Author: Jing Pan

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.

Many Americans have felt the sting of rising prices over the past few years. Now, millions are set to receive a surprise boost to their bank accounts — part of a multibillion-dollar effort to ease inflation’s impact. But the money is only going to residents of one state: New York.

As part of the state’s fiscal 2026 budget agreement, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New York will send out “inflation refund checks” totaling $2 billion to more than 8 million taxpayers.

“The cost of living is still too damn high, so I promised to put more money in your pockets — and we got it done,” Hochul said in a news release.

It’s explained in the release that while inflation has driven up prices for residents, it has also led to “sharp increases” in the state’s sales tax collections, and “that money belongs to hardworking New York families and should be returned to their pockets as an inflation refund.”

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So, how much will New Yorkers get?

It depends on their filing status and income. Joint tax filers earning up to $150,000 will receive a $400 check, while those earning between $150,000 and $300,000 will get $300. Single filers with incomes up to $75,000 will receive $200, and those earning between $75,000 and $150,000 will receive $150.

No application is required. Payments will be sent automatically based on residents’ 2023 tax filings starting in the fall.

While only New Yorkers will receive these inflation refund checks, savvy investors have long used other tools to protect their money from inflation’s bite. Here’s a look at three time-tested strategies.

A classic safe haven

When it comes to preserving wealth and fighting inflation, few assets have stood the test of time like gold. Its appeal is simple: unlike fiat currencies, the yellow metal can’t be printed at will by central banks.

Gold is also considered the ultimate safe haven. It’s not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it — driving prices higher.

That may help explain why, while markets are getting whipsawed by tariff uncertainty and global tensions, gold has emerged as a bright spot. Over the past 12 months, the price of the precious metal has surged by more than 30%.

Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold’s role in a resilient portfolio.

“People don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” Dalio told CNBC in February. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

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

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 option for those seeking to ensure their retirement funds are well-shielded against economic uncertainties.

When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in precious metals for free.

A time-tested income play

Real estate has also proven to be a powerful hedge. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.

Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has jumped more than 50%, reflecting strong demand and limited housing supply.

Of course, high home prices can make buying a home more challenging, especially with mortgage rates still elevated. And being a landlord isn’t exactly hands-off work — managing tenants, maintenance and repairs can quickly eat into your time (and returns). The good news? You don’t need to buy a property outright — or deal with leaky faucets — to invest in real estate today.

One option is Homeshares, which gives access to the $30-plus trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, accredited 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 target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which 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.

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A finer alternative

It’s easy to see why great works of art tend to appreciate over time. Supply is limited and many famous pieces have already been snatched up by museums and collectors. Art also has a low correlation with stocks and bonds, which helps with diversification.

In 2022, a collection of art owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen sold for $1.5 billion at Christie’s New York, making it the most valuable collection in auction history.

Investing in art was traditionally a privilege reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Now, that’s changed with Masterworks — a platform for investing in shares of blue-chip artwork by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Banksy. It’s easy to use, and with 23 successful exits to date, every one of them has been profitable thus far.

Simply browse their impressive portfolio of paintings and choose how many shares you’d like to buy. Masterworks will handle all the details, making high-end art investments both accessible and effortless.

Masterworks has distributed roughly $61 million back to investors across their 23 exits. New offerings have sold out in minutes, but you can skip their waitlist here. See important Regulation A disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd.

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.

Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election has sparked a wave of relocations among high-net-worth individuals.

For instance, Ellen DeGeneres and her partner, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly moved to the U.K. following Trump’s win. Similarly, celebrities like Sharon Stone and Cher publicly vowed to leave the U.S. should Trump secure the presidency.

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However, not all high-profile individuals are looking for an exit from America.

Anthony Pratt, an Australian business tycoon and chairman of Visy Industries and Pratt Industries — global leaders in packaging and recycling — has taken a decidedly different approach. Instead of leaving, Pratt is doubling down on his commitment to the U.S.

In a LinkedIn post, Pratt announced that he has been granted a green card and is relocating to the U.S.

