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August 23, 2025

Welcome Back,

Happy Saturday, everyone!
Good morning 🌞—I hope your coffee is strong, your weekend plans are exciting (or blissfully boring, if that’s your vibe), and your to-do list magically disappeared overnight.

Here’s a little thought to start your day: the most powerful wealth-building skill isn’t about working harder, getting luckier, or timing the market—it’s about how you allocate what you already have.

That’s what today’s post digs into: The Invisible Skill That Builds Generational Wealth—Capital Allocation. It’s not flashy, but it’s the quiet force that separates those who just “make money” from those who create freedom that lasts for generations.

So, whether you’re allocating your dollars, your time, or your energy, let’s explore how small, intentional moves today can unlock big opportunities tomorrow.

Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

Quote of The Day

“A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.”

Baltasar Gracián

Market Update

*Market data represents the most recent market close at 5:00pm ET

Market Update: The markets came roaring to life today, giving investors plenty to smile about. The Nasdaq leapt 1.88% to $21,496.54, with tech stocks powering much of the rally. Not to be outdone, the S&P 500 climbed 1.52% to $6,466.91, and the Dow Jones added 1.89% to $45,631.74, showing broad strength across the board.

Crypto fans had the biggest reason to cheer — Bitcoin surged 3.94% to $116,898.40, shaking off recent jitters. Gold glimmered with a 1.04% rise to $3,416.80, and silver shined even brighter, up 2.10% to $39.39, proving safe-haven assets still have their sparkle.

Among individual stocks, Robinhood shot up 2.84% to $109.32, riding the wave of market optimism. But not every story was a win — Lucid skidded 2.87% to $2.03, and Starbucks cooled 0.20% to $88.38, perhaps signaling some brewing uncertainty for the coffee giant.

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Travel

‘I don’t understand it’: KIRO traffic reporter rips ‘Conechella,’ WSDOT’s weekend closure update
Seattle drivers are bracing for another round of weekend traffic chaos as WSDOT rolls out its so-called "Conechella" construction schedule. A local KIRO traffic reporter criticized the branding, saying it downplays the frustration caused by the closures. Commuters are being urged to plan alternate routes.

The story of Stonehenge’s construction just became clearer—thanks to a cow’s tooth
New research analyzing a cow tooth found near Stonehenge sheds light on the ancient monument’s construction timeline. Scientists believe livestock movement played a role in supporting the builders by providing food and other resources. This discovery adds a fascinating layer to understanding how the site was sustained during its creation.

Here are the new items TSA will confiscate if spotted in your checked bag
The TSA has updated its list of prohibited items in checked baggage, adding several surprising things travelers often pack. Officials say the changes aim to improve safety and streamline security processes. Passengers are advised to review the updated list before traveling to avoid delays or confiscations.

Crypto

Bitcoin whale wakes after seven years, rotates holdings into $270 million worth of ETH
A dormant Bitcoin wallet containing millions was activated after seven years, with the owner moving a significant portion into Ethereum. Experts say the move could signal shifting confidence in crypto strategies. This activity has drawn attention from investors tracking whale behavior.

The Daily: Kanye West’s ‘YZY’ Solana token crashes, MetaMask unveils mUSD stablecoin
Kanye West’s Solana-based token, "YZY," experienced a sharp decline, raising questions about its long-term viability. Meanwhile, MetaMask introduced a new mUSD stablecoin designed to simplify transactions. Analysts see these events as indicators of the market’s ongoing volatility.

JPMorgan outlines four factors behind Ethereum’s outperformance over Bitcoin
JPMorgan analysts released a report explaining why Ethereum has outpaced Bitcoin recently. They cited factors like network upgrades, increased utility in decentralized finance, and strong institutional interest. The analysis suggests Ethereum could continue gaining market share in the near term.

Economy

Germany updates: Economy shrinks more than expected
Germany’s economy contracted more sharply than forecasts had predicted, sparking concerns of a possible recession. Analysts blame weak industrial output and declining exports for the downturn. Policymakers are under pressure to implement stimulus measures to stabilize growth.

US weekly jobless claims rise to highest since June
The U.S. labor market showed signs of cooling as jobless claims hit their highest level in months. Economists say this could point to a gradual slowdown in hiring. However, some sectors continue to show resilience, keeping recession fears in check.

Japan reports hotter-than-expected core inflation for July—but lowest since March
Japan’s core inflation for July came in higher than economists projected, though it marked the lowest level since March. The data suggests that inflationary pressures are easing but remain persistent. Policymakers are monitoring the trend closely as they balance growth with price stability.

Entertainment

‘The Thursday Murder Club’ Review: Helen Mirren in Cozy Netflix Film
Helen Mirren stars in Netflix’s adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club, bringing the beloved novel to the screen. Early reviews praise Mirren’s performance and the film’s balance of humor and suspense. Fans of the book are calling it a faithful and entertaining adaptation.

Lil Nas X Is Arrested and Briefly Hospitalized in L.A., Authorities Say
Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested in Los Angeles and briefly hospitalized after an undisclosed incident. Authorities have not released full details, but sources indicate the situation is under investigation. The singer is reportedly in stable condition.

‘South Park’ rips into Trump’s crypto ties in latest episode
The latest South Park episode takes aim at former President Donald Trump’s reported connections to cryptocurrency ventures. The satirical storyline has sparked online debates among both fans and political commentators. It’s the latest example of the show tackling high-profile controversies.

Politics

White House tours to pause as ballroom construction starts, congressional offices say
Public tours of the White House will be temporarily halted due to major construction on the East Wing ballroom. Officials say the project is aimed at modernizing the space to accommodate larger events. Tours are expected to resume once renovations are complete.

