Author: Moneywise

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.

When you think of the top 1% of American earners, the first people who might come to mind are likely well-known investors and entrepreneurs like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates — but it might surprise you to learn that those ultra-wealthy Americans make up just 0.001% of the population.

Landing in the top 10% can be a fairly attainable goal for upwardly mobile Americans. A study published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) in 2022 found that the average earnings of those in the top 10% were roughly $169,639 in 2021.

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• 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

Salaries start to jump significantly the closer you get to the top 1%. You’ll start to see dramatic shifts in the top 5%, where the EPI found the average earners significantly increased to $335,891 in 2021, up from $322,349 the year before.

While the income of the top 1% varies, Forbes reported in 2023 that the bracket’s minimum net worth is much higher — a cool $11.1 million. Finding your way into these financial brackets isn’t impossible, especially if you use these three simple money-optimizing tactics.

3. Put your cash to work

If you think of savings as a seed, the best thing you can do to help them grow is to find some solid soil to plant them in.

A certificate of deposit (CD) can be a great place to start. A CD is a low-risk savings option that can yield interest comparable to, or even higher than, the top savings accounts. The trade-off for this higher rate is that your money stays locked in the account for a set period.

But which CD and what term should you choose?

With MyBankTracker you can shop and compare top certificates of deposit rates from various banks nationwide.

Their extensive database shows the most competitive rates, with daily rate updates and personalized recommendations based on your risk preferences and time horizon so you can find the right CD to meet your retirement savings goals.

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 3.80% 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.

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

If you’re still trying to decide where to park your hard-earned cash, 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.

Every little bit counts as you climb your way up the ladder to your preferred wealth bracket.

2. Diversify your portfolio

Now that you’ve made sure your savings are optimized, you can look at your investments.

While you might not have the same resources as investing legends like Warren Buffett or Bill Gates, your wealth status doesn’t have to stop you from building a diversified portfolio and increasing your financial standing.

But how should you diversify?

Automate your saving and investing

If you are just starting to build your portfolio or you just want an easy way to diversify it, there’s a way to build your portfolio without even thinking about it, simply by making your daily purchases.

With Wealthfront’s automated investing platform, the power of compound interest works for you. Their sophisticated "set it and forget it" approach means your money is professionally managed and automatically rebalanced, allowing your wealth to grow steadily over time.

Start investing for the long term with globally diversified portfolios or go for a higher yield than a traditional savings account with an automated bond portfolio.

Open your account today and receive a $50 bonus to jumpstart your investment journey. Whether you’re saving for retirement, a home, or building generational wealth, Wealthfront’s low-cost, automated investment strategy can help you achieve your financial goals.

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

Federal Reserve data also shows that the top 1% of Americans hold over $6 trillion in real estate assets.

Real estate has long been considered a solid portfolio hedge, as rent and property values tend to increase with inflation. It’s no surprise that high-net-worth individuals — regardless of their age — see opportunity in this asset.

With the rising popularity of real estate crowdfunding platforms, you can diversify your portfolio with real estate at almost any wealth level.

If you are still a few income brackets from the top 10%, you can invest in real estate without having to pay a high price to buy and manage an investment property

For example, With Arrived, you can add rental properties to your investment portfolio for as little as $100 without needing to do any of the heavy lifting or legwork associated with being a landlord.

Arrived’s easy-to-use platform offers SEC-qualified investments such as rental homes and vacation rentals.

Its 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, like paying for maintenance or securing tenants.

Here’s how it works: You can start by browsing a curated selection of homes, vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, choose the number of shares you want to buy.

If you are a few more rungs up the ladder toward the top 1% and you’ve achieved the title of accredited investor, you may want to consider commercial real estate as part of your expanded portfolio. CBRE, the world’s biggest commercial real estate firm, anticipates a boost to commercial real estate activity and values. They’re expecting a 15-20% increase in transactions.

