I've been reading this book called Money Master the Game, and in there, Tony Robbins interviewed 50 of the world’s top investors and one clear pattern stood out:
The best investors don't take big risks. They are not wild with their money.
They take asymmetric risks.
They risk a little and position themselves to gain a lot.
They protect the downside, and let the upside run.
It sounds simple, right? But it hit differently once I applied it outside investing.
If think about it, we make bets on ourselves every day: career moves, certifications, side projects, relationships.
And most of us are either all-in… or completely checked out.
There’s no middle.
I started working as a cashier at McDonald’s when I was 16. I had no connections and all I knew was that I was going to become an engineer at some point.
Every small move after that — showing up, learning something new, saying yes to opportunities just outside my comfort zone — those were asymmetric bets.
They had low cost with real upside.
Right now, as an engineer, I'm also taking another asymmetric career risk as I prepare for my PMP certification (which my company will pay for).
The downside...a few hours a week.
The upside? Higher earning potential, more credibility, more options.
That’s asymmetric.
Of course, it depends on your season.
If you’re deep in survival mode, I get it — not every moment is the right time to make a move.
But if you’ve got even a little margin…ask yourself: What’s the smallest bet I can make that could give me a 5X or 10X return on my life?
A $300 course, maybe a conversation you’ve been avoiding, or a business you've been waiting too long to start.
The risk isn’t always money. Sometimes it’s just time and ego.
What's one move you'll make this month to take your career, business, or relationships to the next level?
A sinking fund is a dedicated savings bucket for a known future expense. I'm talking about:
Car maintenance. Annual insurance premiums. Back to school. Holiday gifts.
When you set these up inside your high yield savings account and automate monthly contributions, the money is there when you need it and your emergency fund stays intact for actual emergencies.
1) Keeping your retirement money in the wrong fund for years. I did this. It cost me more than I want to admit. Saving is not enough. Where your money goes matters just as much.
2) Waiting until you "have more money" to start investing. Time in the market is the one advantage you cannot buy back once it is gone.
3) The cheapest life insurance when you have a family depending on you. The point is the payout, not saving thirty dollars a month.
Why Your Retirement Number Is Shrinking While You Save
In the 1950s, the average American could buy a new car for about $1,500. Today, that same amount wouldn't even cover a down payment.
The number didn't change. The value did.
And that's exactly what's happening to your retirement goals right now—whether you realize it or not.
I've been working toward a specific number for years: $5 million in retirement savings. The math seemed solid. At a 4% withdrawal rate, that's $200K a year for my family. Comfortable. Secure. A number I could plan around with confidence.
But then something hit me that completely shifted how I think about wealth—that $200K won't have the same purchasing power 20 or 30 years from now that it does today.
Think about it like this: remember when a gallon of gas was under $2? When you could buy a house for $150K? When college tuition didn't require selling a kidney? Inflation doesn't just eat away at your savings. It eats away at your goals.
The finish line you're running toward? It's moving backward while you run.
Here's what I mean:
if you're planning to retire in 25-30 years and you're aiming for that magical $1 million or $2 million or whatever your number is, you need to think about what that money will actually do for you when you get there.
With average inflation around 3% per year, your retirement number loses about half its purchasing power every 24 years.
That $200K annual income I was planning for? It might feel more like $100K in today's dollars by the time I actually need it.
I thought I was playing offense—maxing out my retirement accounts, investing consistently, doing all the "right things."
But I wasn't accounting for the invisible tax that never stops: inflation. And honestly? It's a heavy realization. You work hard, you save diligently, you make sacrifices... and the goalpost keeps moving.
But here's the thing: this isn't about doom and gloom. It's about recalibrating your strategy so you're not running on a treadmill for the next 30 years.
Now, I know what some people might say:
"But Alex, inflation is built into the stock market returns. If you're invested in the S&P 500, you're already accounting for it."
And you're partially right. Historical stock market returns do outpace inflation over the long term.
But there's a critical piece most people miss: your retirement number is based on today's purchasing power, not future dollars.
So yes, your investments might grow. But if you're still thinking "$1 million is enough" without adjusting for what $1 million will actually buy you in 2050, you're setting yourself up for a surprise.
The question isn't just "How much do I need to save?" It's "How much income will I need to live the life I want—in future dollars?"
So what's the solution? How do you actually prepare for a future where your goals keep inflating?
Here's what I've realized: it's not just about saving more. It's about earning more so you can invest more and reach your goals faster.
Think of it like this: if you're trying to fill a bathtub, but someone's slowly opening the drain, you have two options. You can try to plug the drain (impossible with inflation), or you can turn up the faucet.
