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America’s baby boomers are often seen as the lucky ones — the generation that bought homes before prices soared, rode decades of stock market growth and built their careers in a less cutthroat job market than what many face today. But according to “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki, those golden years may not be so golden after all.
In a recent appearance on “The Iced Coffee Hour” podcast, Kiyosaki issued a blunt warning: America’s boomers will face a wave of homelessness — and he’s placing the blame squarely on one institution. (1)
“The reason we have homelessness today is because we have a Federal Reserve bank — it’s a criminal organization,” he said. “Look how homelessness is exploding. People can’t afford homes.”
Kiyosaki argued that by printing fiat currency, the Federal Reserve fuels price increases that make everyday life harder for ordinary Americans.
“When you print fake money, which this stuff is, you make life harder on people,” he said, holding up two U.S. dollar bills.
He went on to explain that money printing disproportionately benefits asset owners at the expense of the poor and middle class.
“So if you own a house and you print money, you feel, oh, the price of my house went up. But the average person sees the price of chicken and eggs and yogurt goes up and — and inflation wipes them out.”
Born in 1947, Kiyosaki is among the earliest baby boomers — a generation typically defined as those born between 1946 and 1964. And he believes his peers will be especially vulnerable.
“The boomers don’t have enough money to get through inflation. The boomers are going to be homeless all over the place,” he said. “So mark my words, I’m the first of the boomers. We’re going to get wiped out via inflation. Your mommy and daddy may be on the street because inflation is going to wipe out their Social Security.”
His concerns tap into a very real issue. While Social Security Administration benefits are adjusted annually for inflation, many experts note that these cost-of-living adjustments often fall short of the rising expenses older Americans face — especially for housing and health care. (2)
And even those benefits aren’t guaranteed at current levels forever. The Social Security trust fund reserves are projected to become insolvent in 2035 — and possibly even sooner. Without congressional action, retirees will receive only about 83% of their full benefits.
The good news? Kiyosaki also shared the assets he believes can stand strong against inflation, money printing — and more.
Kiyosaki has long been a vocal advocate for gold. His reasoning is straightforward: “I’m not buying gold because I like gold, I’m buying gold because I don’t trust the Fed,” he said in an interview back in 2021. (3)
Indeed, the yellow metal is a natural hedge against inflation — unlike fiat currencies, it can’t be printed at will by central banks. Gold is also widely considered the ultimate safe haven asset. It’s not tied to any one country, currency or economy and in times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty, investors often flock to it — driving prices higher.
Kiyosaki has been hoarding the metal.
“I have boxes of gold. I own gold mines,” he revealed.
He’s not alone in this stance. Ray Dalio, founder of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, told CNBC earlier this year that “people don’t have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,” adding that “when bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.”
And the market has rewarded gold holders. Over the past 12 months, gold prices have surged by more than 50%.
One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Thor Metals.
Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against inflation and economic uncertainties.
To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $20,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases.
Gold isn’t the only asset investors turn to during inflationary times. Real estate has also proven to be a powerful hedge.
When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.
Kiyosaki is no stranger to this asset class.
“I own 1,500 rental properties,” he said, adding that “I like real estate.”
In a post on X earlier this year, Kiyosaki laid out the steps he believes individuals can take to brace for a recession — and highlighted real estate’s income-generating power. (4)
“I have always recommended people become entrepreneurs, at least a side hustle and not need job security. Then invest in income-producing real estate, in a crash, which provides steady cash flow,” he said.
Today, you don’t need to be as wealthy as Kiyosaki to get started in real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties.
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