“We decided it was time to live in America because: (1) My family are all U.S. citizens. (2) Over the past 30 years we have invested to build 70 factories in America, creating 12,000 well-paying American manufacturing jobs,” he shared.

Pratt also reassured stakeholders that he will continue to serve as chairman of Visy Australia and plans to return to the country regularly.

With a net worth of $12.5 billion, Pratt has already made significant investments in the U.S., demonstrating the opportunities the country offers. But you don’t need to be a billionaire to take part in America’s economic growth.

Here are three straightforward ways everyday investors can tap into the nation’s economic boom.

Investing in stocks

One of the simplest and most accessible ways to invest in America is through the stock market. Stocks represent ownership in businesses, giving investors a stake in the profits and growth of the companies they choose to support.

Under Trump’s presidency, certain sectors are expected to thrive. For instance, his support for domestic energy production and reduced environmental regulations could benefit companies involved in oil, natural gas and coal. Investors might consider established energy giants to tap into this opportunity.

Another area to watch is infrastructure and construction. Trump has consistently advocated for massive infrastructure projects, which could create opportunities in companies specializing in building materials, construction equipment, and transportation services.

Financial services might also benefit from deregulation efforts, particularly in banking and investment sectors, which could see reduced restrictions and potentially higher profits.

To make informed decisions, platforms like Moby, an investment research service, can be invaluable.

Founded by former hedge fund analysts, Moby offers individual stock picks and insights and has already helped over five million users identify high-potential investments before they deliver multibagger returns. Over the past four years, Moby’s stock picks have outperformed the S&P 500 by an impressive average of 11.95%.

Investing in ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer an easy and diversified way to invest in the U.S. economy. Unlike individual stocks, which tie your investment to a single company, ETFs bundle together multiple stocks, helping you spread risk across a broader portfolio.

For investors looking to capitalize on opportunities in America under Trump’s presidency, sector-specific ETFs can be worth a look.

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For example, energy-focused ETFs can give you exposure to oil, natural gas, and other domestic energy industries, while infrastructure ETFs target companies in construction, engineering, and transportation.

Additionally, broad market ETFs, such as those tracking the S&P 500 Index, allow investors to participate in the overall growth of the U.S. stock market without picking individual winners and losers.

In fact, investing legend Warren Buffett has often championed the simplicity and reliability of index investing, famously saying, “In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund.”

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio.

With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

Investing in real estate

The U.S. is currently facing a significant housing shortage. An analysis by Zillow published in June estimated the housing shortage to be 4.5 million homes as of 2022.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell addressed the crisis in September, pointing to the core issue: “The real issue with housing is that we have had, and are on track to continue to have, not enough housing.”

For investors, the housing supply gap presents a unique opportunity to invest in America. This trend transcends political administrations — no matter who is in the White House, people will always need a place to live.

While high home prices and elevated mortgage rates have made buying a home more challenging for individuals, you don’t need to purchase a property outright to invest in U.S. real estate.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors access to grocery-anchored properties without the hassle of finding and managing deals themselves.

Starting with a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own shares in top-tier commercial properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger, and Walmart. Investors can enjoy the potential to collect stable, grocery store-anchored income every quarter.

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 14% to 17%, 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 allow 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.

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.

Real estate has long been a go-to asset for building wealth in America, offering income through rent and potential gains through appreciation. But according to investing legend Warren Buffett, there’s one asset class he — and his late business partner Charlie Munger — would take over property any day.

“There’s just so much more opportunity — at least in the United States — that presents itself in the security market than it does in real estate,” Buffett said at Berkshire Hathaway’s latest annual shareholders meeting, when asked why he isn’t buying more real estate.

Buffett pointed to the complexity and sluggishness of real estate deals compared to the ease and speed of stock transactions.

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“In respect to real estate, it’s so much harder than stocks in terms of negotiation of deals, time spent, the involvement of multiple parties in the ownership,” he said. “Usually when real estate gets in trouble, you find out you’re dealing with more than an equity holder.”

