American Entrepreneur Cody Berman Achieves Financial Freedom at 26 With Index Funds and Rental Properties

According to Business Insider, American entrepreneur Cody Berman achieved financial freedom at 26 through a combination of index fund investing and real estate rental income. As of 2026, his net worth surpassed $1 million. In 2021, he had accumulated approximately $500,000 in stock market investments, owned 13 rental properties generating roughly $3,700 monthly cash flow, and operated a digital product business earning over $10,000 monthly.

Berman attributes his success to low-cost index fund investing, which he describes as a "lazy investment method" requiring minimal active management. He emphasizes that automatic monthly transfers to index funds, combined with rental income covering most living expenses through a house-hacking strategy, create a self-operating investment system suitable for most investors.