July 31, 2025

Happy Thursday, everyone! 🛠️✨
Good morning! It’s the last day of the month—aka the perfect time to reflect, reset, and remind yourself that progress > perfection (especially if your July goals got a little... wobbly).

Today’s message is a breath of fresh air: You don’t need to be a genius to build wealth.
You don’t need insider secrets. You don’t need to be great at math. And you definitely don’t need to hustle 24/7.

What you do need? A system—a repeatable rhythm that works even when you’re tired, distracted, or just being a regular human. 🎯💡

Today we’re diving into how simple systems (not genius moves) create lasting wealth—and how to build one that works for you, not against you.

Let’s close out July with clarity, calm, and a smart plan for what’s next.

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Albert Einstein

Market Update: Markets looked mostly gloomy today, with just a couple glimmers of green in an otherwise red sea. 🌧️

Bitcoin took a hit, sliding -0.70%, while gold dropped -1.60% and silver sank even harder at -2.90%. Definitely not a shiny day for metals. 🪙💔

In the financials:

Overall? A tough day, unless you were riding with Morgan Stanley or clinging to the Nasdaq’s slim win.

US economy exceeds forecasts as tariffs bite
ABC News reports that Trump-era tariffs are now showing effects as U.S. economic data outperforms expectations. Consumer demand and industrial output rose, contributing to the strong performance. However, experts caution that tariff costs could build pressure on households long term.

Stock market surges ahead of Fed meeting
Investor’s Business Daily notes that the stock market rallied with strong performances from Nvidia and other tech firms. Investors are betting that the Fed will hold interest rates steady. Powell’s upcoming remarks could heavily sway the market’s next move.

Fed expected to pause rate hikes despite Trump pressure
NPR reveals that despite political pressure from Trump to cut rates, the Federal Reserve is likely to maintain the current interest rate. Analysts expect the Fed to emphasize data dependence and long-term stability. This restraint reflects concerns about inflation and overheating.

Ethereum eyes $5,000 as Bitcoin slumps
Decrypt reports Ethereum is gaining strength as analysts point to a potential rally toward $5,000, contrasting Bitcoin’s recent struggles. Innovations in Ethereum’s ecosystem and increased institutional interest have buoyed investor confidence. Traders are closely watching resistance levels and network upgrades.

180 Life Sciences plans $425M Ethereum treasury rebrand
According to The Block, biotech firm 180 Life Sciences is preparing to raise $425 million to back an Ethereum treasury. The company also plans to rebrand as "ETHZilla," signaling a significant pivot toward blockchain infrastructure. Experts see this as another example of traditional industries embracing crypto assets.

SharpLink’s ETH holdings soar to 438,190 after $279M raise
SharpLink Gaming has seen its Ethereum holdings explode following a massive funding round, according to SharpLink. The surge reflects growing interest from institutional backers in digital assets. The move positions SharpLink for expansion in Web3 gaming and NFTs.

Japan experiences record-breaking heat wave
Bloomberg reports that Japan has logged its highest temperature ever as the nation grapples with an unrelenting heat wave. Emergency cooling centers are being set up in major cities. Scientists point to climate change as a contributing factor to such extreme weather events.

EU fails to suspend Israel from funding program
The Times of Israel reports that a motion to suspend Israel from EU startup funding due to Gaza-related concerns fell short of the necessary votes. The development reflects internal divisions among EU members. Israel continues to benefit from European innovation programs.

China's leaders vow support for economy amid crackdown
Reuters states that China’s top political leadership has pledged more support for the economy while continuing to crack down on financial misconduct. The announcement comes as the country deals with low birthrates and weak consumer confidence. Experts interpret this as an effort to balance growth with stability.

Younger generations adopt ‘revenge saving’ strategies
According to WXYZ Channel 7, Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly turning to "revenge saving" — aggressively putting money away after years of economic uncertainty. This trend has been fueled by job insecurity, high inflation, and fears of future recessions. Experts suggest this frugal approach might bring long-term benefits, especially in a volatile economy.

