A man who spent his 20s making millions in cryptocurrency says young people need to ditch watching TV and playing video games if they want to get rich.
Ben Burns made his fortune after he started dabbling in trading in high school; by the time he went to university, he started to see big returns.
Now 29 and worth $10m, the self-made entrepreneur has warned that some serious sacrifices need to be made if you want to follow in his footsteps.
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The New Yorker – who made his first million at 25 has one key piece of advice to young people looking to replicate his success: stop wasting time.
“Social media platforms like TikTok can be huge time-sinks, but they also offer valuable opportunities for connection,” said Ben, who engages with his audience on Instagram at @fqlx.
“They’re designed to hijack our minds and keep you scrolling for hours.
“It’s crucial for young people to recognize how much time they lose there.
“Instead of mindlessly scrolling through videos, that time could be invested in learning new skills or building something meaningful.
“I don’t play video games, don’t watch TV and haven’t seen a movie in five years.
“Most millennials believe if they graduate and get a job, they will be living the American dream – but the truth is they’re all broke and no one can afford a house.
“They don’t want to take risks.
“Growing up, I never had a luxury lifestyle.
“My dad is from a small town with a population of less than 1,000 people [Rowland, North Carolina].
“My mom is an immigrant from a small village, Kararabida, in the Middle East.
“I’m from a poor city in South Carolina and went to public schools.
“People in my hometown can’t even fathom what my lifestyle looks like.”
Controversially, the crypto buff is also urging young people to ditch school in favour of real-world experience.
He said: “Ironically, my only regret is not dropping out of high school.
“It was a complete waste of four years and wasn’t for me.
“I believe the educational system failed me – it felt like being in prison.
“I want to encourage students to drop out and pursue things that matter more than a high school diploma.”
While studying computer science at Coastal Carolina University, Ben worked as a software engineer on the side – opting to receive his salary in Bitcoin.
He soon saw a 200% return on his money.
He said: “I remember when I told my parents I received my income in Bitcoin they thought I was crazy – but that was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
“Once you get the crypto bug, you get addicted.
“I did the bare minimum to graduate high school and get accepted into college because my parents would kill me [if I didn’t].
“I was too engrossed in technology during this time – and I’m glad it paid off in dividends.”
Once, Ben stayed in a hotel for two months working almost 18 hours every day.
He said: “I would forget to eat.
“Unlike the stock market, there are no holidays or breaks in crypto markets.
“My mentor told me ‘Don’t believe in weekends’ and I agree.
“You have to work every weekend to make it.
“Butthe lack of a regular work-life balance can make having a social life or dating almost impossible.
“The intense focus on work has also taken a toll on my mental and physical health.
“Because my sleep is erratic, I’m also often awake as early as 4am to trade Asian hours.
“On the other hand, my success and lifestyle have opened doors to meet people I otherwise wouldn’t have met.
“I’m actively working to improve by setting stricter personal boundaries, but it’s challenging to shift gears after being so one-track minded.”
But, of course, there are some serious perks to Ben’s lifestyle.
He said: “My skill set in computer science and finance is very unique so I was able to demand remote jobs from every employer.
“This lets me travel the world while working and trading.
“I’ve been very lucky; my work takes me all over the world like Thailand, Mexico and Dubai.
“In crypto, it’s very common for the team to meet up in Bali for an all-expenses paid team vacation.
“We have maids, butlers, private chefs, drivers – anything you can think of.”
While he prioritizes a $300 gym membership and spends $1,000 a month on his vitamin regimen, Ben otherwise maintains a relatively humble lifestyle.
He said: “My own living expenses remain relatively low, which is important to me.
“I’ve experienced hyper luxury from fast cars, seven star resorts and $100,000 table service -–and it all gets boring very fast.
“The best things in life don’t cost any money.
“I’d rather invest in experiences and in growing my wealth through investments that can compound over time.
“Plus, the more you own, the more you have to worry about. I prefer keeping my life simple and focused.”