Author: Gemma Lewis

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Robert Kiyosaki has a controversial take on debt: you shouldn’t avoid it. Instead, just embrace it.

Garrett Gunderson interviewed Kiyosaki in 2019, and that’s how he said the rich get richer. His stance is pretty unique from the other big name financial gurus.

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• You’re probably already overpaying for this 1 ‘must-have’ expense — and thanks to Trump’s tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here’s how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now
• Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10

Suze Orman emphasizes strict budgeting and frugality, and Dave Ramsey champions a debt-free lifestyle. But Kiyosaki’s perspective is markedly different.

By investing in investments that generate cash flow, while minimizing taxes and tapping into debt, Robert Kiyosaki’s strategy is focused on growing assets rather than cutting costs. Here are 3 of his top tips.

1. Invest for maximum returns and minimize taxes

Kiyosaki suggests prioritizing investments with maximum returns and low tax burdens. That means he opts for alternative assets and specific tax-shielded accounts, like IRAs.

Real estate

In Kiyosaki’s words, “The more debt you have, the more real estate you can buy and the less tax you pay."

For years, direct access to the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector has been limited to a select group of elite investors — until now.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions – including how much you would like to invest – to start browsing their full list of available properties.

However, owning a share of a project or property this way holds some risk — for instance, you could receive no returns and these assets are often illiquid. Speak to a professional if this investment is right for you, especially if you are retired or close to retirement.

New investing platforms are also making it easier than ever to tap into the residential real estate market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allows you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Gold

Kiyosaki is also a proponent of alternative assets like gold. He openly shares that he owns gold as a hedge against economic downturns.

Unlike fiat currency, the precious metal cannot be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks, and its value is not tied to a single economy or currency. These traits make gold a favored “safe haven” asset, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.

Investors seem to be taking note. So far in 2025, the price of gold has surged, surpassing $3,300 per ounce.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Crypto

Kiyosaki certainly isn’t shy about his love for digital currencies, famously sharing on X that he has lofty aspirations of owning 100 Bitcoin (he currently owns 76.)

Now would be a pretty good time to own all of those coins, given its price has continued to hit all-time-highs above $90,000 in the past few weeks. Though, it’s an inherently volatile investment – and it’s consistently ebbing and flowing. So, you want to be sure you can stomach that level of volatility and risk before investing in crypto like Kiyosaki does.

You can join the club through Robinhood Crypto. You can buy and sell crypto for as little as $1 without any trading fees or commissions.

What’s more — you can get up to a 1% deposit match on all crypto deposits and transfers.

Robinhood Crypto has the lowest trading cost (on average) in the U.S.. This means you could get up to 3.6% more crypto if you trade through Robinhood Crypto.

2. Use a team of experts

Another way Kiyosaki differs from other financial commentators is that he argues accountants, tax experts, and even attorneys can be key to minimizing taxes. He unapologetically believes that "If you’re a coward and you’re afraid of the IRS, then you’re middle class and poor."

His advice might rub you the wrong way, but there’s something to be said for seeking a professional’s opinion on your finances. After all, it’s a lot harder to see the forest for the trees when it’s your money. And professional financial advisors can play a crucial role in helping you zoom out and make the best plans for your future.

FinancialAdvisor.net is a free online service that helps you find a financial advisor who can help you create a plan to reach your financial goals. Just answer a few questions and their extensive online database will match you with a few vetted advisors based on your answers.

You can view advisor profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.

3. Don’t be afraid of debt

In an interview with Forbes, Kiyosaki said, “If you’re gonna go into debt to invest in real estate, find the best rate.”

With interest rates falling, finding a better rate should be easier than it was last year. A quick and efficient way to check out the rates available is the Mortgage Research Center (MRC). The platform can help you easily compare rates and estimated monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders.

All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself, including your ZIP code, desired property type, price range, and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs so you can shop for a loan with confidence.

After you match with a desired lender, set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

What to read next

• Don’t have the cash to pay Uncle Sam in 2025? You may already be eligible for a ‘streamlined’ handshake with the IRS — here’s how it works and how it can potentially save you thousands
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Back in 2012, Warren Buffett told CNBC that if there was a way to buy thousands of single-family homes at once, and to manage them easily, he would “load up.”

He also emphasized he’d take out mortgages at “Very, very low rates.”

For Buffett, those low mortgage rates were what made housing such a great opportunity. He’s a value investor after all, which means he seeks investments with low prices relative to what they’re actually worth.

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• You’re probably already overpaying for this 1 ‘must-have’ expense — and thanks to Trump’s tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here’s how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now
• Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10

And at the time, consumer confidence was low, driving housing prices down. Buffett’s advice in those market moments? “Be greedy when others are fearful.”

Indeed, it would have paid off for the typical American homebuyer. The median price of an American home was $180,000 in 2012. As of Feb. 2025, it’s 135% higher, sitting around $424,429.

The question is, with prices and interest rates now so much higher than they were, would Buffett’s sentiment still hold for real estate as an investment now?

Invest with a mortgage

The average rate for a 30-year mortgage was 3.65% in 2012. These days, a 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 7.14%.

So, Buffett would probably be a little bit less jazzed on home buying in 2025.