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors access to quality retail-anchored real estate investments, without the legwork of finding deals yourself.

The FNRP team has developed relationships with shopping centers and health-care facilities across the U.S., as well as the nation’s largest essential-needs brands, including Kroger, Walmart and Whole Foods.

They also offer white-glove service for investors, providing key market insights and finding the best properties both on and off-market, while investors can passively collect distribution income.

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

1. Work with a professional

Sometimes, accepting that you need help is the first step to getting a hold on your finances or boosting them to a new level — especially if you’re aiming to reach the top 1%.

With Advisor.com, you can find the right financial professional to help you fulfill your wealth goals. It’s a free service that helps you find the right financial advisor for you,by matching you with a small list of the best options for you to choose from.

Set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of their pre-screened financial advisors today.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe 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.

When you enter into a marriage, you expect your spouse to be faithful. But sometimes, a different type of infidelity — financial — can rear its ugly head.

That’s what happened to Cathy from Dallas, Texas, who recently called into The Ramsey Show seeking urgent financial advice.

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• 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

Cathy revealed to co-hosts Ken Coleman and Jade Warshaw that she suspects her to-be ex-husband has racked up close to $1 million in debt behind her back — and she’s probably on the hook for half of it.

Here is what Coleman and Warshaw had to say.

What happens when financial infidelity rears its ugly head?

Money can be a huge driver of marital strife, especially when one spouse keeps secrets.

A 2021 survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that 43% of people with combined finances in a relationship have committed financial infidelity.

For 39%, that meant hiding a purchase or bank statement from their partner. For 19%, it meant hiding cash. And for 16% of couples, financial infidelity ultimately led to divorce.

Cathy, meanwhile, learned that her husband hadn’t paid income taxes for three-years and owed $80,000 in credit card debt. The kicker? Cathy and her soon-to-be ex have a $550,000 mortgage for an office building that she co-signed on.

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

Even worse, Cathy doesn’t have a record of how that money was spent.

"I feel like an idiot," Cathy said.

Coleman thinks Cathy owes at least $250,000.

How to dig yourself out of debt after financial infidelity and plan for the future

If, like Cathy, you’re struggling with substantial debt, there are a few things you can do. One option is tapping into your home’s equity through a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), especially if you’ve made consistent mortgage payments.

A HELOC is a secured line of credit that leverages your home as collateral. Depending on the value of your home and the remaining balance on your mortgage, you may be able to borrow funds at a lower interest rate from a lender as a form of revolving credit.

Rather than juggling multiple bills with varying due dates and interest rates, you can consolidate them into one easy-to-manage payment. The results? Less stress, generally reduced fees, and the potential for significant savings over time.

LendingTree’s marketplace connects you with top lenders offering competitive HELOC rates. Instead of going through the hassle of shopping for loans at individual banks or credit unions, LendingTree lets you compare multiple offers in one place. This helps you find the best HELOC for your situation.

Terms and conditions apply. NMLS#1136.

Being equal partners on all things finance-related could help avoid not just a situation like Cathy’s, but marital conflict more broadly.

In a 2024 Fidelity survey, more than 25% of partners resented being left out of financial decisions. Be vocal and set the guardrails early on for what you expect of your partner when it comes to financial decisions.

Setting a realistic budget and tracking where your money is going can help you avoid falling into financial traps — including noticing missing money due to financial infidelity.

Whether you plan to merge your finances with your spouse or keep your money separate, budgeting can be challenging, especially when trying to track multiple accounts and daily expenses simultaneously. Monarch Money’s expense tracking system simplifies the process.

The platform seamlessly connects all your accounts in one place, giving you a clear view of where you’re overspending. It also helps you monitor your expenses and payments in real-time.

Whether you’re looking to save, invest, or simply control your spending, Monarch Money offers the tools to help you succeed. For a limited time, you can get 50% off your first year with the code NEWYEAR2025.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe 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.

