October 23, 2024
Something I’m Reading
I’m reading "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller. This author also wrote “Blue Like Jazz” which I read in college and had a big impact on me. When Noah Kagan was on the BetterLife podcast he recommended this book as well. It’s been on my list since it came out over a decade ago and I’m finally reading it. I really love the author’s writing style.
Something I Photographed
Went to the When We Were Young" punk rock music festival in Vegas last weekend. SO much fun, reliving my high-school music obsessions with my siblings and a bunch of friends!
Something I’m Excited About
Sending a whole bunch of direct mail marketing - more than I've ever sent before, in attempts to land some deals this fall! Building a whole new "machine" there, using Ballpoint Marketing for the mail and Call Porter for the answering service!
We’re also looking for world-class investors to interview on The BetterLife Podcast. If you’re crushing it in Multifamily, Short-term Rentals, Co-living, or Section 8 apply here!
Something I Recommend
I learned the hard way that managing tenants can be a nightmare without the right tools. That’s why I now use TurboTenant. It simplifies everything from background checks to credit reports, so I can avoid problem tenants from the start. Plus, it helps with marketing, custom leases, and automatic rent payments, making my life as a landlord so much easier. Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Use code Brandon10 for 10% off at TurboTenant.com/betterlife."
Some Thoughts to (Hopefully) Make Your Life Better
7 "Normal" American Pastimes That Are Actually KILLING Your Ability to Reach Financial Freedom
Before we dive in, let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t about cutting 100% of these activities out of your life. Nor is it designed to make you feel bad or embarrassed for enjoying them. The reality is that everything you spend time on is a tradeoff. When you’re watching TV or scrolling social media, you’re not building wealth. And that’s okay… as long as you understand the consequences of your actions. It’s all about being aware of the choices you make and how they impact your financial future.
Now, with that said, here are seven “normal” American pastimes that might be holding you back from reaching financial freedom.
1. Binge-Watching TV (or Streaming Shows)
Let’s start with the big one: TV. The average American watches *hours* of television every single day. Whether it’s Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube, binge-watching your favorite shows might seem harmless, but let’s be real—it’s robbing you of time and focus. Time is your most valuable asset when you’re building wealth, and how you spend your evenings or weekends matters.
Those hours could be used to educate yourself, work on your side hustle, or invest in personal development. I’m not saying you have to give up TV entirely (we all need to unwind), but if you want financial freedom, you need to drastically cut down on the time spent mindlessly consuming content. Imagine replacing just one hour of TV each day with something productive. That’s 365 hours a year you could be working toward your goals.
2. Scrolling Social Media or YouTube
This one’s a killer for most people. Social media and YouTube are designed to grab your attention and keep you scrolling for hours. What starts as a quick check of Instagram or a 5-minute YouTube video turns into hours of wasted time every day. And while social media can be useful for networking or business, let’s be honest—most of that time is spent mindlessly consuming content.
Instead of endlessly scrolling, set time limits for social media or, even better, replace that time with activities that move you closer to financial freedom, like learning a new skill, reading a book, or finding ways to improve your real estate game.
3. Watching Sports
Sports can be fun, exciting, and even a way to connect with friends. But let’s face it—how much time are you spending watching games, listening to commentary, or debating stats? The average American spends *hours* per week glued to sports. That’s time you could be spending on improving your skills, growing your business, or learning about real estate.
It’s not about giving up sports altogether, but if watching games is eating away at the time you could be using to move closer to financial freedom, it’s worth cutting back. Ask yourself, “Is this helping me reach my goals?”
4. Eating Out All the Time
Americans love convenience, and that means eating out—whether it’s fast food, restaurants, or getting takeout. But this habit is draining your wallet faster than you think. The average American spends thousands of dollars each year on dining out. Meanwhile, grocery shopping and cooking at home can save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars a month.
And it’s not just the money. When you eat out constantly, you’re not just losing financially—you’re also sacrificing control over your health. Poor health leads to medical bills and lower productivity, both of which kill your ability to build wealth in the long run. The occasional dinner out is fine, but making it a regular habit? That’s a recipe for financial disaster.
5. Golfing (or Any Time-Intensive Extracurricular Activity)
Golf can be a great way to relax, but let’s be real—it’s a huge time sink. Becoming good at golf takes hours and hours of practice and play each week. Between time on the course and practice sessions, you could easily spend 10-15 hours a week on golf alone.
While it’s fine to enjoy hobbies, ask yourself whether the time you’re spending is moving you closer to financial freedom. Imagine what you could do with that time instead—building your business, spending quality time with family, or learning a new skill.
And it’s not just golf. Any extracurricular activity that eats up hours each week with little long-term benefit can pull you away from your financial goals. The key is balance. Make sure the time you spend on leisure activities doesn’t outweigh the time you’re investing in your future.
6. The “Keeping Up with the Joneses” Mentality
It’s one of the most dangerous American pastimes—comparing yourself to others and trying to keep up with the lifestyle you think you should have. Whether it’s upgrading your car, buying the latest tech gadgets, or renovating your home to match the neighbors, this mindset is the opposite of what you need to reach financial freedom.
The desire to keep up with others leads to overspending, credit card debt, and the inability to invest in wealth-building assets like real estate. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that material things equal success, but true financial freedom comes from living below your means, investing the difference, and growing your wealth over time.
7. Shopping as Therapy
Shopping can be an emotional outlet for many people, but using it as therapy to deal with stress, boredom, or negative emotions can be incredibly destructive to your financial future. Impulse buys and shopping sprees can add up quickly, leaving you with a pile of stuff you don’t need and less money to invest or save.
Instead of reaching for your wallet when you feel down, consider healthier, more productive ways to manage your emotions. Taking a walk, working on a side hustle, or reading can help you break the cycle of using spending as a way to cope.
These seven American pastimes might seem normal, but they’re actually holding you back from financial freedom. If you’re serious about building wealth, it’s time to cut back on binge-watching TV, scrolling social media, watching sports, golfing, eating out, trying to keep up with others, and shopping as therapy. By replacing these habits with more productive ones, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can move toward your financial goals.
Love you!
Disclosure: “Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. However, please note that all opinions expressed here are my own and I only recommend products or services that I have personally used and found valuable."