While Munger, who served as Berkshire’s vice chairman until his death in 2023, “enjoyed” real estate and did “a fair number” of deals in his final years, Buffett believes Munger’s true allegiance was always clear.

“I think if you’d asked him to make a choice when he was 21, that he’d either be in stocks exclusively the rest of his life or real estate the rest of his life, he would have chosen stocks in a second,” Buffett said.

For Buffett, the simplicity of stock investing is hard to beat. He noted that you can walk down to the New York Stock Exchange and “do billions of dollars worth of business totally anonymously,” all within five minutes.

Real estate, by contrast, is a slow grind. “[The negotiation] just begins when you agree on deals — and then they take forever,” he said.

At his age, Buffett’s takeaway is clear: “For a guy at 94, it’s not the most interesting thing to get involved in something where the negotiations could take years.”

How to invest like Buffett

Buffett has built his legacy on seizing opportunities in the stock market. Under his leadership, Berkshire Hathaway has delivered enormous returns to shareholders over the decades.

And while the Oracle of Omaha plans to step down as CEO later this year, everyday investors can still follow one timeless strategy he champions — no stock-picking skills required.

“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” Buffett famously said.

This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active management.

Buffett’s belief in this strategy runs so deep, he’s built it into his own estate plan — directing that 90% of his wife’s inheritance be invested in “a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund” after his passing.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time, and some apps like Acorns automatically invest your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

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

How to invest in real estate without the headaches

While Buffett doesn’t mince words about the complexities of real estate, he still points to it as a prime example of a productive, income-generating asset.

In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him “1% of all the apartment houses in the country” for $25 billion, he would “write you a check.”

Why? Regardless of what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live. And with an estimated shortage of 4.5 million homes in the U.S., the demand for rental housing remains strong, helping keep occupancy rates high and rental income flowing.

But Buffett’s caution about how real estate transactions still holds true — even at the individual level. In the U.S., it typically takes 30 to 60 days to close on a home after an offer is accepted. Conditions, clauses and financing delays can drag the process out even further.

The good news? These days, you don’t need to buy an entire property — or hunt for deals yourself — to start investing in real estate.

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 target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, 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 allow 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 allow accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

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.

As a co-founder of PayPal and the first outside investor in Facebook, Peter Thiel is widely recognized for his expertise in the tech world. But lately, the billionaire venture capitalist has been sounding the alarm on an entirely different sector: real estate.

During an interview with The Free Press, Thiel drew upon the insights of 19th-century economist Henry George to underscore the gravity of America’s real estate crisis.

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• 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

“The basic Georgist obsession was real estate, and it was if you weren’t really careful, you would get runaway real estate prices, and the people who owned the real estate would make all the gains in a society,” Thiel said.

The core of the issue, Thiel explained, lies in the “extremely inelastic” nature of real estate, especially in regions with strict zoning laws.

“The dynamic ends up being that you add 10% to the population in a city, and maybe the house prices go up 50%, and maybe people’s salaries go up, but they don’t go up by 50%,” he said. “So the GDP grows, but it’s a giant windfall to the boomer homeowners and to the landlords, and it’s a massive hit to the lower middle class and to young people who can never get on the housing ladder.”

Thiel warned that this “Georgist real estate catastrophe” is playing out across many “Anglosphere countries,” including the U.S., Britain and Canada.

‘Incredible wealth transfer’

The surge in U.S. home prices has been nothing short of alarming. Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has climbed by over 50%. More recently, the leading measure of U.S. home prices reported a 3.9% annual return for December 2024, up from a 3.7% annual gain in the previous month.

This sharp rise in home prices creates significant challenges for prospective buyers, but renters aren’t immune to the impact either. It’s all part of the broader cost-of-living crisis gripping many Americans.

Thiel broke it down, stating, “There’s a way you could talk about inflation in terms of the prices of eggs or groceries, but that’s not that big a cost item, even for lower middle class people. The really big cost item is the rent.”

