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‘Tis the season, for bank account over-drafting so we can buy holiday decorations we’ll use once a year, food that we’ll have to purchase a January gym membership to work off, and presents that other people largely don’t want or need. Wow, Grinch much?
But First…
With the recession looming, or largely here, we have had 100’s of you reach out to invest in this most recent opening of our boring business infrastructure fund. We believe now is the time to invest in the tech to back essential businesses and we’ll have an unfair advantage in this environment. We have made 7 investments to date and you can find more about the fund here. We have a very limited number of spots due to SEC regulations.
Today in 10 minutes or less, you’ll get:
- Don’t get all cranky pants with me now
- The weight of 'shoulds' on all our shoulders this season
- Here are a few of my favorite things 🎶🎵
MENTAL MODEL
First, Stop the Nonsense
Traditions are beautiful and important, but TBH when I see Vogue’s list of “must haves” that include $12,500 pearl drop earrings, I become concerned that I no longer understand the definition of the words must and have. So this year, we are not going to inundate you with a list of nonsense gifts under the guise of helping you overspend this holiday.
Instead, we hope this is the guide to giving people and yourself stuff that actually makes your lives materially better, by gaining strong minds, bank accounts, and bodies.
Honestly, what is wrong with humanity that this is sent out as a list of things people actually want? Dear sweet angel above… cranky pants? And you wear those?
Contrarian Mental Framework
I scrawl the words on my whiteboard, a daily reminder.
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.”
Stepping back, I nod. Yes, today’s world is replete with shoulds. I feel them heavy on my shoulders.
Should say this…
Should do that…
I’ve never quite understood why for so many the term, ‘live and let live’ is a personal affront. A red flag waved in the enraged bull’s eyes. When did we become each other’s keepers? When did we decide we knew better for another than they knew for themselves?
Want vs should. The life well created is the one that allows more of the former and doesn’t mandate more of the latter.
It’s a lesson we’d do well to remember.
Should’s are aplenty during the holidays. Doesn’t mean they are musts.
GIFTS THAT WON'T END UP AT GOODWILL
A Contrarian Gift Guide
Here are the rules:
- We’re not listing a single thing we don’t own and actively use. Because that’s lame.
- We’re highlighting small businesses we love as well as some of my favorite investments. SKIN IN THE GAME.
Did we just rhyme? Think so.
Favorite Things for Civilizing the Mind
- “Never Split the Difference” – You will single-handedly increase your income by reading about negotiation through Chris Voss. Read it twice.
- Comedy is the last bastion of the truth – Comedians may be the last reprieve from PC-ness or censorship. Give ’em tickets, make ‘em laugh, and give ‘em a little bit of truth.
- A candle and a minute – My husband and I light a candle each night and we talk and think about what we want to create and bring into the world over a glass of wine. Maybe we’re woo-woo, but there’s a crystal in that bad boy and damn if half the things we visualize don’t come through.
- “The Daily Stoic” – A habit, 60 seconds. Reading this book in the morning sets the tone for a day well lived.
- “Man’s Search for Himself” – Not to be confused with “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Rollo May’s book is transcendent about how to architect your life.
- Epsom salts + this holder – Baths have a slew of health and mind benefits. Add detoxification while reading one of the books on this list. Nothing like relaxing while you’re learning.
Favorite Things for Making Savage the Body
- Hydrate Packets – Drinking water is such a low-lift activity for life extension, energy, and cognition. And yet, I suck at it. So, I use these daily.
- Half Caff Coffee – So you’re not an anxious mess like I was prior to going half caffeine in my coffee. Plus the owner is a small business bud.
- Ladder App – I invested in this company and use this workout app daily. I love the videos that explain every rep and set, the auto countdown clock, and the tracking.
- Kettlebells – My husband is notorious for buying them and giving them away at birthday parties. They could literally be the only piece of equipment you use if done right.
- Sauna – I KNOW it’s a big buy, but I use it daily and think I’m a saner, healthier human for it. So say the 1,000’s of studies on it as well.
- Theragun – The joy of placing this thing all over my sore or tired body is better than ___.
- Athletic Greens – Hate vitamins? Hate kale? Me too. So I take this daily and it doesn’t taste like dirty medicine.
- Pso-Rite – Back hurts? Tight hips? Sit too much trying to make money? This is my go-to. It feels awful, but it fixes everything.
