I’m not an investor.” Wrong answer. The truth is that everyone is an investor. Everyone is investing in something. Some people are investing in time on the couch. Others are investing in destructive activities like smoking or drugs. The more successful people are investing in themselves through education. They’re investing in smart strategies that produce income and cash flow. Make no mistake – you ARE investing in something, whether you recognize it or not. Assuming you’re interested in improving your financial situation (and who isn’t), I just created a new video that gives you a different way to look at investing. This video will provide you a powerful new perspective into how to think about investing. It will also help you see the whole world of investing in a very simple way, so that you don’t get overwhelmed or nervous when the subject of investing comes up. Specifically, it talks about the 3 Different Asset Classes that you can invest your energy and money into — and which ones I believe are where you should be focusing in today’s economic environment. I break down the 3 types of investments there are so that anyone can understand the categories of investment – and then in future videos, I’m going to go even deeper into the different types so you can see which ones you should be focusing on now, and which ones you should be avoiding. Enjoy the video and PLEASE post a comment below and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear what you learned and your thoughts on the video so please post them below. ]]>
74 Responses
Hyper inflation makes me sad.
I’m investing my time in business assets and intend to transfer that investment into a tangible real-estate assets. By the way I live in one of your assets! Small world, eh.
Thank you Greg!… I’m eagerly looking forward to your next videos…
God bless you for what you are doing.
Thanks Greg. I enjoyed the video – found it informative.
Aloha
hi Greg.
that was so amazing!
thnx
I think it was a very informative video. Basics of investing which many people know nothing about. I believe someone can get a lot of information from your video if they have no familiarity with investing.
Hello Greg,
firstly I have to say I expected something else from your video – as you started that everyone is investing in something else (watching the TV, sport, addiction etc.) I didn´t expect you are gonna talk about economics. FE, nowdays I invest into my education, I´m studying Spanish by myself and hopefuly, I´m gonna use an advantage of it in the future. I enjoyed the video, anyway! Thanks for your job, Greg! I admire your work and also that you pay attention to your family and business, I see your time management is admirable and you value the important things in your life! Bravo!!!
Great Video thanks!!!
Gregg,
Wonderful work. I enjoyed the viedo so much. I will be watching it tonite with my kids. I think you style is very simple and clear that 10 year kids can understand.
Thanks for wonderful teaching.
Kiran
Very informative, very helpful…I have been wondering about this topic for a while…how timely!!
Thank you! Very generous!
Nice content! It has become a topic with a lot of disconnect similar to our food. We no longer have a relationship even at the bank with online accounts. Even understanding credit scores seems to by pass a lot of Gen Y’s. I recently held an educational event for young adults and it seems that you can be legally robbed as well.-Looking forward to more practical advise in your next video.-Thx Greg (a big Fan)
Like you stated, I know very little about how the economy and investments work. This beginners education is very valuable to me and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for producing this video series. But I have a question: In an era of inflation (in particular hyper-inflation), when there are very few people interested in buying your tangible assets, how can you suggest that they are a good form of investment? Or are you suggesting they be used as a holding vehicle until inflation stops and their worth rises again?
Primarily as a holding vehicle, instead of paper assets or fixed rate assets that will lose most of their value as inflation takes off. The best assets will really depend on the specific circumstances at the time, ie: gold vs. real estate etc.
very clear and concise presentation as always!!
What would happen to the value of gold and/or real estate if/when the usdollar collapses into nothing?
The US dollar is going to take a terrible hit, but I don’t think the world economy can allow it to collapse. It would take almost every country with it.
I generally agree with you – for the short and potentially medium term. But it’s just reality that the U.S. will collapse at some point. Every fiat currency in the history of the world has gone to zero. It’s truly not a question of it, but when. However, like you, I do believe the U.S. economy is important to the rest of the world and it’s going to get a lot worse before things actually fall apart. But it is coming, and the challenge is no one really knows when.
Very clear explanation, and I look forward to the upcoming videos!
Rose
you said real estate hedges against inflation, that’s only partly true.
it really depends on how much inflation there is. in a hyperinflation environment
real estate is a terrible hedge.
I’m generalizing, and ultimately real estate does hedge against inflation. There’s very few things that will hedge completely against hyperinflation that also generate an income stream. That’s a key problem for gold as a hedge – no income. Plus, rents are driven up by inflation so cash flow trends up. Not 1:1 ratio obviously, but it’s better than owning a lot of other assets like mutual funds or CDs/GICs.
