Open Secrets

Use Open Secrets to reverse-engineer how the rich allocate money

Sam uses opensecrets.org, where senators and representatives disclose net worth and holdings, to study how wealthy people allocate capital across bank accounts, stocks, and private businesses. It led him to notice how many politicians made their fortunes in car dealerships.

“if you are a senator, if you're in the House of Representatives, if you're in a certain type of office in America, They typically disclose their income taxes and also what their net worth is. And you could browse through and you could see how much money they have in different bank accounts. You can see how much money they have in different stocks. You can see how much money they value their privately held business. It's incredibly fascinating.”

Steal thisMine public net-worth disclosures of politicians on Open Secrets to find which boring businesses quietly mint millionaires.