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- How To Keep & Grow Your Money #33
How To Keep & Grow Your Money #33
1 investing tip, 1 tax tip, 1 money lesson & some jokes
Sean Kan
April 28, 2025 • Est. Reading Time: 8 minutes
In partnership with
Gooooood day investors! This is the Sean Kan Letter where I help you Keep & Grow Your Money, in your inbox, every Monday.
In this letter:
✨ A useful thing: Printing Cash With Your Phone?
🚀 Grow your money: iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Deep Dive
💰 Keep your money: Why You Don’t Need a Tiny Island to Pay 0% Tax
🤓 Understand your money: Knowledge Economy Explained
But before that, let’s hear from our incredibly real & featured celebrity of the week😎:
Disclaimer, Severus Snape from Harry Potter is not a certified financial advisor.
Now let’s get to it.
Elon Dreams, Mode Mobile Delivers
As Elon Musk said, “Apple used to really bring out products that would blow people’s minds.”
Thankfully, a new smartphone company is stepping up to deliver the mind-blowing moments we've been missing.
Turning smartphones from an expense into an income stream, Mode has helped users earn an eye-popping $325M+ and seen an astonishing 32,481% revenue growth rate over three years.
They’ve just been granted the stock ticker $MODE by the Nasdaq—and the share price changes soon.
*An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur. Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com.
*The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research.
This section can contain product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
In this letter, we analyze the iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR).
Ticker: IJR | Price: $99.92 | Gross Expense Ratio: 0.06% | Assets Under Management (AUM): $73.8 billion | 10-Year Average Annual Return: 7.48% (as of March 31, 2025)
What is it (short)?
The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) offers investors exposure to a broad range of U.S. small-cap companies, aiming to provide growth potential by tracking the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.
What is it (long)?
IJR seeks to replicate the performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, which includes 600 U.S. small-cap stocks selected for their market capitalization, liquidity, and financial strength.
The fund employs a passively managed, full-replication strategy, offering diversified exposure across sectors like industrials, financials, and consumer discretionary.
With a very low expense ratio of 0.06%, IJR is a cost-effective option for investors seeking long-term growth through small-cap equities.
Our thoughts:
IJR is an excellent choice for investors looking to diversify into smaller U.S. companies that can offer higher growth potential compared to large caps.
Its low cost and broad sector exposure make it a strong fit for long-term portfolios. However, small-cap stocks tend to be more volatile, so investors should ensure it aligns with their risk tolerance and investment goals.
Do your own research and if you would like to take our free course to learn how to invest into ETFs and Index Funds at Index Institution™ go here.
Tired of thinking you need to vanish to some obscure island to pay less tax?
Good news—you don’t have to.
Today, the real tax opportunities are in full-sized, real-world countries with airports, infrastructure, and actual economies.
Here’s where the smart money is heading in 2025:
🇲🇾 Malaysia – 0% tax on foreign income. Tropical beaches, booming economy, no complicated residency rules.
🇬🇪 Georgia – 0% tax on most foreign income, super simple high-net-worth residency, and underrated quality of life.
🇺🇾 Uruguay – 11 years tax-free on foreign income, then a simple 7–12% flat rate. Peaceful, stable, and welcoming.
🇧🇿 Belize – No tax on foreign income, flexible residency options, and English-speaking from day one.
🇦🇬 Antigua & Barbuda – Just 30 days a year to qualify for tax residency—and $20K flat tax, no personal income tax after that.
🇵🇾 Paraguay – Territorial tax system, $70K investment for residency, and potential citizenship in just 3 years.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica – 0% tax on foreign income. Residency through just $2,500/month in passive income.
🇲🇪 Montenegro – Low taxes (9%), real estate residency options, and a path to EU access in the future.
The old "hide your money on an island" model is dead.
Today’s smartest entrepreneurs and investors are building real, sustainable lives in countries that want them there—while legally slashing their taxes and upgrading their lifestyle.
The real game isn’t just moving somewhere cheap. It’s finding the right environment to protect your wealth, secure your freedom, and live better.
Because real freedom isn’t about disappearing. It’s about building the life you actually want—on your terms.
If you would like to explore legally paying less taxes and maximizing your freedom check out Global Optimizer™ or click here.
Financial Concept to Learn in This Edition: Knowledge Economy
What Is the Knowledge Economy and Why Is It Important for Investing?
Definition: The knowledge economy is an economic system where growth is primarily driven by the production, distribution, and use of knowledge and information, rather than traditional industries like agriculture or manufacturing. It emphasizes the role of intellectual capital, innovation, and human expertise in creating economic value.
Key Aspects of the Knowledge Economy:
Human Capital: Education, skills, and experience of individuals are central, as they contribute to innovation and problem-solving capabilities.
Intellectual Property: Assets like patents, trademarks, and proprietary technologies become significant sources of competitive advantage.
Technology and Innovation: Rapid technological advancements and continuous innovation are fundamental drivers of economic activity.
Information Accessibility: The ease of accessing and sharing information enhances collaboration and accelerates development.
Why Investors Should Care:
Growth Opportunities: Companies that effectively leverage knowledge and innovation often experience higher growth rates, presenting attractive investment opportunities.
Resilience: Knowledge-based industries may be more adaptable to economic changes, offering stability during market fluctuations.
Global Competitiveness: Investing in economies or sectors that prioritize knowledge and innovation can align with global economic trends.
Key Considerations for Investors:
Evaluate Intellectual Assets: Assess a company's investment in research and development, employee expertise, and proprietary technologies.
Monitor Industry Trends: Stay informed about sectors where knowledge and innovation are key, such as technology, healthcare, and education.
Long-Term Perspective: Recognize that returns from knowledge-based investments may materialize over a longer horizon, requiring patience and strategic planning.
In summary, the knowledge economy represents a shift towards valuing intangible assets and human intellect as primary economic drivers. For investors, understanding this paradigm is crucial for identifying and capitalizing on emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global market.
That’s it from me, see you in the next one🤜🤛,
-Sean Kan