Cash windfalls can absolutely build wealth.

Think of it another way, I hear that big cash expenses can destroy wealth. For instance, if you have no cash reserves, that means you may rely on pay day lenders. You can't afford a Costco membership. You don't have a car so you're limited on where you can work and shop. You cannot afford some vocational training or some time off to train. There are a lot of things that can save or make you money long term.

Also 100k invested in the market will yield you probably around 7k, which is a lot, especially you don't touch it and let it compound.

Think about what you're saying.

100k invested in the market - untouched - will decay a certain percentage a year in purchasing power due to inflation but will outpace it due to returns.

How many years until that cash windfall changes your life?

The answer is "indefinite" years, especially if you're actually using the funds to do anything, i.e. withdrawing them and preventing compound interest.

In 20 years you might be able to get into a home with the cash if you've absolutely touched not even a penny of it but A. you likely haven't and B. you probably still can't get into a home, 20 years later.

Of course, the number is fake, nobody is handing out 100k.

> Cash windfalls can absolutely build wealth.

Yes, but that's facile.

Do they, commonly? No.

> Also 100k invested in the market will yield you probably around 7k, which is a lot, especially you don't touch it and let it compound.

You came so close to getting the point, and then kept walking with your own predetermined idea! "Why don't these single-income, struggling mothers and unemployed homeless people just take this cash and invest it?" is the most privilege-laden, oblivious idea I've heard in a while.