August 9, 2025

Happy Saturday, friends! ☀️
Good morning! I hope you’re easing into the weekend with coffee in hand, sunlight on your face, and absolutely zero alarms set for tomorrow.

Quick thought: Have you ever noticed how the loudest voices online seem to magnetize opportunities? Clients, partnerships, surprise checks in the mail (okay maybe not that last one, but still).

Here’s the wild truth: you don’t need millions of followers or a podcast empire to have a platform. A small, thoughtful audience—even a corner of the internet that’s yours—can quietly become a wealth-building machine.

Today, we’re diving into how owning your own “digital front porch” (no matter how tiny) is one of the smartest money moves you can make.

Your voice matters. Let’s use it.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Carl Rogers

Market Update: The Nasdaq surged +0.98%, the S&P 500 climbed +0.78%, and the Dow Jones rose +0.47% — a strong, green day for the major indexes.

Metals followed suit, with Gold inching up +0.13% and Silver adding +0.58%.

In the financial sector, Visa swiped in a +1.41% gain, Citi cashed in with +1.64%, and Goldman Sachs saw a modest +0.21% bump.

The only red in the mix? Bitcoin, which slipped -0.54%, taking a small pause after its recent run.

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Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan Breaks Silence After Trump Calls for His Resignation
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan says he has no plans to resign despite President Trump publicly urging him to step down. Tan insists he will continue leading the company through its strategic transition. The comments come amid growing political pressure on corporate leaders. Intel has not commented further on the situation.

OpenAI’s GPT-5 Targets Coders
OpenAI has released GPT-5 with features designed specifically for software developers. The tool promises faster, more accurate coding assistance. Experts say it could significantly speed up programming work. Early feedback from beta users has been largely positive.

Gold Futures Soar to Record High After Reports of US Tariffs on Swiss Bars
Gold prices have surged to record levels following reports of new U.S. tariffs on Swiss gold bars. Investors are turning to gold as a safe-haven asset amid trade uncertainty. Analysts expect continued volatility in the market. The move underscores how geopolitical tensions can rapidly influence commodity prices.

Hundreds of Flights Delayed After Tech Issue Grounds United Airlines
A technical outage at United Airlines caused hundreds of flights to be delayed nationwide. The disruption left thousands of passengers stranded in airports for hours. United says the problem has been resolved and operations are gradually returning to normal. The airline is investigating the root cause to prevent future disruptions.

Frightened Royal Caribbean Passengers Scream as Water Slide Glass Shatters
Passengers aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise were left shaken when glass on a water slide suddenly shattered mid-ride. Several people suffered injuries, though none are reported to be life-threatening. Witnesses described scenes of panic as crew members quickly secured the area. The incident has prompted a safety review by the cruise line.

Restoring Confederate Memorial to Cost $10M, Army Official Says
The U.S. Army says restoring a toppled Confederate memorial will cost $10 million. The statue, damaged during protests, has sparked ongoing debates about historical monuments and public funding. Officials say repairs will be paid for through existing budgets. The project is expected to take several months to complete.

A Comet Going 130,000 mph is Visiting Our Solar System
NASA says a comet traveling at an incredible 130,000 miles per hour is passing through our solar system. The Hubble Space Telescope is capturing detailed images of the object. Experts say this is a rare opportunity to study a fast-moving celestial visitor. The comet’s path poses no threat to Earth.

New Signs Found of Giant Gas Planet in ‘Earth’s Neighbourhood’
Astronomers have detected possible signs of a massive gas planet relatively close to our solar system. The discovery has sparked excitement because the planet’s proximity makes it easier to study. Scientists are now working to confirm its existence through further observations. If verified, it could reshape our understanding of planetary systems near Earth.

Evidence of World-Changing Comet Explosion Found in the Ocean
Researchers have discovered signs in the ocean of a comet explosion that occurred 12,800 years ago. The event may have dramatically altered Earth’s climate at the time. Evidence includes microscopic particles linked to high-energy impacts. Scientists say the findings could help explain abrupt environmental changes in history.

Trump Signs Order to Allow Crypto and Real Estate Investments in Retirement Plans
President Trump has signed an executive order permitting retirement accounts to invest in cryptocurrency and real estate. Supporters argue this will give savers more freedom and diversification options. Critics warn it could expose retirees to higher financial risk. The rule change could have a significant impact on how Americans plan for retirement.

‘I’m Tired of Corporate America’: Can I Retire Already?
A 61-year-old with $1.65 million in savings is questioning whether it’s enough to retire comfortably. Financial planners say the answer depends on lifestyle, spending habits, and expected longevity. The story highlights how even sizable savings may not erase retirement uncertainty. Experts advise detailed planning before making the leap.

