Saturday Success Series: Volume 24
Making life & money work for you.
Welcome back to the Saturday Success Series email!
In this edition we’ll have:
Five to Focus On: A quote, stock, book, show & a beer.
Master Yourself: Who you marry
Master Your Money: A financial myth that robs your retirement
And of course…
The Weekly Special: 2 Things That Changed My Entire Life in 10 Years
The goal here is maximum value, so let’s get to it.
Oh, by the way, if you’re feeling generous, please share this newsletter with a friend.
Five to Focus on:
In a noisy world, it’s hard to know what’s good out there. Let me help.
Quote to ponder: “I’m just always looking forward. I spend very little time, looking backward.” - Gary Vee
Stock to consider: KEJI (Global X China Innovation ETF)
KEJI enables investors to access high growth potential through companies at the leading edge of multiple disruptive themes re-shaping China’s economy.
Disclaimer- this is not financial advice, I am not a financial advisor, and you should always do your own research.
Book to read: Evil Geniuses by Kurt Andersen
The New Deal led us to creating the first real middle class that ever existed in human history, but since then there’s been a lot of downhill for most Americans. This book explores that tumble.
Show to enjoy: The Batman on HBO Max
A great addition to the Batman franchise. Robert Pattinson actually nailed the role much to the surprise and delight of fans. It’s dark and emo-ish, but don’t let that deter you from checking it out.
Beer to sip: Heretics of IX from Adroit Theory
BeerAdvocate has it rated as Outstanding and you can’t go wrong with the citrus/candy combo.
Master Yourself
Marrying your best friend can fix a lot of problems in your life.
Who you marry is the second most important decision you’ll make in your life.
Deciding who to have kids with is the most important decision you’ll make. And, if you do it right, this is the same person.
Most of us don’t do it right. That’s okay.
But do your damndest to marry your BFF.
EVERYTHING gets easier with your best friend in your corner.
Life is more enjoyable, the tough stuff is easier to get through and you weather all the storms and come out better people on the other side.
My parents are each other’s best friends. 40 years of solidarity. They’re still in love, they’re still laughing and they’ve gotten through everything side by side.
You’ll know if you’re dating your best friend. If you’re not, leave now, don’t drag it out.
If you are, marry them ASAP.
Master Your Money
“I can’t afford to invest in my 401k.”
I’ve heard this countless times around my office.
The real truth? You can’t afford not to.
If your employer matches, you’re literally giving free money away.
Either way, do not rely on the government to take care of you in your old age.
Weekly Special:
2 Things That Changed My Entire Life in 10 Years
Let me paint a picture of me at 25 years old. It’s an ugly image.
I’m an unhealthy slob rolling around in bed until 2pm, living in my parents house. I’m jobless, aimless, careless, useless. I hold a credit score of 520, which surprises me it’s even that high, honestly. My net worth? Lol. Maybe 1k?
When I do have a job it’s merely a pattern of poor paying jobs, that further suck the soul out of me. I’m habitually single and mostly talking to women I have no business talking to. My life is one long run on of drunken nights with too many shallow friendships.
I was a victim, I was a blamer of others and, too often, a piece of shit.
Then 2016 happens.
My dad gives me a challenge. I accept.
I’m competitive, sure, but I also realize deep down that something needs to change. The life I’ve been living has its moments of pure hedonistic pleasure, that’s true, but mostly it’s just depressing.
Fast forward to 2022, I’m 35 now…
I wake up in bed, in my own beautiful home, bright and early, next to the love of my life, who is everything a partner should be. 2 beautiful kids and 3 adorable cats round out the home front. Credit score- high. Net worth- high. Fulfillment- high.
I’ve now held a good paying, fulfilling job for 10 years (got this right around 25 and didn’t think much of it at the time), plus paying side hustles. I’m also, finally, finishing my Bachelor’s degree. Now my drinking consists of kombucha, green tea and coffee and I’m happy to have many deep, satisfying friendships.
I’m responsible, resilient and proud of who I am.
How did I get here? What was the f*cking challenge??
Pretty simple- my dad challenged me to not drink for an entire year.
Stopping was hard. I loved drinking. I loved my craft beers, I loved my bourbon and I loved catching a buzz.
I was drinking a lot mind you. So I agreed. Not drinking is one of those cascading habits. You stop drinking and suddenly everything starts getting better. You’re healthier, you’re more productive, you’re happier, you’re a better friend, partner, parent, sibling, child, person.
I wasn’t drinking so I needed a replacement. So, I replaced my alcohol consumption with a book habit. I started reading non-fiction like my life depended on it. And in a way, it did. Reading changed who I was and brought out the best version of myself. All the things I have now are directly related to books. And the reading is directly related to not drinking.
So that’s it, that’s what changed from 25 to 35.
2 things.
1. Not drinking (not even a drop of alcohol)
Bottom line, alcohol is a toxin and, potentially, a poison (depending on the quantity consumed). Our body begins rejecting booze almost immediately upon its entry.
There’s an argument that primates and our caveman ancestors consumed alcohol (this is why we have that myth floating around that alcohol can be heathy for us) but the thing is…they were consuming it via ripened fruits not cans of White Claw. And their alcohol by volume was hovering at around 1%, not the 5–40% found in our beers, wines and liquors (think kombucha not Fireball).
Alcohol is not your body nor your mind’s friend. Consider living sober. So, anyway, that was step 1.
Which led to…
2. Reading A LOT (almost entirely non-fiction)
This reading habit led to routine, discipline, reflecting and a desire to grow into the best version of me.
2016 was the year I started reading 100 books, or more, every year. I haven’t stopped. No matter how busy I am, I always make time for reading.
And when you start reading great books- Resilience, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Atomic Habits, Think & Grow Rich, Deep Work and so many others- really great things start happening.
Reading teaches you to know enough to know that you don’t know enough- so that you keep seeking more knowledge. And when you do that the byproduct is that you keep getting better and better as a person.
Thanks for reading and if you found this valuable, please share with someone who could use it, see you next Saturday!