Personal finance expert, author and host of The Ramsey Show, Dave Ramsey often provides guidance on topics like budgeting, paying off debt and building wealth. One area in which he frequently berates callers on his show? Wasting money. Here are five of the scariest ways to waste money, according to Ramsey. Not Having a Written Budget It’s often said that, when it comes to wealth building, it’s not about how much you earn; it’s about how much you keep. And failing to plan means planning to fail. Oversp ...

uh thank you very much uh for inviting me and uh I'm so grateful to RIFA International University for arranging this very very useful talk uh through this international forum TEDex uh you know when I was first invited uh to deliver my talk on the TEX stage. Uh my son asked me that Babat you know the dead people speak in short grammatic sentences and then they pause just to give an effect. So if I pause during my uh talk, please do not uh worry because I'll try to prove myself cool in front of uh my son and ...

Housing Market Dynamics - Affordable housing and wealth building are fundamentally conflicting goals [1] - Making housing affordable for young people may decrease the wealth of older generations [1]

Investment Opportunities - Gold prices have surged approximately 60% in 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's mid-teens gains, making gold a viable option for retirement planning [1] - Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, combining tax advantages with the protective benefits of gold investment [7] Retirement Savings - Around 56 million Americans work for employers that do not offer any type of traditional retirement or pension plan, highlighting a gap in retirement savings options [2] - Nearly 50% of Americans are not saving for retirement at all, with only 62% of Americans in their 60s believing they are saving enough [5] - A survey indicates that Americans believe they need $1.49 million to retire comfortably [6] 401(k) Contributions - It is recommended to contribute to a 401(k) up to the company match, which can significantly enhance retirement savings over time; the median match for plans managed by Vanguard was 4.0% of annual income in 2024 [3][4] - Consistent contributions to a 401(k) and avoiding withdrawals, even during market downturns, are essential for building wealth [9][15] Financial Planning - Younger individuals are encouraged to adopt a long-term mindset regarding retirement savings [8] - Consulting a financial advisor can help individuals align their financial goals with their investment strategies [12][13] Investment Strategies - Starting early and regularly contributing to retirement accounts is crucial for wealth accumulation [15] - Research indicates that missing the best days in the market can significantly reduce potential returns, emphasizing the importance of staying invested [14]

Core Insights - The article discusses strategies for everyday investors to lower their tax bills and build wealth, emphasizing the importance of utilizing assets that the wealthy have historically leveraged [1][5]. Tax Revenue and Government Spending - In fiscal year 2025, the federal government collected $2.656 trillion in individual income taxes, accounting for approximately 50.7% of total receipts of $5.235 trillion, while corporate income taxes contributed $452 billion and tariff revenue was $195 billion [3]. - The federal government faced a deficit of $1.775 trillion, with total outlays reaching $7.010 trillion [2]. Investment Strategies - Scott Galloway suggests that investors can borrow against appreciated assets instead of selling them, allowing them to access cash without triggering capital gains taxes [5][6]. - This strategy enables continued growth of investments while potentially incurring lower interest costs compared to tax liabilities from asset sales [6]. Real Estate Investment - Real estate remains a favored asset class for wealth building due to favorable tax treatments, including deductions for rental income and depreciation [11]. - Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow investors to participate in real estate with minimal capital, starting from as little as $100, without the responsibilities of traditional property management [12][13]. Investment Platforms - First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors opportunities to invest in grocery-anchored commercial properties with a minimum investment of $50,000, providing a way to diversify portfolios without landlord responsibilities [14][15]. - Range provides high-income households with tax management and investment advisory services, offering flat-fee pricing and tax loss harvesting opportunities [17][18].

Core Message - The main message emphasizes the importance of saving and investing 10-15% of income over a long period to achieve financial well-being [1][3][13] Group 1: Wealth Building Strategies - The concept of "pay yourself first" encourages individuals to automatically allocate 10-15% of their income to investments as soon as they receive their paycheck [3][4] - Regular investment in diversified portfolios, such as asset allocation ETFs, is recommended to simplify the investment process and reduce the need for extensive market knowledge [4][5] - A global portfolio example shows a $650 monthly investment yielding an average annual return of 8.0%, highlighting the effectiveness of consistent investing [7] Group 2: Key Considerations for Investors - The Wealthy Barber books provide actionable insights and storytelling aimed at younger Canadians or those starting their wealth-building journey [9] - Important investment strategies include utilizing RRSPs for tax benefits, taking advantage of employer-sponsored plans, and considering home ownership within a budget [13] - Additional financial tips include budgeting, finding ways to cut expenses, and exploring extra income opportunities [13]