There’s great news for America’s homeowners: A growing percentage now own their homes outright. No mortgage, no liens.

U.S. Census Bureau data showed that in 2024, about 38.8% of owner-occupied homes in the United States are owned outright, meaning they no longer have mortgages to pay. That is a 40% increase between 2012 and 2022.

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• 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

Over half of homeowners from this reporting period are also above the retirement age of 65. So if you’re fortunate enough to be mortgage-free and headed towards retirement, chances are you have a lot going for you financially.

For starters, the worth of your home, should you choose to sell it, represents 100% equity — meaning your bank owns none of it. If property values in your area have jumped since buying, your home is now much more than a roof over your head. It’s also a storehouse of wealth.

Here’s a closer look at what a fully owned residence could translate to in dollars and cents.

Hard-won returns

It’s important to note that homes don’t provide returns like traditional investments. After years of mortgage payments, much of your money goes to the lender.

For example, on a $500,000 home with a $100,000 down payment and a 15-year mortgage at 2.5%, you’d pay around $80,000 in interest, excluding property taxes, repairs and insurance.

Even if you don’t own your own home, there are other ways to get the housing market working for you without a hefty downpayment or managing property. 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 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 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.

Between 2008 and 2013, home prices more than doubled, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This means that a $500,000 home bought in 2008 could be worth $1.08 million today.

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

Your fully owned home’s ripple effect

Another way to determine what your paid-off home is worth is by considering how it impacts your retirement budget.

By eliminating a $2,500 mortgage payment, you cut your annual expenses during retirement by $30,000.This can help bring your retirement income needs closer to the lower end of the 55%-80% range suggested by Fidelity. Paying off your home before retirement can make for more years of mortgage free investing.

For example, paying off your home by 60 years of age frees up $150,000 to invest over five years. At a 7% return, that can grow to $210,000 — providing a solid retirement cushion and the means to build extra wealth.

Real estate investing can be a proven path to building lasting wealth. For the 12th year in a row, Americans have ranked real estate as the best long-term investment in 2024, according to a Gallup survey.

Through strategic investments in commercial properties and residential real estate, investors can create a robust portfolio that provides both immediate returns and long-term growth.

Today, innovative investment platforms are making real estate more accessible than ever. First National Realty Partners (FNRP) allows accredited investors access to grocery-anchored commercial real estate investments with a minimum investment of $50,000.

With FNRP, investors own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, providing potential cash flow without the headache of tenant costs and management.

Cashing out your equity

One creative way to fund your retirement lifestyle is through a reverse mortgage, which lets you tap into your home equity to supplement your income, pay off substantial debt or fund renovations.

The average homeowner has a home equity of $313,000 as of March 2025, according to the ICE Mortgage Monitor report. This could beis quite substantial depending on your financial situation.

You can choose to borrow the funds as a lump sum or fixed monthly payment and can spend it however you want, allowing you to turn all that home equity into tax-free cash, helping to support your retirement lifestyle.

With a reverse mortgage, you can continue living in your home while accessing its value — and you won’t have to make monthly mortgage payments. The loan only becomes due when you move, sell the home or pass away.

You can check out Money.com’s list of industry-leading companies offering reverse mortgages here.

Compare offers instantly and request a free information guide to help you understand how to get started, and to see if a reverse mortgage is right for you.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe 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.

Lexi Newkirk and her husband, Diego, weren’t interested in cramped city living. Instead, the young married couple from Austin, Texas, created their very own path to home ownership.

“We grew up in the city and we wanted to escape it,” Lexi said in an article by content company SWNS.

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• 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

So, they decided to buy a plot of land for $180,000 in a rural area nearby and have spent $60,000 building their dream home out of two 40-foot shipping containers.

“We’re living on 12-and-a-half acres and I love it,” Lexi said.

From the ground up

The couple could’ve saved up to buy a home in Austin, where according to Zillow the average price runs just north of $500,000, but they had other ideas.

