The Money Expert: "Do Not Buy A House!" 10 Ways To Make REAL Money: Ramit Sethi

The Diary Of A CEO92 minutes read

Ramit Sethi emphasizes the importance of defining a clear vision for a rich life, changing perspectives on money, and following key financial rules to achieve wealth and success through consistent investing. The speaker highlights the significance of careful financial decisions, investing in funds through low-cost brokerage firms like Vanguard, and advocating for intentional spending based on personal values rather than societal expectations for a fulfilling and financially sound life.

Insights

  • Many individuals lack a clear vision of what their rich life entails, with less than 1% having a defined perspective, emphasizing the necessity of introspection and goal-setting.
  • Simply earning more money does not guarantee financial stability, as evidenced by 25% of individuals earning over $100,000 still living paycheck to paycheck, highlighting the importance of financial literacy and smart money management.
  • Investing in funds through platforms like Vanguard, Fidelity, or Hargreaves Lansdown can offer automatic diversification and growth, simplifying the investment process and encouraging consistent contributions for wealth accumulation.

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Recent questions

  • How can I start investing with 100 pounds?

    Understand the math and follow Ramit's 10 Money Rules.

  • Is owning a house a good financial decision?

    It can be a poor financial decision.

  • How should I allocate my income for financial stability?

    Allocate 50-60% to fixed costs, 5-10% to savings, 5-10% to investments, and 20-35% to guilt-free spending.

  • What are the benefits of renting over owning a house?

    Renting can offer financial and lifestyle benefits, especially for those who value flexibility and location independence.

  • How can I simplify my investment strategy?

    Consider using Target Date Funds and low-cost brokerage firms like Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity.

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Summary

00:00

"Ramit Sethi's Guide to Financial Success"

  • Ramit Sethi, a financial expert and New York Times bestseller, has over 20,000 documented success stories.
  • Many people are unclear about what their rich life looks like, with less than 1% having a clear vision.
  • Simply earning more money does not solve financial problems, as evidenced by 25% of those making over $100,000 still living paycheck to paycheck.
  • Owning a house is often seen as a sign of success, but it can be a poor financial decision.
  • To start investing with 100 pounds, one should understand the math and follow Ramit's 10 Money Rules.
  • Ramit emphasizes changing one's perspective on money, spending, and investing to achieve a rich life.
  • Understanding the basic language of money involves tracking key numbers like savings, investments, and fixed costs.
  • Ramit suggests allocating 50-60% of income to fixed costs, 5-10% to savings, 5-10% to investments, and 20-35% to guilt-free spending.
  • Crafting a rich life involves intentional spending on things one loves while cutting costs on unnecessary items.
  • Making financial decisions based on personal values rather than societal expectations can lead to a more fulfilling and financially sound life.

15:24

"Renting vs. Buying: Financial Considerations for Millennials"

  • Popular narrative encourages buying a house as a key financial move, tied to the American dream of homeownership with a white picket fence.
  • Buying a house is often seen as a profitable investment, but this overlooks factors like maintenance costs, inflation, opportunity costs, and interest on loans.
  • Renting can sometimes be more financially beneficial than owning a house, as demonstrated by personal experience of investing the difference in costs.
  • Owning real estate for rental income can be a good investment if the numbers are run correctly and all costs are considered.
  • Buying a house should be a well-thought-out decision, considering lifestyle factors like location stability for at least 10 years to spread out transaction costs.
  • Renting can offer financial and lifestyle benefits, especially for young people who may not want to commit to a single location for an extended period.
  • Investing in the S&P 500 can provide better returns than buying a house over time, as historical data shows real estate returns often just match inflation.
  • Advises starting investing with a Target Date Fund based on retirement year, as it automatically diversifies investments and adjusts risk as you age.
  • Target Date Funds simplify investing by owning a mix of stocks and bonds, requiring only regular contributions without the need to manage individual stocks.
  • Recommends using low-cost brokerage firms like Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity for investing in funds, avoiding apps that gamify trading and promote frequent buying and selling.

