Classics (6/1/25-12/1/25)

As a society we are brain washed to think we need to buy endless material gifts for loved ones during the holiday season. This has resulted in unbelievable amounts of stress for people, unnecessary debt, violence at Walmart, and billions of dollars put into the hands of corporations that have no relationship to you. All of this to keep up with a cultural norm no one really understands.

How did we end up in this mess?

Maybe it all started with the Wise Men in the Bible that brought Jesus gifts of gold, spices, frankincense, and myrrh? They brought Jesus these gifts to honor him. Maybe people interpret this as, buying gifts = showing love. Which we all know is not true. Maybe people interpreted this as they should knock over Walmart employees enroute to purchase a 62-inch big screen TV that is marked 90% off on Black Friday? Maybe…

At some point, almost everyone has imagined telling their boss off and walking away for good. When I was stuck in cubicle jail, I pondered this daily. You imagine waking up Monday morning, the sun beaming in the window, the kids making breakfast and pure bliss. You fantasize on being your own boss, no crazy co-workers with weird hygiene habits to deal with, no water cooler drama, no traffic jams that make you want to cut yourself, no "Monday Motivation" meetings that always start with awkward introductions and culminate in sweaty armpits. Freedom.

Then there is reality. You officially have no income. Unless of course your spouse works, or you have your Asset Army producing passive income. Even if both of these cases are true (which for 99% will not be the case), I still recommend completing the below activity.

Activity #1

How much money do I have in monthly…

Being trapped by consumerism is like voluntarily locking yourself in prison cell made of Amazon boxes--you hate it in there, but you keeping hitting "add to cart" for more bricks, making it harder and harder to get out. As Americans, we love to spend money. We are surrounded with marketing telling us to buy more and you will be happier. Buy more and you will be sexier. Buy more and you will get more attention. More, more, and more. That message has led to a country that is unhappy, physically and mentally sick and strapped to a white walled cubicle buried in debt popping Xanax like tic tacs.

The U.S. was recently knocked out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time since 2012 due to staggeringly low happiness rates in people under 30 years old. Why are these young folks unhappy? I do have my opinions, which…

Life loves to throw curveballs. Your car breaks down, your dog eats a pair of dirty underwear and needs surgery, your tooth decides to rot, and so on. Having a 3–6-month emergency fund is mandatory if you are going to achieve financial freedom. With an emergency fund, a surprise bill feels like a papercut, annoying but not horrible. Without one, it's like a chainsaw accident, where you are gushing blood and panicking.

Let's look at some spicy stats:

• 42% of Americans do not have any emergency fund.

• 37% of Americans can not cover a $400 unexpected expense, and stated they would need to borrow, sell something, or simply couldnt pay the bill.

This is bad news for 42% of Americans.

Your Grandparents stacked cash under their mattresses, in books and even freezers for generations. While this may not be the most effective strategy to become a mega zillionaire, using the envelope system is a proven way to keep your budget in line. Most of us are leaking cash out our eyeballs on impulsive useless material items. (most of which we regret purchasing 48 hours later) We end each month with little to show for our time slaving away at our 9-5. Over the long haul this leads to poverty and a life of regrets.

The envelope system lets you organize your cash according to spending categories at the beginning of each month. You take from the envelope when you make purchases. When you run out of cash, you are done for the month. This is a recommended strategy for individuals under 35 years old with a net worth of less…

Your fancy middle-class neighbors with new vehicles, a boat, RV, 3,000 square foot house and a 4-door side by side are most likely living paycheck to paycheck. The average middle-class income in the U.S. in 2024 ranged between $50,000 - $150,000 annually. The average net worth for middle class families in 2024 ranged between $250,000 - $300,000. While these families are not poor, they are most certainly far from wealthy and far from financially free.

Some eye-opening statistics:

• 30-40% of middle-class families have less than $1000 in their savings account.

• Only 25-35% have 3+ months of expenses saved.

• The average middle-class savings account has a measly $3500-$5000 in it.