That's where investing in yourself comes in.
Your earning power is your greatest wealth-building tool. The more you can earn today, the more you can invest, and the faster you can outpace inflation.
Here's how I'm approaching this differently now:
Invest in your skills like you invest in your accounts. Buy the course that teaches you the technical skill that could 10x your income. Join the mentorship program.
Learn the negotiation tactics that get you the raise. Every dollar you invest in yourself has the potential to generate returns that no index fund can match.
Think in terms of purchasing power, not just account balances. Don't just ask "How much do I need to retire?"
Ask "How much income will I need to maintain my lifestyle in future dollars?" Then work backward. The number is probably bigger than you think—and that's okay. At least you know what you're aiming for.
Own what you use. If you're buying an iPhone every few years, why not own Apple stock? If you're watching YouTube daily, why not own Alphabet?
If you're shopping on Amazon, own Amazon. You're already spending money there—let that spending work for you twice. Once as a customer, once as an investor.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Yes, max out your retirement accounts. But also focus on building multiple income streams. Your paycheck might stay flat. Your portfolio won't if you're strategic about it.
Side projects, consulting, businesses—these aren't just "side hustles." They're income diversification and risk mitigation for a future you can't fully predict.
Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier: income is freedom—today, tomorrow, and forever.
It's not just about hitting a number in your retirement account. It's about building the skills, the income streams, and the investments that give you choices no matter what inflation does.
I can't go back and start this strategy 10 years ago. But I can start now. And so can you.
At the end of the day, the fastest way to beat inflation isn't just to save harder. It's to earn more, invest smarter, and build a future where your money works as hard as you do.
So let me ask you:
What would change about your financial plan if you knew your retirement number needs to be 2x what you're currently aiming for?
What skill could you invest in this year that would increase your earning power by 20%, 30%, or even 50%?
If you owned stock in every company you regularly spend money with, how would that change your wealth-building trajectory?
These aren't rhetorical questions. They're the ones I'm working through myself. Because the truth is, we can't control inflation. But we can control how we respond to it.
Start where you are. Invest in yourself first, then invest everything else. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep moving forward.
Your future self—and your future purchasing power—will thank you.
To your success,
Alex
P.S. If this shifted how you think about retirement planning, I'd love to hear from you. What's one action you're going to take this week to increase your earning power? Reply and let me know—I read every message.
Here's what I wish someone would have told me earlier: saving is playing defense. Investing is playing offense.
One of the key lessons I learned was that wealthy people play offense.
They invest their money wisely:
And not necessarily in stocks...they invest in assets like businesses, real estate, and most importantly...in themselves.
This could be college, buying courses, certifications, further education, leveraging other people's labor and detaching money-generation from their time.
They use their money to buy options, not just safety.
So if you're an engineer earning a solid income but still feeling stuck…
There are two things happening:
1. You haven't taken control of your finances yet (and that's OK. At least you are now aware).
2. You are playing too much defense. Not enough offense.
Here’s how to shift:
• Track your expenses; spend less than what you make.
• Pay off all your debt (student loans, credit cards, etc.)
• Save just enough to feel stable (six month emergency fund in a high yield savings account).
Saving protects your present. Investing shapes your future.
What changed everything for me was realizing that wealth isn’t just about math. It’s about momentum.
And momentum comes from movement, not caution.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start playing offense.
Hard truth: You can be responsible with your money...and still fall behind. Back in 2012 in my first engineering job, I set up my government retirement plan like a good employee should.
I checked the box and did the right thing. It felt good to "start saving for retirement."
But I made one quiet, costly mistake:
For a little bit of background, the Government uses TSP (which is like a 401K), and it offers different "Funds" where your money can go once you start investing.
One of those funds is the G Fund...which is a super safe bond fund.
Since I didn't know much about finances, I thought I could pick any Fund and I would be OK.
So I put 100% of my contributions into this G Fund,
and this was a great choice...if I were 55.
But for someone in their early 20s, not a good one, as the fund was designed to preserve wealth, not grow it.
I'd locked myself into safety mode, when I should’ve been playing offense.
I thought I was “doing something,” but I wasn’t giving my money the chance to grow.
And the crazy thing is I didn’t even realize this mistake until only a few months ago in 2025.
Woops...
But here's the thing: no one ever teaches you this stuff.
You’re taught to save, but not to invest.
You’re told to play it safe, but never shown how to build wealth.
So if you feel behind, confused, or ashamed about not knowing where your money’s going…
That's OK. You’re not alone. You can take action now and build a better future.
Here’s what helped me shift:
• Stop thinking “saving” is enough. Saving is step one. Growing your money is step two. If your money isn’t working while you sleep, you’re doing all the heavy lifting alone.