That said, markets are cyclical. Usually (or at least in the world of interest rates) what goes up will eventually come down.

No matter what happens to interest rates, you’ll want to ensure you’re shopping around for the best rate possible–because the search really does pay off.

According to research from Freddie Mac, borrowers who applied for mortgages from two lenders saved up to $600 annually. And if they applied for four or more, those cost savings doubled to $1,200 every year.

For an efficient way to shop for rates, Mortgage Research Center (MRC) helps you quickly compare rates and estimate your monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders. All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself, such as your zip code, your desired property type, price range and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs. After you match with a desired lender, you can set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

For those refinancing an existing mortgage, MRC can even help you find a better rate than what you currently have.

Become a landlord without the work

Buffett also clarified that in his dream world of buying all of those homes, he’d need to find an easy way to manage them as investments, too.

Several real estate crowdfunding platforms are currently stripping out the management and admin that’s usually required when you invest in real estate.

New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allows you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Then there’s commercial real estate. As an investment, it’s even more challenging to access and manage. And while some commercial investment opportunities are expected to witness weaker growth in 2025, they are not all one-and-the-same. Real estate for essential businesses, like grocery stores and health care facilities, is still popular because it has proven resilient to the broader e-commerce transition.

And First National Realty Partners allows accredited individual investors to access these types of necessity-based, institutional-quality commercial real estate investments — without having to do the research or manage tenants.

The FNRP team has relationships with the nation’s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods, and provides insights into the best properties both on and off-market. And since the investments are necessity-based, they tend to perform well during times of economic volatility and act as a hedge against inflation.

You can engage with experts, explore deals, and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized portal.

Choosing in-demand markets

Generally, Buffett isn’t a huge fan of investing in real estate for returns. He tends to prefer the stock market, because it can be easier to pinpoint companies with strong growth potential. Real estate can be a bit murkier. That said, he has invested in REITs, and sold his stake in STORE Capital’s REIT after it was acquired by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund.

If you’re interested in REITs, DLP Capital offers tax-advantaged, private REITs through various investment funds.

DLP Capital aims to deliver annual returns in the range of 9% and 13% — at par with the S&P 500 index’s 10.26% median annual return. The firm’s success speaks for itself. DLP Housing Fund has delivered 19.47% returns annually between 2020 and 2023.

Accredited investors can earn passive income through monthly, quarterly, or annual distributions, all while benefitting from portfolio diversification and a potentially lower tax bill.

DLP also facilitates the investing process, so real estate investing can be as simple as Buffett dreamed of back in 2012.

What to read next

• Don’t have the cash to pay Uncle Sam in 2025? You may already be eligible for a ‘streamlined’ handshake with the IRS — here’s how it works and how it can potentially save you thousands
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in ‘great wealth’. How to get in now
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Robert Kiyosaki has a controversial take on debt: you shouldn’t avoid it. Instead, just embrace it.

Garrett Gunderson interviewed Kiyosaki in 2019, and that’s how he said the rich get richer. His stance is pretty unique from the other big name financial gurus.

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
• Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10

Suze Orman emphasizes strict budgeting and frugality, and Dave Ramsey champions a debt-free lifestyle. But Kiyosaki’s perspective is markedly different.

By investing in investments that generate cash flow, while minimizing taxes and tapping into debt, Robert Kiyosaki’s strategy is focused on growing assets rather than cutting costs. Here are 3 of his top tips.

1. Invest for maximum returns and minimize taxes

Kiyosaki suggests prioritizing investments with maximum returns and low tax burdens. That means he opts for alternative assets and specific tax-shielded accounts, like IRAs.

Real estate

In Kiyosaki’s words, “The more debt you have, the more real estate you can buy and the less tax you pay."

For years, direct access to the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector has been limited to a select group of elite investors — until now.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions – including how much you would like to invest – to start browsing their full list of available properties.

However, owning a share of a project or property this way holds some risk — for instance, you could receive no returns and these assets are often illiquid. Speak to a professional if this investment is right for you, especially if you are retired or close to retirement.

New investing platforms are also making it easier than ever to tap into the residential real estate market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allows you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Gold

Kiyosaki is also a proponent of alternative assets like gold. He openly shares that he owns gold as a hedge against economic downturns.

Unlike fiat currency, the precious metal cannot be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks, and its value is not tied to a single economy or currency. These traits make gold a favored “safe haven” asset, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.

Investors seem to be taking note. So far in 2025, the price of gold has surged, surpassing $3,300 per ounce.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Crypto

Kiyosaki certainly isn’t shy about his love for digital currencies, famously sharing on X that he has lofty aspirations of owning 100 Bitcoin (he currently owns 76.)

Now would be a pretty good time to own all of those coins, given its price has continued to hit all-time-highs above $90,000 in the past few weeks. Though, it’s an inherently volatile investment – and it’s consistently ebbing and flowing. So, you want to be sure you can stomach that level of volatility and risk before investing in crypto like Kiyosaki does.

You can join the club through Robinhood Crypto. You can buy and sell crypto for as little as $1 without any trading fees or commissions.

What’s more — you can get up to a 1% deposit match on all crypto deposits and transfers.

Robinhood Crypto has the lowest trading cost (on average) in the U.S.. This means you could get up to 3.6% more crypto if you trade through Robinhood Crypto.

