Latest news with #wealth
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Warren Buffett Paid $31,500 In 1958 For His Home —Yet He's 5x Richer Than The Sultan Of Brunei, Who Owns 'World's Largest Palace' Worth $3 Billion
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Warren Buffett could afford to live in a palace. Several, actually. But the billionaire who built Berkshire Hathaway and sits on a net worth of roughly $160 billion in 2025 still lives in the same Omaha home he bought in 1958 for just $31,500. Yes, really. Located on a quiet street in Nebraska, Buffett's five-bedroom home is now worth around $1.3 million, according to Zillow. It's modest by billionaire standards, with no marble fountains, private helipads, or gold-plated garage doors. But Buffett speaking about his home in a 2017 interview with CNBC, he said "I wouldn't trade it for anything." Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest Where It Hurts — And Help Millions Heal: The Oracle of Omaha, known for his no-frills frugality, still drives himself to McDonald's, shops at discount stores, and once used a flip phone well into the 21st century. And yet, he's five times richer than the sultan of Brunei, whose fortune sits at a relatively humble $30 billion — if you can call that humble. But while Buffett invests in simplicity, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has gone full throttle on opulence. His main residence, Istana Nurul Iman, is the largest residential palace in the world, holding the Guinness World Record with a jaw-dropping 2.15 million square feet of gold-covered grandeur. Completed in 1984 and now estimated to be worth $3 billion, the palace boasts 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall that can seat 5,000 guests, and a mosque for 1,500 worshippers. Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to . And that's just the beginning. The sultan's estate features 22-carat gold domes, air-conditioned stables for 200 polo ponies, a private zoo with Bengal tigers, and a garage housing 110 luxury cars. That's not even counting his personal collection of over 7,000 vehicles, including hundreds of Ferraris, Bentleys, and gold-plated Rolls-Royces. In 2010, Time magazine reported he was spending $20,000 flying his barber in from London. The contrast is almost cartoonish. One man lives in a sprawling kingdom with air-conditioned horse stables and 44 types of imported marble. The other lives in Omaha and still thinks a good deal is more satisfying than a good bottle of wine. While Sultan Bolkiah's lifestyle is a symbol of Brunei's royal heritage and oil-fueled riches, Buffett's philosophy has always been about value — not vanity. Despite their differing tastes, both men are icons of wealth. But only one of them is likely to leave the world with most of his money donated to charity. In the battle of billions, Buffett proves you don't need a palace to be king. Read Next: With Point, you can , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. Image: Shutterstock Send To MSN: 0 This article Warren Buffett Paid $31,500 In 1958 For His Home —Yet He's 5x Richer Than The Sultan Of Brunei, Who Owns 'World's Largest Palace' Worth $3 Billion originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Grant Cardone Says Nancy Pelosi's $120 Million Net Worth Defies Life And Math — 'She'd Need To Be 33,000 Years Old' On A $179,000 Salary
It's not every day someone casually accuses a former Speaker of the House of defying both math and mortality — but then again, Grant Cardone isn't known for pulling punches. In an interview last year with DJ Vlad, Cardone took aim at Nancy Pelosi's reported wealth, questioning how a public servant making $179,000 a year could be worth $120 million. "You can't do the math on it," he said flatly. "She would have to be 33,000 years old or something." After revising, he settled on a more "reasonable" estimate: "She would have to be on Earth 3,300 years," he said, in order to turn her salary into the fortune she's reported to have. Don't Miss: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Cardone didn't stop there. Factoring in taxes and cost of living, he added, "She's probably paying 50% in taxes... So she's making $89,000 a year, bro. She's worth $120 million minimum. She would have to be 1,500 years old if she never spent one penny." The math may have been delivered with a smirk, but the underlying message wasn't a joke: "If you make $179,000 a year, you will never be a millionaire — much less worth $120 million." He went on to call out both parties for profiting off insider knowledge, saying, "There's a whole bunch of them... Republicans and Democrats." His proposed solution? Cut Congressional salaries to the median American wage and ban trading altogether: "If you're in Congress or Senate... you cannot insider trade. Period. In fact, you cannot trade at all." Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . At the time of the interview, Pelosi's net worth was estimated around $120 million — but today, it's significantly higher. As of early 2025, Pelosi's net worth is estimated to be between $246.8 million and $259 million, according to Quiver Quantitative. That's more than double what Cardone was reacting to just a year ago. Much of the wealth is tied to savvy and controversial investments in tech stocks and real estate, largely managed by her husband, Paul Pelosi. While there's no direct evidence of insider trading, public skepticism has remained high — and the numbers haven't exactly helped. Cardone may have been using hyperbole when he joked that Pelosi would need to be 3,300 years old to earn her wealth. But if the trajectory of her portfolio is any indication, she's aging just fine — and so is her net worth. Read Next:Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they're on pace — Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Grant Cardone Says Nancy Pelosi's $120 Million Net Worth Defies Life And Math — 'She'd Need To Be 33,000 Years Old' On A $179,000 Salary originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
What It Means To Be Wealthy In The Philippines
