Most people believe that hard work and a higher income automatically lead to financial freedom. This idea, however, often keeps people financially stuck. What if true wealth is not about how much money you earn, but about building a system where your money works for you?
This idea is central to the thinking of Steve Lawson, author of The Wealth Highway and founder of Unbroken Investing. He has over 30 years of experience helping people build passive income. Steve Lawson realized that traditional investing often leaves people years, even decades, away from financial independence. This led him to promote a “cash flow first” approach: a diversified strategy that speeds up wealth creation and protects investments from market ups and downs.
Steve Lawson believes that most people think of wealth as simply “a bunch of money.” This is a major misconception. Wealth, he argues, is freedom: the ability to do what you want, when you want. He offers two contrasting examples: a person who earned no more than $30,000 in their life, paid off their house, and lived simply, achieved financial freedom; doctors earning hundreds of thousands, burdened by expensive homes and cars, barely making payments, are not wealthy. Wealth, then, is about freedom, which ties into the concept of cash flow. Many believe they need a large sum of money, but Steve Lawsone Steve shows that cash flow is what truly covers expenses.
Steve Lawson explains cash flow with an analogy: Most people aim for a “pile of gold coins” for retirement, hoping a magic number will guarantee financial independence. This approach means constantly depleting the pile to pay for daily expenses, with no certainty it will last. A better perspective, he suggests, is having a “goose that lays a golden egg every day.” As long as you live within the budget that golden egg provides, you will not run out of money. Cash flow pays expenses without depleting your core assets. This cash flow can come from various sources: real estate rent, interest from certain investments, or even agriculture. Steve Lawson mentions his involvement in agriculture, where annual harvests provide cash flow.
This statement is powerful. How can people recognize and address poor money management? Steve Lawson outlines the five levels of financial freedom, which help people identify their current standing.
Steve Lawson notes that too many people are on Level One, often due to a lack of “budgeting and discipline.” The majority, however, are on Level Two, with fewer on Level Three. Most people do not consider passive cash flow, failing to make that crucial mental shift.
These typically go beyond traditional stocks. While dividend-paying stocks and bonds offer some income, Steve Lawson suggests other avenues: private lending, agriculture (which provides annual harvests), and real estate. Real estate offers not only rent but also appreciation that can be leveraged. Refinancing a property after years of appreciation can provide significant tax-free equity.
A major focus for Steve Lawson is small businesses. He manages multiple businesses, spending less than an hour a week on each, generating substantial monthly income because others manage them. This exemplifies leveraging “other people’s time and knowledge.”
Steve Lawson categorizes investments into three parts:
Many believe they are diversified by holding various types of stocks (healthcare, tech, banking). However, most stocks move together. Steve Lawsone Steve highlights “true diversification” as investing across “multiple markets in which each market performs differently.” For instance, in 2022, when inflation was high and the stock market dropped, his agricultural investments, uncorrelated to the stock market, saw their cash flow increase with food prices.
True diversification involves non-correlated assets, meaning they do not move in the same direction at the same time. Examples include:
This approach ensures that if one market declines, others may rise, providing a protective buffer.
Steve Lawson points to mindset. Many people grow up believing that “rich people are jerks.” This subconscious belief can prevent individuals from acquiring wealth themselves, as their minds will “prevent you from being a jerk by preventing you from having wealth.” Changing this perception, recognizing that many wealthy people are generous and willing to share their knowledge, is crucial for one’s financial journey.
What is the single most important concept to implement today?
“Cash flow first.” Start generating cash flow immediately. This could be through dividend stocks, starting a small business managed by others, or any other method that puts “extra money in your bank account.” This extra money, rather than being spent, should be invested to compound and generate even more cash flow.
It is never too late to start, even for seniors. For those graduating, the advice is similar: start with budgeting, be responsible, and begin building a backup plan through cash flow-generating investments.
Where can people find information about these alternative investments?
Traditional financial advisors are often restricted by securities licenses, limiting them to discussing only licensed securities like stocks and bonds. They cannot discuss non-securities such as gold, crypto, real estate, or owning a business. This means most people are unaware these options exist. Steve Lawson invites people to his Unbroken Investing community, but also encourages independent research online for non-security investments.
Curious to know more about Tim Stating The Obvious? Contact me through the contact form below to delve deeper into the world of leadership excellence!