2. Use a team of experts

Another way Kiyosaki differs from other financial commentators is that he argues accountants, tax experts, and even attorneys can be key to minimizing taxes. He unapologetically believes that "If you’re a coward and you’re afraid of the IRS, then you’re middle class and poor."

His advice might rub you the wrong way, but there’s something to be said for seeking a professional’s opinion on your finances. After all, it’s a lot harder to see the forest for the trees when it’s your money. And professional financial advisors can play a crucial role in helping you zoom out and make the best plans for your future.

FinancialAdvisor.net is a free online service that helps you find a financial advisor who can help you create a plan to reach your financial goals. Just answer a few questions and their extensive online database will match you with a few vetted advisors based on your answers.

You can view advisor profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.

3. Don’t be afraid of debt

In an interview with Forbes, Kiyosaki said, “If you’re gonna go into debt to invest in real estate, find the best rate.”

With interest rates falling, finding a better rate should be easier than it was last year. A quick and efficient way to check out the rates available is the Mortgage Research Center (MRC). The platform can help you easily compare rates and estimated monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders.

All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself, including your ZIP code, desired property type, price range, and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs so you can shop for a loan with confidence.

After you match with a desired lender, set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

What to read next

• Don’t have the cash to pay Uncle Sam in 2025? You may already be eligible for a ‘streamlined’ handshake with the IRS — here’s how it works and how it can potentially save you thousands
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Without a well-defined plan for spending in retirement, Canadians could be facing unexpected and unnecessary stress.

The National Institute on Ageing’s 2024 Ageing in Canada Survey reveals that only 34 % of Canadians aged 50 and over feel financially prepared to retire when they want to, with one in four of people in this age group having only $5,000 or less saved for their golden years.

Having the right retirement strategy for how and when you’ll spend your income is key to reducing the decisions you’ll need to make once you reach retirement age.

Unfortunately, without a plan, you risk joining the 53% of Canadians who are worried about making the wrong financial decisions, with another 45% admitting that they currently do not have a financial plan in place, according to a poll from CPP Investments.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to give yourself and your family peace of mind.

Why it’s so important to have a plan

Having a plan really does pay off.

Research from T. Rowe Price found that individuals with a formal financial plan had two to four times more wealth when entering retirement compared to those without one. A financial advisor can be the key to setting up a foolproof plan for withdrawal and spending in retirement, whether that’s based off fixed retirement savings accounts like a TFSA or RRSP, or more fluid investment portfolios.

Even if you’re confident in the amount you’ve saved for your retirement, it is still critical to understand how those assets, investments and other streams of income will be able to fund your life after you retire. That’s why individuals with higher net worths should also consider consulting a professional to make the most of their nest egg and the rest of their assets and portfolio.

You can think of them as an accessible family office which will enable you to make the appropriate financial plan for your best retirement.

How to plan your retirement income

Another big concern among the Canadians is having enough money to make it through retirement, with 61% admitting they fear running out of money during their golden years due to longer life expectancy, rising cost of living and the increasing struggle to make ends meet. This question is best answered with the help of a financial advisor, and it will largely depend on the type of accounts that you have.

When you withdraw funds from a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) your financial institution will withhold the tax, with being made with pre-tax income. The rates depend on your residency and the amount you choose to withdraw: 10% (5% in Quebec) on withdrawal amounts up to $5,000, 20% (10% in Quebec) on amounts of $5,000 and over, up to and including $15,000 and 30% (15% in Quebec) on amounts over $15,000.

Meanwhile, if you have money stowed away in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), where contributions are made with after-tax income, and withdrawals are entirely tax-free.

As a result, many financial experts recommend using an RRSP if you are in a higher tax bracket now and expect to be in a lower one during retirement while a TFSA may be more suitable for flexible savings.

Make sure your family is secure

Finally, a plan is important because it provides your loved ones with security, too.

For workers, an emergency fund doesn’t just safeguard against a job loss. It can also be the ticket to covering surprise expenses without going into debt. And being retired doesn’t make you immune from surprises.

Without proper planning, paying for long-term care could deplete your retirement fund. In many cases, the burden of paying for care often falls on family members – potentially straining their finances.

Current research projects that by 2031, long-term care patients are expected to almost double from 380,000 to 606,000, while those requiring at-home care will spike from 1.2 million to 1.8 million, per findings from Good Comfort.

Another option that can help your family in the event of your death is term life insurance. This is a type of life insurance that offers coverage for a predetermined period, known as the "term," that typically ranges from 10 to 30 years.

Term insurance is usually a less expensive and more flexible option. If the insured individual dies during this term, the policy pays a death benefit to the designated beneficiaries.

Sources

1. National Institue on Ageing: Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey (Jan 2025)

2. CPP Investments: Retirement matters to most Canadians, but the path is unclear, survey finds (Nov 6, 2023)

3. CPP Investments: Nearly 2 in 3 Canadians worry about retirement savings: survey (Oct 30, 2024)

4. Good Comfort: The Crisis of Elderly Care in Canada (Feb 26, 2025)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Back in 2012, Warren Buffett told CNBC that if there was a way to buy thousands of single-family homes at once, and to manage them easily, he would “load up.”