Entalula Island lagoon, Philippines getty With its breathtaking beaches, rich culture, and generous hospitality, the Philippines is a dream destination for travelers and digital nomads. But what does it mean to be wealthy in this Southeast Asian archipelago? From average salaries and cost of living to net worth and visa opportunities, here's what you need to know about being wealthy in the Philippines. The Philippines was the 11th most-searched-for country by Americans in 2024, with many looking to relocate or vacation there. Who wouldn't want to go somewhere that Lonely Planet describes as "emerald rice fields, teeming megacities, graffiti-splashed jeepneys, smoldering volcanoes, bug-eyed tarsiers, fuzzy water buffalo and smiling, happy-go-lucky people." (Tarsiers are the world's only entirely carnivorous primate, a mix between a lemur and a monkey.) These thousands of islands in the South China Sea offer beaches and biodiversity in abundance, a place that U.S. News ranks as the 45th best country in the world. A Spanish colony in the 16th century, it got its name after King Philip II of Spain; the country was ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American war in 1898 until it became a commonwealth in 1935—the country is predominantly Christian (83% of its residents). It celebrates its independence from the U.S. on July 4th, and its colonization by the U.S. has made it the third-largest English-speaking country in the world today. The Philippines is a developing economy with a growing middle class, but average salaries remain modest compared to Western standards. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita in the Philippines is approximately $4,439 per year. This is significantly lower than the OECD average of $30,490 and the U.S. average of $51,147. In 2021, one report stated that the average annual income of a family in the Philippines was approximately $5,500, and to qualify as middle class, one would need to earn between $300 and $2,000 per month. However, salaries in the Philippines vary widely depending on the industry and location. For example, workers in Metro Manila, the country's economic hub, tend to earn higher wages than those in rural areas. The cost of living in the Philippines is one of its most attractive features for expats and retirees. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in the Philippines is significantly lower than in the U.S., the U.K., or many European countries. The cost of living is 116% higher in the U.S. than in the Philippines, excluding rent. The cost for a single person per month, not including rent, is as follows: Furthermore, when you factor in rent, it becomes clear that the Philippines offers more for your dollar per square meter; rents in the U.S. are 455% higher than in the Philippines. While rent in major cities like Manila or Cebu can be higher, it is still much more affordable than in most U.S. cities—rent in a city center can start at around $300. Groceries and utilities are also cheaper than in the U.S., and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in the Philippines could be around $3. Wealth distribution in the Philippines is highly unequal, with a significant disparity between the rich and the poor. In 2022, the average wealth of adults in the Philippines was approximately $3,155, which is considerably lower than in the U.S., according to Statista. Over the past ten years, there have been roughly 500 ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the Philippines—that's to say, someone owning $30 million or more. Philippine billionaires, such as those on the Forbes Philippines Rich List, have amassed fortunes in industries like retail, banking, and property development. The Philippines offers several visa options for foreigners looking to live or work in the country, namely it offers a Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV), which is popular among retirees. To qualify, applicants must deposit a minimum of $10,000 to $50,000 in a Philippine bank, depending on their age and retirement income. The government has recently announced the launch of a new digital nomad visa for individuals aged 18 and above, allowing them to stay and work in the country for a year, with the possibility of a one-year renewal. The government is seeking to attract tourists, as it fell short of its 2024 target of 7.7 million arrivals by 23%. Being wealthy in the Philippines means more than just financial stability though—it's about travelers being able to enjoy a high quality of life in a country known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm people.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Palm reader claims just your THUMB can reveal whether you're destined to be rich or poor with a simple test
A TikTok video has sparked a social media frenzy after claiming just your thumb could reveal whether you're destined for wealth or will struggle to make ends meet. The clip, shared by popular UK-based palm reading account @palmistbabauk, which boasts 225,000 followers and over 1.2 million likes, focuses on a tiny detail in the crease at the base of your thumb. According to the video, the pattern where your thumb connects to the rest of your palm is the key to your financial fate. If the line appears cross-hatched, like stitches, the message is clear: You and your spouse are not meant to be wealthy. But if the crease looks more like a chain of tiny ovals linked together, tradition suggests you and your partner are destined for riches. The post quickly gained traction, racking up thousands of views, though many viewers were quick to point out the theory's lack of scientific backing and offered commentary of their own. 'I have it without a husband, still not rich,' one unimpressed commenter wrote below the footage. Another added: 'Nope. All three spouses were not rich. I was the one with money. I have this on both thumbs.' A third took a dig at their other half, joking: 'My husband is really broke but rich in his heart.' A similar diagram posted on Instagram showing the two types of thumb creases prompted even more scepticism. 