August 15, 2025

Happy Friday, friends!
Good morning! 🌞 I hope today finds you feeling at least 1% better than yesterday—because sometimes that’s all it takes. In fact, that tiny little percentage is exactly what we’re talking about today.

You’ve probably heard of “go big or go home,” but when it comes to wealth? The smarter play might be “go small, go steady, and still end up somewhere amazing.” Today’s post—The 1% Wealth Rule: How to Get Rich Without Ruining Your Life—is about the art of slow, sustainable growth that doesn’t burn you out, eat your weekends, or turn your hair prematurely gray.

So grab your coffee (or tea, or green smoothie if you’re fancy), and let’s explore how just a little consistent effort can quietly build a life you love—without the chaos. 🍵💡

— Ryan Rincon, Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.

– Chris Grosser

Market Update: Today’s trading floor felt like a soap opera episode — a few quiet smiles, some dramatic exits, and one major diva meltdown.

The S&P 500 barely cracked a grin, like that one coworker who says “living the dream” but means the opposite. The Dow and Nasdaq stumbled just enough to make you wonder if they were even paying attention.

Bitcoin? Oh, Bitcoin. It didn’t just trip — it swan-dived down 4%, clutching its pearls on the way. Gold and Silver decided to join in the pout, each slipping just enough to remind us they’re still emotional assets at heart.

While the big names were busy sulking, Wells Fargo strutted in with a confident +1.93% — practically flipping its tie over its shoulder like a Wall Street runway model. Citi followed with a respectable +0.86%, clearly here for business.

PayPal took a harder hit than expected, tumbling almost -1.8%, possibly because everyone spent the weekend forgetting their passwords or tapping “Pay with Apple” instead.

If this were a party, Wells Fargo is on the dance floor, Citi’s mingling with the right people, Bitcoin’s crying in the bathroom, and everyone else is standing around wondering if they should just go home early.

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Chicago Public Schools’ Pension Funding Battle
The CPS budget includes a contentious pension payment provision, with some board members insisting on full funding despite budget shortfalls. The dispute could have long-term implications for both city finances and teachers’ retirement security.

Changes to 401(k) Rules May Mean Higher Risk, Higher Reward
Financial experts are weighing in on proposed adjustments to 401(k) retirement plan regulations, which could allow for more aggressive investment strategies. While this could yield higher returns, it also exposes savers to greater market volatility.

Social Security at 90: Why It’s More Threatened Than Ever
On its 90th anniversary, Social Security faces mounting challenges from an aging population, declining worker-to-retiree ratios, and political disagreements over funding. Policy experts warn that without significant reform, benefit cuts or tax hikes may be inevitable.

As Trump Pushes International Students Away, Asian Schools Step In
Policies and rhetoric from Donald Trump’s administration, both past and current, are making the U.S. a less attractive destination for international students. Asian universities, especially in countries like China, South Korea, and Singapore, are capitalizing on this trend, expanding programs in English and offering competitive scholarships to lure away talented students who might otherwise have studied in America.

Mexico Sends 26 Cartel Members to U.S. in Deal with Trump Administration
In a significant cross-border law enforcement move, Mexico has extradited 26 alleged cartel members to the United States. The handover comes as part of an agreement with the Trump administration aimed at bolstering joint anti-cartel operations. The extradited individuals face a range of charges, from drug trafficking to violent crimes, and the move is seen as a sign of deepening U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security.

The US and Europe Still Doing Business with Russia Despite Years of War
Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and a series of sanctions aimed at isolating Russia economically, both the United States and European nations are still engaged in certain forms of trade with Moscow. Analysts point to loopholes, indirect supply chains, and mutual economic dependencies that have allowed this commerce to continue, raising questions about the effectiveness of sanctions and the political will to fully sever economic ties.

Ulta and Target to End In-Store Beauty Shop Partnership
Retail giants Ulta Beauty and Target are set to end their in-store partnership next year, a collaboration that brought Ulta mini-shops into Target locations nationwide. Analysts say the split may be driven by changing retail strategies and competition from online beauty sales.

Powerball Jackpot Soars to $565 Million
The Powerball grand prize has surged to $565 million, sparking a buying frenzy across the country. Financial experts caution that even after taxes, the lump-sum payout would be significantly smaller, but still life-changing for the winner.

