October 18, 2025

Happy Saturday, everyone! 🌞

Good morning! I hope your weekend is off to a relaxing start — or at least that you’ve got a warm drink and zero alarms set for tomorrow. Saturdays are a little gift: a chance to breathe, think, and maybe zoom out from the daily grind for a minute.

Here’s something to chew on this morning: every “yes” costs you something — time, energy, or opportunity. 💭

Most people think about money in terms of budgets — cutting costs, trimming fat, tracking every dollar. But the real wealth builders think differently. They think in opportunity cost — what am I giving up by saying yes to this instead of that?

That’s exactly what today’s post is about — how to think in opportunity cost (and why it’ll make you richer than budgeting ever will). You’ll learn how this mindset quietly separates the financially free from the forever busy.

So as you move through your Saturday — whether you’re working, resting, or brunching — remember: every choice is an investment. Make sure the return is worth it

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

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— Mark Twain

Market Update: Wall Street ticked higher across the board — the Nasdaq climbed +0.52% to $22,679.98, the S&P 500 rose +0.53%, and the Dow Jones matched the momentum, up +0.52% to $46,190.61. A healthy start to the week as investors found some comfort in steady earnings and cooler economic data.

On the flip side, crypto and metals weren’t feeling as shiny — Bitcoin fell -0.97% to $107,148.80, while Gold dropped -0.99%, and Silver plunged -5.15%, marking its worst one-day drop in weeks as traders cashed in on prior gains.

Energy stocks brought the heat, with Exxon jumping +1.45% to $112.24, riding on firm oil prices. Meanwhile, Zillow (-1.42%) and Wayfair (-1.05%) slipped, weighed down by signs of housing market cooling and consumer fatigue in the home goods sector.

📊 The takeaway: Stocks are keeping their cool while commodities caught a chill. Tech steadied the ship, energy fueled some optimism, and housing names are still waiting for the next spark. The market’s mood? Cautiously upbeat, but keeping one eye on inflation and the other on the Fed.

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Madagascar’s new president rises from military coup
An army colonel has assumed power in Madagascar following a swift coup that toppled the previous government. The transition unfolded rapidly, with military leaders pledging to restore order and stability. Regional observers have called for calm as international reactions remain cautious.

UK faces mounting calls to lift ban on Israeli football fans
Authorities in Britain are under growing pressure to reverse a ban preventing Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from attending matches. Critics say the restriction unfairly targets one group of fans amid heightened security concerns. Discussions are underway to find a balanced resolution.

Former Japanese leader dies at 101 after legacy of wartime apology
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, remembered for his landmark apology over Japan’s wartime actions, has died at the age of 101. His 1995 statement acknowledging past aggression remains a cornerstone of Japan’s postwar diplomacy and reconciliation efforts.

Zelensky visits White House as U.S. shutdown continues
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Defense funding bill stalls as partisan standoff deepens
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Kremlin floats idea of $8 billion “Trump–Putin tunnel” project
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Dollar weakens as traders remain uneasy over trade policy
The U.S. dollar slipped for the week as uncertainty around trade negotiations unsettled markets. Investors are balancing caution against stronger earnings data. Currency strategists say volatility could persist until clearer policy signals emerge.

American Express reports rising sales amid renewed consumer confidence
Credit card spending surged in the third quarter, driven by travel and retail purchases. The company noted a strong recovery among premium cardholders. Executives said the trend points to continued momentum despite broader economic concerns.

Astronomers find “most pristine” star near Milky Way’s edge
Scientists have identified what may be the purest star ever observed, composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. The discovery could provide clues about the universe’s earliest generations of stars. Researchers say it may represent a direct link to cosmic origins.

How to catch a glimpse of Comet C/2025 R2 this October
Skywatchers can soon view Comet C/2025 R2, known as SWAN, as it passes near Earth. The comet will be visible in early mornings throughout the month. Experts recommend using binoculars for best visibility under dark skies.

Scientists explore “jellyfish effect” seen in rocket launches
Researchers studying the glowing plumes created during high-altitude rocket tests are uncovering new atmospheric dynamics. The so-called “jellyfish effect” offers insights into how exhaust gases interact with upper-level winds and sunlight.

Blockchain startup raises $500 million in major funding round
A fintech firm backed by Stripe secured half a billion dollars in new capital to expand its blockchain payment systems. Investors cited growing demand for cross-border transaction infrastructure. The funding marks one of the largest rounds in the sector this year.

Jamie Dimon calls holding gold “semi-rational” amid uncertainty
A leading bank executive said it’s “the first time in his career” that keeping gold may make sense, citing persistent inflation and geopolitical instability. The remark reflects shifting sentiment among major investors toward tangible assets.

Trump maintains plans to meet Xi despite calling tariffs “unsustainable”
Donald Trump acknowledged that current tariffs on China are difficult to sustain long term but reaffirmed plans to meet with President Xi. The comments suggest potential room for negotiation as both sides navigate strained economic ties.

Let’s be honest — most people obsess over small money decisions while completely missing the big ones.

They’ll drive across town to save $5 on gas…
But stay in a job that’s underpaying them by $30,000 a year.

They’ll spend hours researching which credit card gives 1% more cashback…
But never learn how to invest or start a business that could multiply their income.

The difference between the average person and the wealthy isn’t intelligence.
It’s how they think about trade-offs.

That’s called opportunity cost — and once you get it, you start making wealth-building decisions almost automatically.

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best thing you gave up when you made a decision.

Every choice costs something — not just money, but time, focus, and potential returns.

For example:

We all pay opportunity costs — the question is whether we’re paying them consciously.

The problem is that schools and jobs train us to think in expenses, not returns.

We’re taught to cut costs and “save money,” not to ask,

“What’s the best use of this money or time?”

But high performers — entrepreneurs, investors, and top executives — think differently.
They know every dollar and every hour has a potential return.

They don’t just ask, “What does this cost?”
They ask, “What does this earn?”

That single mindset shift changes everything.

Let’s make it concrete.

Say you have $10,000.
You can:

If you choose #1, your opportunity cost is the extra 6–29% you could’ve earned elsewhere.

Now expand that thinking to every dollar you spend or invest.
Ask yourself:

That’s how you turn ordinary financial decisions into strategic ones.

This one’s even bigger.

Time has a compounding effect too — just like money.

If you spend 10 hours a week doing low-value tasks (like admin, errands, or busywork) instead of building assets or skills, the opportunity cost isn’t 10 hours — it’s the wealth those hours could’ve created.

So here’s a simple test:

“Is this the highest-value use of my time right now?”

If not, automate it, delegate it, or drop it.

Example:

Most people see outsourcing as a cost.
Wealth builders see it as buying back time.

This is where opportunity cost becomes game-changing.

Every year you stay in a role, market, or business model that caps your upside — you’re paying an invisible tax: the cost of not doing something better.

Example:

Comfort is expensive when you start measuring it in opportunity cost.

The wealthy don’t chase risk — they just understand that doing nothing often costs more than trying and failing.

Use this mental model before any major decision:

You don’t need to calculate exact numbers.
Just running through this framework quickly will help you choose better 9 out of 10 times.

Sometimes, the opportunity cost isn’t financial — it’s emotional or mental.

Those choices drain your energy — and energy is the ultimate currency.

Protect it like capital.

You don’t get rich by doing more things — you get rich by doing the right things.

When you start measuring life through opportunity cost, you stop chasing every shiny distraction and start compounding faster in the areas that matter.

Wealth is built through focus, not just effort.
And the people who understand opportunity cost are the ones who quietly build fortunes while everyone else keeps “saving money.”