Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • Expat News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Healthcare
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interview
    • Expat News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Plan B
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomad
    • Healthcare
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
      • Rest of the World
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR BUILDING A LIFE ABROAD

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Plan B

What’s in a Name? Smartest Investment For Generational Wealth

  • BY EA Editors
  • November 6, 2016
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

You’ve heard the names, probably more than once. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Bush… All names with multiple famous generations. The wealth that has lasted decades, in some cases centuries. They’ve gone from being simple last names passed down, to representing dynasty. But how did this happen? What is the smartest investment for generational wealth?

While one can look back at where these names got their start; oil, shipping, construction, bootlegging, that’s only part of the story. Many of us can look back on our own family trees and find a wealthy individual. But the question becomes, what happened? What it really comes down to is foresight, and taking the right action to create generational wealth. That is exactly what this article is about, exploring the generational wealth strategy used for, well, generations by the ultra-wealthy to create and maintain their dynasties.

 

Where do the big family names put their wealth?

Unbeknownst to most of us, we’ve been reading about this same strategy and investment since we were children. It has appeared in our history books, our biology books, and environmental science classrooms. Whether we look to Asia or Europe, ancient and modern civilizations have been built upon and run on one investment, one commodity, one asset class. By now, you may have guessed what that secret and not-so-secret investment could be. If you guessed timber, you hit the nail on the head.

 

Think about it. The term “old growth” is said with reverence. Old growth trees are rare, almost non-existent in Europe and much of North America. That is because of civilization’s unquenchable thirst and need for timber products. By the time the Europeans arrived in North America, most of Europe had been clear-cut. England was essentially treeless. The clearcutting of North America was a tragedy in many respects, but it’s impossible to deny that those who got there first and controlled those timber supplies came out very well ahead.

 

Timber Plantations – Doing it in a Sustainable Way

Of course, I’m not encouraging such practices. We’ve learned quite a bit about conservation and the environment since those days of exuberance. The Dust Bowl in the US is a great example of a lack of respect for the interconnected environmental systems around us. Thankfully, there are sustainable ways to capitalize on this important market, and many of the best timber investments are actually reforesting previously clear-cut areas. While the fact that many towns and cities are now surrounded by forests may suggest that there is no longer such a great demand for timber, that is, in fact, the opposite of what is happening worldwide. Despite the development of plastics and light metals such as aluminum, the demand for timber continues to rise correspondingly with the world’s population. Timber farming is one of the smartest investment for generational wealth but now it is much more out of sight, and thus out of mind for many. And that’s how the ultra-wealthy want to keep it.

 

When watching investment programming, we are often presented with the “sexist” options of the day. And that’s something that timber is not. Take teak for example. Used in furniture and boat construction, teak trees take 25 years to reach harvestable maturity. It’s not the easiest thing to get excited about on a day-to-day basis. There aren’t immediate returns, but that’s exactly the quality that makes it the perfect vehicle for generating dynastic wealth. Building a family takes time, years. And those who use their investments to plan for that future tend to be the most well-rewarded.

 

Teak the King of Trees

Of the timber investments available, teak stands apart due to its unique, irreplaceable natural qualities. No matter the technological advances, nothing has been able to replace the durability, water-resistance, or feel of teak. Investing now in this haven for the ultra-wealthy will yield returns in 25 years if investing in a newly planted farm. Imagine telling your kids in 25 years that they don’t have to worry about the soaring price of college, that they’re covered because of your foresight. Then you replant. 25 years later, you harvest and have the next two generations taken care of, in addition to your own retirement. And 25 years after that? You harvest, deed the land to your children, and have millions of dollars in a perpetual trust. That happens every 25 years into the future, and you can be the one who creates and protects that perpetual source of income for your family.