After buying their land in October 2023, they built a foundation and basement before stacking two 40-foot shipping containers on top of one another. The containers cost $5,500 apiece, per SWNS. Slowly, over about a year, the couple have added plumbing, wiring and insulation to the 640-square-foot home.

The couple hoped to have the home finished completely by early March. They plan to live there while they work to build up the rest of the land they bought.

Before you build a home

Building a home from scratch is no easy feat, and it’s important to know what you’re getting into.

For one thing, not everyone has the handyman skills necessary to construct a home. Diego performed most of the manual labor on the home in the story above, according to SWNS, but social media posts of their progress show help was needed at various stages.

Building a home can also be more complicated than expected. For one thing, zoning laws might limit your ability to construct your dream home. And don’t forget you need all of the necessary permits to proceed with construction.

Connecting your home to utilities, such as electricity, can also present a challenge, assuming they’re available. That’s something you’ll need to coordinate with your local utility department.

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

Hassle-free property ownership

While building a home from shipping containers is a radical solution to the ever-increasing cost of housing, there are other ways to benefit from the hot real estate market even if you don’t have the capital to buy a plot of land.

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 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 allows accredited and non-accredited investors to take advantage of this inflation-hedging asset class without any extra work on your part.

Finally, accredited investors will want to take a look at First National Realty Partners (FNRP). This platform allows you to diversify your portfolio through investments in grocery-anchored commercial properties, without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, you can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart. 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

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe 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.

Investing is a notoriously noisy industry, but Warren Buffett has always managed to cut through the clutter with his simple yet powerful advice.

One of Buffett’s most overlooked nuggets of wisdom is about focusing on the right type of business.

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• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• 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

In a letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, he once wrote that “the best business to own is one that over an extended period can employ large amounts of incremental capital at very high rates of return.”

"The worst business to own," Buffett continued, "is one that must, or will, do the opposite — that is, consistently employ ever-greater amounts of capital at very low rates of return."

At age 94, Buffett recently decided to retire from his longtime post as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. At the time of his announcement in May, he ranked fifth on the Forbes real-time billionaires index, with a net worth of $160 billion.

Here are some great examples of his advice — and holdings — in action.

Apple (AAPL)

Buffett’s largest holding is Apple, the iPhone maker based in Cupertino, California. Despite a major selloff in 2024, when Berkshire Hathaway dumped roughly $80 billion of Apple stock, the company still makes up 22% of Berkshire’s portfolio. That’s more than any other single holding.

The iPhone’s continued popularity, alongside solid high-margin segments for its services and software makes Apple an attractive investment.

Most tellingly, Apple’s return on invested capital (ROIC) is currently sitting around 47%. That’s exactly the kind of capital efficiency that Buffett described as the hallmark of a great investment. It means for every dollar Apple reinvests into the business, it earns nearly half of it back in profit annually. That’s Buffett’s investing principle in full force.

Robinhood offers a simple and convenient way to invest like Buffett in a wide variety of stocks, ETFs and options. Its platform provides commission-free investing in companies like Apple — meaning you won’t pay any extra fees to invest with Robinhood. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to add some of Buffett’s favorite stock picks to your portfolio.

New Robinhood customers can get a free stock once they sign up and link their bank account to the app. Your stock reward ranges from $5 to $200, and you get to pick from top American companies for the actual stock you receive.

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

Coca-Cola (KO)

America’s most famous beverage maker has been in the Berkshire Hathaway portfolio for decades. Buffett started buying Coca-Cola (KO) stock in 1988. Given his portfolio currently holds around 400 million shares, he could be earning over $800 million annually in dividends from his stake. And Coca-Cola’s consistent dividends suggest it lives up to Buffett’s adage, by employing its capital effectively for investors.

After all these years, KO is still the fourth-largest holding in the portfolio, currently accounting for close to 9% of assets. Coke has sustained its dominance in the global beverage market, thanks to enduring brand power, global distribution and consistent demand for its core products.

