich in proteins and healthy fats2.

Avoid Processed Foods: These are often high in trans fats, which can contribute to visceral fat accumulation.

Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Include high-fiber fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, seafood, low-fat dairy, eggs, nuts, and seeds3.

Regular Exercise:

Cardio Workouts: Activities like swimming, jogging, and brisk walking can help burn visceral fat

Strength Training: Building muscle through resistance exercises can also be beneficial.

Lifestyle Adjustments:

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help with metabolism and fat loss2.

Manage Stress: High stress levels can increase cortisol, which promotes visceral fat storage1.

Healthy Habits:

Get Enough Sleep: Poor sleep can lead to weight gain and increased visceral fat

Avoid Sugary Drinks: Replace soda and juice with water or green tea

References:

  1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24147-visceral-fat

Earl Nightingale’s Success Formula

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“Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality.” —Jen Sincero

1. Give yourself a definite goal.

2. Quit running yourself down.

3. Stop thinking of all the reasons you cannot be successful and instead, think of all the reasons why you can.

4. Trace your attitudes back through your childhood and try to discover where you first got the idea you couldn’t be successful – if that’s the way you’ve been thinking.

5. Change the attitude you have of yourself by writing out the description of the person you’d like to be.

6. Act the part of the successful person you have decided to become.

― Earl Nightingale

Source: https://www.brilliantread.com/52-best-earl-nightingale-quotes-advice-and-thoughts/#google_vignette

Key Lessons from “The Millionaire Next Door”:

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Real wealth is often hidden.

Most millionaires live simply and don’t show off their wealth with flashy lifestyles or expensive purchases.

In the book “The Millionaire Next Door”, the author stated that most millionaires live well below their means and focus on value over flashy purchases. Key Lessons from “The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, are:

1. Wealth doesn’t always equal flashy lifestyles: The book reveals that many millionaires live modestly and avoid conspicuous consumption. They prioritize saving and investing over displaying their wealth through extravagant purchases.

2. Frugality and budgeting are crucial: Millionaires often prioritize financial discipline, budgeting, and living below their means. This mindset allows them to accumulate wealth steadily over time.

3. Focus on building net worth, not income: The authors emphasize that building wealth is more about increasing your net worth (assets minus liabilities) rather than focusing solely on high income.

4. The significance of entrepreneurship: The book highlights that a significant portion of millionaires are self-employed or business owners. Entrepreneurship provides opportunities for wealth creation through business ownership.

5. Education and hard work matter: The Millionaire Next Door emphasizes the importance of education, skill development, and hard work in achieving financial success.

6. Avoid excessive debt: Millionaires tend to be debt-averse, using credit responsibly and avoiding high-interest debt whenever possible.

7. Choosing the right career: Certain careers and industries tend to produce more millionaires than others. The book explores the types of professions that often lead to higher wealth accumulation.

8. Building financial independence: The authors encourage readers to prioritize financial independence and early retirement planning as a means to achieve long-term financial security.

Overall, “The Millionaire Next Door” teaches valuable lessons about personal finance, wealth-building, and the habits of financially successful individuals. It serves as a guide for those seeking to build and maintain wealth over time by adopting prudent financial habits.

Book: https://amzn.to/3PwJHLh
Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3YW7pn1

Source:  https://m.facebook.com/story.php

Cultivating Gratitude 7 Proven Benefits

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“Gratitude turns what you have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order; confusion into clarity. It makes sense of your past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

Cultivating gratitude has enormous physical, mental and emotional benefits. Research reveals gratitude can have seven benefits:

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships. Not only does saying “thank you” constitute good manners, but showing appreciation can help you win new friends, according to a 2014 study published in Emotion. The study found that thanking a new acquaintance makes them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. So whether you thank a stranger for holding the door or you send a quick thank-you note to that co-worker who helped you with a project, acknowledging other people’s contributions can lead to new opportunities.

2. Gratitude improves physical health. Grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and they report feeling healthier than other people, according to a 2012 study published in Personality and Individual Differences. Not surprisingly, grateful people are also more likely to take care of their health.  They exercise more often and are more likely to attend regular check-ups with their doctors, which is likely to contribute to further longevity.

3. Gratitude improves psychological health. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a leading gratitude researcher, has conducted multiple studies on the link between gratitude and well-being. His research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression.

4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression. Grateful people are more likely to behave in a prosocial manner, even when others behave less kind, according to a 2012 study by the University of Kentucky. Study participants who ranked higher on gratitude scales were less likely to retaliate against others, even when given negative feedback. They experienced more sensitivity and empathy toward other people and a decreased desire to seek revenge.

5. Grateful people sleep better. Writing in a gratitude journal improves sleep, according to a 2011 study published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. Spend just 15 minutes jotting down a few grateful sentiments before bed, and you may sleep better and longer.

