I’m a millionaire. Here are 13 underrated financial risks you must...
Tim Denning@Tim_Denning
87 views
Aug 24, 2025
~3 min read
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I’m a millionaire.
Here are 13 underrated financial risks you must start taking seriously – before it’s too late.
1. You think building a business is risky.
Here are 13 underrated financial risks you must start taking seriously – before it’s too late.
1. You think building a business is risky.
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I don't mean to be an ass but working a job is now the biggest risk.
You end up getting addicted to a comfortable paycheck and having zero free time.
Then when layoffs strike you're left with nothing. AI resume scanners now mean over 40s will face discrimination.
You end up getting addicted to a comfortable paycheck and having zero free time.
Then when layoffs strike you're left with nothing. AI resume scanners now mean over 40s will face discrimination.
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2. You want to build a startup with venture capital
No one talks about this. The odds of success are similar to the lottery.
Many of these VC unicorns never actually make a profit. They just keep raising money to infinity.
No one talks about this. The odds of success are similar to the lottery.
Many of these VC unicorns never actually make a profit. They just keep raising money to infinity.
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3. You invest in the S&P 500 because Warren Buffett said so
Every year your purchasing power goes down because of inflation & governments debasing their currency.
On paper you make 8% a year from the S&P. In reality you're falling behind.
The currency is devaluing faster than your index fund
Every year your purchasing power goes down because of inflation & governments debasing their currency.
On paper you make 8% a year from the S&P. In reality you're falling behind.
The currency is devaluing faster than your index fund
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4. You think SaaS will make you a millionaire
In the old world, yes. AI & vibe coding changed that. The market will be flooded with software
The moat is now audience + owned data
In the old world, yes. AI & vibe coding changed that. The market will be flooded with software
The moat is now audience + owned data
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5. You think "making money online" is a scam
The real scam is corporations that pretend to care while doing evil.
Small businesses selling stuff online to feed their families is far more ethical.
Everyone makes money online, including an employer
The real scam is corporations that pretend to care while doing evil.
Small businesses selling stuff online to feed their families is far more ethical.
Everyone makes money online, including an employer
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6. You don't own any Bitcoin
It's the best-performing asset class of the last decade. It solves the storing of wealth problem
If you own it for 5+ years you'll do well. Or you can ignore it & make 8% before tax/inflation.
It's the best-performing asset class of the last decade. It solves the storing of wealth problem
If you own it for 5+ years you'll do well. Or you can ignore it & make 8% before tax/inflation.
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7. You try to make more money by borrowing money
• Bank loans
• Credit cards
• Leverage on investments
A good idea is profitable from day one & doesn't need leverage. You add leverage post profitability.
• Bank loans
• Credit cards
• Leverage on investments
A good idea is profitable from day one & doesn't need leverage. You add leverage post profitability.
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8. You try and chase trends
Such as NFTs, meme coins, celebrity drops, drop shipping, Kindle books, paid newsletters.
These ideas always fizzle out. They're built on hype. Choose boring ideas to make money.
Such as NFTs, meme coins, celebrity drops, drop shipping, Kindle books, paid newsletters.
These ideas always fizzle out. They're built on hype. Choose boring ideas to make money.
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9. You think you'll get rich with real estate
At best it'll happen when you're old with no energy. And you'll need huge debt to buy property
If we hit a recession, interest rates spike, or property values go down (2008), you're screwed.
The main issue is governments.
They can increase property taxes or the country you buy property in may decline (UK). Real estate can easily be seized as well.
At best it'll happen when you're old with no energy. And you'll need huge debt to buy property
If we hit a recession, interest rates spike, or property values go down (2008), you're screwed.
The main issue is governments.
They can increase property taxes or the country you buy property in may decline (UK). Real estate can easily be seized as well.
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10. You listen to gurus
They mostly share conflicting opinions & don't give a f*ck about you.
Learn from doing, not guru theory.
They mostly share conflicting opinions & don't give a f*ck about you.
Learn from doing, not guru theory.
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11. You don't know any high-net-wealth people
By default you will then drown in news & politics and see opportunities as scams.
You'll likely choose comfort & numb the pain with phones, cheap dopamine, alcohol & entertainment
By default you will then drown in news & politics and see opportunities as scams.
You'll likely choose comfort & numb the pain with phones, cheap dopamine, alcohol & entertainment
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12. You buy luxury stuff to fit in & look cool
Those purchases block you from financial freedom.
Luxury purchases depreciate. Use money to make money, not look good.
Those purchases block you from financial freedom.
Luxury purchases depreciate. Use money to make money, not look good.
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13. You have all your money invested in the U.S.
America is a superpower but empires don't last forever. The 2008 recession + 2012 Greece default showed us the risks.
U.S. tech is nice but always invest across multiple countries
America is a superpower but empires don't last forever. The 2008 recession + 2012 Greece default showed us the risks.
U.S. tech is nice but always invest across multiple countries
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Best paths to increase wealth:
• Invest money in your self-improvement + skills
• Build a boring business with real customers
• Have low debt to live stress-free
• Invest profits in tech, AI, crypto
• Build a personal brand
• Learn sales
• Invest money in your self-improvement + skills
• Build a boring business with real customers
• Have low debt to live stress-free
• Invest profits in tech, AI, crypto
• Build a personal brand
• Learn sales
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FYI — A lot of people talk about business. I’ve actually done it.
My story + receipts: timdenning.com/100k-xc/
My story + receipts: timdenning.com/100k-xc/