Coca-Cola’s ROIC is around 23%, which is solid, but much lower than Apple’s. While it doesn’t generate the same margin on its reinvested capital, Coca-Cola has proven its strong brand loyalty and stable cash flows over decades. Investors looking for a safe bet could consider adding this classic Buffett stock to their watch list.

You can invest in KO shares with Public, a commission-free investing platform that democratizes access to a wide range of assets, including stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, treasuries and alternative investments. Public has also just launched AI investing features to help you stay up-to-date with market trends using real-time insights.

Get expert help

Aside from looking to Buffett for investment ideas, there are plenty of other great resources to make the most of your investing strategy. At the same time, many pundits falsely claim they know what the latest and greatest stock is.

When it comes to investing, make sure you’re getting help from qualified experts. With Moby you can get advice from former hedge fund analysts, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. In four years, across almost 400 stock picks, Moby’s recommendations have beaten the S&P 500 by almost 12% on average.

Moby’s team spends hundreds of hours sifting through financial news and data to provide you with stock and crypto reports delivered straight to you. Their research keeps you up-to-the-minute on market shifts and can help you reduce the guesswork behind choosing stocks and ETFs.

Plus, their reports are easy to understand for beginners, so you can become a smarter investor in just five minutes.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe 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.

For many people, the only way to afford a home is to finance it with a mortgage and pay off that loan over time.

During the first quarter of 2025, the median U.S. home sale price was $503,800, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data. Given that median annual wages were just $61,984 during the last quarter of 2024, it’s easy to see why the typical working American can barely afford a down payment on a home today, let alone the entire cost in one fell swoop.

Don’t miss

• 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
• I’m 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don’t panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
• 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

But uber-wealthy folks are in a different position. Those with billions of dollars to their name can buy a home outright rather than take out a loan.

Yet celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Jay-Z have all made headlines for taking out multimillion-dollar mortgages — not out of necessity but to reap a couple of key benefits.

It allows for better cash flow

Someone with billions to their name might not worry about cash flow, but taking out a mortgage can be a strategic move to maintain liquidity and keep cash available for other investments, rather than tying it up in a relatively illiquid asset like real estate.

Take Hollywood power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé, for example. Despite their estimated combined net worth of $1.6 billion in 2017, they secured a $52.8 million mortgage to purchase an $88 million hillside estate in Los Angeles, according to the L.A. Times.

There could be major benefits for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, depending on how their portfolio is allocated,” Robert Cohan, managing director at Carlyle Financial, told Business Insider. “A mortgage gives them financial flexibility, and they have the ability to pay it off whenever they choose.

You can still land an affordable mortgage rate even if you don’t fall in the category of America’s elite 1%. The key is to not accept the first offer on the table — and to shop around and get quotes from at least two-three lenders.

According to a study conducted by LendingTree, 45% of homebuyers who received more than one quote got a lower rate than their initial one .

Mortgage Research Center can help you shop around for rates from vetted lenders near you.

All you need to do is enter some basic information about yourself, such as property type and zip code in which it is located, total cost, desired down payment, and your annual income and credit score.

Mortgage Research Center then matches you with lenders best suited to your needs. You can then set up a free, no-obligation consultation to further assess whether they’re the right fit for you.

Free up more money to invest

If you purchased a house in the last couple of years at a fixed rate, chances are you might be able to refinance it at a lower rate right now.

Mark Zuckerberg, the world’s second richest man (according to the Forbes Real Time Billionaires list) did the same.

Back in 2012, when Zuckerberg was #40 on the list with an estimated $15.6 billion net worth, he refinanced his home in Palo Alto, California, with a 30-year adjustable rate mortgage at 1.05%.

While rates probably won’t go down to that level any time soon, the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts over the past few months have already had a noticeable impact. Median mortgage rates are currently hovering around 6.95% — down from 8% in October last year.