6. Gratitude improves self-esteem. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that gratitude increased athlete’s self-esteem, which is an essential component to optimal performance. Other studies have shown that gratitude reduces social comparisons. Rather than becoming resentful toward people who have more money or better jobs – which is a major factor in reduced self-esteem- grateful people are able to appreciate other people’s accomplishments.

7. Gratitude increases mental strength. For years, research has shown gratitude not only reduces stress, but it may also play a major role in overcoming trauma.  A 2006 study published in Behavior Research and Therapy found that Vietnam War Veterans with higher levels of gratitude experienced lower rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  A 2003 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that gratitude was a major contributor to resilience following the terrorist attacks on September 11.  Recognizing all you have to be thankful for – even during the worst times of your life – fosters resilience.

We all have the ability and opportunity to cultivate gratitude. Simply take a few moments to focus on all that you have – rather than complain about all the things you think you deserve.

Developing an “attitude of gratitude” is one of the simplest ways to improve your happiness and satisfaction with life.

References:

  1. Amy Morin, 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round, Forbes, December 10, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/amymorin/2014/11/23/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude-that-will-motivate-you-to-give-thanks-year-round/#5c900d9b183c

 

7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude

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It’s easy to focus on the negatives during difficult times, but even on your hardest days, a daily gratitude practice trains your brain to look for the good in every day and helps you become more resilient.

Practicing gratitude has been scientifically proven to be associated with an individual’s well-being, general feelings of happiness and overall mental health.

Here are 7 scientifically proven benefits of gratitude from an article titled, “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits Of Gratitude That Will Motivate You To Give Thanks Year-Round”, by psychotherapist, Amy Morin:

  • Gratitude opens the door to more relationships
  • Gratitude improves physical health
  • Gratitude improves psychological/brain health
  • Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression
  • Grateful people sleep better
  • Gratitude improves self-esteem
  • Gratitude increases mental strength

It’s so easy to focus on the negatives during difficult times, but even on our hardest days, a daily gratitude practice trains our mind to look for the good in every day and helps us become more resilient.

In a 2003 research study, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that “gratitude was a major contributor to resilience following the terrorist attacks on September 11,” concluding that “recognizing all that you have to be thankful for — even during the worst times—fosters resilience.” (Psychology Today)

  1. https://www.namidanecounty.org/blog/2020/4/14/how-to-start-a-gratitude-journal

Ballooning National Debt

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After years of steadily increasing deficits and debt, federal spending has skyrocketed, taking U.S. debt to levels not seen since World War II.

According to the U.S. Treasury, the national debt is approaching $35 trillion.

What does that mean for the country, its citizens and the future?

Many economists warn that a rapidly growing debt load could diminish U.S. economic growth, restrict government spending on vital programs (e.g., military, Medicare, Social Security, etc.) and increase the likelihood of financial crises.

Currently, interest payments on the National debt consumes a quarter of the annual fiscal budget.

High debt-to-GDP ratios can slow down economic growth, leading to lower wages, increased inflation, and higher taxes.

While the National debt of $34 trillion figure seems daunting, it’s essential to consider inflation. As the economy grows, the debt naturally increases. However, addressing the fiscal budget deficit remains crucial.

The national debt indirectly affects citizens through policies, taxes, and government spending. It influences interest rates, inflation, and overall economic stability.

Over the long-term, managing the debt sustainably is vital for future generations. Balancing spending, revenue, and economic growth will determine the country’s financial health.

References:

  1. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-national-debt-dilemma

Good Habits to Embrace

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The biggest improvement in your life will come when you realize that happiness and contentment are just a byproduct of good habits.

Say No by Default

Your time’s precious: don’t give it to people who don’t deserve it. Especially to Energy Vampires who drain your energy.

Conquer FOMO and put yourself first – make it your rule of thumb that  if it’s not a “no brainer” yes, then it’s a no.

Choose Writing Over Complaining

Complaining isn’t attractive – it repels ambitious people and fosters a negative mindset.

Write down your thoughts instead: you’re forced to think slowly and deeply so your irrationality loses its edge.

It’s the therapy your therapist uses.

Prioritize Nature

A study of 20,000 people in the UK found that 120 minutes/week in nature improved health and well-being.

It’s the planet’s greatest healer.

Whenever you’re in a rut, time in nature will always spark the return of color to the gray.

Pay it Forward

Random acts of kindness boost well-being:

• Holding the door for someone
• Picking up trash outside
• Giving a compliment

The world’s a closed system: if you send waves of positivity out, they’ll find their way back to you.

Maintain Relationships

Human connections are the fabric of life – but you need to be intentional with them amidst life’s chaos.

So schedule time weekly for thoughtful texts and calls to those you’ve neglected.

It’s a couple of minutes with an ROI you’ll measure in years.

Focus on Your Health

I’m convinced most mental health problems are actually physical health problems. Everyone I know who:

• Eats well
• Exercises daily
• Drinks enough water

Has a Teflon mind that repels all negativity.

https://x.com/masculinepath04/status/1810924943191806061