Core Insights - The ultra-wealthy utilize strategic financial tools, particularly the Roth IRA, to maximize wealth-building opportunities [1] Group 1: Roth IRA Contributions - Wealthy individuals maximize their Roth IRA contributions early in the year to benefit from longer tax-free compounding [3] - Starting contributions early, even if not at the maximum, allows for more growth over time; automating contributions can ensure consistent funding [4] Group 2: Advanced Strategies - The 'Backdoor Roth' strategy enables high-income earners to access Roth benefits by contributing non-deductible money into a traditional IRA and converting it to a Roth [5] - Many wealthy individuals invest in alternative assets through self-directed Roth IRAs, including real estate, private equity, and cryptocurrency [6] Group 3: Tax and Healthcare Planning - Strategic timing of Roth conversions can lead to significant tax savings, especially when done in lower tax brackets [7] - Roth IRAs are valuable for managing healthcare expenses, allowing tax-free withdrawals for long-term healthcare costs, which can range from $35,000 to $108,000 annually [8] Group 4: Estate Planning - Roth IRAs serve as effective tools for generational wealth transfer, as they do not have required minimum distributions during the owner's lifetime, allowing for continued tax-free growth [9]

Core Insights - The article discusses the financial benchmarks for being in the top 10% of Americans, focusing on income, emergency savings, and retirement savings [1][2]. Income - To be in the top 10% of earners in the U.S., an individual must earn at least $234,769 annually, which is nearly three times the median income of $80,020 [3]. Emergency Savings - Approximately 49% of Americans have $1,000 or more in emergency savings, with a median emergency savings balance of $10,000. To be in the top 10% for emergency savings, an individual would need around $20,000 or more [5][6]. Retirement Savings - To be among the top 10% of retirement savers, an individual needs at least $460,000 in retirement accounts, while the median retirement savings amount is only $13,000 [7].

Core Insights - The article discusses Ben Mallah's real estate investment strategy, particularly focusing on the BRRRR method, which stands for buy, rehab, rent, refinance, and repeat, emphasizing the potential for generating significant returns through refinancing and cash flow management [2][5][20]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - Mallah's strategy involves increasing a property's value through improvements and then refinancing to recover the initial investment, allowing continued cash flow without personal capital at risk [1][2][6]. - The refinancing process allows investors to take out a larger loan based on the appreciated property value, providing cash while retaining ownership and cash flow [3][4]. - The concept of "infinite return" is introduced, where the cash flow is divided by the remaining personal investment, which becomes zero after refinancing, leading to a theoretically infinite return [6][7]. Group 2: Wealth Building Techniques - The 1031 exchange is highlighted as a crucial tool for tax deferral, enabling investors to sell properties and reinvest proceeds into similar properties without immediate capital gains taxes, thus retaining more capital for further investments [20][21]. - Timing is emphasized as a critical factor in maximizing property values before executing a 1031 exchange, allowing for peak profits and reinvestment into new assets [22][23][24]. Group 3: Focus on Essential Real Estate - Mallah's portfolio consists of "necessity real estate," focusing on properties that are less vulnerable to online competition, such as food services and essential in-person services [11]. - The article mentions investment platforms that allow fractional ownership in necessity-based commercial real estate, providing opportunities for investors to engage in essential goods markets [12][14].

Core Insights - The U.S. home equity market, valued at $36 trillion, is now accessible to accredited investors through platforms like Homeshares, which were previously dominated by institutional investors [1] - New investment platforms are simplifying entry into the real estate market, allowing individuals to invest without the burdens of property ownership [2][8] Investment Opportunities - Investors can participate in real estate with minimal amounts, such as $100 through crowdfunding platforms like Arrived, which offers shares in rental and vacation properties [8][9] - For accredited investors, options like the U.S. Home Equity Fund require a minimum investment of $25,000, providing exposure to owner-occupied homes with risk-adjusted returns between 12% and 18% [7][9] Jeff Bezos and Amazon - Jeff Bezos' family members made significant early investments in Amazon, with his brother Mark reportedly earning over $600 million from their initial stake [4][6] - Bezos has transitioned from being Amazon's CEO to investing in other ventures, including his space exploration startup, Blue Origin, after selling a substantial portion of his Amazon shares [17][18] Market Trends - The real estate market is viewed as an inflation-resistant investment, with various avenues available for both accredited and non-accredited investors to grow their wealth [2][14] - Platforms like Moby and Public provide tools for stock market investing, with Moby's stock picks outperforming the S&P 500 by an average of 11.95% over the past four years [20][21][22]