• Ask what your money is actually invested in. Log into your retirement plan. Read about the funds. Use AI to make it simpler. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to care.
• Use target-date funds to start (your simplest bet). Think of Target Date Funds like automatic pilots for your future. They adjust risk based on your age and give you broad exposure to the market, without needing daily decisions.
Get a second opinion if you're unsure. If you're not confident in your investment choices, consider hiring professional guidance. Sometimes having expert eyes on your portfolio is worth avoiding a $100K mistake.
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
I've been reading this book called Money Master the Game, and in there, Tony Robbins interviewed 50 of the world’s top investors and one clear pattern stood out:
The best investors don't take big risks. They are not wild with their money.
They take asymmetric risks.
They risk a little and position themselves to gain a lot.
They protect the downside, and let the upside run.
It sounds simple, right? But it hit differently once I applied it outside investing.
If think about it, we make bets on ourselves every day: career moves, certifications, side projects, relationships.
And most of us are either all-in… or completely checked out.
There’s no middle.
I started working as a cashier at McDonald’s when I was 16. I had no connections and all I knew was that I was going to become an engineer at some point.
Every small move after that — showing up, learning something new, saying yes to opportunities just outside my comfort zone — those were asymmetric bets.
They had low cost with real upside.
Right now, as an engineer, I'm also taking another asymmetric career risk as I prepare for my PMP certification (which my company will pay for).
The downside...a few hours a week.
The upside? Higher earning potential, more credibility, more options.
That’s asymmetric.
Of course, it depends on your season.
If you’re deep in survival mode, I get it — not every moment is the right time to make a move.
But if you’ve got even a little margin…ask yourself: What’s the smallest bet I can make that could give me a 5X or 10X return on my life?
A $300 course, maybe a conversation you’ve been avoiding, or a business you've been waiting too long to start.
The risk isn’t always money. Sometimes it’s just time and ego.
What's one move you'll make this month to take your career, business, or relationships to the next level?
Keep moving forward,
Alex
1 hour ago (edited) | [YT] | 1
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Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
Most people think they're stuck because they need more motivation, more discipline, or another podcast to give them the "right strategy."
But here's what's actually happening; the biggest challenge in most cases is they have nothing to aim at.
They don't know what they want.
They have vague goals that sound like this:
"I want to be better with money,"
"I want to save more,"
"I want to retire someday"
"I don't want to make the same mistakes my parents did"
What do they all mean EXACTLY?
The people I know who've actually changed their financial situation didn't find a secret strategy.
They got ruthlessly clear on what they wanted — specific, visual, with a date attached — and suddenly the daily decisions made themselves.
Your future doesn't get built by accident. It gets built with intention.
So let me ask you...what do YOU want? What are YOU working towards?
Think about it tomorrow morning while you sip on your coffee.
And if you need help, let me know.
Keep going,
Alex
21 hours ago | [YT] | 4
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Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
What's one move you've made lately that moves the needle on your journey?
5 days ago | [YT] | 4
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Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
Creating a will and naming a guardian for your children is the most important legal task a parent can complete and the most commonly postponed.
Online platforms like Trust and Will make it accessible and affordable (this is what I used).
Check them out here as well as other alternatives: www.alexisidro.com/Will
I know the discomfort of the conversation is real, but the cost of not having is too high.
6 days ago | [YT] | 3
View 0 replies
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
A sinking fund is a dedicated savings bucket for a known future expense. I'm talking about:
Car maintenance.
Annual insurance premiums.
Back to school.
Holiday gifts.
When you set these up inside your high yield savings account and automate monthly contributions, the money is there when you need it and your emergency fund stays intact for actual emergencies.
Get the best high yield savings bonus and offers today: www.alexisidro.com/BestHighYieldSavings
What goals are you working towards nowadays?
6 days ago | [YT] | 6
View 0 replies
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
3 things that are a complete waste of your money:
1) Keeping your retirement money in the wrong fund for years. I did this. It cost me more than I want to admit. Saving is not enough. Where your money goes matters just as much.
2) Waiting until you "have more money" to start investing. Time in the market is the one advantage you cannot buy back once it is gone.
3) The cheapest life insurance when you have a family depending on you. The point is the payout, not saving thirty dollars a month.
What's another waste of money in your experience?
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 4
View 2 replies
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
Why Your Retirement Number Is Shrinking While You Save
In the 1950s, the average American could buy a new car for about $1,500. Today, that same amount wouldn't even cover a down payment.
The number didn't change. The value did.
And that's exactly what's happening to your retirement goals right now—whether you realize it or not.