Favorite Things for Building the Bank Account
- How to Buy a Profitable Business w/o Millions Course – Skip the Harry Potter special set and give them the gift of business buying. This is a shameless plug, but you’ll thank me also when the average member gets 10x the cost.
- Gift a stock – Yup, Timmy can be the proud owner of AAPL. Also, Daddy gets a tax credit. NBD.
- Here.co – Invest in Airbnbs without any of the work. We’ve invested in two of their deals.
- Beehiiv – This is actually free to start. So if you’ve ever thought about building an email list and newsletter, this software is my favorite and we invested in it. You could also add this course which is not free, but every step I used to build Contrarian Thinking.
- Virtual Assistant – The best money you will ever spend is on doing high-level tasks and outsourcing low-level ones. I hired my VAs from Support Shepherd.
- Liability into assets #1 – Buy an airstream, enjoy it, but rent it out when you’re not using it to cashflow it. Some recession resistance as well with lower-tier vacations.
- Property Management Business in a Box – I am gifting this one to my family. Don’t tell them. We partnered with a guy who does $2M a year by managing long-term rentals and he shared his playbook on it with us. THIS IS A BIG investment, but I want my family to have a business they can run that they can retire on.
Best Under $100 Ever Spent:
- Traveling iPhone mic – Tell your kids to stop watching TikTok and YouTube and make some instead. Earn money as a creator not a consumer.
- Otterbox cellphone case – Have a tendency to hurl your phone around like it wronged you? This thing will save thousands a year.
- Cleaners for the holidays – Don’t give me crap, clean up my crap. I love cleaning gift cards. Is that weird?
- Food is good – But dull knives suck. My husband is obsessed with a good knife.
- Gua shua – Vain. Yes. Works. Yes. You rub it on your face to sculpt and try to beat up Father Time.
NOT TO BUY LIST: (Worst $ Ever Spent)
- No fancy candles, please – I buy mine at HomeGoods, organic and soy for $12.99. $50 candles are criminal.
- Any sort of sweet – I know people mean well when they send cookies or cupcakes etc., but it’s kinda like gifting bad decisions. All I see is cellulite. Please keep thanks.
- Expensive coffee table books – Hack: go to a used bookstore or better yet a Goodwill shop. They basically give those away. Also, call it “vintage”, i.e. you’re recycling but making it fancy.
That’s it. That’s the list. My hope is you never have to try on a badly fitting sweater or cram into your suitcase a slew of things that will eventually end up in the garbage can. What if we use this time instead to gift health, wealth, and clear thinking?
I can then just barely tolerate another year of Mariah Carey’s Christmas music.
Buckle up. We’ve got your back.
Codie & Contrarian Crew
Written by Codie Sanchez, Edited by Rananda Rich and the Contrarian Team
CONTRARIAN EXTRAS
The Not So Boring Section
🤑 Don’t spend it all at once… but don’t feel too sorry for Wall Street either
⚽ How to cashflow $200M+ from soccer? Just remember we can’t all be Ronaldo
📜 Want less IRS paperwork? Better keep your Venmos under $600
Three Recession-Proof Businesses
It’s no secret that the world’s becoming a tougher place. That’s why I’ve made this, to show YOU three businesses that can weather down markets.
Why?
Because we are here to free humans, not to get rich quick. We are here to become owners, not to speculate. We are here for you.
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Disclaimer – This is the “Be an adult” section. Everything mentioned above isn’t advice, just a recount of what I did. That said: This article is presented for informational purposes only. The opinions stated here are not intended to recommend any investment or provide tax advice. Neither are they an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase an interest in any current or future investment vehicle managed or sponsored by Codie Ventures, LLC or its affiliates. All material presented in this newsletter is not to be regarded as investment advice, but for general informational purposes only. Day trading and investing do involve risk, so caution must always be utilized. We cannot guarantee profits or freedom from loss. You assume the entire cost and risk. You are solely responsible for making your own investment decisions. We recommend consulting with a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, and/or financial advisor. If you choose to invest with or without seeking advice from such an advisor or entity, then any consequences resulting from your investments are your sole responsibility. By reading/sharing this newsletter or consuming our content on our other channels, you are indicating your consent and agreement to our disclaimer.
