Start Investing Early—or Start Now

Ric kicked off with the classic Jack and Jill example of compound interest and the math blew me away. Jack started saving $5,000 a year at age 18 and stopped after 8 years, investing only $40,000 total. Jill started at 26 and contributed $5,000 a year for the next 40 years investing $200,000.

Guess what? By age 65, Jack had $2.6 million. Jill? $2.2 million.

That’s the power of time and compound growth. Even if you’re not 18 anymore, the takeaway is clear: the best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is today.

Max Out Your 401(k and Build Your Cash Reserves

Ric advised a newly married couple to stop limiting their 401(k) contributions to just their employer match. Instead, they should max it out. Why? Because 6% won’t cut it for a secure retirement.

He also recommended building a 12-month emergency fund. Not just the usual 3–6 months 12. And if you’re saving for a house, he said to do that after your emergency fund is fully in place.

Diversify Everything

Ric emphasized portfolio diversification not just across industries, but across geographies and company sizes. You need large-cap and small-cap, dividend and non-dividend, U.S. and international. The goal? Balance. Protection. Growth.

He also reminded us that more than half of the stock market’s historical returns come from dividends, not stock price increases. Reinvesting those dividends is where the real magic happens.

If You’re Struggling in Today’s Job Market… Shift

A 59-year-old man asked Ric about his job struggles despite having two advanced degrees. Ric didn’t sugarcoat it. The economy might be recovering, but personal circumstances vary. His advice? Change your approach. Retrain. Move. Reinvent. Don’t keep doing what’s not working and expect different results.

And yes, he quoted Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Bad Banker Advice? Ignore It.

One caller shared that his banker recommended pulling out of the stock market and putting his 401(k) into municipal bonds. Ric’s response was brutal but accurate. That banker was giving advice based on gut feelings, not data.

Ric explained: bonds pay interest, but they don’t grow. Stocks, while volatile, have historically built wealth. So when someone tells you to ditch your portfolio without solid reasoning especially during an all-time high in 401(k) balances—you might want to get a second opinion. Or a real advisor.

Behind the Scenes of Big Book Deals

Ric interviewed Bob Barnett, the legal powerhouse behind publishing deals for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and James Patterson. Bob isn’t an agent he’s a lawyer. He doesn’t take commissions, but he negotiates contracts, manages rollouts, and helps high-profile clients navigate publishing.

Bob offered insights into just how tough it is to get published only 1 in 6,000 first novels make it. But he encouraged aspiring writers to start with proposals and sample chapters before committing to full books.

Never Borrow from Your Retirement Plan

Ric ended with a warning: do not borrow from your 401(k).

Why? Because when you take out a loan, you sell your shares (locking in any losses), then repay the loan with taxed income, and then get taxed again when you withdraw the money in retirement.

A $10,000 loan could cost you $100,000 by the time you retire. That’s not a small mistake it’s devastating to your future self.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re 25 or 65, Ric Edelman’s advice boils down to a few key principles: Start saving. Don’t panic. Diversify your investments. Be wary of bad advice—even from a bank. And never, ever borrow from your future.

Want to retire with confidence? Take action today—and let compounding, consistency, and smart decisions do the heavy lifting.

All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice; an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product; or an endorsement of any third party or such third party’s views. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. Whenever there are hyperlinks to third-party content, this information is intended to provide additional perspective and should not be construed as an endorsement of any services, products, guidance, individuals or points of view outside Edelman Financial Engines. All examples are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Please contact us for more complete information based on your personal circumstances and to obtain personal individual investment advice. Neither Edelman Financial Engines nor its affiliates offer tax or legal advice. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to seek advice from qualified tax and/or legal experts regarding the best options for your particular circumstances

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Well, here’s the truth: it depends on you—your goals, your timeline, your risk tolerance, and your financial game plan.

How Have These Investments Performed?

Over the last five years, Bitcoin’s up over 1,000%, the stock market has grown about 120%, and the housing market’s climbed around 50%. But let me be crystal clear—past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. The goal isn’t to chase the highest number. The goal is to understand how each of these assets works so you can build a strategy that fits your life.

Real Estate: My Favorite for Cash Flow and Control

Real estate makes up about 50% of my portfolio, and for good reason. You’ve got cash flow from rental income, appreciation in property value, and some amazing tax benefits. I’m talking about depreciation write-offs, 1031 exchanges, and the ability to refinance tax-free.

The downside? It takes a lot to get started—big down payments, ongoing maintenance, tenant headaches. And real estate isn’t liquid. If you need to sell, it could take months.

But I love real estate because I can control it. I decide the rent. I decide the renovations. And the tax benefits? Huge.

Stocks: A Low Barrier, High Flexibility Asset

Stocks are the easiest way to get into investing. You can buy in with just a few bucks. Whether you’re buying Apple, Amazon, or Chipotle, you’re getting a slice of companies you know and use. Plus, you’ve got options—go growth for big upside or dividend-paying for steady income.

About 30% of my portfolio is in stocks—some in dividend-paying ETFs for cash flow, some in high-growth industries for long-term upside. The thing with stocks is they’re totally passive. The company does the work—you just sit back and (hopefully) watch your investment grow.

But the stock market can mess with your emotions. One bad news headline, and people panic sell. That’s why financial education is so important—so you don’t get caught chasing hype or fear.

Crypto: High Risk, High Potential Reward

Now let’s talk about the wild child—crypto. It’s volatile. It’s risky. But it also offers something unique: decentralization, borderless transactions, and nonstop market access.

I’ve got about 18% of my portfolio in speculative investments—startups and crypto included. These are high-risk, high-reward plays. I’m not putting my life savings in crypto, but I’m not ignoring it either. If it pays off, great. If it crashes, my core investments are still solid.

Designing Your Personal Investment Strategy

Here’s what I always say: Personal finance is personal. Don’t copy me. Don’t copy Trump, Saylor, or Buffett. Figure out what works for you.

Start by building a strong foundation—stocks and real estate are time-tested. Once you’ve got that base, you can explore riskier investments like crypto.

I also hold 2% of my portfolio in physical gold as a hedge. It doesn’t make me rich, but it’s a long-term store of value and a piece of my overall plan.

Tax Benefits You Can’t Ignore

Especially in real estate, the tax game is strong. If you own a property worth $300,000 (building only), you can write off about $10,000 a year through depreciation over 27.5 years. You can also accelerate that depreciation in the early years to supercharge your tax benefits.

Then there’s the 1031 exchange, which lets you defer capital gains taxes when selling a property, as long as you reinvest in another property. That’s like compounding wealth without Uncle Sam taking a cut—at least for now.

The Emotional Side of Investing

Emotions ruin more portfolios than bad investments. With stocks, it’s easy to freak out and sell low. With crypto, it’s easy to chase hype and buy high. Even with real estate, some people overleverage and panic when the market dips.

That’s why I built Market Briefs—to help people stay informed, not overwhelmed. It’s a free daily newsletter that breaks down what’s happening in the markets so you can make smart money moves.

So What Should You Do?

Start with one. Learn it. Understand it. Then diversify. You don’t need to be a pro in every asset class—you just need to have a strategy.

And remember, wealth isn’t about bragging rights or going viral. It’s about building a life of freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind.

If that’s your goal, you’re already on the right path.

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.

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