In Part 1 of this series, we discussed some bigger picture ideas about living the rebel lifestyle. We can’t defeat the elites all at once. But we love this quote from the show Andor that we shared in our article One Way Out.   

The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that. And know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire's authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege. Remember this. Try.  

Every little act of rebellion is a vote against the elites and a vote for freedom. So today we discuss some more tangible ways to do that.   

Spend less 

A marketing exec we know tells a story from his younger days of bumping into his boss after a client pitch. The boss said, “You win some, and you lose some. But winning is more fun.” It’s the same with money. It isn’t everything, but it’s something. There’s a reason that Dave Ramsey’s course is called Financial Peace. Because being out of debt, having an emergency fund, and controlling where your money goes does bring peace, at least compared to the alternative.  

Beyond meeting your basic needs, what’s money for? Happiness? Studies indicate that the increase in happiness levels off almost completely at a number remarkably close to the median household income in the U.S.

Is it status and self-worth? We all know that’s a losing game (as a bunch of people post vacation pics on social media, #blessed).  

It’s none of those things. Here’s what money really buys: Autonomy. Autonomy from having to take that experimental pharma concoction your employer wants you to take. Autonomy from having to keep your opinions about family, faith, and freedom secret for fear of losing clients. Or from having to take that DEI loyalty oath to get a job. Autonomy from the elites who fly their private jets around the world but tell you to rent a small apartment, eat bugs, and swallow this tracking device.  

The elite prey on our addictions - to screens, junk food, caffeine, impulse spending - to keep us mentally beholden to something other than our own freedom.

The money we send them is used to further arm their machines against us. Instead, every dollar that comes into your life can be used to save, invest, support a local business, pay for healthier foods, join a gym, and an endless array of other positive things. You fortify your finances and your well-being while starving the elites at the same time.  

Be a rebel by canceling that subscription. Skipping that auto-ship thingy for a month. Keeping track of every penny. And being intentional about where that money goes. It’s a journey, and we do what we can. We all have a part to play in the rebellion. Some of us simply like Starbucks drinks more than the local coffee shops. So we rotate where we go. Some of us like the convenience of Amazon Prime. But we work extra hard to put stuff in the cart first and wait a couple days before deciding if we really need it. We transfer some of those purchases to Costco just to get it out of the hands of Emperor Bezos. Baby steps. 

Diversify your income 

Spending less is a finite game. There’s only so much you can cut. But increasing income is an infinite game because theoretically you could keep growing your income forever. If possible, diversify your income through a side-hustle, second job, gig work, new business, or whatever you can scrap together. We can tell you from experience, you never know when that side business might start providing grocery money, and then maybe mortgage money, and then maybe - with some luck - pays for the whole enchilada each month. But if you can start something with reasonably low risk and low cost, it’s worth a try. If you’re new to this, here are some great places to start: 

$100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

Tiny Business, Big Money by Elaine Pofeldt

Do a little prepping 

Nobody is asking you to be Rambo. Although, while we’re on the topic it’s worth remembering what “being Rambo” means.  

"Pressure? Let me just say that Rambo is the best combat vet I've ever seen. A pure fighting machine with only a desire--to win a war that someone else lost. And if winning means he has to die, he'll die. No fear, no regrets. And one more thing, what you choose to call hell... he calls home." 

―Colonel Sam Trautman to Marshall Murdock. 

OK, that’s cool. Maybe we should choose to be Rambo. But if that doesn’t work, put on your WWRD bracelet. What would Rambo do? 

• Rambo would have at least a week’s worth of water around 

• Rambo would have some canned food stored up, maybe some beans and rice, maybe some freeze dried rations (if you can stomach such things) 

• Rambo would have some guns and ammo on hand  

• Rambo would have a bug out bag for each person in the house, such as Mrs. Rambo and toddler Rambo 

• Rambo would have some source of backup electricity and heat – even if only a little 

• Rambo would have some cash and coins tucked away 

That’s it. It’s what investor Kyle Bass calls an asymmetric risk/reward. Yes, the risk of you needing these things is super low. The cost is low as well. However, the benefit – the reward – of having these things in an emergency is ridiculously high. 

Does prepping make you an alarmist? I mean what are we preparing for? World War III with Russia? A global economic collapse if China invades Taiwan? An EMP blast that takes down the whole power grid delivered via a spy balloon that drifted over America for a week?  

Nah, that could never happen. Are you crazy? 

Maybe a global Armageddon isn’t coming, but that’s not the point. Most Armageddons are like the real estate market. Local.

The storm that knocks out power in your area.

The lockdown that closes up your town.

Rioters disguised as “protesters” taking over the streets, burning up your businesses, and setup up autonomous zones.

Seizure of your bank accounts because you were peacefully protesting government mandates.

These are all real things. And if you’re stuck in that situation, it sure feels global.   

Simple things like spending less, diversifying your income, and doing a little prepping create moments of defiance that will eventually flood the Empire’s banks. Remember this. Try.  

This is the way.  

God bless and God bless America.

-Jeff and Luke