Stop Spending, Start Owning: Invest in brands you love
- Don Tonzo
- Sep 10, 2024
- 4 min read
Why You're Doing It Wrong (and How to Fix It)

Why Most People Stay Broke (And How to Escape the Rat Race and Become a Beast)
Here’s a hard truth: Most people work hard to earn money, only to turn around and spend it on products they don’t really need, from brands they don’t own. They throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars at companies they believe in—companies that could be making them money in return. If you're spending more on a brand's products than you own in its stocks, you’re doing it wrong.
Here’s why.
The Consumer Trap: Why Spending Without Ownership is Making You Broke
Picture this: You’re excited about the latest iPhone release. You’ve been saving up, and the day it drops, you drop $1,600 on that shiny new phone. A year later, you're upgrading again, repeating the same cycle. Meanwhile, Apple is worth even more, thanks to millions of customers just like you.
But what if, instead of just being a consumer, you were also an owner? Imagine if, a year ago, you took that $1,600 and bought Apple stock instead. Today, that stock would likely be worth more. Now, when you buy that iPhone, you’re doing so as someone who profits from Apple’s success, not just someone funding it.
Most people are stuck in the rat race, working hard just to spend their money on things they think they need. They never stop to consider the companies behind the products and how they can benefit from those same companies’ success. The sad truth is: If you spend more money on a brand’s products than you do on owning a piece of that brand through stocks, you’re making the wrong move.
The Power of Ownership: How to Turn Spending into Wealth
Here’s a smarter approach: Invest in the brands you believe in before you spend your money on their products. Let me break it down:
Invest First, Spend Later: Instead of immediately buying that new iPhone, take the money you would’ve spent and invest it in Apple stock. A year later, after the stock has (hopefully) appreciated, you can use some of the profit to buy the iPhone. The best part? You still own the stock, and it continues to grow in value.
The “Free Product” Effect: By investing in companies you regularly purchase from, your returns from those investments can help offset the cost of the products you buy. It’s like getting those products for free because your investment profits cover your spending.
Think Like an Owner, Not a Consumer: Every time you consider buying a product, ask yourself: “Why not own part of the company that makes this?” If you love a brand enough to spend on it, you should love it enough to profit from its success.
The Fear That’s Keeping You From Building Wealth
Most people never think about investing because they’re scared. Scared of losing money. Scared of making the wrong move. Scared of the unknown.
But here’s the thing: Every time you buy a product from a brand, you're already betting on its success. If you trust a brand enough to give them your hard-earned money, why wouldn’t you trust them enough to invest in their future?
Sure, investing in the stock market carries risks. But not investing is even riskier. You’re missing out on the opportunity to turn your spending into wealth.
How to Break Free From the Consumer Cycle and Invest in Brands You Love.
Ready to stop spending and start owning? Here’s how you can begin thinking like an investor, not just a consumer:
Pick Your Brands: Think about the brands you regularly spend money on—whether it’s Apple, Nike, or Starbucks. These are the companies you already believe in. Now, check out their stock performance and consider becoming a partial owner.
Start Small: You don’t need thousands of dollars to start investing. Platforms like Robinhood, Acorns, or Stash allow you to buy fractional shares, meaning you can own a piece of a company for as little as $5.
Automate Your Investments: Set up automatic investments in the brands you trust. It’s a simple way to keep investing without thinking about it, and over time, those small amounts will add up.
Match Your Spending: For every dollar you spend on a brand, aim to invest a similar amount in its stock. This creates a balance between enjoying the products you love and building wealth from their success.
Think Long-Term: Stocks don’t always shoot up overnight, but over time, companies like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft have delivered incredible returns. By holding onto your investments, you're allowing your money to grow alongside the companies you trust.
Why 99% of People Stay Broke
Here’s why most people remain stuck in the rat race: They spend their entire lives trading time for money and using that money to buy things they don’t own. It’s a cycle that keeps them broke because their money is constantly being spent and never working for them.
If you want to get out of the rat race, you need to shift your mindset. Stop being a consumer and start thinking like an investor. Ownership is what separates the broke from the wealthy.
The Bottom Line: Own, Don’t Just Spend
It’s time to stop buying things from companies and start owning a piece of the companies themselves. You’re already spending money on the brands you love—why not get paid for it? By investing in the companies you believe in, you’re turning your spending into a smart financial strategy that builds wealth over time.
So next time you’re about to splurge on that new iPhone, ask yourself: “How can I own a part of Apple instead?”
Stop being just a consumer. Start becoming an owner.
Ready to take the first step? Start small. Invest in the brands you trust. Let your money work for you, instead of just working to spend it. Get out of the rat race and into the game of wealth-building. Own what you buy, and watch your financial future transform.
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