Author name: Steve Burns

After a lifelong fascination with financial markets, Steve began investing in 1993 and trading his accounts in 1995. It was love at first trade. After more than 30 successful years in the markets, Steve now dedicates his time to helping traders improve their psychology and profitability. New Trader U offers an extensive blog resource with more than 4,000 original articles, online courses, and best-selling books covering various topics.

What Net Worth Puts You in the American Upper, Middle, & Lower Class?

What Net Worth Puts You in the American Upper, Middle, & Lower Class?

Personal Finance, Wealth /

When Americans discuss social class, the conversation often centers on income—how much you earn each year. However, net worth tells a far more complete story about your financial standing and long-term security. Understanding where you fall on the class spectrum based on net worth can help you set realistic financial goals and make informed decisions […]

What Net Worth Puts You in the American Upper, Middle, & Lower Class? Read More »

The Stoic Method: Daily Practices for Continuous Self-Improvement

The Stoic Method: Daily Practices for Continuous Self-Improvement

Stoicism, Success /

The ancient Stoics understood something modern self-help often misses: genuine transformation doesn’t come from dramatic revelations or weekend workshops. It emerges from consistent daily practices that reshape how we think, respond, and engage with the world. Stoicism offers a practical framework for continuous self-improvement that has remained relevant for over two millennia precisely because it

The Stoic Method: Daily Practices for Continuous Self-Improvement Read More »

5 Ways to Build Wealth That No One Taught You In School

5 Ways to Build Wealth That No One Taught You In School

Investing, Real Estate, Stocks, Wealth /

Traditional education prepares you to become an employee, not a wealth builder. You learned algebra, history, and perhaps even basic budgeting, but the fundamental strategies that separate the wealthy from the working class were never included in the curriculum. The middle class follows a predictable path of earning, saving, and hoping their 401(k) grows enough

5 Ways to Build Wealth That No One Taught You In School Read More »

5 Books That Upgrade You from a Middle-Class Mindset

5 Books That Upgrade You from a Middle-Class Mindset

Best books, Book Reviews, Books, Psychology, Success, Wealth /

The middle-class approach to money emphasizes earning a steady income, purchasing a home, and relying on retirement savings to grow over time. This mindset prioritizes job security over financial independence and consumption over wealth accumulation. While these strategies create stability, they rarely lead to true financial freedom. The shift from middle-class thinking to a wealth-building

5 Books That Upgrade You from a Middle-Class Mindset Read More »

5 Habits That Make You Weak: Transform Your Life with Stoicism

5 Habits That Make You Weak and How to Transform Your Life with Stoicism

Stoicism, Success /

Strength isn’t just about what you do. It’s about what you refuse to tolerate in yourself. Most people unknowingly practice being weak every single day through habits they don’t even recognize as destructive. They complain, seek comfort, chase approval, live everywhere except the present moment, and mistake external rewards for genuine success. The ancient Stoics

5 Habits That Make You Weak and How to Transform Your Life with Stoicism Read More »

5 Habits of Stealth Wealth: The Art of Silent Financial Success

5 Habits of Stealth Wealth: The Art of Silent Financial Success

Investing, Personal Finance, Wealth /

The truly self-made wealthy often don’t appear to be rich. While popular culture celebrates conspicuous consumption and financial flexing, many millionaires practice something entirely different: stealth wealth. This approach prioritizes substance over appearance, focusing on building real net worth rather than projecting a false image of wealth through debt. The concept isn’t about being secretive

5 Habits of Stealth Wealth: The Art of Silent Financial Success Read More »

5 Money Traps The Middle Class Is Falling For In 2025

5 Money Traps The Middle Class Is Falling For In 2025

Economics, Personal Finance /

The American middle class faces a quiet financial squeeze. While inflation erodes purchasing power and wages struggle to keep pace, the real damage comes from predictable money traps that silently drain wealth-building capacity. These aren’t dramatic financial disasters, but instead normalized expenses and habits that feel manageable in the moment, yet compound into years of

5 Money Traps The Middle Class Is Falling For In 2025 Read More »

10 Lessons Men Learn Too Late in Life According to Stoicism

10 Lessons Men Learn Too Late in Life According to Stoicism

Stoicism, Success /

The ancient Stoics understood something that most men discover only after decades of struggle: peace comes not from controlling life’s circumstances, but from mastering one’s response to them. Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca lived centuries ago, yet their wisdom remains as relevant today as it was then. These ten Stoic principles can save you years

10 Lessons Men Learn Too Late in Life According to Stoicism Read More »

10 Things Middle-Class People Do That The Wealthy Don’t

10 Things Middle-Class People Do That The Wealthy Don’t

Business, Investing, Personal Finance, Wealth /

Most people believe they understand what separates the middle class from the wealthy. They point to inheritances, lucky breaks, or exceptional intelligence. However, after studying the actual habits of self-made high-net-worth individuals versus those of typical middle-class families, a different pattern emerges. The gap has less to do with how much money people make initially

