October 8, 2025

Happy Wednesday, everyone! 🌞

Good morning! I hope you woke up feeling refreshed and ready to make today count. Midweek can sometimes feel like a balancing act — juggling work, life, and maybe a second cup of coffee — but that’s what makes it the perfect time to pause and think about how we’re spending our most valuable currency: time. ⏳

Here’s a thought — we often talk about return on investment (ROI), but what about return on time (ROT)? Because no matter how much money you make, you can’t get back a single minute you waste.

Today’s post dives into exactly that — how to think like a smart investor, not just with your dollars, but with your hours. You’ll learn how to spot high-value activities, cut the time-sinks, and build a life where your schedule aligns with your goals (and your peace).

So grab your morning coffee, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: Is what I’m doing today truly worth my time? Let’s make sure the answer becomes a confident “yes.” 💪✨

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

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— Estée Lauder

Market Update: The Nasdaq hit a minor stumble, slipping -0.67% to $22,788.36, while the S&P 500 barely eked out a win, inching up +0.01% to $6,714.59. The Dow Jones followed suit with a small dip of -0.20%, closing at $46,602.98. Tech seems to be catching its breath after recent rallies, but other corners of the market brought some shine.

Crypto and commodities stole the spotlight — Bitcoin rose +0.70% to $122,254.00, keeping its momentum alive. Gold climbed +0.54% to $4,026.30, and Silver outshined both with a +0.89% boost, a solid day for the metals crowd.

In the corporate ring, Coca-Cola bubbled up +1.04% to $66.79, proving it’s still refreshing portfolios. Exxon inched up +0.05%, staying steady amid fluctuating energy prices, while Walmart gained +0.53%, continuing its steady-as-she-goes climb.

📊 The vibe: A cautious day on Wall Street with tech cooling off but consumer and commodity plays showing quiet confidence. It’s a day of balance — a little fizz, a little shine, and a bit of market muscle holding it all together.

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Euro weakens as French political turmoil shakes investor confidence
The euro fell sharply against the dollar amid rising instability in France’s political scene. Traders cited concerns over leadership uncertainty and fiscal direction as key drivers. Analysts warn the volatility could persist if coalition talks drag on.

Bitcoin ETF inflows soar past $1.19B since July
New data shows Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have drawn nearly $1.2 billion in investor cash, with BlackRock leading the pack. Analysts say enthusiasm remains high, but some see warning signs of an overheated market. A correction could come if profit-taking accelerates.

Vermonters scramble for Medicare coverage after major insurer exits
Roughly 50,000 Vermonters are expected to shift Medicare plans after major insurers announced they’re leaving the market. State officials are coordinating with federal agencies to smooth the transition. Local advocates warn seniors may face higher premiums and fewer coverage options.

Ethereum surges as BitMine and ETH break key resistance levels
Yahoo Finance reports Ethereum has broken past a major price ceiling, fueling optimism for a potential $5,000 target. Smaller token BitMine (BMNR) is also rallying, riding the broader crypto wave. Traders credit institutional buying and bullish technical indicators for the move.

Analysts predict Bitcoin could climb toward $118,000 mark
CoinDesk highlights growing confidence among crypto analysts that Bitcoin’s next major leg up could reach $118K. Market metrics point to strong accumulation and favorable momentum. Still, macroeconomic pressures and regulatory uncertainty could test investor patience.

Bitcoin consolidates below record highs as momentum remains strong
After hitting $122,000, Bitcoin prices cooled slightly but stayed in a bullish range. Traders view the dip as healthy consolidation, not a reversal. Technical charts suggest momentum is intact as long as support levels hold firm.

Private data firm finds worrying softness in U.S. employment trends
Bloomberg reports that Carlyle’s proprietary labor data shows weakening job creation and slower wage growth. The findings contradict some official statistics showing resilience. Economists say it may signal cooling beneath the surface of the labor market.

Farm sector faces political reckoning amid shifting voter loyalties
The Economist explores how rural America is rethinking its political identity as economic pressures mount. Once reliable supporters of Trump-era policies, many farmers now face the fallout of trade disputes and subsidy uncertainty. The tension could reshape the agricultural vote map.

Fed researchers warn of slowing job gains heading into fall
Reuters reports that the New York Fed’s latest survey points to growing caution among employers. Hiring intentions have dipped, and job openings are shrinking in several key sectors. Analysts say the data could bolster calls for future rate cuts.