Hi Greg… thanks for explaining with such clarity. On the inflation/currency topic… I’ve heard a few discussions around world currency changing from the US standard to a different currency. You referred to this in that Gold has a value… in US Dollars. (Gold could be valued in Yen or Euro’s.) The US dollar for many and varied reasons has been the “darling” of the world bank as it were and this is being challenged because of how poor the US economy is doing. The suggestions I’ve heard are Chinese or Japanese dollars becoming the standard. Perhaps the Eruo. Please comment on the implications of the mighty Greenback no longer being the “world currency” and others being the new standard… and how that would affect us (in the US and here in Canada of course). Thank you.
The U.S. dollar isn’t going away from being held as a reserve currency for some time as far as I expect. It would be extremely difficult to displace it quickly. If this occurs, it will be over a period of time. What many reserve banks are doing are actually going and buying a lot of gold to shore up their reserves to hedge against U.S. dollar risk. Given what’s going on in Europe the Euro has zero chance of becoming a reserve currency – in fact I believe we may see some of the European countries abandon the Euro so that they can have their own currency to debase it. Over time I think the world will move away from the U.S. dollar, but it won’t happen quickly and as it does, the U.S. dollar will suffer accordingly.
Thank you for taking your time to do this. I appreciate it. I think the stock market will do what it has always done-it will go up, it will go down and it may go way down for awhile. But these companies are the backbone of the world economy and they will not stay down. You are right, though. There is more risk so if a person is going to invest in the stock market, it is important to have a really good risk management strategy.
Real estate is a great investment. But it, too, can be risky as we’ve learned in the past few years in the US. And can take a lot of time and work to create wealth from it. There just isn’t an easy way. I think what’s most important is to learn all you can about the area of investment you choose so that you make wise decisions.
Therefore, the service you are performing is of utmost importance. I hope you can reach lots of people1
After watching your video, I feel like I am on the right path to becoming a greater contributor to my family. I am currently sharpening my skills to open a business. I don’t plan to use any capital when opening my business. If this business does well, I plan on taking some of the capital earned and using it towards seed money for other investments – like the ones you mentioned. Thanks again for your clear and to the point message.
Very good,clear, simple and usable info…I look forward to your next and next videos.
Your view of real estate as a tangible asset just confirms my decision to buy a place to live as soon as I return to Canada.
Living in central Europe and experiencing the mess that EU is in I also don´t see very bright future for this Union.. I mean for itś survival, the way things are going and this is only the beginning. On the other hand, Canada is great country with lots of potential…can´t wait to be back to help to keep it that way.
Thank you Greg for your time and wisdom.
Valuable information. the trick is to have my small business produce money so I can invest in Real Estate, that is the plan.
Greg – Great info on 07.22 about ‘Fundamentals’ for building wealth, the Big 3 for your portfolio.
Look forward to your next video and thank you for sharing this knowledge, as time is short.
Ray
Clear & simple, valuable information for investors. I look forward to your next video. Thank you!
Greg- Brilliant presentation. You have an unique gift of sharing quality content. I’ve been in investment management for 12 years and find your premise of “educating” here is spot on. Just as the business model in medicine is moving toward personalized care, I think the winners in the marketplace (finance) will be those who educate and teach their clients thus creating the likes of a community or movement. As of you know such is the essence of change which is why knowledge by itself is not power, instead “applied knowledge” becomes power. Your teaching followers how to apply this knowledge to their own unique situation. I support you in your efforts and look forward to following your lead as I re-brand my reach in the finance industry. Be Well.
Bryan
I loved your presentation. Although I already understand much of what you are talking about, itś good to see it explained in such clear and simple terms.
Hi Greg, Great information. I am still investing in my education so that I can build an internet business. Soon, these harder times will be over and I will be ready to invest in the tangibles. My brother just bought a wheelbarrow load of silver (his words) and he knows nothing about investing. Or does he?
Our Economists insist that we invest in the Automation that they are taught to address only as “Increased Productivity” rather than it’s true name. Faster depreciation write-offs for Automation is but one of their solutions that they expect will someday produce more jobs.
It also keeps Economists from recognizind the ‘Black Hole’ they have been creating – with help from those we elected to ‘do the right thing.’ True ‘Cause and effect relationships’ are beyond them in this ‘arena’ of their training. Just keep on with the same, and expect different results…
How can standard 401k be converted to tangible I have a nagging that I need to get finances in some different place. What you said fits with my apprehension about what I have. Thanks for your wisdom.
Great video. I know squat about investing. What you just presented now represents the extent of my knowledge!
Thanks Greg for this! Studying at The Authority Formula I clear understand that my next step will be to learn how money works and how to invest. You are come with this information in right time!
Thank you Greg. this is great. Looking forward to the other videos.
Thank You Greg. it`s an eyeopener. I did`nt kno much about investing.