I've been working toward a specific number for years: $5 million in retirement savings. The math seemed solid. At a 4% withdrawal rate, that's $200K a year for my family. Comfortable. Secure. A number I could plan around with confidence.
But then something hit me that completely shifted how I think about wealth—that $200K won't have the same purchasing power 20 or 30 years from now that it does today.
Think about it like this: remember when a gallon of gas was under $2? When you could buy a house for $150K? When college tuition didn't require selling a kidney?
Inflation doesn't just eat away at your savings. It eats away at your goals.
The finish line you're running toward? It's moving backward while you run.
Here's what I mean:
if you're planning to retire in 25-30 years and you're aiming for that magical $1 million or $2 million or whatever your number is, you need to think about what that money will actually do for you when you get there.
With average inflation around 3% per year, your retirement number loses about half its purchasing power every 24 years.
That $200K annual income I was planning for? It might feel more like $100K in today's dollars by the time I actually need it.
I thought I was playing offense—maxing out my retirement accounts, investing consistently, doing all the "right things."
But I wasn't accounting for the invisible tax that never stops: inflation.
And honestly? It's a heavy realization. You work hard, you save diligently, you make sacrifices... and the goalpost keeps moving.
But here's the thing: this isn't about doom and gloom. It's about recalibrating your strategy so you're not running on a treadmill for the next 30 years.
Now, I know what some people might say:
"But Alex, inflation is built into the stock market returns. If you're invested in the S&P 500, you're already accounting for it."
And you're partially right. Historical stock market returns do outpace inflation over the long term.
But there's a critical piece most people miss: your retirement number is based on today's purchasing power, not future dollars.
So yes, your investments might grow. But if you're still thinking "$1 million is enough" without adjusting for what $1 million will actually buy you in 2050, you're setting yourself up for a surprise.
The question isn't just "How much do I need to save?"
It's "How much income will I need to live the life I want—in future dollars?"
So what's the solution? How do you actually prepare for a future where your goals keep inflating?
Here's what I've realized: it's not just about saving more. It's about earning more so you can invest more and reach your goals faster.
Think of it like this: if you're trying to fill a bathtub, but someone's slowly opening the drain, you have two options. You can try to plug the drain (impossible with inflation), or you can turn up the faucet.
That's where investing in yourself comes in.
Your earning power is your greatest wealth-building tool. The more you can earn today, the more you can invest, and the faster you can outpace inflation.
Here's how I'm approaching this differently now:
Invest in your skills like you invest in your accounts. Buy the course that teaches you the technical skill that could 10x your income. Join the mentorship program.
Learn the negotiation tactics that get you the raise. Every dollar you invest in yourself has the potential to generate returns that no index fund can match.
Think in terms of purchasing power, not just account balances. Don't just ask "How much do I need to retire?"
Ask "How much income will I need to maintain my lifestyle in future dollars?" Then work backward. The number is probably bigger than you think—and that's okay. At least you know what you're aiming for.
Own what you use. If you're buying an iPhone every few years, why not own Apple stock? If you're watching YouTube daily, why not own Alphabet?
If you're shopping on Amazon, own Amazon. You're already spending money there—let that spending work for you twice. Once as a customer, once as an investor.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Yes, max out your retirement accounts. But also focus on building multiple income streams. Your paycheck might stay flat. Your portfolio won't if you're strategic about it.
Side projects, consulting, businesses—these aren't just "side hustles." They're income diversification and risk mitigation for a future you can't fully predict.
Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier: income is freedom—today, tomorrow, and forever.
It's not just about hitting a number in your retirement account. It's about building the skills, the income streams, and the investments that give you choices no matter what inflation does.
I can't go back and start this strategy 10 years ago. But I can start now. And so can you.
At the end of the day, the fastest way to beat inflation isn't just to save harder. It's to earn more, invest smarter, and build a future where your money works as hard as you do.
So let me ask you:
What would change about your financial plan if you knew your retirement number needs to be 2x what you're currently aiming for?
What skill could you invest in this year that would increase your earning power by 20%, 30%, or even 50%?
If you owned stock in every company you regularly spend money with, how would that change your wealth-building trajectory?
These aren't rhetorical questions. They're the ones I'm working through myself.
Because the truth is, we can't control inflation. But we can control how we respond to it.
Start where you are. Invest in yourself first, then invest everything else.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep moving forward.
Your future self—and your future purchasing power—will thank you.
To your success,
Alex
P.S. If this shifted how you think about retirement planning, I'd love to hear from you. What's one action you're going to take this week to increase your earning power? Reply and let me know—I read every message.