30:09

"Smart Investing Tips for Long-Term Growth"

  • Investing should primarily be done on a desktop to avoid constant checking and unnecessary tweaking.
  • Checking investments every three to six months is sufficient; logging in on a desktop is recommended.
  • Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, and Hargreaves Lansdown are suggested investment platforms.
  • Investing in funds on Hargreaves Lansdown incurs no fees, with a minimum investment not required.
  • Investing in stocks on Hargreaves Lansdown costs £12 per investment, while investing in funds is free.
  • Funds distribute investments across various stocks, managing decisions and growth automatically.
  • Setting up automatic transfers for monthly investments is crucial for wealth accumulation.
  • A guideline of investing 5-10% of take-home pay is recommended, with adjustments as income increases.
  • Compound interest calculators can demonstrate the potential growth of investments over time.
  • Warren Buffett's wealth was primarily accumulated through long-term, consistent investing rather than complex strategies.

44:39

"Building Wealth Through Consistent Investing Strategies"

  • Rich people invest, emphasizing the importance of educating oneself about money regardless of background.
  • Wealth can be built by everyday people through consistent investing, leading to a rich life of adventure and generosity.
  • Statistics show that a significant percentage of high earners still live paycheck to paycheck.
  • Wealthy individuals attribute their largest investment gains to small wins over time rather than high-risk ventures.
  • Long-term, methodical investing is highlighted as a key factor in accumulating wealth, contrary to the excitement portrayed on TV.
  • Patience and consistency are underscored as essential for achieving great returns, despite not being glamorous or instantly gratifying.
  • Encouragement to unlearn common misconceptions about money and focus on consistent efforts for financial growth.
  • Detailed advice on increasing income as a personal trainer through strategies like client retention, value-added services, and group sessions.
  • Importance of positioning skills in lucrative markets where they are scarce to maximize earning potential.
  • Emphasis on thinking beyond incremental changes and considering discontinuous jumps in income through strategic shifts in business or investing.

58:51

Navigating Money: Insights on Wealth and Risk

  • The speaker reflects on their approach to money, likening it to playing The Game of Life.
  • They pose questions about earning more, spending less, and aligning actions with a rich life.
  • The speaker discusses the common question of investing in cryptocurrency, emphasizing the need for a diversified portfolio.
  • They caution against the high-risk nature of crypto investments and advocate for limiting risk.
  • The speaker shares their personal view on crypto, suggesting a small allocation within a diversified portfolio.
  • They highlight the risk-seeking nature of those attracted to crypto investments.
  • The speaker recounts interactions with crypto enthusiasts and their extreme risk appetite.
  • They stress the importance of acknowledging financial losses and learning from mistakes.
  • The speaker outlines their ten money rules, including emergency fund savings, investment percentages, and spending on health and education.
  • They emphasize the significance of surrounding oneself with respected and liked individuals in work and personal life.

01:13:22

"Relationships, Money, and Communication: A Guide"

  • The speaker spends less than an hour per month on finances, emphasizing living a rich life beyond spreadsheets.
  • Marriage is highlighted as a crucial financial and relational decision, impacting various aspects of life.
  • Conversations about money with a partner are recommended during natural relationship milestones like vacations or moving in together.
  • The importance of discussing finances early in a relationship is stressed to avoid discomfort and misunderstandings.
  • The significance of talking about money proactively and positively in a relationship is emphasized.
  • The speaker shares a personal experience of discussing a prenup with his wife, highlighting the importance of open communication.
  • Seeking therapy to understand differing perspectives on money in a relationship is suggested to improve communication.
  • Childhood experiences with money influence individuals' financial behaviors and perspectives in adulthood.
  • The importance of discussing a prenup openly and understanding its purpose in protecting assets is explained.
  • Gender differences in financial behaviors, investing styles, and perspectives on money are noted, along with other factors like socioeconomic class.

01:28:38

"Building Rich Life with Woop Membership"

  • Woop has had a profound impact on health and fitness, showing one percent gains daily.
  • A free month of Woop membership can be obtained by searching join.woop.com CEO.
  • Successful individuals excel in various domains, not just one, showcasing skills transferability.
  • People who are likely not to live a rich life are surrounded by negativity, make impulsive decisions, lack a long-term perspective, and have no personal vision of a rich life.
  • Building a rich life requires intentional creativity unique to each individual, not following a set formula.
  • The "I Will Teach You to Be Rich Journal" helps individuals design their rich life intentionally and solve money-related problems.
  • The book "I Will Teach You to Be Rich" offers practical financial advice, including investing, debt management, and insurance, in a six-week program.
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