The Automatic Wealth Academy

These 8 Money Habits Are Costing You Thousands (Are You Doing Them?) | #MoneyMindset - Ep. 17

📥 FREE Interactive Budget Blueprint → https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/the-interactive-budget-blueprint (Set up your personal 70-10-10-10 budget in 5 minutes. No guesswork, no confusion) --- Last month I ran an experiment on myself: I went through every single payment that left my bank account, every subscription, every purchase, every direct debit and asked one question: Did I actually choose this, or did I just end up here? The answer unsettled me. In this video, I walk you through the 8 money habits that are quietly draining your wallet, not because they feel like mistakes, but because they feel completely normal. That's exactly what makes them so dangerous. We cover: ✅ Buying cheap (and why it's often the most expensive choice) ✅ Buying a bigger home than you need — the hidden $170,000+ trap ✅ Upgrading your phone every year (what I did instead with that money) ✅ Buying diamonds — the retail markup no one talks about ✅ Calling luxury purchases "investments" (confirmation bias at work) ✅ Extended warranties — why they're pushed so hard ✅ Weddings — starting marriage with financial stress baked in ✅ Streaming subscriptions — you're paying for options, not content None of this is about spending less on things you love. It's about the shift from defaulting to deciding — and that's where the real financial progress happens. 👇 Which one hit closest to home? Drop it in the comments. I read every single one. ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction — the experiment 02:17 Habit #1 — Buying cheap (sunk cost fallacy) 04:16 Habit #2 — Buying a bigger home than you need 07:03 Habit #3 — Upgrading your phone every year 09:22 Habit #4 — Buying diamonds 11:10 Habit #5 — Calling luxury purchases "investments" 13:17 Habit #6 — Extended warranties 14:49 Habit #7 — Weddings 16:51 Habit #8 — Streaming subscriptions 18:38 The real takeaway --- SUBSCRIBE HERE:    / https://www.youtube.com/@MyAutomaticWealthAcademy  WHO IS ANDREA VAN SCHALKWYK Andrea is an Italian–South African, born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, and a Value Investor who believes managing money shouldn’t be stressful or confusing. After living in Italy for 20+ years and travelling through 60 countries, he has learned one thing: everyone deserves financial stability, even with a full-time job, a family, and very little free time. Through the Automatic Wealth Academy and articles published on major financial platforms, like Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance and GuruFocus, he helps people simplify their finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and finally build the kind of calm, predictable wealth that brings peace of mind. --- DO YOU WANT TO HAVE FINANCIAL FREEDOM? Download "The 5 Stages of Financial Freedom", and you will Receive the Practical Roadmap to Go from Survival to Wealth. https://www.automaticfinancialfreedom.com/the-five-stages-of-financial-freedom  Financial freedom is more than having money, it’s having control over your time, choices, and future. Understanding your current stage allows you to take targeted, effective steps to progress and achieve generational Wealth. --- CONNECT WITH ANDREA | SOCIALS & WEBSITE: 🌎 Website -  / https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/ 𝕏 Twitter/X -  / https://x.com/awealthacademy/ 📸 Instagram -   / https://www.instagram.com/automaticwealthacademy/ 👨‍💼 Linkedin-   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreavanschalkwyk/ 🙂📘 Facebook -   / https://www.facebook.com/automaticwealthacademy/ --- DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURES:  This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Always evaluate your own financial situation and conduct thorough research before making investment decisions. All investments carry inherent risks, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. #WealthBuilding #LongTermInvesting #FinancialFreedom #InvestmentTips #ValueInvesting #AndreaVanSchalkwyk #AutomaticWealthacAdemy #PsycologyOfMoney #MoneyMindset