3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 3
View 1 reply
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
Here's what I wish someone would have told me earlier: saving is playing defense. Investing is playing offense.
One of the key lessons I learned was that wealthy people play offense.
They invest their money wisely:
And not necessarily in stocks...they invest in assets like businesses, real estate, and most importantly...in themselves.
This could be college, buying courses, certifications, further education, leveraging other people's labor and detaching money-generation from their time.
They use their money to buy options, not just safety.
So if you're an engineer earning a solid income but still feeling stuck…
There are two things happening:
1. You haven't taken control of your finances yet (and that's OK. At least you are now aware).
2. You are playing too much defense. Not enough offense.
Here’s how to shift:
• Track your expenses; spend less than what you make.
• Pay off all your debt (student loans, credit cards, etc.)
• Save just enough to feel stable (six month emergency fund in a high yield savings account).
Saving protects your present. Investing shapes your future.
What changed everything for me was realizing that wealth isn’t just about math. It’s about momentum.
And momentum comes from movement, not caution.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start playing offense.
Keep going,
Alex
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 4
View 0 replies
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
The most freeing wealth advice I ever got?
"Building wealth is supposed to be boring."
It’s like training for a marathon. The goal isn’t to sprint, it’s to find a pace you can live with.
You don’t check your watch every five seconds.
You just need shoes, a trail, and the discipline to show up.
After a lot of research and practice, I’ve learned investing works the same way.
I heard Warren Buffett say once:
“Just buy low cost index funds. Be consistent. Think long term.”
So now I do exactly that. In this stage of my life, I focus on:
• Just buying index funds
• With low expense ratio (<0.3%)
• Automating the contributions
• Long-term focus (thinking decades, not months)
I check my account once a month and move on with my day.
I know the market is crazy right now, but just remember:
You haven't lost anything if you haven't sold.
Keep moving forward,
Alex
BTW, if this resonated and you want to start investing, consider starting with SoFi. It's easy to start and you can do it with $1 (affiliate):
www.alexisidro.com/InvestingWithSoFi
4 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 8
View 0 replies
Alex Isidro - Engineers Building Wealth
Hard truth: You can be responsible with your money...and still fall behind. Back in 2012 in my first engineering job, I set up my government retirement plan like a good employee should.
I checked the box and did the right thing. It felt good to "start saving for retirement."
But I made one quiet, costly mistake:
For a little bit of background, the Government uses TSP (which is like a 401K), and it offers different "Funds" where your money can go once you start investing.
One of those funds is the G Fund...which is a super safe bond fund.
Since I didn't know much about finances, I thought I could pick any Fund and I would be OK.
So I put 100% of my contributions into this G Fund,
and this was a great choice...if I were 55.
But for someone in their early 20s, not a good one, as the fund was designed to preserve wealth, not grow it.
I'd locked myself into safety mode, when I should’ve been playing offense.
I thought I was “doing something,” but I wasn’t giving my money the chance to grow.
And the crazy thing is I didn’t even realize this mistake until only a few months ago in 2025.
Woops...
But here's the thing: no one ever teaches you this stuff.
You’re taught to save, but not to invest.
You’re told to play it safe, but never shown how to build wealth.
So if you feel behind, confused, or ashamed about not knowing where your money’s going…
That's OK. You’re not alone. You can take action now and build a better future.
Here’s what helped me shift:
• Stop thinking “saving” is enough. Saving is step one. Growing your money is step two. If your money isn’t working while you sleep, you’re doing all the heavy lifting alone.
• Ask what your money is actually invested in. Log into your retirement plan. Read about the funds. Use AI to make it simpler. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to care.
• Use target-date funds to start (your simplest bet). Think of Target Date Funds like automatic pilots for your future. They adjust risk based on your age and give you broad exposure to the market, without needing daily decisions.
Get a second opinion if you're unsure. If you're not confident in your investment choices, consider hiring professional guidance. Sometimes having expert eyes on your portfolio is worth avoiding a $100K mistake.
See Best Financial Advisors here (free consultations):
www.alexisidro.com/FinancialAdvisors
As a millennial myself, I'm now invested in TARGET DATE 2055 (which estimates your retirement to be in 2055).
If I had learned these things earlier, I might be in a very different position today. But oh well, better late than never :)
At the end of the day, wealth isn’t built from perfect decisions, it’s built from aligned ones made consistently over time.
You don’t need a flawless plan. You just need a focused one, so start where you are, and pay attention to where your money is going.
Hope this helps you save and earn more for your retirement :)
What kind of painful mistakes have you made with your money? Let me know
Alex
#Engineers #Career #PersonalFinance
1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 4
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