On May 18, 2002, my local paper ran a story about me titled “Thomas Now Casts His Own Shadow.”
I had recently left my business partner to strike out on my own and was now the proud owner of a brand-new shopping center I’d constructed from the ground up.
It wouldn’t be the last time I built something big or made the headlines. I was flying high back then, with every indication that I’d be retiring a rich man by age 50.
Then the housing crisis hit in 2008… taking my house of cards with it.
You see, I hadn’t managed my money well. My investments weren’t diversified. And I’d done nothing to prepare for rainy days.
That left me sitting in the parking lot of that “Shadow” property in early 2009, which I no longer owned. In fact, I no longer owned much.
I was more broke than I’m willing to write even now. I had five children. The youngest was no older than two. And I had no idea how I was going to provide for them.
My wife had asked me to go pick up diapers and milk.
I was sitting in the parking lot of a $15 million property I once developed. I remember thinking, “Why is it that I have just $20 in my pocket and the bag boys – in jobs I helped create – are better off than me?”
I’m not ashamed to admit that I prayed that day in my car. Or that I got an actual answer.
It wasn’t an easy one. I knew it was going to take hard work and time. But I now had a plan. I just had to act on it.
A Hard Lesson
I retell this story to make a point.
If you feel like you’re losing everything in the stock market these days, I understand how you feel.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Losing it all in the 2008 crash was a hard lesson, but it made me into the analyst and investor I am today.
So, I set about capitalizing on real estate all over again. Just this time, it was in a much more intelligent, sustainable way.
I began by reaching out to some of the CEOs I’d met over the years. This included some in charge of real estate investment trusts (REITs) – corporate landlords that pay big dividends.
Those connections gave me a unique edge in the new arena I’d decided to break into. My understanding of real estate, from foundation to fulfillment, added another.
We can think of REITs as a way to own real estate without all the hassle that comes with owning real estate. And – when we find the best REITs – they can provide solid income for years and years.
In 2010, I started working hard and buying into the sector myself. And slowly but surely, I built back my wealth.
It wasn’t flashy. Buying great companies paying solid dividends might not seem “exciting.” But it helped turn my fortunes around and put me back on track for a great retirement.
It can do the same for you…
Weather This Storm
Today, those efforts and investments have paid off immensely. But it wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t decide to go the slow and steady route, even during miserable conditions.
I learned that when you look for well-managed companies that offer what people want in ways nobody else can – you can weather any kind of stormy market.
And that’s why I’m excited to share some big news today…
On Wednesday, October 19, I’m launching a brand-new service that shows you how you can generate income from exactly those kinds of companies – including my favorite REITs.
And here’s the best part… the strategy I’ll share with you actually benefits from increased market volatility. It could set you on the path to reliable, consistent income.
I’m so confident in its safety and results that I showed my 82-year-old mother how to do it in her own brokerage account. And she can’t wait to use it again to help boost her retirement income.
So click here to sign up for my event on Wednesday, October 19, at 8 p.m. ET. When you do, you’ll also find out how to access a bonus report I’ve just put together, My #1 Recession-Proof Investment, for free.
Here’s the bottom line for you today: It might feel like it’s tough going at times… But you could find yourself looking back on 2022 as one of the best opportunities life ever handed you.
Happy SWAN (sleep well at night) investing,
Brad Thomas
Editor, Intelligent Income Daily