Most People Get Their Budget Wrong (Here's Why) | #Budgeting - Ep. 16

📥 FREE Interactive Budget Blueprint → https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/the-interactive-budget-blueprint (Set up your personal 70-10-10-10 budget in 5 minutes. No guesswork, no confusion) --- Most people think their money problem is a math problem. It's not. It's a mind problem — and once you see it, you can't unsee it. In this video, I show you the 70/10/10/10 framework — a simple, proven system that tells you exactly where every dollar should go the moment it arrives, before your brain gets involved and life gets in the way. No willpower required. No complicated spreadsheets. Just a clear structure that quietly builds wealth in the background while you live your life in the foreground. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:  - Why giving yourself a raise doesn't solve the problem (and what actually does). - The ant and spider story that completely changed how I think about money - How I saved more in one month than in the entire previous year — using one simple change - The 4 buckets every dollar needs to go into, and exactly how to split them - Why investing even $300/month can build a $175,000 portfolio in 20 years - How to automate the whole system so it works without you thinking about it CHAPTERS: 00:00 Money Mindset Shift 00:55 Like and Subscribe Break 01:23 The Pen Line Trap 02:36 Testing Your Savings Limit 05:34 What Freedom Really Means 07:13 Why Budgets Fail 09:06 70 Percent Living Bucket 11:36 10 Percent Grow Income 13:35 10 Percent Invest Passively 15:23 10 Percent Giving Habit 16:50 Automate Your Buckets 18:37 Free Budget Blueprint --- SUBSCRIBE HERE:    / https://www.youtube.com/@MyAutomaticWealthAcademy  WHO IS ANDREA VAN SCHALKWYK Andrea is an Italian–South African, born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, and a Value Investor who believes managing money shouldn’t be stressful or confusing. After living in Italy for 20+ years and travelling through 60 countries, he has learned one thing: everyone deserves financial stability, even with a full-time job, a family, and very little free time. Through the Automatic Wealth Academy and articles published on major financial platforms, like Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance and GuruFocus, he helps people simplify their finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and finally build the kind of calm, predictable wealth that brings peace of mind. --- DO YOU WANT TO HAVE FINANCIAL FREEDOM? Download "The 5 Stages of Financial Freedom", and you will Receive the Practical Roadmap to Go from Survival to Wealth. https://www.automaticfinancialfreedom.com/the-five-stages-of-financial-freedom  Financial freedom is more than having money, it’s having control over your time, choices, and future. Understanding your current stage allows you to take targeted, effective steps to progress and achieve generational Wealth. --- CONNECT WITH ANDREA | SOCIALS & WEBSITE: 🌎 Website -  / https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/ 𝕏 Twitter/X -  / https://x.com/awealthacademy/ 📸 Instagram -   / https://www.instagram.com/automaticwealthacademy/ 👨‍💼 Linkedin-   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreavanschalkwyk/ 🙂📘 Facebook -   / https://www.facebook.com/automaticwealthacademy/ --- DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURES:  This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Always evaluate your own financial situation and conduct thorough research before making investment decisions. All investments carry inherent risks, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. #JimRohn #InvestingStrategy #StockMarket #WealthBuilding #LongTermInvesting #FinancialFreedom #InvestmentTips #ElizabethWarren #ValueInvesting #PortfolioManagement #andreavanschalkwyk #automaticwealthacademy #psycologyofmoney #Budgeting

