July 26, 2025

Happy Saturday, everyone! 🧠🛠️
Good morning! Whether you’re starting the day slow or diving into your weekend to-do list like a champion, I hope you’re feeling proud of how far you’ve come—even if you haven’t had your second coffee yet.

Let’s talk about one of the smartest ways to future-proof your income (and your confidence): building a skill stack.

Instead of banking on one “superpower” to carry you through, the real secret is stacking a few complementary skills that make you flexible, valuable, and almost impossible to replace—especially when the economy gets weird. 📉➡️📈

Today we’re diving into how to build your recession-proof toolkit—not by becoming everything to everyone, but by layering just the right mix of what you know, what you can learn, and what makes you irreplaceably you.

Let’s stack smart—and set you up to thrive no matter what’s going on out there.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Plutarch

Market Update: Markets closed the week in cautiously optimistic territory—green up top, red below. 🎭📈📉

All three major indexes posted gains:

Bitcoin dropped 0.86%, while gold fell 1.01% and silver took the hardest hit at -2.22%—precious metals lost a bit of their luster today. 🪙⬇️

In the corporate lane, Nike sprinted ahead with a 1.09% jump, and Mastercard charged up 0.84%.
Verizon, on the other hand, dipped slightly by 0.12%—more static than signal. 📉📡

Overall, Wall Street wore a mixed expression—tech and equities upbeat, but metals and crypto clearly not feeling it.

NASA Launches Satellite Fleet to Study Space Weather
NASA has launched several new satellites aimed at studying solar activity and how it affects Earth. These satellites will monitor the sun’s magnetic storms and how they disrupt communications, GPS, and power grids. Understanding space weather better helps prepare for events like solar flares, which can wreak havoc on modern tech. It's like a solar storm forecast team now floating in orbit!

Metasurfaces Could Revolutionize Computing
Researchers are exploring metasurfaces—tiny engineered materials that could change the way information is processed. These materials can manipulate light in mind-bending ways, potentially replacing bulky optical components. If successful, they might lead to ultra-fast, compact computing devices far beyond today’s tech. Scientists are calling this the next big leap in quantum information processing.

Ancient Dino Tracks Reveal What T-Rex Was Up To
Newly found 76-million-year-old footprints show Tyrannosaurs were hanging out and maybe even socializing. These tracks provide evidence that the giant predators weren’t always lone hunters—they might’ve roamed in groups. It’s a dino discovery with a twist, challenging long-held beliefs. Turns out, even T-Rex might’ve enjoyed some squad time.

Solana’s Big Prediction: $500 Billion Market Cap?
Analysts are getting bullish on Solana, with a prediction that its market cap could hit $500 billion in just five years. That’s a bold claim, especially considering how volatile the crypto space can be. But the tech behind Solana is fast, cheap, and increasingly popular. If momentum continues, it might just become the next Ethereum-level contender.

BitMine Scoops Up $2B in Ethereum in Just 16 Days
A mining firm called BitMine has gone on a huge ETH-buying spree, snatching over $2 billion worth of Ethereum in a little over two weeks. This aggressive buying is part of a larger “treasury arms race” among crypto firms. Everyone’s trying to stock up before what they believe is the next bull run. It’s a big bet—and all eyes are watching to see if it pays off.

Big Banks Go Crypto—Finally
BNY Mellon and Goldman Sachs have entered the crypto scene in a big way. They've inked a deal to launch a $7.1 trillion tokenized money market fund, moving traditional finance deeper into blockchain territory. This isn’t just a pilot program—it’s a full commitment. The wall between old-school finance and crypto just got a big crack.

Zelenskyy Urges ‘National Unity’ Amid Protests
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling for unity in Ukraine as public protests rise over anti-corruption measures. Tensions have flared with citizens demanding greater transparency and reforms. Zelenskyy’s message highlights the delicate balance of maintaining public trust while pushing through difficult policies.

Pressure on Senate Over GOP Spending Bill
Senate Democrats are urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pause the vote on a major GOP-led spending bill. The bill has stirred controversy for its cuts and potential implications. Lawmakers are pushing for more time to negotiate key elements before advancing.

Ghana’s NPP Reveals Tensions Over Diplomatic Appointments
In Ghana, a senior member of the ruling NPP party is speaking out after being passed over for an ambassador role. The decision is reportedly linked to his Lebanese heritage, raising questions about transparency and bias in foreign service appointments. It’s sparking internal party debate and wider scrutiny.