At its core, Thiel argued, the issue boils down to supply and demand.

“If you just add more people to the mix, and you’re not allowed to build new houses because of zoning laws, where it’s too expensive, where it’s too regulated and restricted, then the prices go up a lot,” he said. “And it’s this incredible wealth transfer from the young and the lower middle class to the upper middle class and the landlords and the old.”

Thiel isn’t the only one raising the alarm. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has highlighted similar concerns.

“The real issue with housing is that we have had, and are on track to continue to have, not enough housing… It’s hard to find — to zone lots that are in places where people want to live… Where are we going to get the supply?” Powell said at a press conference in September.

The gap in the housing market is significant. A recent report by Realtor.com estimated the U.S. housing shortage to be 3.8 million homes as of 2024.

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

‘Get on the housing ladder’

Beyond soaring home prices, elevated mortgage rates are another major obstacle preventing many Americans from “getting on the housing ladder,” as Thiel described.

The good news? The U.S. Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates, providing opportunities for potential buyers. Freddie Mac recommends shopping around by obtaining quotes from three to five lenders to secure the best mortgage rate possible.

To make this process easier, tools like the Mortgage Research Center (MRC) can help you quickly compare rates and estimated monthly payments from multiple vetted lenders. By entering basic details — such as your zip code, property type, price range and annual income — you can view mortgage offers tailored to your needs and shop with confidence.

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.

Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which targets necessity-based commercial real estate.

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.

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.

President Donald Trump says tariffs could deliver a financial windfall for everyday Americans — by wiping out their income taxes.

“When tariffs cut in, many people’s income taxes will be substantially reduced, maybe even completely eliminated,” Trump declared in a Truth Social post on April 27. “Focus will be on people making less than $200,000 a year.”

That’s a bold promise, especially considering that only 14.4% of U.S. households earned more than $200,000 annually in 2023, according to Census Bureau data. In other words, if Trump’s vision holds true, the vast majority of Americans would pay no income tax at all.

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• 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

But don’t celebrate just yet. While Trump is optimistic, experts say the math simply doesn’t add up.

Economists Erica York and Huaqun Li of the Tax Foundation were blunt, explaining in a response on April 28 that “the individual income tax raises more than 27 times as much revenue as tariffs currently do,” and “even eliminating income taxes for a subset of taxpayers, such as those earning $200,000 or less, would require significantly higher replacement revenues than tariffs could generate.”

They estimate that the tariffs Trump has imposed and scheduled as of April 2025 would generate nearly $167 billion in new federal tax revenue in 2025 — covering less than 25% of the cost of eliminating income taxes for people earning below $200,000.

While Trump’s proposal faces serious doubts, policy changes aren’t the only route to lowering tax bills. Here are two powerful assets that everyday investors can use to their advantage.

Stocks

Scott Galloway, professor of marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business, once said that if you’re trying to build wealth, you have “an obligation to pay as little tax as possible.”

His advice? Keep it simple: “You buy stocks, you never sell them, you borrow against them.”

Galloway broke it down with an example: “You own $100 in Amazon stock. You need money to buy something. Instead of selling the stock, and let’s say it’s gone up 50% … You would have to realize a capital gain and pay long-term capital gains [tax] on that $50 gain. No, just borrow against it and let the stock continue to grow.”

This strategy allows investors to tap into the value of their portfolios without triggering a taxable event. Because capital gains are only taxed when realized, borrowing against appreciated assets lets investors access cash while deferring taxes.

Meanwhile, the investments themselves can continue to grow. And since the interest on the loan is often smaller than the tax bill from a sale, this approach can be a powerful tool for preserving and compounding wealth over time.

Of course, not all investors want to pick individual stocks — and you don’t have to. Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of our time, recommends a much simpler path: buying a cross-section of the American economy.

“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index,” Buffett has stated, meaning invest in an S&P 500 index fund. This straightforward approach gives investors exposure to the top American companies on the stock market, providing diversified exposure without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.

The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.

Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

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

Real estate

Real estate has long been a go-to asset for building wealth — and one of the reasons is the generous tax treatment it receives.

When you earn rental income from an investment property, you can claim deductions for a wide range of expenses, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance and ongoing maintenance and repairs.

Real estate investors also benefit from depreciation — a tax deduction that recognizes the gradual wear and tear of a property over time.

Today, you don’t need to be a millionaire or buy property outright to benefit from real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived, for instance, offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.

Another option is Homeshares, which opens the door to the $30-plus trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that was once reserved almost exclusively for institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, accredited 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 target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

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.

Waves of tariffs from President Donald Trump — despite a temporary pause on many — has unleashed chaos across global markets, reigniting trade tensions and rattling investors. But billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio says the real storm is still to come.

On April 7, in a lengthy social media post, Dalio argued that the recent tariff drama is merely a symptom of deeper, structural problems.

“We are seeing a classic breakdown of the major monetary, political, and geopolitical orders,” he wrote.

Dalio outlined five forces he described as reshaping the global landscape.

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1. The global monetary order

Dalio said the global economic order is breaking down due to unsustainable debt and deep imbalances between debtor nations like the U.S. and creditor nations like China. As these imbalances unwind, Dalio warned the current monetary order will be forced to change in “big disruptive ways”, with major consequences for capital markets and the broader economy.

2. The political order

Dalio sees the political order of democracies breaking down under the weight of what he calls “huge gaps” in people’s education, income and opportunity levels, as well as values. He said history shows this kind of environment often gives rise to “strong autocratic leaders” — especially when paired with economic and market turmoil.

3. The global power structure

Dalio was blunt on this point: “The international geopolitical world order is breaking down because the era of one dominant power (the U.S.) that dictates the order that other countries follow is over.” He argued it’s being replaced by a “unilateral, power-rules” approach. While the U.S. remains the most powerful nation, Dalio said it is now operating under a more self-interested, “America First” framework.

4, 5. Nature and technology

Dalio added that “acts of nature” — such as floods and pandemics — are becoming more disruptive, while rapid advances in technology — such as artificial intelligence — are impacting “all aspects of life, including the money/debt/economic order, the political order, the international order, and the costs of acts of nature.”

Beyond the tariffs

Dalio didn’t offer specific investment advice in his post. But in a February interview with CNBC, he noted the importance of diversification — and pointed to the role of one time-tested asset.

“People don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” he said. “When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

Gold is considered a go-to safe haven. It can’t be printed out of thin air like fiat money, and because it’s not tied to any single currency or economy, investors flock to it during periods of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, driving up its value. Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by around 35%.

Those looking to incorporate precious metals into their retirement strategy can benefit from modern investment solutions, like those offered by companies like American Hartford Gold.

American Hartford Gold is a leading precious metals dealer – allowing you to invest directly in gold or silver.

With secure storage, expert guidance, and customizable investment plans, American Hartford Gold helps investors diversify their portfolios while protecting against inflation. Gold IRAs provide a tangible safeguard for retirement savings, combining financial security with significant tax advantages, making them an appealing choice for long-term wealth preservation.

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

A tangible hedge with passive income

Many experts — including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon — have warned that Trump’s tariffs could trigger a significant rise in inflation.

While gold remains a classic hedge, real estate offers a time-tested alternative — with the added benefit of generating passive income.

When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher cost of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rising living expenses tend to push rents higher, helping landlords offset the erosion of purchasing power.

Traditionally, investing in real estate meant buying property outright and becoming a landlord. 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.

Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which 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.

Consult a professional

Navigating today’s financial landscape can feel overwhelming. With markets swinging wildly and expert opinions often clashing, it’s difficult to know where to put your money. If you’re finding it difficult to make sense of the noise, now could be the right time to get in touch with a financial advisor.

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.

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.

In light of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them, many experts are warning that America may be headed for a recession. But according to Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki, something far worse is looming.