Your Brain is Your Biggest Money Problem | #MoneyPsychology - Ep. 15

📥 FREE Interactive Budget Blueprint → https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/the-interactive-budget-blueprint (Set up your personal 70-10-10-10 budget in 5 minutes. No guesswork, no confusion) --- Once you see this, you can't unsee it.  Most people don't realize there's an invisible line around their entire financial life and they drew it themselves. This short but powerful lesson uses a simple experiment with an ant and a circle to reveal the one thing blocking most people from building real wealth.  It's not your income. It's not the economy. It's a mental limit you created, and you can erase it today. If you've ever told yourself "investing isn't for people like me" or "I just can't seem to save more"... this is the video that changes that. VIDEO CHAPTERS  00:00 Ant and Pen Trap 00:39 Spider Breaks the Line 01:41 Like and Subscribe Break 02:11 My Savings Limit Story 02:57 Automate 20 Percent Transfer 04:12 Circles That Block Wealth 05:41 What Financial Freedom Means 06:56 Take One Step Over 08:22 Erase the Circle Today --- SUBSCRIBE HERE:    / https://www.youtube.com/@MyAutomaticWealthAcademy  WHO IS ANDREA VAN SCHALKWYK Andrea is an Italian–South African, born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, and a Value Investor who believes managing money shouldn’t be stressful or confusing. After living in Italy for 20+ years and travelling through 60 countries, he has learned one thing: everyone deserves financial stability, even with a full-time job, a family, and very little free time. Through the Automatic Wealth Academy and articles published on major financial platforms, like Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance and GuruFocus, he helps people simplify their finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and finally build the kind of calm, predictable wealth that brings peace of mind. --- DO YOU WANT TO HAVE FINANCIAL FREEDOM? Download "The 5 Stages of Financial Freedom", and you will Receive the Practical Roadmap to Go from Survival to Wealth. https://www.automaticfinancialfreedom.com/the-five-stages-of-financial-freedom  Financial freedom is more than having money, it’s having control over your time, choices, and future. Understanding your current stage allows you to take targeted, effective steps to progress and achieve generational Wealth. --- CONNECT WITH ANDREA | SOCIALS & WEBSITE: 🌎 Website -  / https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/ 𝕏 Twitter/X -  / https://x.com/awealthacademy/ 📸 Instagram -   / https://www.instagram.com/automaticwealthacademy/ 👨‍💼 Linkedin-   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreavanschalkwyk/ 🙂📘 Facebook -   / https://www.facebook.com/automaticwealthacademy/ --- DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURES:  This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Always evaluate your own financial situation and conduct thorough research before making investment decisions. All investments carry inherent risks, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. #InvestingStrategy #MoneyMindset #WealthBuilding #LongTermInvesting #FinancialFreedom #InvestmentTips #ValueInvesting #PortfolioManagement #andreavanschalkwyk #automaticwealthacademy #thepsycologyofmoney #MoneyPsycology

From Babylon to Budget: The Complete Money System | #Budgeting - Ep. 14

📥 FREE Interactive Budget Blueprint → https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/the-interactive-budget-blueprint (Set up your personal 70-10-10-10 budget in 5 minutes. No guesswork, no confusion) --- "Once you see this, you can't unsee it. The reason you're still broke at the end of the month has nothing to do with how hard you work and everything to do with a system you were never taught." In this video, I will reveal a money management system that has been tested across 4,000 years of human history, from the ancient streets of Babylon to your bank account in 2026. You'll discover the one rule the wealthiest man in ancient Babylon lived by, how Jim Rohn turned it into a complete life framework, and why Elizabeth Warren's 50/30/20 rule became the most popular budget in the modern world. But more importantly, you'll walk away with the 70-10-10-10 Framework, a simple, powerful system that combines the best of all three, designed specifically for real people with real lives who are ready to stop running out of money every month. VIDEO CHAPTERS  00:00 Why Money Disappears 02:19 Ancient Pay Yourself 05:06 Jim Rohn 70 30 06:23 Invest Grow Give 09:13 Warren 50 30 20 10:53 Stop Subscription Leaks 12:13 Which Rule Fits 13:04 My 70 10 10 10 Budget Blueprint 15:13 Emergency Fund Fix 16:47 Start Small Automate 19:12 Free Budget Blueprint 20:20 Final Takeaway --- SUBSCRIBE HERE:    / https://www.youtube.com/@MyAutomaticWealthAcademy  WHO IS ANDREA VAN SCHALKWYK Andrea is an Italian–South African, born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, and a Value Investor who believes managing money shouldn’t be stressful or confusing. After living in Italy for 20+ years and travelling through 60 countries, he has learned one thing: everyone deserves financial stability, even with a full-time job, a family, and very little free time. Through the Automatic Wealth Academy and articles published on major financial platforms, like Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance and GuruFocus, he helps people simplify their finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and finally build the kind of calm, predictable wealth that brings peace of mind. --- DO YOU WANT TO HAVE FINANCIAL FREEDOM? Download "The 5 Stages of Financial Freedom", and you will Receive the Practical Roadmap to Go from Survival to Wealth. https://www.automaticfinancialfreedom.com/the-five-stages-of-financial-freedom  Financial freedom is more than having money, it’s having control over your time, choices, and future. Understanding your current stage allows you to take targeted, effective steps to progress and achieve generational Wealth. --- CONNECT WITH ANDREA | SOCIALS & WEBSITE: 🌎 Website -  / https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/ 𝕏 Twitter/X -  / https://x.com/awealthacademy/ 📸 Instagram -   / https://www.instagram.com/automaticwealthacademy/ 👨‍💼 Linkedin-   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreavanschalkwyk/ 🙂📘 Facebook -   / https://www.facebook.com/automaticwealthacademy/ --- DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURES:  This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Always evaluate your own financial situation and conduct thorough research before making investment decisions. All investments carry inherent risks, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. #Budget #Frugality#ElizabethWarren #WealthBuilding #Babylon #FinancialFreedom #BudgetingTips #WarrenBuffett #ValueInvesting #PortfolioManagement #andreavanschalkwyk #automaticwealthacademy #thepsycologyofmoney

