💸 What Nobody Tells You About Money
Why investing in yourself is still the ultimate cheat code
They say, “Love makes the world go round.”
That’s cute.
But not true.
Money makes the world go round.
Let me be real for a sec —I’m probably the last person you should take financial advice from.
I’m 25.
Still studying.
No job.
No income.
Proudly sponsored by the Bank of Mom and Dad™.
But that’s not because I’m lazy or unambitious—life just threw a few unexpected curveballs my way. (Long story)
And just to twist the knife even deeper, even my younger brother (who used to sleep through class) landed a solid job through a few contacts.
Meanwhile, I was the golden child—dux awards, straight A’s, all that…
And yeah, watching him make moves while I’m still stuck stings sometimes.
But I’m also proud.
He’s made something of himself.
So… why listen to me?
Because I’ve lived the reality most people pretend to have figured out.
I’ve been broke. Hustled online. Made some cash. Lost some.
But along the way, I saw money differently—and it changed everything.
This isn’t a get-rich guide.
It’s the truth no one tells you when you’re still figuring it all out.
Read till the end. You might just shift the way you see money—and yourself.
Some people chase money like it’s the last golden ticket to the chocolate factory.
Others act like it’s evil.
But here’s the thing: money comes and goes,
Skills stay forever.
The best investment?
You.
(Yep, cheesy but true.)
It Hit Me When My Friends Came Over
As mentioned, I’m still living at home with my parents.
And while we’re not rolling in private-jet money, we’re more than comfortable.
My mom’s in education, and my dad’s a police officer.
We’ve always had enough, and I never really noticed how much… until I brought friends over.
Their eyes widened.
They’d comment.
And for the first time, I realized not everyone grows up the same.
When You’re the Only One Not Making Money
When everyone around you is making money, and you’re making nothing,
You start becoming very willing to try anything.
And believe me, I tried it all.
I had “how to make money online” permanently tattooed in my search bar.
One rabbit hole led to another and another until I stumbled into a cheesy transcription gig…
And that changed everything—but not because it raked in gold.
The Myth Shattered
That moment flipped a switch in my brain. I realized making money online isn’t just a myth or some sketchy YouTube ad—it’s real. It’s possible. And once I saw that, I couldn’t unsee it.
Just like that, the myth shattered:
Yes Rylan, You can make money online!
Anyway, I made a few good bucks… And then I got fired. (😂Another long story.)
But that one small win cracked something open inside me—like I’d stumbled into a whole new world I never even knew existed.
Here’s a checklist of hustles I’ve tried:
✅ Affiliate marketing
✅ Shopify & dropshipping
✅ Upwork/Fiverr freelancing
✅ Stock market & investing
Did I get rich? Well, if it did, I would be writing about that instead. So nah 😅
But I definitely learned. A lot.
Everyone Wants a Million—But That’s Not My Goal (Yet)
Question: What’s the fastest way to earn $1,000,000???
I don’t know
I’ve never done it
But let’s just spitball here:
It probably isn’t by charging 1 person $1,000,000
The road map is probably something more like this:
Find 1,000 loyal people
Get them to buy something worth $100 —
TEN times.
Seems more reasonable
And BAM! you’ve made your first million (if I’ve done the math correctly )
So Rylan, why haven’t you done it yet?
Well… I’m working on it. But honestly, my goal right now isn’t to make a million.
(Not yet anyway.)
Right now, my focus is on learning, building, providing value, and earning trust. I want to grow organically, gain recognition, and build authority.
Because before you go big, you level up.
Before you scale, you serve.
And before you earn, you give.
The Money Mole
You know what happens when people land a comfy job and that fat paycheck at the end of every month?
They lose the fire.
Let’s call him “The Money Mole.”
The Money Mole lives deep underground—head down, grinding, hustling in the dirt. No recognition, no glam, just pure focus.
But once that paycheck starts rolling in, the dude gets lazy.
He climbs out of his tunnel, throws on a robe, mixes you a martini, and tells you to “Relax. You’ve made it. You’re good now.”
After all, why grind for money when money is already coming in, right?
So you kick back.
Start watching Season 3 of Bridgerton instead of building your dream.
The tunnel gets cold.
The grind fades.
You stop digging.
You stop growing.
You forget there was ever a hustle in the first place.
Two Stick Figures Changed My Life
I once watched this long YouTube video on investing.
Took notes. Focused like I was studying for finals.
But what stuck with me wasn’t the charts or stock tips.
It was what he said at the end of it with two simple stick figures.
One labeled “Now” and one labeled “Future You.”
He said something that I’ll never forget:
“Your net worth isn’t just about what’s in your bank account.
It’s about the skills you carry, the value you provide, and what you’re building every single day.”
He explained how each new skill, each new qualification, had the potential to double or triple his income over time.
And it clicked:
The real investment isn’t in stocks.
It’s in yourself.
Why Are We So Stingy With Money But So Loose With Time?
We hoard money like it’s sacred.
We lock it away in vaults, savings accounts, and under our mattresses.But our time?
We hand that out like free sausage samples on toothpicks at the grocery store—
We scroll.
We binge.
We get distracted.
We say “yes” to every request that pulls us away from what matters.
We have it backwards.
Because money is a diminishable resource
You can lose it and make it back.
But our time? … Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Trade Time for Skills—Not Just Money
If you have the privilege, the freedom, the luxury—
Trade your time for skills.
Not just money.
Money comes and goes.
Skills compound.
People treat time like it’s cheap.
But every skill you gain today is one you have for life!
Most people stop at:
Time → Skills → Money (then they get stuck).The winners know the real formula:
Time → Skills → Money → More Skills → A More Badass You.
Money is just a tool—use it to buy knowledge, experience, and leverage.
Level Up Like It’s a Game
I like to think of it like a video game.
You start with a basic character.
No fancy gear. No laser vision or cool abilities.
But then once you earn coins, complete quests, and stuff, you level up.
You upgrade your character, unlock new powers, and defeat bigger bosses.
(Forgive me for this treacherous example 😂.)
But if you think about it, upskilling is a lot like that.
The more you learn, the more value you bring.
And yes, the more you can charge because your personal net worth goes up and you are valued more
Time = money = skills = a more badass character.
Don’t Get Stuck in “Level 1”
Most people stop leveling up once they get a decent paycheck.
They settle.
But the ones at the top?
They’re constantly learning.
Reading. Practicing. Evolving.
They’re trading money for skills.
not just comfort.
And that’s what sets them apart.
Final Thought:
People see money differently.
Rich people spend money to save time.
Others spend time to save money.
But the ones who win?
They spend both—time and money—to gain skills.
That’s the currency that never loses value
So… what’s your relationship with money like?
Have you ever chased a “make money online” dream? Got burned? Got lucky?
Or maybe you’ve met your own version of the Money Mole?
Drop a comment—let’s talk money, mindset, and maybe a few scam stories
Thanks for reading! 🚀
🧠 New challenges released in The Mind Gym!
Put your brain to the test and try them out now — along with all the previous challenges.
Subscribe, earn points, level up, and climb the leaderboard!