He also emphasized he’d take out mortgages at “Very, very low rates.”

For Buffett, those low mortgage rates were what made housing such a great opportunity. He’s a value investor after all, which means he seeks investments with low prices relative to what they’re actually worth.

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how
• Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10

And at the time, consumer confidence was low, driving housing prices down. Buffett’s advice in those market moments? “Be greedy when others are fearful.”

Indeed, it would have paid off for the typical American homebuyer. The median price of an American home was $180,000 in 2012. As of Feb. 2025, it’s 135% higher, sitting around $424,429.

The question is, with prices and interest rates now so much higher than they were, would Buffett’s sentiment still hold for real estate as an investment now?

Invest with a mortgage

The average rate for a 30-year mortgage was 3.65% in 2012. These days, a 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 7.07%.

So, Buffett would probably be a little bit less jazzed on home buying in 2025.

That said, markets are cyclical. Usually (or at least in the world of interest rates) what goes up will eventually come down.

No matter what happens to interest rates, you’ll want to ensure you’re shopping around for the best rate possible–because the search really does pay off.

According to research from Freddie Mac, borrowers who applied for mortgages from two lenders saved up to $600 annually. And if they applied for four or more, those cost savings doubled to $1,200 every year.

For an efficient way to shop for rates, Mortgage Research Center (MRC) helps you quickly compare rates and estimate your monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders. All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself, such as your zip code, your desired property type, price range and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs. After you match with a desired lender, you can set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

For those refinancing an existing mortgage, MRC can even help you find a better rate than what you currently have.

Become a landlord without the work

Buffett also clarified that in his dream world of buying all of those homes, he’d need to find an easy way to manage them as investments, too.

Several real estate crowdfunding platforms are currently stripping out the management and admin that’s usually required when you invest in real estate.

New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allows you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it

Then there’s commercial real estate. As an investment, it’s even more challenging to access and manage. And while some commercial investment opportunities are expected to witness weaker growth in 2025, they are not all one-and-the-same. Real estate for essential businesses, like grocery stores and health care facilities, is still popular because it has proven resilient to the broader e-commerce transition.

And First National Realty Partners allows accredited individual investors to access these types of necessity-based, institutional-quality commercial real estate investments — without having to do the research or manage tenants.

The FNRP team has relationships with the nation’s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods, and provides insights into the best properties both on and off-market. And since the investments are necessity-based, they tend to perform well during times of economic volatility and act as a hedge against inflation.

You can engage with experts, explore deals, and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized portal.

Choosing in-demand markets

Generally, Buffett isn’t a huge fan of investing in real estate for returns. He tends to prefer the stock market, because it can be easier to pinpoint companies with strong growth potential. Real estate can be a bit murkier. That said, he has invested in REITs, and sold his stake in STORE Capital’s REIT after it was acquired by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund.

If you’re interested in REITs, DLP Capital offers tax-advantaged, private REITs through various investment funds.

DLP Capital aims to deliver annual returns in the range of 9% and 13% — at par with the S&P 500 index’s 10.26% median annual return. The firm’s success speaks for itself. DLP Housing Fund has delivered 19.47% returns annually between 2020 and 2023.

Accredited investors can earn passive income through monthly, quarterly, or annual distributions, all while benefitting from portfolio diversification and a potentially lower tax bill.

DLP also facilitates the investing process, so real estate investing can be as simple as Buffett dreamed of back in 2012.

What to read next

• Don’t have the cash to pay Uncle Sam in 2025? You may already be eligible for a ‘streamlined’ handshake with the IRS — here’s how it works and how it can potentially save you thousands
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Robert Kiyosaki warns of a ‘Greater Depression’ coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 ‘easy-money’ assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Robert Kiyosaki has a controversial take on debt: you shouldn’t avoid it. Instead, just embrace it.

Garrett Gunderson interviewed Kiyosaki in 2019, and that’s how he said the rich get richer. His stance is pretty unique from the other big name financial gurus.

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10
• Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how

Suze Orman emphasizes strict budgeting and frugality, and Dave Ramsey champions a debt-free lifestyle. But Kiyosaki’s perspective is markedly different.

By investing in investments that generate cash flow, while minimizing taxes and tapping into debt, Robert Kiyosaki’s strategy is focused on growing assets rather than cutting costs. Here are 3 of his top tips.

1. Invest for maximum returns and minimize taxes

Kiyosaki suggests prioritizing investments with maximum returns and low tax burdens. That means he opts for alternative assets and specific tax-shielded accounts, like IRAs.

Real estate

In Kiyosaki’s words, “The more debt you have, the more real estate you can buy and the less tax you pay."

For years, direct access to the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector has been limited to a select group of elite investors — until now.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions – including how much you would like to invest – to start browsing their full list of available properties.

However, owning a share of a project or property this way holds some risk — for instance, you could receive no returns and these assets are often illiquid. Speak to a professional if this investment is right for you, especially if you are retired or close to retirement.

New investing platforms are also making it easier than ever to tap into the residential real estate market.

For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property.

With risk-adjusted internal returns ranging from 12% to 18%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allows you to enter the real estate market for as little as $100.