Journalist detained by ICE sues Noem, Bondi for his release
A journalist held by ICE has filed a lawsuit against political figures including Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi, alleging unlawful detention. The case has drawn significant media attention, with advocacy groups calling for greater transparency. Officials have yet to respond publicly to the legal claims.

Tally Gotliv digs in amid criticism from other Likud MKs
Israeli politician Tally Gotliv is standing firm despite mounting criticism from her own party members. The tension highlights growing divisions within the Likud party over strategy and leadership direction. Analysts say the dispute could influence upcoming policy decisions.

Today’s Snapshot

The Invisible Skill That Builds Generational Wealth: Capital Allocation

Most people think wealth is about working harder or finding the next hot investment.
But here’s the real secret: The wealthiest people on the planet — from Buffett to Bezos — share one underrated skill.

It’s not charisma.
It’s not timing.
It’s capital allocation — the art of putting money where it produces the highest return, with the least risk.

Master this skill, and you stop chasing “more income” and start turning every dollar into a soldier that works for you.

1. What Capital Allocation Really Means

Think of your money like employees.

  • Some are lazy and sit in a savings account earning 0.5% interest.

  • Some work part-time in index funds, grinding away at a steady 7-10%.

  • Others are absolute hustlers, bringing in double-digit returns through businesses, real estate, or strategic partnerships.

Your job as the “CEO of your money” is to put each dollar in the role where it performs best.

2. The 3 Levels of Capital Allocation

Here’s how to think about deploying your money, no matter where you’re starting from:

Level 1: Stability

First, you need a foundation.

  • 3–6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account.

  • Insurance (health, disability, umbrella) — boring but critical.

  • No high-interest debt draining your returns.

This level protects you so that every dollar you invest can compound uninterrupted.

Level 2: Growth

Once you’ve got your base, you can shift your focus to growth assets:

  • Index funds & ETFs – Reliable, low-maintenance compounding.

  • Employer-matched retirement accounts – Free money most people ignore.

  • Tax-efficient accounts – HSAs, IRAs, solo 401(k)s if you’re a business owner.

At this stage, your goal isn’t getting rich quick. It’s building predictable compounding machines.

Level 3: Acceleration

This is where the wealthy pull ahead:

  • Direct business investments – Funding a startup or buying into a franchise.

  • Real estate – Rentals, syndications, or short-term properties.

  • Private lending – Acting like the bank for solid borrowers.

These moves carry higher risk — but also higher upside when you know what you’re doing.

3. How to Spot a Good Allocation

Here’s a simple 3-question framework before putting your money anywhere:

  1. Return: Is the expected ROI worth the risk?

  2. Control: Do I understand this enough to make informed decisions?

  3. Time: Does this investment fit my timeline and liquidity needs?

If you can’t confidently answer all three, you’re not allocating — you’re guessing.

4. Real-World Scenarios

Here are examples to make this practical:

  • The corporate exec making $250K

    • Max out tax-advantaged accounts → Index funds.

    • Use surplus cash to invest in private deals or REITs for diversification.

    • Build a side business for additional streams of income.

  • The small business owner

    • Keep 6–12 months of cash flow for stability.

    • Reinvest in the business where returns often beat the market.

    • Layer in tax-efficient retirement plans and passive real estate.

  • The 25-year-old with no career yet

    • Focus 80% on skill-building and income growth.

    • Start small with broad ETFs to build the habit of investing.

    • Avoid “get rich quick” traps until you have a solid base.

5. Avoiding the Biggest Trap

The #1 mistake even smart people make?
Spreading their capital too thin.

Owning five mediocre investments feels safe, but it kills returns.
Wealth builders concentrate capital where they have an edge — then diversify only after they’ve built momentum.

6. Action Plan for the Next 30 Days

  • Audit your dollars: Where is your money sitting idle?

  • Rank opportunities: What’s earning you the highest ROI right now?

  • Redirect intentionally: Move low-performing dollars to higher-performing, lower-risk areas.

  • Educate yourself: Pick one area — real estate, tax strategy, or private investing — and go deep.

Final Thought

Capital allocation is the quiet skill that compounds over decades.

Get this right, and you stop thinking like an “earner” and start thinking like an owner. That mindset shift is what takes you from chasing paychecks to building true wealth that works for you — and for the generations after you.

Fun Stuff

📆 This Day in Financial History

August 23, 2004 – Google’s IPO hit the markets at $85 a share, valuing the company at $23 billion. Today, that looks like pocket change!

🤯 Wild & Wacky Business Fact

Did you know McDonald’s once created bubblegum-flavored broccoli to encourage kids to eat healthier? It… didn’t exactly go as planned. 🤢

⚖️ Would You Rather…

Would you rather own a small business that earns $200K/year OR be an employee making $500K/year but working 80+ hours a week?

🧩 Brain Teaser – The Two Doors Puzzle

You’re in a room with two doors: one leads to freedom, the other to certain doom. Two guards are present: one always tells the truth, the other always lies. You can only ask one question to determine the door to freedom. What do you ask?

*Answers at the bottom

Thought of The Day

Every great story has twists and turns. Sometimes the detours you dread lead to greater destinations — stay open to the possibilities hidden in setbacks.

Answers

Brain Teaser - Answer: Ask either guard: “If I asked the other guard which door leads to freedom, which door would they point to?” Then take the opposite door.

That’s All For Today

I hope you enjoyed today’s issue of The Wealth Wagon. If you have any questions regarding today’s issue or future issues feel free to reply to this email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Come back tomorrow for another market update, and snapshot. I hope to see you. 🤙

— Ryan Rincon, CEO and Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.

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