'I believe checking your bank account will give a more accurate forecasting in this case,' one user quipped. Another joked: 'Do I have to get my thumb cut off and stitched back for this?' Others were just confused, claiming both thumbs had different patterns, making the verdict even murkier. While the advice may be just a small entry into the world of palm reading, it's a respected ancient practice in many parts of the world. An expert on Chinese culture recently revealed what the shape and length of your palm lines tell you about your personality, health and even let you know whether you're in the right career path. Min Yilin frequently posts videos to her TikTok channel educating her followers on Chinese culture, including how to use chopsticks and explainers on the beauty standards in China. In a series of videos Min shared to her over 150,000 followers she shared exactly how viewers could learn more about themselves by just examining their palms. In her first video, Min detailed what the line on your palm she referred to as your 'heart line' reveals about your romantic life. The heart line, or love line, 'starts from under the pinky and runs across the palm towards the middle finger or forefinger.' If your love line is short, Min described that you are most likely a 'powerful and stubborn person.' She added that those with short heart lines are often 'spontaneous', but have a 'rocky' love life as they are often 'isolated by others.' Next up, she explained the ups and downs of your love life if you have a long heart line. She added that 'very long' palm lines reach 'opposite sides of the palm', which means you're extremely independent. This means you'd rather be alone then comprise with others, because of this Min noted that those with long love lines will experience extreme 'hardships.' Not all commenters were convinced, with many spotting flaws in the palm reading logic Min added that a long heart line indicates that you're an extremely 'loyal' and a dedicated partner who often feels emotions at a heightened level causing you to get 'seriously hurt' by conflict in you relationships.' Next up, the expert on Chinese culture dished on what your palms tell you about your personality and career with your head line. 'To find it, just look between your thumb and forefinger and follow the line towards the side of your palm,' Min explained. She added that the head line is above the 'heart line.' 'The head line represents your wisdoms, beliefs and thinking ability,' she revealed. If you have a long head line that means you're considerate, logical and responsive. Someone with a short head line, will have difficulty making decisions and often rush into things.
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Can Your Business Make You Wealthy? Here's The Truth
Can Your Business Make You Wealthy? Here's The Truth Most people started their business so they could make an impact, create more freedom, and make more money. But the reality is, not every business owner is building wealth. Most business owners are working longer hours, stress over their business finances, and aren't paying themselves a consistent salary. The big question is: Can your business make you wealthy? The answer is yes, but it doesn't just happen. You need to plan for it. Wealth doesn't come from hustling harder. Wealth is planned for. You need to design a business that generates profit, builds assets, and creates income that isn't tied to your time. You must understand what separates businesses that make their founders rich from the businesses that are just paying the bills. The truth is that a high income will not make you wealthy. Wealth is about owning assets that generate income with or without you working. Income pays the bills, where wealth builds your future. You can be a high-income earner and still be living paycheck to paycheck. That's the trap that many business owners fall into, where they are chasing revenue without building a solid financial foundation. Wealth is about ownership. You grow wealth through your business through your equity, the value of your brand, your investments, real estate, retirement accounts, and other income producing assets. Profit is essential in business, but it is what you do with that profit is what makes you wealthy. Your business is the tool that generates wealth. It's how you generate income, create profit, and build long-term assets. But too many entrepreneurs get caught up in the daily grind and forget the bigger picture of building a life of financial freedom through the business. Real wealth comes from what you do with your business. You must manage the money in your business wisely, reinvest profits into systems and growth, and create income streams that don't rely on you showing up every day. When you have equity in your business and when it holds sellable value, that's when it shifts from being job to you actually building wealth. Here are five tips on how to shift your business into a wealth building machine: Prioritizing profit ensures you have the surplus needed to invest, grow, and build lasting wealth beyond just covering expenses. Creating recurring or leveraged revenue streams allows you to earn consistently without trading time for money, turning your business into a scalable wealth-building asset. Investing in systems, people, and automation frees you from doing everything yourself, allowing your business to grow beyond your capacity and build long-term value. Tracking key metrics like cash flow, profit margin, owner's pay, and asset value gives you the data needed to make smart decisions, stay financially healthy, and build sustainable wealth. Paying yourself regularly and with intention ensures you're not just building a business, but also building personal wealth, and respecting your role as the CEO. The bottom line is that yes, your business can make you wealthy, but only if you plan strategically for wealth. Wealth doesn't just happen; it is built with intention. Start by making smart decisions today that move you forward to the financial future you want.