“In 2025 credit card debt is at all time highs. U.S. debt is at all time highs. Unemployment is rising. 401(k)’s are losing,” he wrote in an X post on April 18. “U.S.A. may be heading for a GREATER DEPRESSION.”

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Americans now owe a record $1.21 trillion on their credit cards. The U.S. National debt has climbed to $36.22 trillion. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2% in March, and retirees are watching their 401(k)s shrink amid ongoing market volatility.

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• 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

The Great Depression of the 1930s was the worst economic crisis in modern history — marked by mass unemployment, widespread poverty and a collapse in consumer and business confidence. But by calling the next downturn a “Greater Depression,” Kiyosaki suggests it could be even more devastating.

As he put it, “This coming Great Depression will cause millions to be poor … and a few who take action, may enjoy great wealth and freedom.”

So, what kind of action is he recommending?

“For those who take action today, when the crash crashes, those who invest in just one Bitcoin, or some gold, or silver … You may come through this crisis a very rich person,” Kiyosaki wrote.

That advice should come as no surprise — Kiyosaki has long been a vocal proponent of these alternative assets, which he backed by making a bold prediction.

“I strongly believe, by 2035, that one Bitcoin will be over $1 million. Gold will be $30K and silver $3,000 a coin,” he wrote.

Let’s take a closer look at the assets he’s championing.

Precious metals

Kiyosaki’s endorsement of gold and silver is nothing new — he’s been advocating for precious metals for decades.

Back in October 2023, he wrote on X: “Gold will soon break through $2,100 and then take off. You will wish you had bought gold below $2,000. Next stop, gold $3,700.”

Gold prices surged in 2024 and have continued to climb through 2025, now trading around $3,300 per ounce.

Gold has long been viewed as a safe haven. It’s not tied to any one country, currency or economy. It can’t be printed out of thin air like fiat money, and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to pile in — driving up its value.

Ray Dalio, founder Bridgewater Associates — the world’s largest hedge fund — told CNBC in February: “People don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” adding that, “when bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”

For those looking to capitalize on gold’s potential while also securing tax advantages, one option is opening a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.

Gold IRAs allow you to invest in 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 option for those seeking to ensure their retirement funds are well-shielded against economic uncertainties.

When you make a qualifying purchase with Thor Metals, you can receive up to $20,000 in precious metals for free.

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

Bitcoin

Bitcoin has been one of the top-performing assets of the past decade — and Kiyosaki is betting it still has room to run.

On Nov. 29, he predicted on X: “Bitcoin will soon break $100,000.” On Dec. 4, the cryptocurrency surpassed that milestone, grabbing headlines worldwide.

Although Bitcoin has since dipped below $100,000, Kiyosaki’s long-term forecast remains ambitious: $1 million per coin by 2035.

He’s not alone in that view. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey said in an interview with Pirate Wires published in May 2024 that Bitcoin could hit “at least” $1 million by 2030 — and possibly go even higher.

For those looking to hop on the Bitcoin bandwagon, platforms like Robinhood Crypto allow users to buy and sell crypto with as little as $1 without any trading fees or commissions.

Robinhood Crypto has the lowest trading cost on average in the U.S. — meaning you could get up to 1.7% more crypto compared to trading on other platforms.

Real estate — revisited

“Your house is not an asset” Kiyosaki once said during an interview with finance YouTuber Sharan Hegde in September 2023. “What is the definition of the word? If it puts money in my pocket, it’s an asset. If my house is taking money from my pocket, it’s a liability.”

His point being that owning the home you live in often takes money out of your pocket in the form of mortgage payments, utilities, taxes and maintenance costs. Rental properties, however, are a different story.

According to the Rich Dad website, rental properties can generate significant, regular cash flow when purchased and managed wisely. Additionally, increases in rents and property values over time can create “an important supplementary revenue stream.” While all investments carry some risk, cash-flowing properties are “generally less subject to the daily ups and downs” of the market.

Today, you don’t need to be as wealthy as Kiyosaki to get started in real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easy way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.

With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.

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.