Should You Ditch the Stock Market? Why Passive Income Is the Future of Financial Freedom
Stocks are down. Again.
If you’re anything like most investors I talk to, you’ve probably been wondering:
“Is there a better place to put my money right now?”
It’s a fair question especially in 2025, where volatility is the norm and traditional portfolios just aren’t cutting it. That’s why I sat down with Bronson Hill, a former investment advisor turned real asset investor, to talk about what actually works today.
This post dives into what Bronson and I discussed on the Money Ripples Podcast and why it might just change how you invest forever.
From Wall Street to Real Assets: Bronson’s Journey
Bronson Hill didn’t just talk the talk he lived it. For years, he was in the grind of medical device sales, making good money but with no time freedom.
Then he woke up.
Even the doctors he worked with earning $2M+ a year—were still stuck in the same cycle: no time, no control, no true financial freedom.
So Bronson pivoted. He left behind the old model of maxing out 401(k)s and instead turned to real assets like multifamily real estate, oil and gas, and private businesses.
In just a few short years, he 20x’d his net worth and raised over $50 million for real asset investments. That’s not luck that’s leverage.
The Three Levels of Financial Freedom
Bronson and I both agree: freedom isn’t just about income it’s about cash flow.
He breaks it down into three levels:
- Covering Your Basic Needs – Replacing your expenses with passive income.
- Replacing Your Full-Time Income – Escaping the need to work altogether.
- FU Money – Complete autonomy, the power to walk away from anything.
Most people chase appreciation, but Bronson argues (and I agree): cash flow is what buys your time back.
Why Stocks Aren’t the Safe Bet Anymore
We talked about the real risks of Wall Street and why your retirement account might be quietly bleeding value.
✔️ Hidden fees
✔️ Unpredictable performance
✔️ Minimal control
✔️ Glorified savings accounts with weak returns
In fact, Bronson referenced Tony Robbins’ research showing that mutual fund fees often total over 5% annually on accounts barely returning 6–8%. That’s not wealth-building. That’s wealth-leaking.
So Where’s the Money Going?
Bronson’s current strategy is laser-focused on:
- Oil and Gas Land & Drilling – High cash flow + major tax benefits
- E-commerce Business Acquisitions – Scalable and passive
- Private Lending/Debt Funds – Steady, contractual income
- Real Estate with Strategic Leverage – But only when it pencils
Why these? Because they cash flow today and they offer tangible value backed by real assets.
In Bronson’s words: “If it doesn’t pay you now, why wait?”
The Power of the Right Room
One of the most important takeaways from our conversation?
Your net worth is connected to your network.
Bronson runs something called The Wealth Forum a high-level mastermind for accredited investors and business owners. They bring in top-tier guests, host live events, and most importantly, connect people with each other.
When you’re surrounded by others who are already financially free, it’s no longer theory. It’s reality. And you learn from real experience not just some article on the internet.
Bronson’s Ripple Effect
At the heart of Bronson’s mission is something even more powerful than money: impact.
He’s committed to using his wealth and platform to fight human trafficking, supporting rescue and rehabilitation efforts around the world. As a father myself, that hits deep.
It’s a reminder that the real reason we create wealth is to change lives ours, our families’, and those we may never meet.
Final Thoughts: Where Should You Be Investing Right Now?
If you’re still stuck in the stock market, hoping for a rebound you’re gambling.
But if you want predictable income, tax advantages, and control, it’s time to start thinking differently. Real assets. Cash flow. Strategy.
That’s how Bronson did it. That’s how I did it.
And you can too.