August 1, 2025

Happy Friday—and Happy August, everyone! 🎉
Good morning! A fresh month and the start of a weekend? That’s elite-level energy. I hope today greets you with good coffee, good focus, and zero surprise meetings.

So here’s a thought to kick off the month right: What if there was one skill that could build wealth—no matter your job, background, or bank balance?

Spoiler: there is. And it’s not investing, coding, or sales (though those are great too). It’s the skill of learning how to learn. 📚🧠✨

The ability to adapt, grow, and pick up new tools as the world changes is your real unfair advantage. Learn faster = earn smarter.

Today we’re diving into how this simple mindset shift can unlock compounding opportunities—and why August is a perfect time to lean into it.

Let’s get curious. Let’s get better. And let’s build from wherever we are.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Market Update: The markets had a rough ride today, painting the screen red across nearly every sector. The Nasdaq barely budged, dipping a minuscule 0.034%, like it just couldn’t decide whether to nap or rally. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 slipped 0.37%, and the Dow Jones stumbled a sharper 0.74%, marking a clear shift toward caution.

Bitcoin wasn’t spared either—it tumbled 1.06%, settling at $116,591.10, continuing its recent seesaw saga. Over in the precious metals pit, gold softened slightly by 0.32%, but silver took a harder hit, sliding 2.50%—ouch.

In the financial sector, the payment giants weren’t having a good day. Visa dropped 1.55%, and PayPal followed with a 1.36% dip. But here’s your silver lining: Mastercard defied the downtrend with a solid +1.27% pop—clearly someone swiped the right way today.

MTA Plans NYC Fare Hike in January
New York City's MTA plans to raise subway and bus fares to $3 starting in January, marking a significant change for commuters. This fare hike was initially scheduled earlier but got postponed by six months. City officials argue that the increase is necessary to maintain services and infrastructure. Riders are already expressing concern about affordability and transit equity.

Delta Flight Diverted After Turbulence Injures 25
A Delta Airlines flight bound for Minneapolis was diverted after severe turbulence left 25 passengers injured and requiring hospitalization. The unexpected jolt occurred mid-air, prompting emergency medical response on landing. The FAA is investigating the incident, and aviation safety discussions are gaining renewed attention. Experts say turbulence is becoming more frequent due to climate-related atmospheric changes.

Norwegian Cruise Leaves Passengers Behind During Tsunami Warning
In a controversial move, a Norwegian cruise ship reportedly departed a port without hundreds of passengers amid an active tsunami warning. Many were left scrambling for alternate transport after disembarking briefly during a stop. The company has faced backlash for communication failures and lack of coordination. The situation underscores the challenges of balancing safety protocols and passenger logistics during natural disasters.

Trump Tariff Sparks Copper Trade Collapse
A surprise tariff move by former President Trump triggered the collapse of a major global copper trade. Markets were unprepared for the abrupt shift, which disrupted pricing and trade flows across multiple regions. Analysts say the shock is likely to ripple through commodity sectors for weeks. Industry groups are lobbying for policy clarity to stabilize future transactions.

Megacap Stocks Cool as Dollar Surges
U.S. markets saw megacap stocks boom recently, but the surge in the U.S. dollar has begun to cool that momentum. Investors are rebalancing as strong dollar trends often reduce international revenue returns for big tech firms. Analysts are watching closely as macroeconomic signals point to further volatility. Fed policy will be a key driver in determining short-term equity directions.

Forex Market Stabilizes as Fed Signals Influence Trades
The forex market saw consolidation of recent gains fueled by expectations of steady Fed interest rate policy. Traders are adjusting positions based on fresh economic data and hints from Fed officials. The dollar remains strong, but some analysts believe a pivot may be on the horizon. Central bank actions in August could shift sentiment again.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit Records on Meta, Microsoft Surge
U.S. markets soared as tech giants Meta and Microsoft posted earnings that beat expectations. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both reached new highs amid bullish investor sentiment. Analysts cited strong cloud revenue and ad growth as key drivers. The rally adds momentum to a surprisingly strong summer season for equities.

Fed Inflation Data Overshoots Forecasts; Markets React
The latest inflation data released by the Federal Reserve showed higher-than-expected increases, prompting mixed market reactions. While inflation is cooling overall, wage growth and energy prices remain volatile. The Fed is expected to maintain rates for now but could tighten further if trends persist. Investors are watching closely for Powell’s upcoming comments.

Meta Stock Surges to Record High After Earnings Report
Meta’s stock price skyrocketed following a quarterly report showing record ad revenue and strong user engagement. The company also reported progress in its metaverse initiatives. Analysts upgraded Meta’s rating as a result, forecasting further growth potential. The stock surge reflects renewed confidence in tech-sector resilience.

