The thing that FIRE (the people who want to retire in their thirties), cryptocurrency junkies and passive-income enthusiasts all have in common is the desire to escape. To get away from the drudgery of work.
Why Escape Isn’t the Answer
The first problem is that work is often necessary. The second problem is that, even if you could run away, you’d end up with the same kinds of problems.
You need money to live, and, assuming you weren’t born with a trust fund, that means you’re going to have to work to earn it. To get that money without stealing, other people have to give it to you. Which means they need to give it in exchange for something they value more.
This value equation is the reason a lot of investing scams don’t work. They trick you into thinking you can get money without adding value in exchange. Real investing does do this—by allowing others to use your money, in exchange for it back later with interest (or profits). Schemes try to bypass this logic, however, to show you that there’s a way you can earn far more for less work and less risk than everyone else can.