When we talk about building wealth, we tend to focus on the numbers.
How much we’ve saved. How our investments are performing. Whether we’re on track to enjoy a comfortable retirement.
And those things matter.
Financial independence gives us the freedom to pursue our interests, travel, and enjoy the things we’ve worked so hard for.
But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate that some of the most valuable things in life have very little to do with money.
And one of the most important is the people we surround ourselves with.
I learned that lesson on my very first trip outside the United States.
I traveled to central Mexico as part of a mission trip in high school, where I was assigned to the medical team.
My job was to help process families who had come to see a doctor.
For many, it was the first time they’d ever received medical care.
It was an eye-opening experience.
I met families who lived in modest homes and lacked access to things most Americans take for granted. Yet what I remember most vividly isn’t what these families lacked.
It’s how much they were willing to give.
Despite having very little, they welcomed us into their homes with open arms. They prepared delicious, home-cooked tamales for us – sharing what they had without a second thought.
And they gave us gifts that I’ll never forget.
I still think about one young girl who made me a purse made from an old pair of jeans. It was beautifully crafted, with a level of care and attention to detail that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from something made from discarded denim.
I can only imagine how much time she spent making it. And here she was, giving it to someone she’d only just met.
There were plenty of lighter moments, too.
I remember our group attempting to sing worship songs in Spanish, inevitably butchering the pronunciation along the way. Our hosts smiled politely through every painful verse. I’m sure we sounded terrible, but they never made us feel that way.
Looking back, it’s those little moments I remember most.
The meals shared around a table. The handmade gifts. The laughter and the kindness that needed no translation.
Here were people who had so little in the way of material possessions, yet they were extraordinarily generous with what they did have.
Their time. Their hospitality. Their friendship.
Of course, their lives weren’t without hardship. The lack of access to basic medical care was a serious challenge − and one that made a lasting impression on me.
But so did their sense of community.
They reminded me that a rich life isn’t necessarily defined by what you own. It’s defined, in large part, by the people you share it with.
It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since.
The Value of Finding Your People
As we get older, I think it’s easy to underestimate just how important community becomes.
We’re busy with work, family, and the responsibilities of everyday life.
And while technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected, there’s still something special about spending time together in person.
Sharing a meal. Having a conversation that goes well beyond small talk. Meeting someone who shares your interests, your values, or your curiosity about the world.
Sometimes those connections develop into friendships that last for years. And that’s something money alone can’t buy.
It’s also one of the things I’ve come to appreciate most about The Oxford Club.
On the surface, we’re a community of investors. Our members come together because they want to make smart financial decisions, protect their wealth, and enjoy greater financial freedom.
But if you spend a little time at one of our events, you’ll quickly discover there’s much more connecting our members than an interest in the stock market.
They’re curious. They’re adventurous. They enjoy learning new things.
And perhaps most importantly, they enjoy sharing those experiences with other people.
I’ve seen members reconnect with friends they’ve made at previous events, welcome newcomers into conversations, and exchange stories that have absolutely nothing to do with investing.
It’s a wonderful reminder that while financial success may bring us together, the friendships we develop can become just as valuable.
More Than an Investment Conference
That’s one of the reasons I’m especially excited about our upcoming annual Investment U Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, from March 21 to 24, 2027.
Of course, the investment education is a major draw.
You’ll have the opportunity to hear from respected financial experts, gain fresh perspectives on the markets, and explore ideas that could help you build and protect your wealth.
But some of the most meaningful moments may happen outside the presentations.
Over breakfast with a fellow member. During a conversation between sessions. Or at dinner, when a group of people who barely knew one another a few hours earlier discover they have more in common than they ever imagined.
Those are the moments that make a conference feel like something more than an educational event.
They make it feel like a community.
And whether you’ve been a member for decades or are attending your first Oxford Club gathering, there’s something special about being surrounded by people who share your desire to learn, grow, and make the most of life.
The Wealth That Stays With Us
I still think about the families I met in Mexico.
Not because of what they didn’t have, but because of what they so generously shared.
They taught me that meaningful connections don’t require wealth, status, or material possessions.
They simply require a willingness to open our lives to others.
That’s a lesson that applies just as much at home as it does halfway around the world. And it’s part of what makes gatherings like Investment U so worthwhile.
Yes, I hope you’ll leave Ponte Vedra Beach with valuable investment ideas and greater confidence about your financial future.
But I also hope you’ll leave with new friendships, wonderful memories, and a renewed appreciation for the community you’ve found through The Oxford Club.
Because building wealth is important…
But building a life filled with people who make that wealth worth having?
That’s something truly special.
I hope you’ll join us at this year’s Investment U Conference.
Click here to reserve your place and be part of the experience.
| Reserve Your Spot at Investment U |