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  • 💸 #0028 - Beyond Wealth: 5 Life-Changing Experiences to Share with Loved Ones

💸 #0028 - Beyond Wealth: 5 Life-Changing Experiences to Share with Loved Ones

From Antarctica to space: what the ultra-wealthy are buying instead of another yacht.

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Shrewd Investor
May 13, 2025 • Read in 9 minutes

Beyond Wealth: 5 Life-Changing Experiences to Share with Loved Ones

Beyond the Ferrari

The Real Luxury of Being Wealthy

Hey there,

You know what's funny? Poor people think being rich is about buying expensive stuff.

The fancy car.

The beach house.

The $50,000 watch.

But here's what I've learned after working with hundreds of wealthy investors: the happiest ones barely care about the stuff.

They care about something much more valuable.

Time and experiences with people they love.

Think about it. That new Lamborghini?

The excitement lasts about two weeks. (There's actually research on this - the "happiness bump" from a big purchase is roughly 14 days.)

But that week you spent with your kids exploring Antarctica? Or that private cooking class in Tuscany with your best friends? Those memories stick forever.

Read on to stimulate new ideas on the greatest use of your prosperity…

Talk soon,

Josh

In today’s issue:

  • Weekly Wisdom - Smiles reminds us of our most scarce resource…

  • Market Minute - So, is the trade war over?

  • Deep Dive - Digging into your most important portfolio: your portfolio of memories

First time reading? Sign up at https://shrewdinvestor.com

WISDOM

❝

"Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever."

— Samuel Smiles

MARKET MINUTE

The Bulls Are Back

But Watch Your House

The market gods smiled on us this week. Here's what you need to know:

The Good News Trifecta

  1. Trade Deal Progress - The US and China are finally playing nice. This matters because uncertainty kills markets. When the big boys start talking, stocks start walking... upward.

  2. Fed Held Steady - No rate changes. That's exactly what we wanted to hear. Boring Fed = happy investors.

  3. Inflation at 2.3% - This is the Goldilocks number. Not too hot, not too cold. Just right for steady growth.

What the Charts Tell Me

I'm seeing something beautiful on the S&P 500 weekly chart. We just crossed above the 20-week moving average, with the 20-week and 50-week lines converging.

In plain English? This usually means we've found our floor. Think of it like a coiled spring - we've compressed, and now we're ready to bounce.

I liked this setup so much that I closed my last hedges on Thursday and Friday. I'm now fully invested (selectively, of course - not throwing darts at a board).

But Here's the Plot Twist

While stocks are partying, real estate is acting weird. Really weird.

Right now, buying a home costs 146% more than renting the same home. The last time we saw this? 2006. You remember how that ended.

In fact, the only time, prices were higher relative to rents was 1981 when buying cost 240% more than renting. That was followed by a decade of flat-to-declining home prices.

What This Means for You

  1. Stocks: Green light. The setup looks strong for the next 6-12 months.

  2. Real Estate: Yellow light. If you're thinking of buying investment properties, maybe pump the brakes. If you're sitting on real estate you don't need, this might be a good time to lighten up.

  3. Cash: Keep some dry powder. When everyone's confident is usually when surprises happen.

DEEP DIVE


The Experiences Only Money Can Buy

And Why They Matter More Than Things

But then he told me about taking his teenage son to Antarctica. How they watched emperor penguins huddle together in -40° weather. How they shared hot chocolate in their tent at midnight, talking about life under the endless daylight.

His eyes lit up telling that story. The Ferrari? He couldn't even remember what color it was.

Not quite true, it was very red.

The Truth About Wealth and Happiness

Here's what the research shows: experiences make us happier than possessions. Always.

Why? Because experiences become part of who we are.

That yacht in the marina? It's just a thing.

But that week sailing the Greek islands with your college roommates? That's a piece of your soul.

The Experience Menu

So what can money actually buy that matters? Let me share what my most fulfilled friends are doing:

1. Adventures That Test Your Limits

Remember when you were young and fearless? You can get that feeling back.

  • Climbing Everest with a luxury base camp ($50K-$200K)

  • Diving to the Titanic in a submersible ($250K)

  • Suborbital space flight with Blue Origin ($300K)

One client did the Antarctica expedition last year. He said standing at the South Pole made every business deal seem tiny. "It reset my perspective on what actually matters."

2. Deep Wellness & Life Extension

The smartest money is going here. Not just spa days, but serious life optimization:

  • Week-long cellular regeneration programs in Austria ($10K+)

  • Personal longevity protocols with cutting-edge doctors ($50K+/year)

  • Advanced meditation retreats that rewire your brain ($3,500/week)

A friend just spent a week at Joe Dispenza's retreat. "I've done therapy for 20 years," she said. "This one week changed me more than all of it combined."

3. Access to the Inaccessible

Money opens doors that are usually locked:

  • Private dinner at the Vatican, just your family

  • Backstage with the Rolling Stones for your wife's 50th

  • Your own island in the Maldives for a family reunion ($50K/night)

But here's the key: it's not about showing off. It's about creating moments your grandkids will still talk about in 50 years.

4. Learning From the Masters

Want to really blow your mind? Learn from the best:

  • Cook with Michelin-star chefs in their private kitchens

  • Train with Olympic athletes in their facilities

  • Study investing with Warren Buffett over lunch (okay, that one's $5 million for charity)

The Memory Multiplier Effect

Here's what most people miss: the best experiences create compound memories.

Take the Four Seasons world tour ($188K/person). Sure, it's expensive. But you're creating 20 days of memories across 8 countries with the people you love most. That's not one experience - it's hundreds of micro-moments that you'll reference forever.

"Remember that sunset in Bali?" "How about that cooking class in Morocco?" "Can you believe we saw the Northern Lights from that hot tub in Iceland?"

So What’s in Your Memory Portfolio?

You want a portfolio of memories. And your portfolio depends on your values.

Some may value philanthropy more than adventure.

Others value the arts over travel.

It’s your money and, more importantly, your time.

So make it work for you!

  • 40% Connection (time with people you love)

  • 30% Growth (challenging yourself)

  • 20% Wonder (seeing incredible things)

  • 10% Giving (experiences that help others)

Start Here

This week, book one experience that scares you a little. Not because it's dangerous, but because it's boldly different from your normal routine.

Maybe it's booking that African safari. Maybe it's signing up for a meditation retreat. Maybe it's finally taking your dad on that fishing trip to Alaska.

The price tag doesn't matter. What matters is this: when you're 90, will you remember this experience or that board meeting?

Choose the experience. Every time.

Ready to explore these experiences further? Stay tuned for our upcoming features on how to access and plan these extraordinary adventures.

P.S. If you’d like us to break down your portfolio or ask a question, submit yours here: https://shrewdinvestor.com/roastme

If you are interested in sponsoring a future issue, send an email to: [email protected]

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The content provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as specific advice for any specific individual. The information is prepared by knowledgeable individuals and is not written by certified tax professionals or investment advisors. For personalized advice tailored to your unique financial situation, consult with a qualified tax professional, financial advisor, or attorney.

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