September 22, 2025

Happy Monday, everyone!
Good morning 🌞—I hope your week is off to a strong, energized start (or at least powered by coffee, which works just as well).

Quick question for you: when was the last time you gave your finances a real check-up? We do it for our health, our cars, even our tech devices… but money? Most of us avoid looking too closely until something breaks.

That’s why today’s post is all about running a personal financial audit—a simple yearly habit that can reveal leaks, highlight wins, and help you course-correct before small issues snowball into big ones. Think of it as spring cleaning, but for your bank accounts, investments, and peace of mind. 🧹💸

So here’s something to ponder: if your money could talk during an “annual review,” what do you think it would say—“We’re crushing it!” or “We need to talk…”?

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

— Ayn Rand

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Premium travel rewards cards now cost over $500 annually
Top-tier travel credit cards have raised annual fees above $500. Issuers justify costs by offering larger travel perks and statement credits. However, consumers are questioning whether the benefits outweigh the steep fees.

Gold prices may surge as fresh U.S. data looms
Gold markets are watching the release of Core PCE data, a key inflation measure. Analysts suggest the numbers could trigger a breakout in gold prices. Investors are treating gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty.

Silver rally targets $44.22 as market momentum strengthens
Silver prices are pushing higher, with technical charts pointing toward a rally up to $44.22. Analysts cite strong market momentum and growing investor interest in precious metals. The trend reflects broader demand for hard assets amid global volatility.

Stolen phone may lead to stolen crypto, experts warn
Smartphone thefts increasingly lead to compromised crypto wallets. Criminals are exploiting vulnerabilities in authentication processes tied to mobile devices. Experts warn users to bolster protections for both devices and digital assets.

Flora Growth secures $401M for Zero Gravity token launch
Flora Growth announced a $401 million raise for its Zero Gravity treasury, ahead of its OG token airdrop on Monday. The funding marks a major step for the company’s expansion in Web3. The initiative aims to position Flora Growth as a leader in digital assets.

Gary Gensler doubles down on anti-crypto stance, questions fundamentals
SEC Chair Gary Gensler reiterated his skepticism toward cryptocurrency, stating most tokens “lack fundamentals.” His remarks come as the SEC maintains strict oversight on digital assets. The comments could intensify tensions between regulators and crypto advocates.

Social Security official backtracks after raising retirement age concerns
A Social Security chief is walking back comments suggesting an increase to the retirement age. The statement had sparked criticism from advocacy groups and older Americans. Officials now emphasize maintaining benefits while considering other reforms.

Survey finds 1 in 3 Americans have no emergency savings
A new survey revealed that 33% of Americans have no savings for emergencies. Rising living costs and stagnant wages have eroded households’ financial cushions. Experts warn this leaves millions vulnerable to debt during sudden crises.

New retirement rules expand catch-up contributions for savers
Recent regulatory changes allow older Americans to make larger retirement catch-up contributions. The adjustments are designed to help workers nearing retirement build stronger savings. Experts say the move offers relief as costs of living rise.

Curiosity rover captures breathtaking new photos of Mars landscape
NASA’s Curiosity rover has sent back stunning images of the Martian surface. The photos reveal new geological features that could provide insights into the planet’s past. Scientists say the rover continues to exceed expectations more than a decade after landing.

NASA cargo ship malfunctions, astronauts scramble to save supplies
A NASA supply mission to the International Space Station experienced a major malfunction. The five-ton cargo vessel failed shortly after launch, leaving astronauts anxious over potential shortages. Officials are working urgently to recover what can be salvaged.

NOAA to replace aging satellite critical for space weather monitoring
NOAA is set to replace an old satellite vital for tracking solar storms. The aging craft has raised concerns about gaps in monitoring capabilities. Experts stress the replacement is crucial to protect satellites, power grids, and communications.

Trader Joe’s issues health alert for seasonal ready-to-eat favorite
A public health alert has been issued for a seasonal Trader Joe’s dish. Concerns were raised over potential contamination in a ready-to-eat product. Customers are urged to check recent purchases and discard affected items.

Elon Musk’s XAI raises $10B, now valued at $200B
Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, XAI, has reached a $200 billion valuation after raising $10 billion. The company is rapidly becoming a competitor in the AI race. Investors see it as a key player in future AI breakthroughs.

U.S.-China competition shifts focus to nuclear power dominance
U.S.-China rivalry is moving beyond semiconductors into nuclear energy. Both nations are racing to expand next-generation nuclear power capabilities. Analysts warn this sector could become the next major front in global competition.

We all know businesses run audits. They check their books, hunt for errors, and tighten things up so money isn’t slipping through the cracks. But here’s the truth: you should be doing the same thing with your personal finances.

Most people never do this. They set up direct deposits, autopay a few bills, maybe invest into a 401k — then they just “hope” it all balances out. Spoiler: it usually doesn’t.

So let’s talk about how to run your own financial audit, step by step. It doesn’t take long, but the clarity you’ll get is priceless.

Most people underestimate how many small streams they actually have. Write it all down — clarity starts here.

These are the bills that hit no matter what:

When you see this as a lump number, you instantly know your baseline survival cost. This is powerful because it gives you your freedom number — the minimum monthly cash flow you need to keep the lights on.

Food, entertainment, shopping, travel — the fun but dangerous zone.

Here’s the hack: Pull your last 90 days of bank/credit card statements, drop them into a spreadsheet (or use an app), and categorize. You’ll quickly see patterns.

Ask yourself:

Not all debt is created equal. A mortgage at 4% is fine. A credit card at 22% is a financial fire.

Rank your debts by interest rate. The high ones are priority one. This single step can save you thousands a year.

Net worth = (Assets – Liabilities).

List out:

Update this once a year. Watching it grow is motivating — and if it’s shrinking, you’ll know where to dig in.

Ask:

Even small percentage fees eat away at long-term gains. A quick check here could literally add six figures to your retirement account over decades.

Run quick stress tests:

Having answers to these means you’re not blindsided. Build or adjust your emergency fund accordingly.

This weekend, block off 2 hours. Grab coffee, open your laptop, and actually do this. Don’t overthink it. Even a “messy first draft” audit will reveal insights you can act on immediately.

Remember: businesses that don’t audit fail. Don’t let your personal finances run the same way.

Why did the banker break up with the calendar?
👉 He felt their days were numbered.

I speak without a mouth, and hear without ears.
I have no body, but I come alive with wind.
What am I?

Would you rather:

Three entrepreneurs check into a hotel. The clerk charges them $30 total. They each pay $10. Later, the clerk realizes it should have been $25. He gives $5 to the bellboy to return. The bellboy, unable to split $5 evenly, gives each man $1 back and keeps $2.

Now each man paid $9 (total $27), and the bellboy kept $2, which makes $29…
Where’s the missing $1?

*Answers at the bottom

Riddle - Answer: an Echo

Brain Teaser - Answer: There is no missing dollar! The math is framed trickily. The men paid $27 total — $25 went to the hotel, $2 stayed with the bellboy. That’s the full $27.

Looking for a way to generate an additional $5,000 per month in income, reply with the word “Course” and will send you over our free course guide teaching you exactly how to build wealth and generate income.

Why? Our job is to help you achieve financial freedom through wealth building and we believe that this can help you do just that. - Ryan Rincon