 

how to invest in timber - free presentation

 

Though it takes time, the decision you make to invest in teak now can be the decision your future generations will point to when asking, “How did we get here?” How many people reading the newspapers in the early 20th century dreamt of being the Rockefellers? It wasn’t just about the fame and fancy parties, it was about knowing that their family name would be associated with security, with foresight. For centuries, timber has been the money tree of the world’s wealthiest. Of kings, titans of industry, of world-renowned institutions. That kind of success doesn’t happen overnight or without care. You could strike an oil well and be broke the next day if you’re not careful. It’s about smart investment and looking to the future. It’s about using financial structures to manage and protect your wealth, which in the case of teak literally grows out of the ground. Grow your family legacy with it.

 

The Smartest Investment For Generational Wealth

We all want to leave our future generations better off than we had it. It’s one of the driving motivations for many of us to work as hard as we do. But the question has been asked of me before, “If teak’s so great, why isn’t everybody invested in it?” The best way to answer is to look at exclusive clubs and networking events. Members benefit from the separation, the exclusivity. If they let everyone in, then everybody could grow their wealth. Why would they want that? Timber is considered by many experts to be the smartest investment for generational wealth, but until recently has required vast investments to get a foot in the door. Now, companies like Teak Hardwoods are offering hectare parcels for $59,900. Suddenly, the playing field feels a bit more even. Now, middle-class families can build their own dynasty. If this is your first time hearing about teak as an investment, or if you’re an experienced timber investor, explore this page and contact Teak Hardwoods to discuss how teak can be the foundation of your burgeoning family dynasty.

 

In-demand, yet of dwindling supply in the marketplace, Teak is a remarkably valuable hardwood that is extremely durable, practical, and beautiful. To learn more about this opportunity watch this special presentation by Rachel Jensen and Mikkel Thorup.

 

 

Contact Author

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.

Stay Ahead on Every Adventure! 

Stay updated with the World News on Escape Artist. Get all the travel news, international destinations, expat living, moving abroad, Lifestyle Tips, and digital nomad opportunities. Your next journey starts here—don’t miss a moment! Subscribe Now!

You’ve heard the names, probably more than once. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Kennedy, Bush… All names with multiple famous generations. The wealth that has lasted decades, in some cases centuries. They’ve gone from being simple last names passed down, to representing dynasty. But how did this happen? What is the smartest investment for generational wealth?

While one can look back at where these names got their start; oil, shipping, construction, bootlegging, that’s only part of the story. Many of us can look back on our own family trees and find a wealthy individual. But the question becomes, what happened? What it really comes down to is foresight, and taking the right action to create generational wealth. That is exactly what this article is about, exploring the generational wealth strategy used for, well, generations by the ultra-wealthy to create and maintain their dynasties.

 

Where do the big family names put their wealth?

Unbeknownst to most of us, we’ve been reading about this same strategy and investment since we were children. It has appeared in our history books, our biology books, and environmental science classrooms. Whether we look to Asia or Europe, ancient and modern civilizations have been built upon and run on one investment, one commodity, one asset class. By now, you may have guessed what that secret and not-so-secret investment could be. If you guessed timber, you hit the nail on the head.

If you'd like to read the full story, simply enter your email to subscribe to our newsletter.

For even more expert insights, unmissable resources, and exclusive invites, explore our premium subscription offers here.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


OR

Subscribe Now

Already a Subscriber? Click here to login

Subscription required

You've reached your limit of free articles. For full access to Escape Artist, and all of our insights on travel, moving abroad, and the digital nomad life, click here to Subscribe.

Already a Subscriber? Log in here

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Previous Article
  • Your Plan B