Democrats sue over ‘Radical Left’ rhetoric in shutdown communications
NPR reports that congressional Democrats are taking legal action, accusing the administration of violating neutrality laws with partisan language in official shutdown notices. The lawsuit cites misuse of federal resources for political messaging. The Justice Department has yet to comment.

Trump administration warns federal workers may lose back pay in shutdown
The Anchorage Daily News says the White House has told agencies that furloughed workers may not receive retroactive pay after the shutdown ends. The move is unprecedented in recent decades. Unions call it punitive and vow to challenge the decision legally.

Hegseth ultimatum to generals sparks talk of resignations
MSN reports growing unease among top military brass after Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth allegedly issued an ultimatum to senior generals. Insiders say the standoff centers on loyalty tests and ideological disagreements. Some officers are reportedly considering early retirement.

Airport delays worsen nationwide as shutdown squeezes air travel system
BBC reports mounting flight delays and cancellations as staffing shortages hit the FAA and TSA. Travelers face longer security lines and more last-minute changes. The airline industry warns disruptions will escalate if the government impasse continues.

New essay challenges identity politics with “Heritage American” idea
The Atlantic explores the rising use of the term “Heritage American” among right-wing groups. The piece delves into how cultural nostalgia and exclusionary politics intersect in the U.S. Critics say the phrase reflects attempts to rebrand nativist sentiment under new language.

U.S.-Mexico border crossings drop to lowest level in decades
CBS News reports illegal crossings have fallen to their lowest point since 1970. Experts cite stricter enforcement, economic shifts, and regional migration agreements as key factors. The trend could reshape the political debate around border security ahead of the next election.

Most people are obsessed with ROI — Return on Investment.
And they should be. It’s the foundation of smart money management.

But there’s another metric that quietly separates the financially successful from everyone else:
ROT — Return on Time.

Because here’s the thing:
Money is renewable. Time isn’t.
And yet most people spend their days protecting their money while carelessly wasting their time.

Let’s fix that.

Even if you don’t think in hourly wages, you have an hourly rate — it’s just hidden inside your results.

Here’s a quick way to find it:

If you make $150,000 a year, that’s about $75/hour.
If you run a business and net $500,000, that’s $250/hour.

Now, ask yourself:

“Would I pay someone $250/hour to do what I’m doing right now?”

If the answer is no — then you’re losing money in time.

Start evaluating your choices like this:

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

The trap is that low ROT tasks feel productive — they keep you busy, which tricks your brain into thinking you’re winning.
But in business, busyness ≠ progress.

Here’s a simple exercise that can completely change how you operate:

For one week, write down what you do every hour (roughly) and rate each activity:

You’ll instantly see where your time leaks are.

Most people discover that 60–70% of their time is spent on 1s and 2s.

Your goal isn’t to eliminate everything — just gradually replace low-value tasks with high-value ones.

Once you know where your time goes, it’s time to buy it back.

That doesn’t always mean hiring a full-time assistant (though that helps).
It could mean:

You’re not “spending money” — you’re investing in freeing up your highest-value resource: your time.

A good rule of thumb:

If you can pay someone less than your hourly rate to do a task, you should almost never be doing it yourself.

Buying back time is useless if you just fill it with more low-value activity.

Use your freed-up hours for:

Remember: time isn’t for staying busy — it’s for creating leverage.

ROT isn’t just about this week — it’s about compounding over time.

Ask yourself:

“What can I do today that saves me hours or makes me more valuable a year from now?”

Examples:

These are long-term multipliers.
Do enough of them, and your time starts earning interest — just like money.

The wealthy think differently because they measure differently.
They don’t just chase returns on money. They chase returns on time, effort, and attention.

Every decision — business, financial, or personal — has a hidden time cost.
When you start thinking in terms of Return on Time, you stop trading hours for outcomes… and start trading strategy for freedom.

Because the ultimate goal isn’t to have more money.
It’s to have more time to enjoy it.

The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?

This company’s original mission was to organize the world’s information. Today, it’s one of the most powerful forces on the internet.

In 2018, the Dow Jones dropped over 800 points, marking one of the worst sell-offs of that year, triggered by tech sector volatility and rising bond yields. It was a wake-up call for investors that even bull markets need breathers. 📉

In 2022, a company in Japan sold “nap boxes” — vertical sleeping pods designed for office workers to take standing naps!
Because when you can’t lie down… you can still lie to yourself about resting. 😴

*Answers at the bottom

Riddle - Answer: Footsteps 👣

Guess the Company - Answer: Google 🌐