The ‘great wealth transfer’ is coming — but most people aren’t ready
As trillions of dollars are expected to shift from older generations to younger ones in the coming years, financial experts warn that many heirs are not financially literate or prepared to manage such wealth. This unprecedented generational wealth shift could reshape investment trends, real estate markets, and retirement strategies. MarketWatch notes that failure to prepare could lead to squandered inheritances and financial instability for some families.

How to get real financial advice if you need it
The White Coat Investor emphasizes the importance of finding reliable financial advisors, especially with the rise of online influencers and unqualified "experts." Many individuals are misled by free tips or social media hacks that often lack accuracy or personalization. The article advises verifying credentials and seeking fiduciary advisors who prioritize clients' interests.

Tsunami prompts mass evacuations in Central and South America
The Guardian reports that coastal regions in multiple countries are evacuating after tsunami alerts were issued. The situation is evolving rapidly, with emergency teams monitoring aftershocks. Authorities are urging citizens to move inland as a precaution.

NYC gunman’s job raises security questions
AP News reveals that the man involved in the recent NYC shooting had a job tied to sensitive infrastructure. Investigators are now scrutinizing how he passed background checks. The case has sparked new debate about vetting standards in high-risk roles.

Trump says Friday tariff deadline won’t be extended
CNBC reports that former President Trump has declared a firm deadline for upcoming tariffs, suggesting no further extensions. This move could escalate trade tensions if deals are not reached in time. Markets are reacting cautiously to the announcement.

Let’s be real for a second.

Most of us were never taught how to build wealth growing up. School? Nope. Parents? Maybe. Instagram? Yikes.

And because of that, wealth-building feels like this mysterious, elite club where only finance bros and MBA grads get in.

But I’m here to tell you something refreshing: you don’t need to be brilliant, perfect, or even rich to get rich.

You just need a system.

Let’s unpack that 👇

You know what’s wild?

You can make $200K a year… and still feel broke.

It’s not about how much you make — it’s about what you do with what you make.

The people who win the money game usually don’t have the most cash — they have the most clarity and automation.

They have a wealth system. Something like:

That’s it. A repeatable, boring, unsexy system. And boring works.

You don’t need a fancy spreadsheet or a financial advisor (yet). Just set this up once, tweak it as needed, and keep moving.

Here’s a super basic system to build wealth over time:

1. Direct Deposit Split (Payday Setup)
Let your paycheck do the work.

You can adjust percentages, but the key is this: make the decision once and automate it.

2. Use the 24-Hour Rule on Big Purchases
Impulse buys are the enemy of future you. If it’s over $100 (or pick your number), sleep on it. 90% of the time, you won’t even want it tomorrow.

3. Build a “No-Brainer” Investing Habit
Forget day trading. Forget timing the market.
Just set up auto-investing into an index fund like VTI or SPY.

Even $50/week adds up faster than you think:

4. Start a Wealth Tracker Doc
Track your:

Update it once a month. That’s it.
Even seeing a $500 jump in net worth feels amazing when you track it.

No job, no savings, no investments? Cool. You’re in the BEST spot to start clean.

Here’s your 3-step path:

This is a game-changer.

An Opportunity Fund is a savings bucket just for taking smart risks. Maybe:

The goal isn’t safety. It’s upside.
And the best opportunities never wait until you “feel ready.”

You don’t need to grind 20 hours a day.
You don’t need to read 100 finance books.
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room.

You just need to set up your wealth system once — and keep pressing “play.”

And I promise you — if you do that?
Future you is going to be very rich… and very grateful.

Why did the finance intern sleep under their desk?
Because they heard the market never sleeps. 💤📊

July 31, 1971:
The Nasdaq Stock Market opened for trading for the very first time.
It was the world’s first electronic stock exchange —
and it paved the way for tech IPOs, algorithmic trading, and meme stocks 50 years later.

In 2007, a man legally auctioned off his entire life on eBay — house, job, car, even friends introductions — after a divorce.
It sold for $384,000.
His next act? He built a brand from the stunt and became a public speaker.
Talk about turning rock bottom into a business model!

Would you rather…

(Culture vs. flexibility — which one scales better in the long run?)

*Answers at the bottom