Retired Couples Could Make $18,100 in Social Security in 2033
According to new projections, two-income retired couples could see an average of $18,100 annually from Social Security by 2033. While that figure seems promising, it also highlights the need to plan ahead given inflation and rising living costs. It’s a helpful benchmark for those planning for long-term retirement.

Sarah Jessica Parker Says Budgeting Taught Her a Life Lesson
Actress Sarah Jessica Parker recently shared how budgeting shaped her perspective on financial stability. She says getting by on $40 a week in her youth gave her a strong sense of financial security today. Her message resonates with many navigating rising living costs.

Private Equity Poised to Dominate 401(k) Market
Major players in private equity are gearing up to take over more of the 401(k) space. Firms like Blackstone are racing to capture a chunk of this retirement market, which could reshape how retirement savings are managed in the future. This signals a shift in investment options available to everyday workers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Adds 2027 Voyages
Norwegian Cruise Line is adding more 2027 trips out of the Port of Philadelphia. This expansion reflects growing demand for East Coast cruise options. With new destinations and extended itineraries, it’s a welcome move for cruise lovers looking ahead.

Philly Traffic Ranks Among Worst in the U.S.
Philadelphia’s traffic has now been ranked as some of the worst in the country. The city's infrastructure struggles and high vehicle volume are leading to serious gridlock. Commuters might want to leave even earlier — or rethink how they get around.

9-Year-Old Dies at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania
Tragedy struck at Hersheypark, where a 9-year-old child died unexpectedly. Details are still emerging, but the incident has cast a shadow over one of the state's most visited attractions. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of safety at large public venues.

Let’s talk about something kinda sneaky but seriously powerful — it’s called “skill stacking.”

I know, I know — it doesn’t sound sexy. It’s not as flashy as “crypto moonshot” or “6-figure side hustle in 30 days.” But here’s the thing...

Skill stacking is quietly how a ton of top earners keep rising — no matter what the economy’s doing.

And the best part? Anyone can do it. Doesn’t matter if you’re managing teams, running a business, freelancing, or still trying to figure out how to get off your mom’s Wi-Fi.

Let’s dive in.

Think of it like building a money-making sandwich.

One skill = good.
Two complementary skills = better.
Three to five? Now you're dangerous.

You don’t need to be world-class at any one thing — but if you’re pretty good at a few things that play well together? You’re in a league of your own.

It’s the difference between:

Or:

See the difference?

Let’s say you’re:

You’ve got experience. But if you tack on skills like data analysis, public speaking, or personal branding? You go from replaceable to indispensable.

You already wear a million hats. But what if you level up your storytelling, funnels, and hiring chops? That’s how you scale without burning out.

Cool. Start by learning copywriting, basic sales, video editing, or chat-based customer service. These skills are in crazy demand and cost almost nothing to learn online.

Here’s a simple plan. No fluff, no guru nonsense.

This is your current job, business, interest, or something you’re already kinda good at.

Examples:

Look for skills that complement or multiply your main skill.

Let’s say your base is writing:

Magic. ✨

Once you’ve built a little stack, use it:

Remember: skills compound when applied.

Here are a few that are always in demand, no matter your industry:

Pick one. Start learning it for 15–30 mins a day. You’ll be shocked what 90 days of focus can do.

We’re in a wild economy.

Layoffs. AI. Remote work. Global weirdness. It’s a lot.

The people who win in uncertain times aren’t the ones with the fanciest degrees or the longest titles.
It’s the ones who adapt fast, stack new skills, and make themselves impossible to ignore.

That can be you. No matter where you’re starting.

Here’s the short version:

Your income is tied to the value you can create and communicate. Skill stacking is the cheat code for both.

You don’t need to be a genius. Just be consistent.
You don’t need to be early. Just stay in the game.
You don’t need 5 years. You need 90 days of focus.

So… what’s the next skill you’re gonna stack?

Why did the cryptocurrency break up with the dollar?
Because it needed more space and couldn't handle the clingy inflation.

I’m intangible, yet valued.
I can make or break a company in moments.
Once lost, I’s hard to rebuild.
What am I?

Clue:
This company started as an online bookstore in the '90s and now delivers groceries, streams movies, and powers half the internet.

A product costs $40 to make and is sold for $100.
The marketing team suggests a 20% discount to boost sales.
What’s the new profit margin?

*Answers at the bottom

Riddle - Answer: Reputation

Guess the Company - Answer: Amazon

Brain Teaser - Answer:
New price: $100 – 20% = $80
Profit: $80 – $40 = $40
Margin = $40 / $80 = 50%

✅ Despite the discount, still a healthy margin!