Welcome to another issue of the no-BS newsletter dedicated to demystifying the world of passive income, where we share practical, reliable strategies to build and sustain income streams that work for you.

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In today's issue:

You must have heard the saying, "Money doesn’t buy happiness"? 

That’s a loaded one, right? Some people nod in agreement, others call it complete garbage. 

I used to be the poster boy for that phrase—unintentionally. I’d hit my first million and should have felt invincible. Instead, I felt like...well, like something was missing.

I was “successful,” but I was still restless, anxious, chasing after peace I couldn’t find in a bank account. So, I did what many of us do when we’re drowning in our own success—I looked for answers in the wrong places.

Enter: A charismatic “mentor” I met in Florida. You know the type. He had it all—money, confidence, a beautiful family, and this weird Jedi mind trick that made everyone around him feel like he held the keys to the universe. 

Next thing I knew, I was PayPaling him $4,000 for a single dinner’s worth of “mentoring.” 

Desperate? Yeah, probably. But when you’re miserable with millions, you’ll try anything.

It started innocently enough. He handed me the number of a coach named Sharon who introduced me to mindfulness and something she called “Present Moment Awareness.” 

It sounds fancy, but really, it was about seeing, hearing, and feeling the world as it is—right now. No future anxieties, no past hang-ups. Just the here and now. 

For the first time, I felt like I’d discovered a superpower. Problems rolled off my back. I stopped spiraling into worry. I was able to be here, fully present.

I’d unlocked a new level of awareness. But this “path to enlightenment” took a dark turn.

After months of these mindfulness sessions, I got invited to exclusive “inner-circle” events that went way beyond self-improvement. 

This wasn’t your friendly neighborhood seminar anymore. They wanted us to “restructure” our lives, ditch “limiting beliefs,” and drop whatever didn’t align with their vision—including family ties if necessary. 

At one point, they tried to convince me to bring my wife in. When she wasn’t on board, they suggested divorce. Seriously.

There was even this guy who, to make a point about challenging beliefs, chewed gum, spat it out, and handed it to me. The “lesson” was about rejecting my sense of what’s “dirty” and taking back control over my mind. 

But let me tell you, the crunch of dirt and grit while chewing someone else’s gum is something I won’t forget anytime soon.

Eventually, I walked away from the cult and back into my life, a little scarred but wiser. 

The ironic twist? That whole bizarre, gum-chewing episode actually taught me a powerful lesson. It showed me just how far I could be manipulated when I was desperate for answers.

So, here’s my takeaway for you: Be careful who you put on a pedestal. 

Sometimes the people who seem to have it all figured out are the ones who will mess with your mind the most. 

Success doesn’t guarantee happiness, and sometimes chasing happiness can cost you more than money.

As our way of saying thanks for subscribing to the newsletter, we’d like to ship you a free copy of the Amazon best-seller List Building Lifestyle: Confessions of an Email Millionaire. This book shows how to build a scalable passive income online even if you’ve got no previous experience.

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Let’s talk urgency—real urgency, not just the “buy it before midnight!” kind. 

Look, every marketer knows urgency works. But here’s the twist: there’s a right way to use urgency, and there’s the in-your-face approach that makes people unsubscribe faster than a junk mail spree. Trust me, you want to avoid the second one.

Think about it like this: if you’re offering something your audience needs or wants, urgency is simply a way to remind them not to miss out. 

You’re helping them take action, not tricking them. But here’s where many marketers fumble: they go overboard. 

They slap a 24-hour countdown on everything, push the panic buttons, and flood inboxes with “final” offers until the trust between you and your customer fades away. Urgency works, but not when it feels phony or relentless.

So how do you do it right?

1. Set a Real Deadline: Instead of using urgency for the sake of it, give a legit reason for it. “I only have 10 spots left,” or “This discount ends Sunday.” That’s honest, real urgency that doesn’t feel forced.

2. Play the Long Game: In some campaigns, the best approach isn’t hammering urgency, but creating a connection. That means emails that share your story, your journey, even your struggles. Not every offer needs a ticking clock; sometimes, getting to know you is the urgency people need to keep reading.

3. Respect Your Audience’s Inbox: Make it a conversation, not a hard pitch. Try sending story-based emails with one clear call to action, letting readers explore further only if they’re interested. Not only does this feel more personal, but it also helps with deliverability—Gmail, Yahoo, all of them are way more likely to flag your message as spam if it’s dripping with sales language.

The mindset shift? It’s simple. Start thinking of urgency as a tool to help your readers make decisions, not force them into a frenzy. It’s about aligning with their needs, not overwhelming them.

Ready to experiment? Start by balancing your campaigns. A story-based approach for longer sequences, and clear, respectful urgency for time-sensitive offers. 

Not only will your list thank you—you’ll likely see more sales and fewer headaches along the way.

Igor interviews the founder of CB Passive Income, the most popular affiliate marketing offer on Clickbank.com. Igor picks Patric’s brain by making him go back in time and share his biggest mistakes, biggest lessons and struggles. You should listen to this episode if you’d like to know the fastest way to become a super-affiliate. Let's get started. 

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Here’s what makes it genius: Clason doesn’t give you abstract advice about “investing smart” or “living below your means.” Instead, he teaches fundamental principles like paying yourself first, controlling your expenses, and putting your money to work. These aren’t just money tips; they’re the foundation of financial independence.

And the best part? It’s all told in story format, so the lessons are as engaging as they are impactful. You’ll meet characters who mirror the same financial struggles we face today, making it not just a book, but a mindset shift.

If you haven’t read it yet, add it to your list. It's a wealth-building guide that doesn’t expire.

I’m something you keep close, but never can show,

Whispered in silence, where few people go.

I hide in the shadows, a truth not revealed.

What am I?

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