5 Benefits of Investing in Teak

  • BY Adam McGeehan
  • November 6, 2016
View Post
Next Article
  • Your Plan B

Teak: Frequently Asked Questions Part 3

  • BY Adam McGeehan
  • November 6, 2016
View Post
You May Also Like
Aerial view of a coastal Portuguese city with hotels, residential buildings, mountains, and the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance
View Post
  • Golden Visa
Exploring Currency Considerations for Portugal’s Golden Visa
  • BY Iva Slavtcheva
  • April 15, 2026
Evening street scene in Dubai with illuminated digital billboards, pedestrians, and modern skyscrapers rising in the background
View Post
  • Plan B
Geopolitical Risk and the Shift Beyond the Gulf
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • April 8, 2026
Two passports including a blue Cuban passport and a Canadian passport held together, representing international travel and dual citizenship documentation
View Post
  • Second Residency
The Ancestral Hedge for a Second Passport
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • April 8, 2026
Happy asian family that enjoys beach activities during the summer holidays. parent and children enjoy the sunset sea on beach.Holiday travel concept, Summer vacations.
View Post
  • Relocation
Why Families Are No Longer Raising Children in One Place
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • April 3, 2026
Senior couple enjoy sea water
View Post
  • Plan B
Retirement Abroad and the New Cost of Living
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • April 1, 2026
Satellite view of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital urban layout in desert
View Post
  • Real Estate
Egypt Is Building an Ultra-Modern Capital Outside Cairo: Will It Work?
  • BY Ethan Rooney
  • March 30, 2026
Overlooking modern red three-dimensional buildings and flying planes, taken in the Library Park of Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
View Post
  • Second Residency
How to Leave a Country Without Losing Your Wealth
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • March 25, 2026
Aerial view a woman gazing out over the ocean along the shoreline of Shoal Bay Beach with crashing waves and palm trees on the island of Anguilla.
View Post
  • Plan B
The Rise of the Plan B Portfolio
  • BY Luigi Wewege
  • March 25, 2026
Trending Posts
  • Sunlit view of Valencia, Spain, featuring ornate historic buildings along a palm-lined street, with pedestrians and light traffic under a clear blue sky. 1
    • Spain
    Why Valencia Is on Everyone’s Radar
    • April 7, 2026
  • Evening street scene in Dubai with illuminated digital billboards, pedestrians, and modern skyscrapers rising in the background 2
    • Plan B
    Geopolitical Risk and the Shift Beyond the Gulf
    • April 8, 2026
  • Woman walking down a narrow street in Havana lined with weathered pastel buildings beneath a bright blue sky 3
    • Cuba
    The Reality Behind Cuba’s Romance
    • April 13, 2026
  • Woman walking barefoot along a beach in the Philippines with boats, waterfront buildings, and lush limestone hills in the background 4
    • Digital Nomad
    A Digital Nomad’s Complete Guide to the Philippines
    • April 10, 2026
  • Aerial view of a coastal Portuguese city with hotels, residential buildings, mountains, and the Atlantic shoreline stretching into the distance 5
    • Golden Visa
    Exploring Currency Considerations for Portugal’s Golden Visa
    • April 15, 2026
Advertise
Know Before You Go
  • Two people sitting on a beach at sunset with waves rolling in and rocky coastline silhouetted against the golden sky 1
    • Costa Rica
    Why Some Expats Leave Costa Rica (and Others Stay Forever)
    • April 17, 2026
  • Woman walking barefoot along a beach in the Philippines with boats, waterfront buildings, and lush limestone hills in the background 2
    • Digital Nomad
    A Digital Nomad’s Complete Guide to the Philippines
    • April 10, 2026
  • Sunlit view of Valencia, Spain, featuring ornate historic buildings along a palm-lined street, with pedestrians and light traffic under a clear blue sky. 3
    • Spain
    Why Valencia Is on Everyone’s Radar
    • April 7, 2026
  • Satellite view of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital urban layout in desert 4
    • Real Estate
    Egypt Is Building an Ultra-Modern Capital Outside Cairo: Will It Work?
    • March 30, 2026
  • Female traveler standing in Bali rice paddies during golden hour 5
    • Costa Rica
    Costa Rica or Bali? A Tale Between Two Paradises
    • March 27, 2026
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Escape Artist

The Newsletter for a
Life Beyond Borders

Practical insights and real stories for those building a life abroad, trusted by 75,000 readers worldwide.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Before you go, want $50 off your Summit registration?

Subscribe, and get $50 discount code for Plan B Summit registration.

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Download Your Free Guide

Fill out the form below to get instant access to your guide + receive a $50 discount code for Plan B Summit 2026!

Newsletter Subscription