10 Things Middle-Class People Do That The Wealthy Don’t Read More »

Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: The Stoic Ideal

Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations: The Stoic Ideal

Stoicism /

The ancient world produced countless philosophical texts, but few have maintained their relevance across centuries quite like Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. Written nearly two thousand years ago by a Roman emperor facing plague, war, and political turmoil, this collection of personal reflections offers timeless wisdom on how to live a meaningful life. The text wasn’t intended

Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations: The Stoic Ideal Read More »

10 Habits the Wealthy Stop After Leaving the Middle Class

10 Habits Wealthy People Stop After Leaving the Middle Class

Personal Finance, Wealth /

The journey from middle class to wealthy isn’t just about earning more money. It’s about fundamentally changing how you think, spend your time, and make decisions. Research from wealth-building studies reveals a consistent pattern: self-made millionaires and billionaires systematically abandon certain behaviors that keep most people stuck in the middle class. These shifts happen intentionally,

10 Habits Wealthy People Stop After Leaving the Middle Class Read More »

Become So Disciplined People Think You’re Crazy (Miyamoto Musashi’s Way)

Become So Disciplined People Think You’re Crazy (Miyamoto Musashi’s Way)

Psychology, Success /

Most people want discipline. Few are willing to pursue it so relentlessly that others question their sanity. This difference separates those who achieve extraordinary results from those who settle for ordinary lives. Miyamoto Musashi understood this truth better than almost anyone in history. The legendary Japanese swordsman never lost a duel in over 60 encounters,

Become So Disciplined People Think You’re Crazy (Miyamoto Musashi’s Way) Read More »

Marcus Aurelius: The Man Who Solved the Universe

Marcus Aurelius: The Man Who Solved the Universe

Stoicism, Success /

What would you do with unlimited power? If you could have anything you wanted—any pleasure, possession, or indulgence—would you act differently than most people in that situation? This isn’t just a hypothetical. Marcus Aurelius, the most powerful man in the ancient world, faced this very question. What set him apart—and offers us timeless guidance—is how

Marcus Aurelius: The Man Who Solved the Universe Read More »

5 Big Purchases Middle-Class Retirees (Almost) Always Regret

7 Big Purchases Middle-Class Retirees (Almost) Always Regret

Personal Finance, Retirement /

Retirement should be the reward for decades of hard work. After years of saving and planning, many middle-class Americans finally reach that milestone, dreaming of enjoying their golden years. However, financial advisors consistently observe the same pattern: retirees making major purchases that deplete their savings at precisely the wrong time. The following seven big-ticket items

7 Big Purchases Middle-Class Retirees (Almost) Always Regret Read More »

How to Be Happy With Yourself (7 Simple Stoic Tips for Inner Happiness)

How to Be Happy With Yourself (7 Simple Stoic Tips for Inner Happiness)

Stoicism, Success /

Most people chase happiness in the wrong places. They believe a bigger paycheck, a nicer car, or a higher-paying job will finally make them happier. Yet the ancient Stoics discovered something different: authentic happiness comes from within, not from external circumstances. Marcus Aurelius, who ruled the Roman Empire at its peak, wrote in his Meditations

How to Be Happy With Yourself (7 Simple Stoic Tips for Inner Happiness) Read More »

5 Habits That Make You Wealthier Every Day

5 Habits That Make You Wealthier Every Day

Investing, Personal Finance, Wealth /

The difference between those who build lasting wealth and those who remain financially stuck isn’t intelligence, luck, or even starting capital. The distinction lies in daily habits that compound over years and decades. At the same time, most people focus on surface-level productivity tricks; the wealthy, however, practice fundamentally different behaviors that directly impact their

5 Habits That Make You Wealthier Every Day Read More »

5 Things the Middle Class Can No Longer Afford Due to Inflation

5 Things the Middle Class Can No Longer Afford Due to Inflation

Economics, Personal Finance /

The American middle class faces an affordability crisis that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. While wages have increased modestly, the cost of essential goods and services has risen by roughly 25% since 2020, the average price of a new car in the U.S. has increased from about $40,000 to over $48,000–$50,000,

5 Things the Middle Class Can No Longer Afford Due to Inflation Read More »

People With High Emotional Intelligence Display These 5 Stoic Behaviors (Without Realizing It)

People With High Emotional Intelligence Display These 5 Stoic Behaviors (Without Realizing It)

Intelligence, Stoicism /

The ancient Stoics and modern psychologists never engaged in a conversation. Yet people with high emotional intelligence naturally embody principles that Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus taught two millennia ago. These individuals don’t study Stoic texts or consciously adopt philosophical frameworks. They respond to life’s challenges in ways that mirror the wisdom of ancient Rome and

People With High Emotional Intelligence Display These 5 Stoic Behaviors (Without Realizing It) Read More »