As a financial educator, you have managed to convey the all important Money 101 course that most people did not get at school.
We need more people like you to teach the general population who have the expectation that governments will come to the rescue. Not!
Every person is responsible for their own financial future.
Keep teaching!
Thank you Greg. this is great. Looking forward to the other videos
Thanks Greg, really love how you are sharing your knowledge – just one query – when you are giving the illustration of Canadian vs US dollar – do you mean it takes about 96 cents canadian to buy one US dollar (not a Canadian dollar)?
Yes – perhaps I misspoke? The intent was that the Canadian dollar is stronger than the US dollar.
What I like about all your videos and recordings is that they have good educational content. They are not just titbits to induce people to by your training programs.
Another great presentation
THANK YOU GREAT…….I mean Greg:-)
Great video, Greg! I think you meant to say that in 2000 it took only 60 cents US to buy 1 dollar Canadian. Now it takes $1.05 US to buy 1 dollar Canadian.
Ross
London, Ontario
Yes I must have misspoke but thanks for correcting what I meant!
Hello!
My name is Dr. Federico Groenewold, I’m from Mexico… I got some of your programs and information and I thank you for all that… I believe it’s great to have a reliable trainer as you to talk about the principal matters about personal developing and I congratulate you and congratulate us for having you… Actually I’m a teacher (I’ve been teacher for almost 60 years) and I have my own business in the communication niche… I supported a local newspaper for almost 25 years… That’s almost something of my profile to introduce myself.
I watched your video about investing, and I agree with you in almost everything… As you know we in Mexico have a hidden and constant inflation since more than 15 years that led to two simultaneous recessions… So, money is a big problem… As a matter of fact, I couldn’t edit the newspaper anymore and my company is broken… I’m in the verge of a personal broke… But once again, this is not a problem I want to talk to, not because it’s unimportant but there will be solved soon… What I want talk to is that under my meaning and experience, there is another asset for investing that you didn’t mention, and that’s education.
Parents, against all odds in economic situation, send their children to schools to get an education… And some programs, particularly in private schools and universities (that were considered as an investment) are very expensive…. I believe education can be considered as an intangible investment, and very dangerous from the economic point of view… An investment is done to generate more assets and sometimes, educables didn’t respond to this sense…. I wish to talk a little more about that, but I don’t want to let this post be a big one.
Sincerely, and congratulations for your effort… Dr. Federico Groenewold
Absolutely – in fact I truly believe that investing in your own education is critical. But practical education that gives you knowledge around money and success, not just academia education. Unfortunately most academia education doesn’t give you the knowledge to manage in today’s economic and financial world. Financial and real world business education are the higher ROI investments you can make.
Love the simplicity and straightforwardness of this video. Your matter-of-fact teaching style is refreshing as compared to others who use hyperbole to get their point across. Well done!
Elena
Vancouver, B.C.
Hi Greg,
Thanks very much for this video. . (I look forward to your next one. ) You have brought up some great points. Very helpful
All the best.
Louis
Hi Greg,
Doing or Being that is the question?
Very nice information on investments.
However, sometimes people have to have another point of view about investments, assets, richness and abundance and what really is more important in life.
Of course you have not to neglect the importance of investments, but people are too loaded with information on the importance of getting rich and being a millionaire and doing and forget about the importance of being.
To balance doing and being. I think your name of simple wealth is reflecting this.
Most people think of material things when you ask people about investments, assets and what is real richness or abundance.
Most people think that it is more important to do than to be.
Most people are told to do a lot of things otherwise they would not be safe and secure.
They will not be acknowledged or recognized.
They will not be in control.
They will not be loved if they have not are a million dollar and have lot of assets being tangible, non-tangible or owning their own successful business.
But all this is an illusion in the end.
Everything is vanishing in the end.
There is nothing wrong in having success in life.
But you must remember above and see most of life as a big show and not take it too seriously.
However, at the most fundamental level it is a material thing.
It is a feeling you have. It is a feeling of overflowing of happiness. It is a feeling of being.
Without the sense of abundance in that sense of happiness, you will not feel abundance, richness and fulfillment inside of you.
When you are connected to abundance, you are connected to your source or essence.
Abundance is life before, after and ever and before your body.
You must listen with attention.
You must listen with your awareness.
This is really what you are looking for.
If you are looking for consciousness in this moment, you feel that you are alive.
It is apparently so obvious that you are alive and because it is so obvious, you do not notice it.
It is like the fish in the ocean.
The fish does not notice the water.
You do not notice the silence and the space within everything is unfolding.
You cannot give it a name, because in the moment of labeling it with a name it is a concept.
A mental concept you try to include in a little box of your mind and which you try to give form.