Arrived offers you access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, curated and vetted for their appreciation and income potential.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit these properties into your investment portfolio regardless of your income level. Their flexible investment amounts and simplified process allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Read more: Car insurance premiums could spike 8% by the end of 2025 — thanks to tariffs on car imports and auto parts from Canada and Mexico. But here’s how 2 minutes can save you hundreds of dollars right now

Gold

Kiyosaki is also a proponent of alternative assets like gold. He openly shares that he owns gold as a hedge against economic downturns.

Unlike fiat currency, the precious metal cannot be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks, and its value is not tied to a single economy or currency. These traits make gold a favored “safe haven” asset, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.

Investors seem to be taking note. So far in 2025, the price of gold has surged, surpassing $3,300 per ounce.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.

Crypto

Kiyosaki certainly isn’t shy about his love for digital currencies, famously sharing on X that he has lofty aspirations of owning 100 Bitcoin (he currently owns 76.)

Now would be a pretty good time to own all of those coins, given its price has continued to hit all-time-highs above $90,000 in the past few weeks. Though, it’s an inherently volatile investment – and it’s consistently ebbing and flowing. So, you want to be sure you can stomach that level of volatility and risk before investing in crypto like Kiyosaki does.

You can join the club through Robinhood Crypto. You can buy and sell crypto for as little as $1 without any trading fees or commissions.

What’s more — you can get up to a 1% deposit match on all crypto deposits and transfers.

Robinhood Crypto has the lowest trading cost (on average) in the U.S.. This means you could get up to 3.6% more crypto if you trade through Robinhood Crypto.

2. Use a team of experts

Another way Kiyosaki differs from other financial commentators is that he argues accountants, tax experts, and even attorneys can be key to minimizing taxes. He unapologetically believes that "If you’re a coward and you’re afraid of the IRS, then you’re middle class and poor."

His advice might rub you the wrong way, but there’s something to be said for seeking a professional’s opinion on your finances. After all, it’s a lot harder to see the forest for the trees when it’s your money. And professional financial advisors can play a crucial role in helping you zoom out and make the best plans for your future.

FinancialAdvisor.net is a free online service that helps you find a financial advisor who can help you create a plan to reach your financial goals. Just answer a few questions and their extensive online database will match you with a few vetted advisors based on your answers.

You can view advisor profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire.

3. Don’t be afraid of debt

In an interview with Forbes, Kiyosaki said, “If you’re gonna go into debt to invest in real estate, find the best rate.”

With interest rates falling, finding a better rate should be easier than it was last year. A quick and efficient way to check out the rates available is the Mortgage Research Center (MRC). The platform can help you easily compare rates and estimated monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders.

All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself, including your ZIP code, desired property type, price range, and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs so you can shop for a loan with confidence.

After you match with a desired lender, set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

What to read next

• Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• ‘Liberation Day’ just triggered a 60% chance of a US recession, warns JP Morgan — use these ‘anti-shock’ money hacks to protect yourself ASAP

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Back in 2012, Warren Buffett told CNBC that if there was a way to buy thousands of single-family homes at once, and to manage them easily, he would “load up.”

He also emphasized he’d take out mortgages at “Very, very low rates.”

For Buffett, those low mortgage rates were what made housing such a great opportunity. He’s a value investor after all, which means he seeks investments with low prices relative to what they’re actually worth.

Don’t miss

• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10
• Car insurance premiums could spike 8% by the end of 2025 — thanks to tariffs on car imports and auto parts from Canada and Mexico. But here’s how 2 minutes can save you hundreds of dollars right now

And at the time, consumer confidence was low, driving housing prices down. Buffett’s advice in those market moments? “Be greedy when others are fearful.”

Indeed, it would have paid off for the typical American homebuyer. The median price of an American home was $180,000 in 2012. As of Feb. 2025, it’s 135% higher, sitting around $424,429.

The question is, with prices and interest rates now so much higher than they were, would Buffett’s sentiment still hold for real estate as an investment now?

Invest with a mortgage

The average rate for a 30-year mortgage was 3.65% in 2012. These days, a 30-year fixed mortgage rate is around 7.07%.

So, Buffett would probably be a little bit less jazzed on home buying in 2025.

That said, markets are cyclical. Usually (or at least in the world of interest rates) what goes up will eventually come down.

No matter what happens to interest rates, you’ll want to ensure you’re shopping around for the best rate possible–because the search really does pay off.

According to research from Freddie Mac, borrowers who applied for mortgages from two lenders saved up to $600 annually. And if they applied for four or more, those cost savings doubled to $1,200 every year.

For an efficient way to shop for rates, Mortgage Research Center (MRC) helps you quickly compare rates and estimate your monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders. All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself, such as your zip code, your desired property type, price range and annual income.

Based on the information you provide, MRC will show you mortgage offers tailored to your needs. After you match with a desired lender, you can set up a free, no-obligation consultation to see if you’ve found the right fit.

For those refinancing an existing mortgage, MRC can even help you find a better rate than what you currently have.

Become a landlord without the work

Buffett also clarified that in his dream world of buying all of those homes, he’d need to find an easy way to manage them as investments, too.

Several real estate crowdfunding platforms are currently stripping out the management and admin that’s usually required when you invest in real estate.

