🧠 Mental Health Returns

Yes. This is the City Chad, your money barista, brewing you a cup of wealth, one latte at a time. Let's sip on prosperity!

In this week’s edition:

• Markets: 😐 Tiny Moves

• Article: 🧠 Mental Health Returns

• News: 😨 RIP WeWork

• Travel destination: ✈️ Bucharest

• Chad of the Week: 📚 Mark Manson

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MARKETS: 😐 TINY MOVES

We had a relatively quiet week in the markets. Stocks, bonds and real estate were up slightly whilst crypto was mixed.

It seems things are not looking so bad after all. Last week, Goldman Sachs cut the chance of a US recession again. Now at 15% (from 20%).

There has been other good news that has been relatively unnoticed. The FED has been offloading its debt without causing financial havoc. They actually removed over $1 Trillion from their balance sheet (yes, trillion with a T) since April.

What does this mean? Well basically the FED is showing financial responsibility for a change. By reducing their debt, they are tightening financial conditions (so less money printing).

This should mean less inflation, less devaluation of the dollar, less risk in the markets over the long term.

CPI came in slightly higher yesterday, which would normally spook investors (as it could mean more rate rises). However, the markets responded favorably.

Crypto had a mixed week, with Bitcoin and Ethereum heading separate ways.

Despite the recent win from Grayscale against the SEC, it seems there is less investor interest in the asset class at the moment.

ARTICLE: 🧠 MENTAL HEALTH RETURNS

TLDR: Not investing in your mental health can actually cost you financially too. Like every investment, time and patience are the key. Here are four reasons why you should not only invest in the markets but in the soft thing between your ears. And most importantly, how to do it!

• Why this Matters

• Mind and Money Link

• The Action Items

• Summing it Up

WHY THIS MATTERS

In this world of ever decreasing attention spans it's easy to overlook the connection between mental health and financial stability.

But, man, no matter how much of a Chad you are, this stuff matters.

The two are closely related, believe it or not.

So we dug into this rabbit hole to bring you the juiciest things to watch out for.

MIND AND MONEY LINK

1. The Loop of Life

Ever noticed how when you're stressed or feeling down, your money matters tend to spiral out of control? Yeah, when it rains it pours.

It's a real thing, backed by research from the Journal of Economic Psychology.

When individuals grapple with mental health challenges like anxiety or depression, their ability to maintain stable employment, manage finances effectively, and make prudent financial decisions often takes a hit.

This, in turn, exacerbates financial stress and can lead to a downward spiral. Not a pretty picture.

2. Battling Mental Health Bills

Mental health issues can pack a punch on your wallet. Even in places where healthcare is tax funded (there is no such thing as free healthcare).

A study in the European Journal of Health Economics confirms that untreated mental health problems often lead to higher healthcare bills, thanks to increased hospital visits and outpatient care.

3. Work and the Mental-Money Connection

Employment is where the bucks roll in, right? But here's the twist – your mental health can be a game-changer.

According to a study in the Labour Economics Journal, mental health woes can lead to missed workdays, lower productivity, and job-hopping. 

4. Mental Health and the Debt Dilemma

Debt can be a heavy burden, especially when mental health issues are part of the equation.

A study in the Mental Health Review Journal revealed that people with mental health conditions tend to pile on more debt due to stress-driven spending sprees.

TAKING ACTION

So, what can you do about battling these issues?

You should prioritize your mental well-being by seeking support, whether through therapy, counseling, or stress-reduction techniques.

If you are in employment, seek support. Build resilience, and find ways to tackle workplace challenges.

A good place to start is by joining a support network in your industry. The LinkedIn search bar is a good place to start. It doesn’t get much easier.

Breaking these cycles can put you back in control of your financial game. It is is perhaps the first investment you should make.

Everything else follows from there.

P.S. If you wanna take a small step and get started right now, check out this breathing technique video by legend Wim Hof.

SUMMING IT UP

Don't underestimate the link between your mental well-being and your financial stability.

It's not just about feeling good; it's about securing your financial future.

So, get proactive – invest in yourself by taking steps to boost your mental health.

Break the cycle, manage healthcare costs, supercharge your career, and tackle debt smarter.

Your wallet and your well-being will thank you for it!

NEWS: 😨 RIP WEWORK

The story of WeWork is fascinating. Not because it is a great company. It’s fascinating because it’s not. Yet it managed to once be valued as a multi-billion dollar business through the sheer power of hype (and some BS).

