What Is the Economic Cycle? Definition and Importance, Explained

A tree with coins, representing what an economic cycle is

What is the economic cycle? What happens during this type of business cycle? According to Howard Marks, the economy experiences cyclical swings as it expands and contracts. These swings lead to long-term economic fluctuations due to shifts in productivity and net hours worked, as well as short-term fluctuations due to changes in spending patterns.  Keep reading to learn more about how the economic cycle works and how it can affect your business.

Set for Life: Book Overview & Key Takeaways (Scott Trench)

A young man with curly dark hair reading a light blue hardcover book while sitting on a couch at home

What does it take to retire decades earlier than most people? Is it possible to build enough passive income to cover your lifestyle without working a regular job? In Set for Life, Scott Trench presents a three-step blueprint for achieving early financial freedom. His approach focuses on aggressive savings, strategic income growth, and smart investing—designed primarily for young professionals ready to take an unconventional path. Continue reading for our comprehensive Set for Life book overview.

How to Raise Private Money for Real Estate: A Guide to Success

A pink piggy bank next to a model house illustrates how to raise private money for real estate

How do successful real estate investors find the money to fund their deals? What separates thriving property investors from those who struggle to get started? In Raising Private Capital, Matt Faircloth shares strategies for building a real estate investment business with other people’s money. He reveals the essential steps for attracting private funding, structuring profitable deals, and creating sustainable growth. Keep reading to discover how to raise private money for real estate and turn your investment goals into reality.

Personal Finance Metrics to Track on the Way to Financial Freedom

A man looking at personal finance metrics on papers in a kitchen with shelves of dishes, plants, and books in the background

What drives your progress toward financial freedom? Which numbers should you monitor to accelerate your journey to financial independence? Understanding and tracking personal finance metrics is crucial for building wealth. In his book Set for Life, Scott Trench contends that three key measurements—net worth, spending, and income—serve as your financial compass, helping you navigate the path to lasting prosperity. Keep reading to discover how monitoring these essential numbers can transform your financial future and speed up your journey to independence.

What Is the Credit Cycle? The Factors Behind Lending Loans

A person holding a credit card, showing what the credit cycle is

What is the credit cycle? What do lenders look at if you want to extend credit? Much like the profit cycle depends on the economic cycle, the credit cycle is highly contingent on the economy. According to Howard Marks, the credit cycle swings wildly in response to economic changes, causing credit to fluctuate from easily available to heavily restricted.  Discover more about the credit cycle’s patterns.

How to Manage Investors: A Guide to Winning Partnerships

Three smiling professionals sitting at a table with papers on it illustrate how to manage investors

How do successful business owners build lasting relationships with their capital providers? What strategies help maintain those connections while attracting new investors? In his book Raising Private Capital, Matt Faircloth outlines several ways to develop a thriving real estate investment business. His approach, which is transferrable to other types of businesses, combines systematic networking, effective communication, and strategic brand management to create sustainable partnerships with investors. Keep reading to discover how to manage investors while building a successful business.

Your Biggest Expenses: How to Spend Less With Low-Cost Living

A man looking at his biggest expenses illustrated by a life-size bar chart with four bars and dollar signs

What’s the fastest way to achieve financial freedom? Which expenses should you focus on cutting first? In Set for Life, Scott Trench reveals how smart spending habits can accelerate your path to financial independence. By targeting your biggest expenses—housing, transportation, food, and insurance—you can dramatically reduce your monthly spending without sacrificing quality of life. Keep reading to discover practical strategies for cutting your biggest expenses while building wealth for the future.

The Psychology of Investors: How They Make Decisions

The psychology of investors shown in a group of happy business people in front of city buildings

How do investors choose between being risk-tolerant and risk-averse? What role do greed and fear play in an investor’s decision? In Mastering the Market Cycle, Howard Marks discusses how oscillations in these cycles impact investors’ psychology. In particular, he explains how shifts in foundational cycles lead to a psychological cycle between fear and greed that, in turn, causes a cycle between risk tolerance and risk aversion.  Below we’ll explain the psychology of investors.

Scott Galloway: Career Advice From The Algebra of Happiness

A woman with a light blue shirt and long brown hair sitting at a desk in an office contemplates career advice

What drives people to chase certain career paths? How can ambitious professionals avoid the common pitfalls of prioritizing success over personal life? In The Algebra of Happiness, Scott Galloway shares candid insights about career choices and their impact on personal fulfillment. His career advice stems from real-world experience launching multiple ventures and navigating the complexities of professional life. Keep reading to discover Scott Galloway’s career advice that could help you build a successful career without sacrificing what matters most.

How to Manage Savings: 3 Smart Ways to Save for a Rainy Day

A piggy bank sitting on a window sill while it's raining outside illustrates how to manage savings

What’s the most effective way to build financial security through savings? How can you make the most of every dollar you save? In Set for Life, Scott Trench presents a bold approach to financial independence through strategic saving and wealth building. His method challenges conventional wisdom by encouraging aggressive saving rates while providing practical guidance for managing and growing your money. Keep reading to discover how to manage savings in ways that can transform your financial future.