Jeff Bezos-Backed Real Estate Investment Startup Lets You Own Prime US Residential Properties Online with Only $100

Tangible assets like real estate have long been a favored investment for the wealthy due to their global demand, limited supply, passive income, and independence from stock market fluctuations. However, the high capital required has traditionally excluded non-accredited investors. Recently, this has changed with the introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which allow individuals to invest in a portfolio of properties for a fraction of the cost. This innovation, along with the rise of online real estate platforms, has made it easier for a broader range of investors to participate in the real estate market.

One such platform, Arrived, has attracted significant attention, including investments from high-profile figures like Jeff Bezos, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, and Salesforce Co-CEO Marc Benioff. Since its launch in 2020, Arrived has amassed over $177 million in real estate assets and offers investments in single-family homes, vacation rentals, and real estate debt. With a low entry point of $100, investors can purchase shares in individual properties or participate in REITs, benefiting from rental income and property appreciation. The platform also offers a private real estate debt fund with an annual dividend yield of 8.1%, secured by the underlying properties.

Arrived stands out for its rigorous property selection process, with only 0.2% of analyzed properties making it onto the platform. This vetting is guided by data science and insights from local agents, ensuring that the properties listed have strong growth potential. The company’s investment committee, with decades of experience, further refines the selection to include only the most promising assets. Arrived also addresses traditional real estate's liquidity challenges by allowing investors to sell their REIT shares anytime, albeit with an exit fee. With over 670,000 registered users and nearly $7 million in dividends paid since its inception, Arrived offers a streamlined and accessible way for individuals to invest in real estate without the burdens of direct property management. (Full story)

Walmart's newly implemented return-to-office policy has sparked significant controversy among its remote employees, with many questioning the mandate to relocate to company hubs in Bentonville, Arkansas, Hoboken, New Jersey, and Northern California. While the company has offered generous relocation packages, some employees have expressed frustration with the short notice and challenges posed by the move, with a few choosing to resign instead. This debate is part of a broader trend, as companies like Salesforce, Bank of America, and Dell also enforce strict in-office policies, sometimes perceived as tactics to prompt voluntary resignations. The struggle between remote work preferences and mandatory office returns reflects a larger transformation in the future of work, balancing employee satisfaction, productivity, and economic pressures. (Full story)

Alexandr Wang, the world's youngest self-made billionaire and co-founder of ScaleAI, emphasized the importance of AI-related skills for young people in a discussion about the future economy. Wang highlighted prompt engineering and the ability to solve complex problems that require AI to think and reason like humans as crucial competencies. He underscored the enduring value of long-term thinking, which he believes humans excel at compared to AI. Wang advocated for a strong foundation in technical subjects such as math, physics, and economics to cultivate these skills. As AI adoption surges, particularly in the next five years, mastering these skills will be essential for thriving in the evolving job market. (Full story)

Pranshu Dwivedi, a 35-year-old from New Delhi, resigned from his position at Goldman Sachs after nearly 12 years to become a stay-at-home father, allowing his wife to continue her career. Dwivedi began at Goldman Sachs as an intern in 2011, transitioning to a full-time role in 2012. Over the years, he and his wife, who also worked at Goldman Sachs, balanced demanding careers while raising their two children. The pandemic prompted Dwivedi to reconsider their parenting roles, leading him to take on primary childcare responsibilities after the birth of their second child in 2023. Despite challenges, Dwivedi embraces his new role, advocating for other men to consider similar shifts to support their partners' careers. (Full story)

As the new school year approaches, parents are preparing for the expenses of back-to-school shopping, which can quickly become overwhelming. Rob Phelan, a Certified Financial Education Instructor and high school personal finance teacher, has observed many families overspending on school supplies. In a Business Insider article, Phelan offers practical strategies to help parents save money, such as renting high-ticket items like laptops, tapping into community resources for gently used supplies, timing purchases during tax-free periods, and carefully reviewing supply lists. Additionally, Phelan highlights the importance of safeguarding children’s privacy online, as posting back-to-school photos with personal details can pose security risks. Parents can better navigate the back-to-school season by managing costs and protecting personal information. (Full story)