With the Fed slated to lower the benchmark rates further in the upcoming months, it might be a good idea to start looking at your options.

Ideally, you can land a lower rate by shopping around. According to a study from LendingTree, 56% of homebuyers shopped around when they refinanced their mortgage. What’s more, 81% of those who chose to refinance, came away with a lower rate than what they started with.

Mortgage Research Center is also a beneficial tool if you are looking to refinance your current mortgage.

The process is the same — you need to enter some information about yourself and your current mortgage, and Mortgage Research Center will match you with vetted lenders offering competitive rates.

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

More ways to invest in real estate

Even for accredited investors, purchasing additional properties for rental or investment income can be a hassle. Beyond ongoing maintenance and property taxes, there’s also the added burden of managing tenants and the responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

This is where First National Realty Partners (FNRP) comes in. Accredited investors can own a stake in grocery-anchored institutional-grade commercial real estate without having to do any of the legwork.

FNRP’s team of experts manages the entire life cycle of the investment — from due diligence of properties to acquisition and tenant management. The firm typically leases its properties to national brands selling essential goods, like Walmart, Whole Foods, CVS, and Kroger.

FNRP also pays out any positive cash flows as dividends quarterly, helping you generate passive income without worrying about property and tenant management.

Another option for investing in real estate is the U.S. home equity market, a vast $36 trillion industry that has long been reserved for large institutional players. Homeshares is transforming this space by giving accredited investors direct access to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in major U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning, or managing property.

The fund focuses on homes with substantial equity, utilizing Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) to help homeowners access liquidity without incurring debt or additional interest payments.

This approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in high-quality residential properties, plus the added benefit of diversification across various regional markets – with a minimum investment of $25,000.

With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, the U.S. Home Equity Fund could unlock lucrative real estate opportunities, offering accredited investors a low-maintenance alternative to traditional property ownership.

Another way to invest in real estate is by purchasing rental properties and becoming a landlord. But for the average American who wants to avoid the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived make it easier to slice yourself up a piece of that pie.

Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to 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 any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe 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.

Sometimes you can get the best advice by poking the bear.

One write-in guest on The Ramsey Show found out the hard way after trying to “make sense” of Dave Ramsey’s investment advice.

“You keep saying to invest $100 a month beginning at age 30 and you’ll be worth $5 million at 70 years old,” wrote a man named Isaiah. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

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Isaiah pointed out that the life expectancy of a white American male is 72 years old, while for a Black male it’s 68, meaning “most people will never live to see $5 million.” He asked Ramsey to help him “make sense of this advice.”

Ramsey, who called Isaiah “entitled” and “belligerent,” said the real issue is the idea “you’re supposed to get rich in 10 minutes.”

Here’s why investing still makes sense — even if America’s lifespan stats suggest many men won’t live long enough to enjoy all their savings.

Crunching the numbers

Ramsey admitted that Isaiah isn’t completely wrong about life expectancy, but said he was putting words in his mouth.

Ramsey said that saving $100 a month was an example — the idea is to save something every month and start building a “money mindset.”

“We have never said $100 a month from [ages] 30 to 70 is $5 million — it’s not,” Ramsey said, in a recent episode. “It’s $1,176,000, and that would be true of … any 40-year period of time you wanted to pick.”

But getting started on that investment journey can be overwhelming, especially if $100 a month isn’t possible for you quite yet. The important thing is to start saving with Ramsey’s 40-year horizon in mind.

With Wealthfront Automated Investing, you can start investing in the stock market with as little as $1.

Depending on your risk profile and tax bracket, Wealthfront will create a customized portfolio with low-cost index funds that combines up to 17 global asset classes. You can also opt for automated index investing — helping you build wealth without worrying about short-term market fluctuations.

Wealthfront automatically rebalances your portfolio, diversifies your deposits and can help reduce your tax liability by tax-loss harvesting. Even better, up to $500,000 of your deposits with Wealthfront Invest are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. This means that in the event of a brokerage failure your cash and securities are protected.

