Blue-collar workers keep the world running, but too many never build real wealth. I started Hammer & Hustle to change that. You don’t need a degree or a Wall Street background. You just a plan and the drive to execute. This newsletter gives you real strategies to grow your money, start a business, and take control of your future.

Let’s build something bigger than a paycheck.

The 3 Biggest Investing Myths That Keep People Broke

Most people never build real wealth—not because they don’t work hard, but because they’ve been misled about how money actually works. Schools don’t teach this, and most people get their financial advice from broke friends and clueless family members. If you want to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, you need to break free from the myths that keep people stuck.

Myth #1: You Need a Lot of Money to Start Investing

The biggest lie keeping people from investing is the belief that you need thousands of dollars to start. In reality, waiting until you “have enough” is a guaranteed way to stay broke.

What’s the truth?

• You can invest in stocks and ETFs with as little as $1 through fractional shares on platforms like Robinhood, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab.

• A simple $50/month investment into an S&P 500 ETF (historically ~10% annual returns) can turn into $100,000+ over 30 years—without doing anything fancy.

• Automation is your friend—set up recurring deposits so you invest without thinking about it.

📌 Pro Tip: If your employer offers a 401(k) match, take full advantage of it. That’s free money most people ignore.

Myth #2: The Stock Market is “Too Risky”

Many people avoid investing because they fear losing money. But what’s riskier—temporary dips in the stock market or guaranteed losses from inflation eating away at your cash?

The reality of risk:

• Over any 20-year period, the stock market has never lost money. The S&P 500 has historically returned ~10% per year on average.

• The real risk isn’t the market—it’s timing the market instead of staying invested. Even missing the 10 best days in the stock market can cut your returns in half.

• Inflation is the silent killer. Keeping all your money in cash means you’re losing purchasing power every year.

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re worried about volatility, dollar-cost averaging (DCA)—investing a fixed amount at regular intervals—helps reduce risk and smooth out returns.

Myth #3: Real Estate is Always a Safe Bet

“Real estate always goes up.” Sounds nice, right? But that’s not how markets work. Just ask the people who bought at the top of the market in 2008 and lost everything.

What most people get wrong about real estate:

• Your home is not always an investment—especially if it costs you more in mortgage, taxes, and maintenance than renting would.

• Not all properties appreciate. Location, demand, and economic conditions determine value. Buying in a declining area? You could be stuck with an asset that loses money.

• Debt can kill your wealth. Buying a house with a bad mortgage (or overpaying during a bubble) can trap you financially and limit your ability to invest elsewhere.

📌 Pro Tip: If you want to make real estate work for you, treat it like a business. Learn how to analyze deals, understand cash flow, and avoid overleveraging.

Investment Term of the Day: Liquidity

Liquidity refers to how quickly and easily you can convert an asset into cash without affecting its price.

• High liquidity: Stocks, bonds, and cash—these can be sold instantly with minimal price change.

• Low liquidity: Real estate, private businesses, and collectibles—you can’t sell these overnight without possibly taking a loss.

Why liquidity matters:

Many people tie up all their money in illiquid assets and then struggle when they need cash. Having a balance of liquid and illiquid investments keeps you flexible.

📌 Pro Tip: Keep 3-6 months of living expenses in liquid assets (like a high-yield savings account) before going heavy into illiquid investments.

The Bottom Line

Wealth isn’t about luck—it’s about having the right strategy, mindset, and habits. The people who win in investing aren’t the ones waiting for the perfect moment. They’re the ones who take action, avoid myths, and let time do the heavy lifting.

Don’t let false beliefs keep you broke. Start small, stay consistent, and let your money work for you.

-Hammer & Hustle Team