Cadillac’s Elevated Velocity Concept Car Hints at Future Off-Roading
Cadillac has unveiled its futuristic Elevated Velocity concept, a rugged off-road vehicle designed to blend luxury with adventurous capability. The concept signals Cadillac’s interest in entering the upscale off-road SUV market, challenging brands like Land Rover and Jeep.

UK Economic Growth Slows to 0.3% Between April and June
The UK’s GDP grew by just 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025, signaling a cooling economy amid high inflation, sluggish consumer spending, and global market uncertainty. Economists warn that continued stagnation could push the country toward recession if conditions do not improve.

Mortgage Rates Hit New 2025 Low
Mortgage interest rates in the United States have dropped to their lowest point of the year, offering potential relief for homebuyers. However, analysts caution that the housing market remains tight due to low inventory and high property prices, meaning affordability challenges persist.

San Diego Leads U.S. in Inflation Rates
New data reveals San Diego tops the nation for inflation, driven by surging housing costs, food prices, and utility bills. Local officials are warning that the high cost of living is threatening to push middle-class families out of the city.

Dollar Holds Near Multi-Week Lows
The U.S. dollar remains under pressure as expectations grow that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in the coming months. Meanwhile, the yen is gaining ground as Japanese investors anticipate policy tightening.

EUR/USD Outlook Suggests Growth Potential
Analysts at UOB Group suggest that the euro could climb toward 1.1755 against the dollar, citing technical indicators and market sentiment shifts in favor of the euro.

GBP/USD Climbs Amid Strong Bank of England Stance
The British pound is gaining strength after signals from the Bank of England that it will maintain a firm monetary stance, even as markets expect eventual rate cuts.

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Let’s be honest for a second.
Everyone says they want to “build wealth.”
But if you press them on how, they either mumble something about the stock market… or they admit they have no idea.

The truth?
Wealth building isn’t actually that complicated.
The real challenge is staying consistent without letting it take over your life.

That’s where my favorite little framework comes in: The 1% Wealth Rule.

It’s simple. It’s flexible. And it works for anyone — whether you’re pulling in six figures, running a business, or still figuring out your first paycheck.

Here’s the whole philosophy in one line:

Get 1% richer every month — consistently — and you’ll be shocked where you end up.

One percent might not sound like much.
But stack it, month after month, and compounding starts doing the heavy lifting.

Think of it like tiny bricks. On their own, no big deal. But keep stacking them and suddenly you’ve built a wall that can weather any storm.

Let’s say your net worth is $50,000 right now.
If you grow that by just 1% each month:

And that’s with no sudden windfalls — just slow, boring, repeatable growth.
(If you actually add new income streams, increase savings, or score a big win, the numbers get even crazier.)

Here’s the beauty — it’s not about dumping every spare dollar into one magic investment.
It’s about a mix of little moves that keep nudging your net worth higher.

Some ways to get your monthly 1%:

You don’t have to do everything.
Just enough each month to look back and say,
“Yep, I’m richer than I was 30 days ago.”

Think of your wealth building like a three-legged stool. Take away one leg, and the whole thing wobbles.

The more you earn, the easier that 1% becomes.

Money saved is fuel for investments.

If you leave this up to “willpower,” life will find a way to derail you.
Automation fixes that.

Examples:

When it happens without you thinking about it, you stop making emotional, “meh, I’ll skip this month” decisions.

There are also traps that can wreck your compounding before it even gets going:

The economy’s a bit wild. AI is shaking up jobs. Inflation’s eating into paychecks.

In times like this, you can’t just hope for raises or market booms.
You need a system you control.

The 1% Wealth Rule is perfect for that because:

Here’s your “do this this week” plan:

Most people overcomplicate wealth building.
They chase “hot” investments, copy random TikTok advice, or wait for the perfect time to start.

Forget all that.

Focus on the 1%.
Small wins, stacked consistently, will beat “all-in” swings every time.

You don’t have to get rich fast.
You just have to get richer — reliably.

Why did the computer go to art school?
Because it wanted to learn how to draw attention. 🎨💻

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

Would you rather have the ability to see one week into the future (only once a month)…
OR the power to perfectly remember everything you’ve ever read?

On an island, every resident is either a truth-teller (always tells the truth) or a liar (always lies). You meet three people: A, B, and C.

Who’s the truth-teller?

*Answers at the bottom

Riddle - Answer: Footsteps 👣

Brain Teaser - Answer: B is the truth-teller.