For example, with Arrived, you can invest in high-quality single family homes and vacation properties with as little as $100.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos and Marc Benioff, Arrived handles all the work for you — from finding tenants to managing the property throughout its life cycle — so you can sit back and become a landlord without having to do any of the legwork.

You can earn passive income in two ways with Arrived — potential monthly dividends from any rental income, and capital gains from property appreciation at the end of the hold period.

Get started today with just $100.

Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don’t have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here’s how

Then there’s commercial real estate. As an investment, it’s even more challenging to access and manage. And while some commercial investment opportunities are expected to witness weaker growth in 2025, they are not all one-and-the-same. Real estate for essential businesses, like grocery stores and health care facilities, is still popular because it has proven resilient to the broader e-commerce transition.

And First National Realty Partners allows accredited individual investors to access these types of necessity-based, institutional-quality commercial real estate investments — without having to do the research or manage tenants.

The FNRP team has relationships with the nation’s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods, and provides insights into the best properties both on and off-market. And since the investments are necessity-based, they tend to perform well during times of economic volatility and act as a hedge against inflation.

You can engage with experts, explore deals, and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized portal.

Choosing in-demand markets

Generally, Buffett isn’t a huge fan of investing in real estate for returns. He tends to prefer the stock market, because it can be easier to pinpoint companies with strong growth potential. Real estate can be a bit murkier. That said, he has invested in REITs, and sold his stake in STORE Capital’s REIT after it was acquired by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund.

If you’re interested in REITs, DLP Capital offers tax-advantaged, private REITs through various investment funds.

DLP Capital aims to deliver annual returns in the range of 9% and 13% — at par with the S&P 500 index’s 10.26% median annual return. The firm’s success speaks for itself. DLP Housing Fund has delivered 19.47% returns annually between 2020 and 2023.

Accredited investors can earn passive income through monthly, quarterly, or annual distributions, all while benefitting from portfolio diversification and a potentially lower tax bill.

DLP also facilitates the investing process, so real estate investing can be as simple as Buffett dreamed of back in 2012.

What to read next

• Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Do you rely on your monthly Social Security check to get by? Here are 5 simple money moves for American seniors during Trump’s presidency

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

In December of last year, Mark Cuban took to social media platform Bluesky to share why he thinks the medical system is broken and what the U.S. can do to fix it.

One of his suggestions included the government offering free medical school for all students, thereby increasing the quantity of medical professionals to shorten lengthy wait times.

Another one of his recommendations was that doctors and hospitals stop being forced into the role of “subprime lenders,” who bear the total credit risk for unpaid deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. He emphasized that when patients have unpaid bills, prices are raised to offset costs. He claims this is “why healthcare pricing is horrific.”

The U.S. healthcare system is both the most expensive and the most in debt in the world. But you can protect yourself from unexpected health expenses with or without policy changes.

How to protect yourself from expensive healthcare

The U.S. health insurance system is anything but perfect, but insurance is critical to cover high medical costs, especially in an emergency. For instance, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid report that fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500, while comprehensive cancer care could cost hundreds of thousands.

This is why, in Cuban’s words, medical debt “often leads to bankruptcy.”

The process of finding the right health insurance can be overwhelming. That’s why [U65 Health Insurance] enables you to quickly compare rates from various providers, ensuring you get the cheapest quote within minutes.

U65 Health Insurance is for any American under the age of 65 (including those who might have pre-existing health conditions). They enable you to compare and access health insurance offers fast and for free.

Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst

The U.S. Census reported that as of 2023, 25 million Americans did not have health insurance. It’s critical that those without any coverage have a ‘rainy day’ fund set aside for any emergencies. Even if you do have medical insurance, emergency funds are still key to coping with unanticipated health or medical costs — especially if you don’t have complete coverage.

You’ll want to make sure these funds are easily accessible, given you never know when you’ll need to use them. Moneywise’s list of the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025 helps you compare all of your top savings account options in one place and find great interest rates to help you grow your emergency fund.

A no-fee checking and savings account with SoFi can also help ensure your money is working hard for you in the background. You can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances — up to 10x the national average — and 0.50% APY on checking balances. You’ll also enjoy no-fee overdraft protection, early paycheck deposits, and access to over 55,000 ATMs within the Allpoint network.

When you sign up now, you can earn a bonus of up to $300 for setting up direct deposit.

How to make room for health insurance

If health insurance feels totally out of the picture right now, there are ways to trim back and try to fit it into your budget. Cuban is a big fan of budgeting, sharing in a 2023 GQ interview, “I keep a strict budget every day.”

Rocket Money makes the budgeting process easier. It tracks and categorizes your monthly expenses and shows you your cash, credit and investment balances all in one place.

The app will also check to make sure you’re not wasting money on any subscriptions you may have forgotten about, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars per year. And if you feel like you’re paying too much for your monthly bills, Rocket Money can negotiate a better rate on them for you for a small fee.

You’ll also want to ensure you’re getting the best rates on home and auto insurance so that you can afford to add medical insurance to the mix.

Car insurance payments have been on an upswing, with the average cost of full coverage car insurance rising by $2,543 last year.

With OfficialCarInsurance, you can compare rates offered by vetted lenders like Allstate, Progressive, and GEICO.

The best part? This process is completely free and won’t impact your credit score. All you have to do is enter some basic information about yourself and the vehicle you drive to get quotes from as low as $29 per month.