Its stock once traded at $400 a share. It’s now $3.42.

The latest in WeWork’s demise is that they are aiming to renegotiate all its leases. They are themselves doubtful if they can stay in business (they said so just a few weeks ago).

Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, WeWork initially appeared poised to revolutionize the way people work and collaborate.

The company rapidly expanded its global footprint, securing massive investments and branding itself as a tech-driven, community-centric workspace provider.

However, its meteoric rise was fueled more by hype and aggressive marketing tactics than groundbreaking innovations in the co-working space. Profit and sustainable growth were not a priority.

The lessons? There are 2 here.

Lesson 1: Don’t build a company like WeWork did, obviously. Find a profitable idea and be sensible about the product-market fit. Market test and put profit as a priority. As well as your investors hard-earned capital!

Lesson 2: Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, they did do some things right. Tapping into the right network and having confidence can take you a long way. Sometimes the missing ingredient is confidence and taking action. If these incompetent people can do it, why not you, having integrity, the right skills and ideas?

TRAVEL DESTINATION: ✈️ BUCHAREST

Bucharest, often overshadowed by its western European counterparts yet it has nothing to envy them. It’s as pretty as them, and the fact that it is low profile makes it even better in my book.

My expectations were not that high to be honest. But I was really shocked how livable and beautiful the city is. There are plenty of picturesque sights. The Romanian Athenaeum is just perfect for a good photo session. For a relaxed spa day, just 30 mins by taxi from the center, Therme is just perfect.

But Bucharest not only offers many experiences from historical sites to an active nightlife full of life and surprises. It also means business, lately becoming a hub for finance and tech industries.

If you consider yourself an entrepreneur and nomad who is tired of the typical European capital you should definitely take a look at it.

Stay: The city is not too big, so location is not so crucial. If you’re looking for an older vibe, you can stay close to Centru Vechi, the old town. But be warned, all the loud clubs are around there. For a more modern side of the city, you can consider the bustling areas around Dorobanti or Herastrau.

Work: Finding a coffee shop with Wi-Fi is no problem in Bucharest. There are also plenty of co-working spaces.

Stay Fit: The city has pleasant weather. I highly recommend renting a bike and exploring the city, since it’s not too large you can enjoy the scenery and get to know some spots. Now if you are into hiking maybe you can be interested in the Carpathian Mountains

Go out: Check out the Old Town for clubbing. If you are looking for a more relaxed vibe, check out the Exarchia district. The city doesn’t fall short for variety.

Transport: Remember, the city is not too large, so a bike is a great way to explore Bucharest. It can get quite hot in the summer months so keep that in mind. Uber and Bolt are good options if you need a cab, but the traffic can be annoying.

Eat: Romanian dishes like “sarmale” and “mamaliga” are something to be experienced, but their traditional grilled sausages or “mici” are quite iconic. I’d recommend Caru cu Bere, one of the city’s more iconic restaurants.

CHAD OF THE WEEK: 📚 MARK MANSON

We all wanna become better in some. At least all of you City Chad readers.

But sometimes the world of self-help can be redundant or repetitive.

Mark Manson came to change the picture.

He presents a unique blend of a no-nonsense style mixed with raw authenticity and a little bit of profanity, making a space for himself in the reading of millions as some kind of a rockstar.

Mark started into the scene blogging, covering topics from dating to career advice and philosophy in his blog “Mark’s Daily Apple”.

However, it was his book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” what catapulted him into the mainstream. It’s a personal favorite and you should check it out.

Standing out with a casual style and no need for fancy suits or complex jargon, he writes as if he’s a college friend just speaking his mind, sharing his experiences over a beer.

Beyond books, he has offered talks with that characteristic chill vibe present in his written work, mixing humor and wisdom, as he often does as well in his blog.

Now you see why he is such a Chad. Certainly not your typical self-help guy but the chill guy at the party who drops sounded advice from time to time while sharing a beer.

Whether you need serious advice or just want to have a laugh reading, Mark has what you’re looking for.

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The material on this email and our website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and we make no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of its content – it is subject to change. Please conduct your own due diligence and research.

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The Chad index (“the index”) is a combination of historical returns for the following assets:

Equities: Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD Acc
Fixed Income: iShares Core Gl Aggregate Bd UCITS ETF USD Hgd Acc
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