🦔 Newsletter 50: The Mindset That Builds Wealth (Not Just Money)

Hi Hedgelings,

What if being “average” with your money could put you in the top 5% of investors?

That’s just one of the eye-opening truths in this week’s issue, drawn from a powerful breakdown by finance YouTuber Humphrey Yang. He shares 10 personal finance lessons that didn’t just change his bank account—they changed his mindset, habits, and future. Whether you’re starting out or stuck in comparison mode, these insights will reset how you think about wealth.

Let’s dive in. 🔽

⏳ “If you can resist the temptation of an immediate reward, then usually your payoff will be a lot greater later on in life.”

🎯 The #1 Money Skill Nobody Teaches: Delayed Gratification

In a world built for instant everything—clicks, food, shopping—waiting has become a superpower. Delayed gratification isn’t just a personal virtue; it’s one of the most effective tools in wealth-building. Whether it’s leaving your 401(k) untouched for 30 years, resisting lifestyle creep, or walking away from a flashy $500 gadget, playing the long game almost always pays off.

Humphrey Yang puts it simply: if you can’t buy something twice, you probably can’t afford it. That one line could save you thousands. Pair it with long-term thinking (zooming out 10 or 20 years), and you start making decisions that serve your future—not just your present.

📈 “Over any 20-year period, US stocks have had no real negative returns when including dividends.”

🪙 The Market Is a Rollercoaster—But It Only Goes Up Long Enough

Trying to time the stock market is like trying to sprint through a minefield blindfolded. It’s stressful, inconsistent, and for most people—unnecessary. Humphrey’s key takeaway? Time is the true risk buffer. The longer you stay in, the less likely you are to lose.

This is backed by data. Hold an S&P 500 ETF for 5 years? You might get burned. Hold it for 20? You’ve historically never lost money (dividends included). The secret isn’t picking the perfect time to buy—it’s having the discipline not to sell when things get shaky. Boring? Maybe. But boring builds wealth.

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💸 “People that look like they have money… probably don't have money. And the wealthy people that actually do have money… they won't dress or even act like they have money at all.”

🚫 Don’t Fall for the 30K Millionaire Trap

New car. Designer shoes. VIP table. And… zero savings. Humphrey calls this the “30K Millionaire”—someone who earns decently but lives like they make millions. It’s a financial illusion that’s all too easy to fall into, especially when social media shows off the “highlight reel” of other people’s lives.

The truth? Most real millionaires don’t look rich. They live modestly, invest aggressively, and avoid debt like the plague. They’re financially secure because they didn’t chase status. The lesson: don’t spend to impress. Spend to be free.

🧠 Final Takeaway

If there’s one theme that cuts through today’s insights, it’s this: real wealth is built quietly—over time, with intention, and by ignoring the noise.
Whether it’s resisting impulse buys, holding steady through market dips, or tuning out flashy lifestyles, these small mindset shifts create massive long-term results.

These lessons were inspired by a fantastic video from personal finance creator Humphrey Yang, who’s known for breaking down money topics in a simple, honest way.

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Stay sharp, stay spiky — be the hedgehog with a strategy
- Mindy
Founder, Hedgehog Huddle