Home insurance rates have risen dramatically over the past few years. According to research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), average home insurance premiums jumped 33% between 2020 and 2023. That’s a rate far greater than inflation.

Shopping around for rates can help. A ValuePenguin survey of over 2,000 consumers found that 54% of homeowners who shopped around for their insurance reduced their bill, saving roughly $474 annually. BestMoney is an easy way to do exactly that.

Here’s how it works: enter some basic information about your house and finances, and BestMoney will compile a list of offers for you to check out.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Suze Orman has a lot to say about Social Security.

For one, she encourages her podcast listeners to avoid relying on its payments to support them completely in retirement. On the flipside, she emphasizes that although its annual shortfall is projected to reach $100 billion this year, Social Security will not disappear outright.

In fact, she called this claim “fearmongering” in a blog post from 2021.

However, warnings of Social Security’s looming shortfalls have only increased since then.

The program’s benefit payments have exceeded its revenue each year since 2021. Although this year’s monthly payment adjustment is the smallest since 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) trustees project the trust’s funds will be depleted by 2035.

Regardless of how the government responds to Social Security’s issues, taking control of your finances is the best way to protect yourself from future risks to the program.

Where, when, and how to retire

Remember that the longer you wait to claim your Social Security benefit, the better the benefit will be. This should be a crucial factor in determining your personal retirement plans.

In a LinkedIn post last year, Orman wrote, “Every month you wait will pay off. If waiting until 70 seems too daunting, why not reframe this as an annual choice? At 62, choose to wait. Then ask yourself at 63 if you want to wait until 64.”

It’s sound advice, but pushing out those payments is easier said than done if you don’t have a solid plan. Having a professional by your side can add confidence and clarity to your financial decisions.

With WiserAdvisor, you can connect with pre-screened fiduciary financial advisors near you.

The process is simple: just enter some basic information about yourself, your financial situation, and your retirement goals, and WiserAdvisor will match you with 2-3 advisors registered with the SEC or FINRA.

This matching process is completely free. You can also set up an introductory meeting with your preferred advisor for free, with no obligation to hire.

Choosing your retirement account

What can you do to make sure you’re reducing your reliance on Social Security? Orman suggests using income from other sources, like a 401(k) or IRA, while you wait out your Social Security benefits.

Roth IRAs

Roth IRAs help you avoid a significant tax burden that can reduce your Social Security payouts once you choose to tap in.

Roth IRAs are not taxed when you make withdrawals, and you won’t pay taxes on capital gains or any income earned from your investments in these accounts. RothIRA.org connects you with pre-screened financial advisors who can guide you in choosing the best Roth IRA to meet your needs.

When you register, you’re custom-matched with profiles of two or three advisors who meet your specific needs. Your financial advisors will then call you to set up your free initial consultation — with no obligation.

Gold IRAs

Beyond the question of which accounts to use for your retirement savings, you’ll also need to consider what to invest in, too.

A gold IRA can help stabilize your finances, allowing you to invest directly in precious metals rather than stocks and bonds.

By opening a gold IRA with American Hartford Gold (AHG), you’re looking out for your future self and cushioning your retirement. That’s because gold has historically acted as a hedge against inflation, and many find it to be a more secure place to invest their retirement fund.

A gold IRA not only gives your portfolio diversification, it can also offer you financial stability for retirement.

Investing in residential real estate

Investing in real estate is another way to diversify your portfolio, as its returns do not closely correlate to that of the stock market. You also don’t need the price of a downpayment to get started.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to fit rental properties into your investment portfolio, regardless of your salary. Their easy-to-use platform offers SEC-qualified investments such as rental homes and vacation rentals.

The flexible investment amounts and simplified process allow both accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any of the work of becoming a landlord.

You can get started today by browsing a curated selection of homes, each vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, choose the number of shares you want to buy and start investing.

Investing in commercial real estate

In December 2024, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a further 0.25%. Economists – including those of Goldman Sachs – believe they will continue to decrease rates throughout 2025, which could bring growth to the commercial real estate sector.

Commercial real estate typically appreciates in value when interest rates drop because buyers can afford to pay more for assets at lower borrowing costs. First National Realty Partners (FNRP) is ideally situated to help investors take advantage of the current rate environment.

FNRP offers accredited investors access to these types of promising commercial real estate investments, without the leg work of finding deals.

They specialize in grocery-anchored retail with historically strong return potential, and offer a turnkey investment solution for account holders. As a private equity firm, FNRP acts as the deal leader, providing expertise and doing the legwork so investors can passively collect distribution income.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, FNRP can help provide you a steady stream of income, without the hassle of becoming a landlord yourself.

You can engage with experts, explore available deals, and easily make an allocation, all in one personalized secure portal.

Investing in and for retirement

The key to your future financial freedom is investing as soon as you can. Orman gave a telling example of this during a Wall Street Journal interview last year, explaining, “A $10,000 investment made at age 45 will be worth around $32,000 at age 65, assuming a 6% annualized return. Invest the same $10,000 at age 55 and it will be worth less than $18,000.”

Investing sooner

The benefits of compound interest are obvious, but what’s not so obvious is finding room for investing in your budget. Acorns can help you find the dollars to invest by using your spare change.

