PeopleImages / Getty Images There's one thing that a significant amount of liquid assets gives you more than anything: options. Key Takeaways Liquid assets—such as cash, stocks, and brokerage accounts you can tap immediately—create flexibility that other assets can't match. Growing your income matters more than pinching every penny, especially if you don't let lifestyle inflation creep up on you. Staying invested during market drops prevents the timing mistakes that cost the average investor over 1% ...