Lawyer on $850k Salary Says He Feels Poor
A London-based lawyer earning $850,000 a year says high costs leave him feeling financially strained. Spending about $21,000 a month, he cites living expenses and lifestyle choices as major drains. Analysts point to this as a classic case of lifestyle inflation. The story underscores how high income doesn’t always guarantee financial security.

Bitcoin Billionaire Winklevoss Bros Back Trump Sons’ Crypto Miner
The Winklevoss twins are investing in a Bitcoin mining company linked to Donald Trump’s sons. The move combines political ties with the cryptocurrency industry. Supporters say it could boost both funding and visibility for the company. Critics question the influence of political connections in crypto ventures.

Ethereum Treasury Sharplink to Raise $200 Million for More ETH Purchases
SharpLink is planning to raise $200 million to expand its Ethereum holdings. Executives say the investment aims to strengthen the company’s market position. The move reflects growing institutional interest in Ethereum. Analysts expect it to influence ETH price trends.

Ripple Buys Stablecoin Platform in $200M Deal
Ripple has acquired a stablecoin platform for $200 million. The purchase expands Ripple’s capabilities in blockchain-based payments. Executives say it fits their strategy for global financial growth. The acquisition could help Ripple compete more directly with other major crypto payment systems.

Let’s be honest — we all want to make more money, invest smarter, and build wealth that actually lasts.

And sure, you’ve heard the usual suspects: stocks, real estate, high-income skills, etc. All solid plays.

But today, let’s talk about a wildly underrated wealth builder that almost no one takes seriously enough — yet it works whether you’re an exec, entrepreneur, freelancer, or someone just getting started.

Ready?

Start building a platform.

No, not like a new social media app (please don’t).
I mean your platform.
Your personal corner of the internet that builds attention, trust, and income.

A platform is anything that helps people:

It could be:

It doesn’t have to be huge.
It just needs to be real and consistent.

Here’s the big secret:

In 2025 and beyond, attention is leverage.
Not in a Kardashian way. In a “people know what you do and trust you” kind of way.

Having a platform gives you:

And most importantly?

You’re not invisible.

Good. You don’t need to be.

You just need to show your work a little.
Share what you know.
Post your thoughts.
Tell people how you think.

Start small:

You don’t need millions of views.
You just need the right 100 people watching.

Your platform builds your personal brand.
It makes you more visible, respected, and promotable — even outside your company.

(And it’s career insurance, too. Layoffs? You’ve got options.)

Your platform becomes a lead engine.
It helps people discover you before you sell anything.

Warm audiences > cold DMs.

Your platform is your resume.
You don’t need credentials — you just need to show effort, curiosity, and value.

People will notice.

Once you’ve got some attention, it’s game on.

You can:

And all of this compounds.
Your audience grows. Your content ages well.
Your reach = more revenue, more leverage, and more fun.

Wanna get going this week? Here’s a light checklist:

1. Pick your platform
👉 LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube, Substack — choose one you’ll actually use

2. Post 1x per week
👉 Share a lesson, thought, win, or mistake (short is fine)

3. Engage with 3 others
👉 Comment on stuff in your niche — people will click your name

4. Don’t quit at 10 followers
👉 Everyone starts at 0. You’re planting seeds. Give it time.

5. Have fun
👉 Don’t overthink it. Be human. Talk like you talk.

You don’t need to be a guru.
You don’t need a massive following.
You don’t need a logo, a slogan, or a “brand bible.”

You just need to show up consistently and share something valuable.

Because here’s what no one tells you:

People want to learn from people just a few steps ahead of them.

That could be you.

You’ve got insights, stories, and perspective that someone out there needs.
Don’t keep it to yourself.

Build your little platform. Let it grow.

Your future self — and your bank account — will thank you.

Why did the financial analyst break up with the spreadsheet?

Because she couldn’t deal with his “cell”-fish behavior! 📊😆

August 9, 2007:
BNP Paribas froze three hedge funds, marking one of the first clear tremors of the 2008 financial crisis.
This date is widely seen as the official start of the Global Financial Crisis.

(It started with credit... and unraveled everything.)

Blockbuster turned down the chance to buy Netflix for $50 million in 2000.
Netflix is now worth hundreds of billions, and Blockbuster has… one store left.

(Moral of the story? Never laugh off innovation.)

A billionaire gives you two investment options:

*Answers at the bottom

Every “overnight success” is built on years of invisible effort.
What you're working on today may not show results tomorrow — but it stacks.

Brain Teaser - Answer: Option 2 — the penny doubled becomes $5.36 million on day 30.

(Lesson: Compound interest is magic if you let it cook.)