You won’t find us making looksmaxxing method tier lists, but you KNOW we’re making them for personal finance.

Today, we’re ranking nine methods for building wealth, in no particular order to keep you guessing. For each one, decide where you’d put it before reading our verdict: F, D, C, B, A, or S.

Let’s get into it.

📉 Day Trading

In one study of Brazilian equity futures traders who stuck with it for at least 300 days, 97% lost money. Yes, really.

Think about your competition, too. Hedge funds with armies of analysts and ridiculous amounts of computing power are playing the same game as you.

You and your Robinhood account have your work cut out for you.

F-tier.

📦 Dropshipping

I’ve been hearing this term for ten years now. The secret is out.

You need the right product, a reliable supplier, and marketing that gives people a reason to buy from you. Getting all three right in a crowded market takes real work.

D-tier.

💍 Marrying Rich

Notice we didn’t say “be a gold digger.”

Assuming you’re in a loving relationship, marrying someone financially secure can certainly help you level up your finances. Just make sure you actually like the person you’re marrying.

B-tier.

🪙 Crypto Trading

Like day trading, trying to profit from short-term price swings can get expensive quickly. We’re okay with a little exposure to a few cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, provided you can stomach the risk. Here are some crypto brokerages we recommend. Let’s not forget, betting your financial future on your trading skills is another conversation.

F-tier.

🏠 Airbnb

In what world is buying a full-ass property and managing it passive?

You have to find a property, finance/rent it, furnish it, and manage it, or pay other people to handle those things. When something breaks, you’re still the one footing the bill. Additionally, it’s become incredibly competitive, more expensive, and stricter.

Just because it can make money does not mean you will.

D-tier.

🎰 Gambling

No explanation needed. Ok, I lied. This also includes sports betting, prediction markets, and opening Pokémon packs (yes, that’s gambling if your goal is to make money).

F-tier.

💰 Inheritance

If you’re in this position, first: sorry for your loss.

Second: This is mostly luck and shouldn’t be your main wealth-building strategy.

Reply with the rank you think this belongs in lol.

📈 Index Funds

Broad stock market index funds offer a low-cost way to own a little piece of hundreds or thousands of companies. Bless up, John Bogle.

For example, an S&P 500 index fund gives you exposure to roughly 500 large U.S. companies. The index has historically returned about 10% annually on average, before inflation and with dividends reinvested.

Expect plenty of bumps along the way. Individual years can look wildly different, and future returns aren’t guaranteed.

Still, for simplicity, diversification, and long-term wealth building?

A-tier, but pairing it with this last one makes it S-tier 👇

💼 Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Pay increases. Access to retirement accounts with tax advantages and potential employer matching. Possibly stock options.

Building your skills and increasing your earning power is a tried-and-true way to accumulate wealth—especially when you invest some of those raises before your spending catches up.

To supercharge this strategy, don’t stay at the same company forever and negotiate every job offer. Yes, even if you’re a college grad with no experience.

Pair this with consistent index fund investing, and you’ve got a wealth-building strategy worth taking seriously.

S-tier.

Which ones did we miss? Which ranking do you disagree with most? Hit reply and let us know!

Thanks,

Imran