Ghosting the World: When to Quit and When to Stay
Book 18 is all about a decision we all have to make: when things get too messy and toxic, do you stay and try to fix it, or do you just ghost everyone and go off the grid?
Latest published articles
Leveling Up With Small Bank Loans
Most people think of big-name banks when they need money for a house, but for real estate investors, those small, local banks are often the real MVPs. These community banks know the neighborhoods, the local markets, and the people living there. This means they can offer specialized loans that the big guys won’t touch. These are often called commercial loans, but you might also hear them called portfolio loans or rehab loans.
The Wandering Years
Imagine quitting your high-paying government job at 54 and spending the next 14 years on a massive road trip because your boss was a flake. That’s basically what Confucius did. From 496 to 484 BC, he and his crew were basically “stateless” and “lordless”—which back then was super dangerous. No boss meant no protection.
Bogle on Entrepreneurship: How Failure and Luck Created Vanguard
Book: Common Sense on Mutual Funds: Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition by John C. Bogle ISBN: 978-0-470-59748-4
Every origin story worth telling involves failure. And the story of Vanguard is no exception. Chapter 20 is where Bogle gets personal. He tells you how one of the most important financial companies in history was born from a mess of idealism, bad decisions, lucky breaks, and sheer stubbornness.
Nature vs. Nurture: Why Your Habits Are Actually Your Personality
In Book 17, Confucius gets into one of the oldest debates in the world: nature vs. nurture. He says, “People are similar by nature; they become distinct through practice.”
Seller Financing: A Win-Win for Everyone
When you are putting together your plan for success as a deal maker, keep two things in mind: uniqueness and flexibility. These are the secret sauce that helps me make deals that are more profitable than the usual path. Most people think traditional mortgages are the only way to go, but owner financing is a total vibe because it lets you tailor the terms to fit both the buyer and the seller. I am the guy who loves it when everyone wins.
The Followers
When Confucius left Lu at 54 to wander around China looking for work, he didn’t go alone. He had a squad. These guys gave up their jobs and families to follow their teacher into a super uncertain future.
Bogle on Fund Structure: Why Vanguard Is Built Different
Book: Common Sense on Mutual Funds: Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition by John C. Bogle ISBN: 978-0-470-59748-4
Most investors have no idea how their fund company is organized. They pick a fund, send their money, and assume someone responsible is handling things on the other end. And honestly, that’s understandable. Fund structure sounds like the most boring topic in all of investing.
Flexibility Through Non-QM and DSCR Loans
Book: Real Estate Deal Maker: Winning Strategies to Find and Finance Successful Rental Properties in Any Market Author: Henry Washington
Return to Lu
When Confucius got back to his home state of Lu around 515 BC, the vibes were… not great. The Duke was still in exile, and three powerful families (the Jisun, Mengsun, and Shusun) were basically running a shadow government.