When you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and places the excess into a smart investment portfolio. This way, even your pennies can grow into a solid nest egg for retirement.

Plus, when you sign up now, you’ll get a $20 bonus investment.

Saving for unexpected expenses in retirement

Finally, an emergency fund can help you keep your budget intact when unexpected expenses arise, ensuring you don’t feel tempted to tap into Social Security funds earlier than you planned.

Orman is a big advocate for emergency funds — not only for the safety they provide in the event of an emergency but also for the stress reduction benefits.

In an August 2024 blog post, she wrote, “women who have managed to save up enough money to cover three months of living expenses were far less likely to be carrying around high levels of stress.”

If you want to make the most of your accessible cash, make sure your everyday bank account is working for you.

For example, SoFi’s checking and savings account can help you make the most of your everyday cash flow. The two-in-one account offers up to 4.20% APY on savings balances and 0.50% on checking account balances.

You can enjoy no-fee overdraft protection, early paycheck deposits, and access to over 55,000 ATMs within the Allpoint network.

Sign up today and you can earn a bonus of up to $300 for setting up direct deposit.

If you’re still trying to decide where to park your emergency fund, don’t just let it sit in a low- or no-interest checking account.

Check out the Moneywise list of Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025 so you can have a streamlined look at what high-yield savings account is best for your savings to grow over time.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Some or all links contained within this article are paid links.

Although comparison can really be the thief of joy, knowing where you stand financially is critical to making sure you’re on track to meet your money goals.

2021/22 tax data shows a very wide income range on a state-by-state basis.

Connecticut has the highest threshold required to be considered among the top 1% of earners, at $1.15 million. Massachusetts and California residents require an annual income of $1.11 million and $1.04 million, respectively, to be considered at the top.

Meanwhile, West Virginia has the lowest threshold to be a 1% earner at $420,453. Mississippi has the second lowest threshold, $440,744, with New Mexico ranking third-least, at $476,196.

Knowing the income threshold in your state is just one little piece of the puzzle. To actually join the top 1%, a diversified portfolio is essential. Here’s how the wealthiest Americans are doing it and what you can learn from their approach as we head into a new year.

Invest in real estate

Earning enough to qualify for the top 1% is challenging. But, there are wealth-building strategies you can employ, regardless of your income, to set yourself up for financial success in 2025.

For instance, Bank of America’s 2024 Study of Wealthy Individuals reported that 31% of investors with $3 million in investable assets believe real estate is the “greatest growth opportunity.”

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the top three states for income listed above also have some of the highest home prices in the country.

Residential real estate isn’t the only growth area, however.

Commercial real estate can also offer lucrative investment opportunities — especially when it comes to necessity-based properties, such as grocers. CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate firm, foresees both positive developments and growth for the 2025 commercial market.

Accredited individual investors can invest with First National Realty Partners to access institutional-quality commercial real estate investments without the legwork of finding deals themselves.

The FNRP team has developed relationships with the nation’s largest grocery brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods. They even provide insights into the best investment properties both on and off-market.

Consider alternative investments

Bank of America’s report found that younger, wealthy people are increasingly looking beyond the traditional stock market for investment opportunities. ​​

Gold is an example of an alternative asset that behaves differently than the stock market and has proven resilient during times of market volatility. Gold might play an important part in making sure your portfolio is protected for 2025, given that next year could bring about trade wars and economic instability.

For the best direct exposure, you can invest in the physical asset through a gold IRA with a company like American Hartford Gold.

This kind of account lets you enjoy the tax advantages of an IRA and the inflation-hedging properties of gold as you grow your nest egg.

With the help of American Hartford Gold — an industry leader in precious metals with a five-star rating from Trustpilot and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau — you can open a gold IRA and help preserve your retirement dreams with an inflation-resistant asset.

Another alternative asset you may consider is art.

Research from Bank of America shows that 83% of high-net-worth millennials and Gen Z either own or are interested in art collections. Interestingly, California and Massachusetts are home to four of the top 10 ‘art buying’ cities in the country.

You certainly don’t need to be among the top 1% to start investing, though. Masterworks is taking on the wealthy at their own game, enabling everyday investors to join in on multimillion-dollar art investments (such as Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso). In just the last few years, those investors realized representative annualized net returns like +17.6%, +17.8% and +21.5% (among assets held 1+ year).

Masterworks has over $1 billion in capital raised across 430+ works collectively invested in by everyday investors. When Masterworks sells a painting — like the 23 it’s already sold — investors reap their portion of any profits.

See important Regulation A disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd

Work with a financial advisor

If you are among the top 1% or are working on getting there, you’ll certainly want to make sure your wealth continues to grow throughout 2025 and beyond. The key to making that happen is working with experts.

For instance, 90% of wealthy Americans work with a financial advisor, according to Bank of America.

Finding a financial advisor that suits your specific needs and financial goals is simple with Vanguard.

Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisers and automated portfolio management to make sure your investments are working to achieve your financial goals.

With a minimum portfolio size of $50,000, this service is best for clients who already have a nest egg built and would like to try to grow their wealth with a variety of different investments. All you have to do is set up a consultation with a Vanguard advisor, and they will help you set a tailored plan and stick to it.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.