Get started today and snag a $50 deposit bonus when you open your first investing account and fund it with $500 or more.

Once you’ve established your investment base, that’s when you can start ramping up your contributions to move the needle to $100 a month or beyond.

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

What is a money mindset?

A money mindset is “your unique set of beliefs and your attitude about money,” explained co-host Rachel Cruze in a blog for Ramsey Solutions.

That mindset “drives the decisions you make about saving, spending and handling money” and “shapes the way you feel about debt.”

Cruze pointed to a Ramsey Solutions study of more than 10,000 millionaires, which found that 97% believed they could become millionaires in the first place.

“And having that mindset — not an inheritance, fancy education or wealthy parents — is exactly what caused them to succeed,” she wrote.

Some people have an “abundance mindset,” a belief that there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to grow wealth. Others have a “scarcity mindset,” the belief that resources are limited and wealth is hard to come by.

An abundance mindset focuses on possibilities and potential. A scarcity mindset focuses on limitations and fear, which can lead to unhealthy financial behaviors, such as overspending or hoarding.

If you want to begin your wealth creation journey but are worried about market uncertainty, consider opting for assets like gold that can be resistant to market shocks.

Investing in gold — often regarded as a safe haven asset — can not only help you grow your nest egg but also offer a buffer against market volatility. Opening a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold can help you combine the inflation and recession-resistant properties of the precious metal along with the tax advantages of an IRA.

Priority Gold offers free account set up and storage as well as free insured shipping for up to five years on their platinum package. Plus, Priority Gold offers guaranteed buyback assurance, ensuring you can sell your precious metals without any fees or added headaches.

The best part? You can receive up to $20,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases and a complimentary 2025 Precious Metals Guide when you sign up.

Shifting your money mindset

Changing your mindset is easier said than done. It often means identifying where your limiting beliefs come from — maybe your upbringing or past money mistakes. Then it takes time and self-reflection to overcome them.

An abundance mindset means looking at how to build wealth over time. It’s not just about saving $100 a month — it’s about how you use that money, whether through growing assets, investing or developing passive income streams.

“Millionaires focus on wealth creation, not just income generation,” wrote business strategist and CPA Melissa Houston in an article for Forbes. She added that they “don’t chase quick wins or get-rich-quick schemes.”

Instead, millionaires build sustainable wealth “through investments that appreciate over time” and make sure their money works for them through stocks, real estate and scalable business models.

If you want to start investing now, Brokerages like Robinhood allow you to invest in stocks, options and ETFs 24 hours a day, five days a week, without paying any commission on trades.

You can also opt for expert-managed portfolios that are proactively rebalanced depending on changing market conditions.

When you sign up and open an account on Robinhood using this link, you can get a free stock from a selection of top American companies.

For those looking to diversify beyond the stock market, the real estate sector might be worth considering. Real estate often acts as a hedge against inflation, and it can be used to diversify your portfolio against market shifts.

Accredited investors seeking to invest in real estate without the hassles of buying, owning or managing properties can tap into the $34.9 trillion U.S. home equity market through the Homeshares U.S. Equity Fund.

With a minimum investment of $25,000, accredited investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied properties in top cities across the U.S. The fund is designed with a 45% downside protection, providing a bit of safety in the event of defaults.

With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach can provide an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets.

If you’re not an accredited investor, or are not willing to invest large sums, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived allow you to invest in real estate with just $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 handles all the paperwork and management throughout the lifecycle of the investment, allowing you to sit back and become a landlord without any midnight maintenance calls to fix broken air conditioners or burst pipes.

Plus, Arrived distributes any rental income from properties as monthly dividend checks, helping you set up a passive income source from the comfort of your home.

What to read next

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how
• Here are 5 ‘must have’ items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
• Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here’s how
• Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they’re banking on instead

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

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