Invest in stocks
Stocks represent ownership in businesses, giving investors a stake in the profits and growth of the companies they choose to support. By owning shares, you can benefit from a company’s success through price appreciation and, in some cases, dividend income, making stocks a powerful tool for building wealth over time.
However, while Gronkowski’s Apple investment turned out to be a big win, not all stock tips lead to success. Legendary investor Warren Buffett — who made billions from his Apple investment — warns against acting on random advice.
“Never invest in a business you cannot understand,” Buffett advises according to CNBC, emphasizing the importance of doing your own research. He also advocates for owning businesses with durable competitive advantages — those with strong, sustainable edges over their competitors.
Today, there are more resources than ever to help investors make informed decisions. For instance, platforms like Moby, founded by former hedge fund analysts, offer stock research and insights tailored for everyday investors.
Moby’s stock picks have outperformed the S&P 500 by an average of 11.95% over the past four years, helping over 5 million users identify promising investments before they take off.
Invest in real estate
Real estate has long been a cornerstone of wealth building, offering opportunities for both rental income and appreciation.
Gronkowski is no stranger to the sector. According to Architectural Digest, his first major purchase was a $1.6 million, 4,781-square-foot mansion in South Tampa in 2012.
The home, featuring four bedrooms and seven bathrooms, sold just a year later for $2.08 million. Gronkowski then custom-built a Victorian-style home in Foxborough — the very project where his contractor recommended investing in Apple.
In 2016, Gronkowski expanded his portfolio by acquiring a $1.9 million, 2,063-square-foot corner-unit penthouse in Boston’s trendy Seaport District. He sold the property in 2019 for $2.3 million, turning a tidy profit. That same year, Gronkowski headed south, purchasing a $1.7 million Biscayne Bay double-condo in Miami from retired Norwegian soccer star John Carew.
Of course, not everyone has millions to invest — even regular single-family homes have become increasingly expensive. However, you don’t need to purchase a house outright to start building wealth through real estate.
Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier for average Americans to invest in rental properties without the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management.
With Arrived, you can invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you’d like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving rental income deposits from your investment.
Invest in art
It’s easy to see why great works of art tend to appreciate over time. The supply is inherently limited, and many famous pieces have already been snatched up by museums and collectors.
Investing in art has become a popular strategy for diversifying wealth, and several NFL players have tapped into this market.
Former linebacker Keith Rivers, for instance, has built an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring pieces by iconic artists like Andy Warhol, Barbara Kruger and Glenn Ligon.
Similarly, Malcolm Jenkins, a two-time Super Bowl champion, has embraced art collecting, focusing on works that reflect his values and interests.
Art offers a unique advantage as an investment because it’s a tangible physical asset with little correlation to the stock market. According to Masterworks, postwar and contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 43% (1995-2024).
Traditionally, investing in fine art was a privilege reserved for the ultra-wealthy. However, platforms like Masterworks have made this market more accessible, allowing everyday investors to invest in shares of multi-million dollar art.
With 23 successful exits to date, every one of them profitable, Masterworks has delivered annualized net returns like 17.6%, 17.8%, and 21.5%. New offerings have sold out in minutes as the Masterworks community expands beyond 60,000 investors, meaning there is often a waitlist for these new opportunities.
- See important Regulation A disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd
