H
appy Friday! I'm taking a break for the summer, but you're in good hands with my colleague Hallam Bullock. Don't give him too much grief on July 4.

    Today's big story is about real-estate investing. It's often seen as a key step to financial freedom, but it comes with risks and high upfront costs. Luckily, Business Insider has spoken to several successful investors who share their advice.

    One couple, Letizia Alto and Kenji Asakura, built a portfolio of over 100 units and now work part-time and travel half the year. They started from scratch, without even owning a primary residence. Here are six key takeaways from their experience:

    * It's not just for people with deep pockets: A little can go a long way in real-estate investing.

    * Do your homework: Research is crucial to finding the right markets and pricing rentals correctly.

    * The beauty of being stuck in the middle: Mid-term rentals can be a valuable investment opportunity.

    * Don't forget about taxes: Understanding tax implications is essential for maximizing returns.

    In other news, here are three things happening in markets:

    1. An intern's guide to succeeding on Wall Street: Goldman Sachs' coffee culture and Blackstone's CEO Steve Schwarzman offer advice for interns.

    2. Citi gets an AI level-up: The bank is scaling its AI capabilities across the company.

    3. Avoid excess charges overseas: With the US dollar dropping in value, travelers can take steps to minimize costs.

    In tech news:

    1. Is AI rejecting your job application? Companies are using AI to boost productivity, but it's unclear how much human involvement is involved.

    2. Harvey and LexisNexis partner up: The legal-tech darling is strengthening its claim as the go-to software provider.

    3. Young techies cope with hiring downturn: Gen Z is staying optimistic despite layoffs and other challenges.

    In business news:

    1. Walmart is cool now: Clothing sales are up 23% this year, and shoppers are sharing "haul" videos online.

    2. Efficiency secrets of the Wall Street elite: Leaders in the secondaries industry share their top tips for staying productive.

    3. Peyton Manning goes from signal caller to shot-caller: His production company is looking to move its content off the field.

    Other news includes Amazon's cloud business revamping its AI app strategy, top administration officials investing in crypto, and Gen Z bringing the gig economy to corporate America.