Defeating the Big Bad Inflation Man: Proven Real Estate Strategies for 2025 - The Invested Life #TheInvestedLife #realestateinvesting Understanding the Impact of Inflation If you’ve bought groceries or filled up your gas tank lately, you’ve felt the sting of inflation. As Dan Cantiana explains in this episode, inflation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s been a major economic force over the last three to five years, eroding the purchasing power of our hard-earned dollars. In September 2025, inflation hovers around 2-4%, which may seem small on paper but quickly adds up. Dan paints a clear picture: if you bring home $100,000, and inflation is 2% this year, your “real” spending power drops to $98,000. Without a corresponding wage increase, year after year, your financial position can deteriorate. So the pressing question becomes: what can you do to keep up with, or even outpace, the effects of inflation? The Power of Investing: You, Inc. Dan’s approach begins with reframing your personal finances. Whether you’re a teacher, flight attendant, or doctor, you’re running a business—You, Inc.—and you are responsible for keeping it profitable. That means making strategic decisions to protect your purchasing power and build your wealth. His solution? Invest in assets that not only keep up with inflation but beat it. For Dan, this means buying real estate at a discount and seeking double-digit returns. As he puts it: “Buy assets at a discount and invest in opportunities that create double digit returns.” And for those daunted by the idea of finding such deals, Dan emphasizes the power of partnering with experienced investors who have access to off-market opportunities. Real Estate: The Inflation-Beating Asset Dan shares an inspiring real-world example from Spokane, Washington—a property purchased near Gonzaga University. Thanks to a relationship with a wholesaler, he purchased the home for $240,000, despite its market value being closer to $340,000. By investing $60,000 in upgrades—adding two bedrooms and a full bath—he forced appreciation, pushing the value up to $400,000. The total investment: $300,000. The gain: instant equity and a massive buffer against inflation. Dan quips, “If you lose $2,000 with inflation each year, I just bought myself 50 years of inflation guard.” Real estate offers additional advantages, such as mortgage interest deductions and property depreciation write-offs, plus the potential for rental income. The critical takeaway is that real estate, purchased wisely, can be a powerful hedge against inflation. For those who lack the time or expertise to find such deals, partnerships with experienced investors—like Dan—can offer a ticket to these high-potential opportunities. In life you are either an investor or a consumer. You either habitually create or habitually consume. So the real question is: how do you start creating? And once you start, how do you keep going? Now, you might be asking yourself, “Dan, what’s with all the questions? I thought this was a book, not a test.” Fair enough—but without questions, how can we expect to find answers? And isn’t that what we all want as leaders? Not just answers, but the right answers. Answers that bless the people around us. Answers that bring peace, resolution, and abundance. This isn’t just another podcast about success—it’s a journey of self-discovery, intentional living, and building a life you love. Dan shares insights, stories, and strategies designed to help you achieve financial freedom, live with integrity, and make money effortlessly by aligning your work with your faith. If you believe in loving what you do and doing what you love, you're in the right place. Protect. Provide. Promote. https://investwithdancan.com/ https://wavecapitallending.com/ http://www.bizzybeebookkeeping.com/ https://www.dancanspokane.com/ https://www.youtube.