Market Chaos Doesn't Scare You If You Know This | #Investing - Ep. 13

The 5 Stages of Financial Freedom: 👉 https://www.automaticfinancialfreedom.com/the-five-stages-of-financial-freedom --- Most people start investing… and panic the moment prices drop.  Here's the one rule that fixes that, and Warren Buffett has been saying it for decades. This video discusses various investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of long term investing.  We explore how to invest smart by focusing on a 10-year investment horizon to navigate market fluctuations and promote long-term value.  This is sound financial advice for anyone looking to optimize their financial planning and investment. VIDEO CHAPTERS  00:00 Investing with a 10-Year Horizon Philosophy 00:54 The 10 Year Rule 02:04 Investing in Businesses --- SUBSCRIBE HERE:    / https://www.youtube.com/@MyAutomaticWealthAcademy  WHO IS ANDREA VAN SCHALKWYK Andrea is an Italian–South African, born and raised in Lusaka, Zambia, and a Value Investor who believes managing money shouldn’t be stressful or confusing. After living in Italy for 20+ years and travelling through 60 countries, he has learned one thing: everyone deserves financial stability, even with a full-time job, a family, and very little free time. Through the Automatic Wealth Academy and articles published on major financial platforms, like Business Insider, Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance and GuruFocus, he helps people simplify their finances, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and finally build the kind of calm, predictable wealth that brings peace of mind. --- DO YOU WANT TO HAVE FINANCIAL FREEDOM? Download "The 5 Stages of Financial Freedom", and you will Receive the Practical Roadmap to Go from Survival to Wealth. https://www.automaticfinancialfreedom.com/the-five-stages-of-financial-freedom  Financial freedom is more than having money, it’s having control over your time, choices, and future. Understanding your current stage allows you to take targeted, effective steps to progress and achieve generational Wealth. --- CONNECT WITH ANDREA | SOCIALS & WEBSITE: 🌎 Website -  / https://www.automaticwealthacademy.com/ 𝕏 Twitter/X -  / https://x.com/awealthacademy/ 📸 Instagram -   / https://www.instagram.com/automaticwealthacademy/ 👨‍💼 Linkedin-   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreavanschalkwyk/ 🙂📘 Facebook -   / https://www.facebook.com/automaticwealthacademy/ --- DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURES:  This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Always evaluate your own financial situation and conduct thorough research before making investment decisions. All investments carry inherent risks, and past performance doesn't guarantee future results. #Warren Buffett #InvestingStrategy #StockMarket #WealthBuilding #LongTermInvesting #FinancialFreedom #InvestmentTips #WarrenBuffett #ValueInvesting #PortfolioManagement #andreavanschalkwyk #automaticwealthacademy #MarketChaos #BearMarket