Codie Sanchez: These 2 Money Moves Can Hold You Back From Wealth
Plenty of Americans are told that day trading and buying a home are smart ways to build wealth. But Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking, argues both moves can work against long-term financial success — especially for people still trying to get ahead.
Here's why Sanchez says these two common money strategies may actually hold you back.
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Why Sanchez Says To Stop Day Trading
Some financial influencers preach day trading as a way to get rich quick, but Sanchez, who recently released the 2026 State of Main Street report, strongly advises against this.
"I think day trading is about the dumbest thing any human could ever do," she told MoneyLion. "I think if anybody tries to talk you into it, you can immediately assume that they've got a countermotive or they haven't done it long enough."
For Sanchez, the issue isn’t just risk — it’s who you’re competing against. Individual traders are often going up against professionals with advanced tools, data and resources.
"I have a lot of friends who made a ton of money in hedge funds," Sanchez said. "You don't want to go head to head with those guys."
Sanchez compares day trading to gambling, where wins tend to be more visible than losses.
"Everybody talks about going to the casino and what they won; they don't talk about what they lost," she said.
Why Sanchez Doesn’t View Homeownership as Wealth Building
For generations, Americans have been told that buying a home is the best investment you can make. Sanchez is challenging that assumption.
"Real estate has grown about 3% to 4% a year on average," Sanchez said. "Its [returns are] not as good as the stock market, not to mention you have tons of expenses that occur when you own a property."
While she isn’t opposed to owning property, she sees it less as an investment and more as a personal or lifestyle choice.
"I own properties," she said. "I like owning them. It's a psychological thing. But if I wanted to actually make money, it would never be from investing in real estate."
Instead, she argues that a primary home often behaves more like a financial obligation than a true wealth-building asset.
"You shouldn't think about it as an investment," she said. "This is a liability."
Sanchez also points out that mortgages can limit flexibility, especially for workers who want to leave traditional employment to pursue entrepreneurship or other income opportunities.
"You can only get a loan if you have a W-2," she said. "If you want to leave your W-2, now you've got a huge mortgage hanging over your head."
Ultimately, Sanchez believes many mainstream wealth strategies, like investing in stocks and real estate, are designed to benefit institutions more than individuals.
"Those are two things that are really good for corporations," she said. "It's great for Wall Street if we love stocks. It's great for the mortgage industry and the investment industry if we buy houses. It's not so good for us."
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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