China’s Factory Output Declines Again in July
China’s manufacturing activity shrank for the fourth straight month, signaling continued economic struggles. Analysts cite weak global demand and internal regulatory crackdowns as factors behind the downturn. The numbers surprised many who expected modest recovery. Beijing may be forced to introduce stimulus measures to stabilize output.

New U.S. Tariffs Announced as Deadline Approaches
The U.S. government has imposed new tariffs targeting various imports, intensifying trade tensions just days before a key economic deadline. Officials claim the measures aim to protect American industries. Critics argue that such actions could lead to retaliatory moves and price hikes. Markets are watching closely for signs of escalation or resolution.

Trump Boosted by Favorable GDP Report
GDP growth numbers have been released showing stronger-than-expected economic expansion, giving former President Trump a political boost. Supporters point to his policies as the reason behind the gains. Economists, however, caution that global conditions also played a major role. The report is likely to fuel debate heading into the next election cycle.

Zelenskyy Strengthens Anti-Corruption Laws
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed legislation aimed at restoring the authority of anti-corruption bodies. The move is seen as a key step in Ukraine’s efforts to join the EU and boost internal governance. Western allies have applauded the reform as long overdue. Implementation will be closely monitored by international watchdogs.

Russian Missile Kills 7 in Kyiv, Including Child
A Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital killed seven civilians, including a 6-year-old boy, intensifying outrage amid ongoing conflict. Ukraine’s President condemned the act as a war crime. The attack struck a residential neighborhood, triggering fresh international calls for accountability. The situation remains tense as peace talks stall.

Thailand and Cambodia Ease Tensions, but Border Remains Disputed
Thailand and Cambodia have stepped back from armed confrontation following skirmishes at their shared border. Leaders from both countries agreed to resume diplomatic talks to avoid escalation. Despite this progress, the core territorial dispute remains unresolved. Observers say the situation is fragile and could flare up again without clear agreements.

So here’s the deal.

If I had to strip everything away — the stock tips, business books, the grind-and-hustle mantras — and hand you just one skill to help you build wealth…

I wouldn’t say “investing.”

Or “sales.”

Or even “budgeting.”

Nope. It’s this:

The ability to spot (and act on) leverage.

Sounds kinda mysterious, right? Don’t worry — I’ll break it down, no jargon, no fluff.

Grab a coffee or a protein bar or whatever you munch on while reading money stuff — let’s dive in.

Let’s not overcomplicate this.

Leverage just means getting more output than the input you put in.

In wealth-building, that means:

Think about it like this: would you rather use a crowbar to lift a heavy object… or your bare hands?

Leverage = the crowbar.

Okay, now let’s look at the four most powerful (and sneaky simple) types of leverage that anyone — from a VP to a broke 20-something — can start using today:

This is the classic one. Investing.

The goal? Turn $1 into $1.10, then $2, then $10, without working harder.

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you only invest $50/month, that’s leverage in action. Compound interest doesn’t care how small you start — it just needs you to start.

This one’s big for both overworked professionals and scrappy beginners.

Ask yourself:

Examples:

This one’s spicy.

Whether you’re:

...you’re creating scalable influence.

You say something once, and hundreds, thousands, even millions of people can benefit (and maybe even pay you for it).

No audience yet? Start today. Even if it’s just:

Future you will thank you — trust me.

You ever wonder why the same people seem to be making money while sipping cocktails on a beach?

They’ve built something once that keeps delivering.

Examples:

You don’t have to go full entrepreneur overnight — just ask:

“What could I create that helps people and keeps working when I’m offline?”

Even a $9 PDF sold 100 times = $900. Now you’re printing money.

Glad you asked, my financially-savvy friend.

Here’s a baby-step plan to start building leverage today:

You don’t need to hustle 18 hours a day. Or be a genius. Or already be rich.

You just need to start thinking:

“Where can I use tools, systems, money, or people to create more from the same or less effort?”

Every wealthy person does this — whether they talk about it or not.

I move without wheels, fly without wings,
bankers love me, investors chase me.
I'm not a thing — I’m a feeling.
What am I?

Clue:
This company started by renting mattresses and furniture to college students.
Now it’s one of the world’s largest workspace providers, recently undergoing a massive restructuring.

August 1, 1981:
MTV launched, broadcasting "Video Killed the Radio Star" as its first video.
What followed? A revolution in music, media marketing, and cable TV economics.
(Bonus: This shifted how Gen X and millennials consumed ads and content.)

Ben & Jerry’s once held a “Yo! I’m Your CEO” contest, where anyone could apply to become CEO.
They actually hired someone who applied!
(Only at a company where chunkiness extends beyond ice cream… into company culture.)

*Answers at the bottom

Riddle - Answer: Momentum

Guess the Company - Answer: WeWork