But it is not form.
On the other hand it is the originator of all forms.
Your mind cannot understand something which contains a paradox.
Look for your inner being.
Everything comes from this inner side of your sense of abundance.
It comes from the inside and out. It comes from the formless to life and form.
Things of material nature never give you the fullness of life.
The fullness of life is your feelings of fullness and abundance in the now and not in the future.
Find the place within you which is not a place, but where life is born all the time, but also unborn, TAO, or silence or whatever you may call in your own translation to get in contact with your inner essence of being.
You may manifest everything in your life.
You may visualize from the place of abundance everything.
However, even if you manifest everything or something, it is not the same as being happy.
Happiness is connecting with the place where life pleases itself.
A place where consciousness is conscious of itself.
You are life.
That is happiness.
It is a very quiet place within you and you must drop all thoughts about how to get there.
Best regards,
Manfred Johannsen
http://www.visionavisiona.com
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them and what you’re saying but I also know that money facilitates making a bigger impact in the world. I know alot of people who focus on their spirituality and “happiness” and are broke. Problem is they struggle to get by and will never really be able to create change and service for others because of their financial limits. So I believe it’s a combination of internal abundance and financial abundance. One without the other limits the true impact you can make in the world and for others.
Plain, true and simple enough. Valid for anyone.
Thanks Greg. I learned enough from that to whet my appetite for your next video.
BTW, I satisfy my insatiable appetite for learning more about topics that interest me, add value, and give meaning my life, by investing time and money in books, courses and community activities.
Come to think of it, one of my best investments was subscribing to The Authority Formula!
Hi Gordon, really appreciate your kind words and so glad you got a lot from the program!
Thank you Greg, what a fantastic content rich presentation! It helped me enormously clarify the burning quandry I have right now on where to focus my time and put my money. PS I love the look of this site 🙂
You’re welcome, and thank you for the comments!
I appreciate very much your explanations about investments. I have economic background and I can say I understand these issues, but I realize that most people don’t know anything about economy. That’s because specialists and media speak about that in very complicated ways. There are simple things which everybody can get if someone can talk simply about them. That’s what you do. It is really great, Greg! Thanks…
Excellent video, Greg! This is the perfect foundation from which to build financial information on. Can’t wait to see how your future videos will build on this. By the way…Love your teaching style! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom. 🙂
Amazingly simple and yet so clear. Really puts into perspective real fundamentals.I really enjoy your presentation style. Thank you for the wisdom
Greg, thank you for sharing your financial wisdom — this is valuable and yes, I agree with your message. The way you simplified investing is helpful — it helped me see the value and the need to learn about a new tangible investment class. I look forward to viewing more of your videos on investing.
Good solid information that’s easy to understand. Look forward to the future videos!
Greg you are the kind of guy one must listen to, thanks for all you teach us, word by word you are sharing the best of what you have learned. Best wishes for the future.
I totally agree with your explanation and perspective and look forward to watch your future videos, tahanks
Simply one of the best video about Personal Finance and investing. Simple, interesting and eye opening.
Thanks Greg! You cleared all my doubts.
Greg, I agree with Bryan Sykes…. Brilliant…and clear…helped me to gain clarity…thanks..Helen Bridges
Hi Greg,
Well done, covering the basics. It’s a valuable reminder that it’s time to get busy thinking about retirement and what investments might get me to where I want to be. I look forward to your future videos.
There should be video instruction like this in every college…maybe even high school! Thank you Greg, I needed this today. Robyn
Thank you Greg. I am totally with you. I really appreciate your presentations
goodmorning greg
this teaching has been very helpful and thoughtful
i realize the urgency to learn and be perpared for the difficult times ahead
thank you sir
stéphane l.
What you presented is very true on the different asset classes. My parents always said real estate is safe and goes up in value over time.
It goes up over TIME.. but the problem is it’s impossible to predict that time frame. The U.S. real estate market WILL go up over time – but it could take many years to do so. If you have the time to wait and can be patient, that’s why real estate is generally such a good long term place to hold money. And where US real estate prices are now, a lot of the risk has been taken out of the market because prices are down 50% and more in a lot of areas. But you still have make sure you can hold the property for the long term, which means having a positive cash flow from it. You have to be able to weather the storm, and I don’t think the storm is over yet.
Great presentation, very apt for the global economic times we are in. I have understood the basic difference between the three asset classes and their risk rating. This has enlightened me further on personal investment strategy. This is good. Thanks, Greg
WOW! Greg, you just make everything SO clear to understand. Iv been investing for one year and your education is just a competitive advantage. It changes that way I think about investing, thanks.
Yasir
http://www.finvest.weebly.com