7 Investments So You Don’t Have to Work Again

If you want to build real wealth, stop relying on just your job. Wealthy people don’t depend on a single paycheck—they use their income to buy assets. And not just one type of asset, either. I’m talking about real estate, stocks, crypto, businesses—you name it. Today, I’m breaking down seven different investments that can help you stop working for money and start having your money work for you.
Diversify to Win in Any Market
No investment goes straight up forever. Real estate can crash. Stocks can take a nosedive. Crypto? You already know that rollercoaster. But when you’re diversified across different asset classes, you can win whether the economy is booming or busting. My goal is always the same: make sure I can win no matter what.
Real Estate That Pays You Monthly
I don’t buy homes to live in—I buy real estate that pays me every month. If I pick up a rental for $200,000 and rent it for $2,000 a month, after covering taxes, insurance, and management fees, I could be clearing $14,000 a year. That’s the kind of cash flow I’m after. And real estate also gives you big tax breaks—like depreciation and 1031 exchanges—so I keep more of that money in my pocket.
Cash Flow from Businesses and Dividends
Owning a business is one of the best wealth-building tools out there. Whether you run one or invest in one, it gives you leverage and income. Don’t want to run a business? Cool. Invest in dividend-paying stocks. Companies like McDonald’s paid out over $5 billion in dividends this year alone. I like ETFs like SCHD, NOBL, and VM because they give me exposure to cash-flowing companies without having to pick individual stocks.
Investing for Growth
I like to go on offense too, and that’s where growth investing comes in. I invest in funds like QQQ, VUG, IWF, and even niche stuff like AIQ and QTUM. These target industries with high upside like AI, tech, and quantum computing. They don’t pay me today, but they’re planting seeds for big returns tomorrow.
Going Global
If you only invest in the U.S., you’re missing half the world. Countries like India and Brazil are growing fast. I use international ETFs like VMI, VA, EMG, and specific ones like INDA and EWZ to get exposure to those markets. That way, even if the U.S. economy slows down, I still have opportunities growing overseas.
Speculative Assets (Use With Caution)
Now let’s talk about the wild stuff—crypto, startups, collectibles. This is the riskiest slice of my portfolio, and I keep it to 10-20%. If I lose it, I’m good. If it pops, great. I treat it like venture capital. If you’re new to investing, skip this stuff until you’ve built a strong foundation.
Why I Hold Gold
Gold is my insurance policy. It doesn’t produce income, but it holds value when everything else gets shaky. I’ve got 2% of my portfolio in physical gold. Not paper gold—real gold I can touch. It’s not flashy, but it helps me sleep better at night.
Invest in Yourself First
Before you invest in assets, invest in your brain. I didn’t grow up learning this stuff. I had to read books, watch videos, and dive into financial education. That’s why I started Market Briefs—to make it easy for you to stay updated without spending hours researching. The more you learn, the more you earn. Period.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
The tax code is written for business owners. I deduct travel, meals, my car—because I use them for business. If I take a trip to Hawaii and I’m working while I’m there, that’s a business expense. This isn’t tax evasion. It’s playing the game by the rules. And wealthy people know the rules.
Final Word
If you want to stop working for money, you need to start using your money to buy the right assets. These seven investments—real estate, stocks, dividend funds, growth stocks, international exposure, gold, and yes, even some speculative bets—are how I build long-term wealth. But remember, this is just my plan. You’ve got to build a strategy that works for you. The key is to start. Start small if you have to, but don’t wait.
Stay smart. Stay educated. Keep hustling.
— Jaspreet Singh
Founder, Minority Mindset
Jaspreet Singh is not a licensed financial advisor. He is a licensed attorney, but he is not providing you with legal advice in this article. This article, the topics discussed, and ideas presented are Jaspreet’s opinions and presented for entertainment purposes only. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.