Hey Rebels! Let's dive into this week's issue to help you become smarter about money, investing, and business in less than 10 minutes a week.
Weekly Intel
Stay current with top news from the business, money, and investing world.
Top Stories
It’s their Claude-given right: Anthropic (Mommy company to AI Claude) is reportedly eyeing a $2 trillion valuation for its planned fall IPO, which would make it the biggest public stock debut in the history of ever. (more)
Mono, toxic roommates, unfair professors? Add AI to college fears: Nearly half of college students say they've seriously considered switching majors because they're worried AI will make it harder to find a job, and computer science enrollment actually dropped 8% last year as a result. (more)
“If you’re ready, come and get it” (Selena to investors): Investors are suing Selena Gomez and her Wondermind co-founders, one of which is her mom, claiming the trio hid the mental-health startup's problems while it was falling apart. I guess “Lose You to Love Me” was about the company? (more)
By the numbers
$5 million: how much Selena Gomez’s mental health company received from investors in 2022, including Serena Williams’s investment firm. (more)
13%: percentage of bachelor’s degree students (and 19% of associate degree students) have changed their major or field of study because of AI. (more)
$129 billion: the amount of tariff refunds approved as of July 31. (more)
Reader Poll
The Financial Rebellion Way
Dead People Are the Best Investors
The best investors are those who forget about their accounts. People who invest with no emotion (deadpan, so to say) will outperform those who invest with fear every time.
Don’t believe me? Use this calculator to test out the theory.
Let’s take the scary out of investing.
Weekly or monthly automated investing into high-growth stock ETFs or indexes like the S&P 500 is the foundational step to creating significant long-term wealth.
Apps like ACORNS are a perfect way to dip your toes in investing and reap major rewards.
Start with as little as $5 a week or month, and invest more as your income grows.
You can do it: Just set it up, put in a few bucks, and forget about it. Put in more as you can. And forget about it. You’ll drop dead out of surprise when you check back in a few years. But just forget about it.
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The Dead Investor Test
Prove it to yourself.
$10,000 invested, $200 a month going in, then COVID hits. Here is what your reaction was worth by today, on the real S&P 500 numbers.
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| One decision, made in one month, while scared: $10,691. That is 19% less money for the same crash and the same deposits. | |
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| Real S&P 500 total return data, dividends reinvested. An illustration, not a promise. |
Markets - stocks and crypto
In under 3 minutes, start investing spare change, saving for retirement, earning more, spending smarter, and more.
Prices for the week ending August 14, 2026:
▲ S&P 500 | 7,774 | +0.20% |
▲ NASDAQ | 26,740 | +0.53% |
▲ GOLD | 4,482 | +0.44% |
▲ MICRON TECH (MU) | 1,028 | +18.13% |
▲ TARGET (TGT) | 153.22 | +0.57% |
▲ BITCOIN (BTC) | 64,028 | +1.01% |
▲ ETHEREUM (ETH) | 1,907 | +1.61% |
Stock and Crypto Moves
Tariff refunds: After the Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's tariffs, big companies like Apple, Ford, Nike, and Amazon have already gotten billions of dollars back in refunds. (more)
Inflation cooling: July's inflation report came in mild for the second month in a row, with prices up just 0.1%, giving the Fed a reason to hold off on raising interest rates. (more)
Target stock: Target's stock has jumped 59% this year on turnaround hopes, but this week's earnings report will test whether that rally can keep going. (more)
Micron stock: Chipmaker Micron's stock crossed $1,000 a share, up 240% this year, as demand for its AI memory chips keeps outpacing supply. (more)
Stock market outlook: Stocks are near record highs thanks to strong company earnings, but a strategist warns history shows markets often dip during this stretch of midterm election years. (more)
White House Crypto meeting: President Trump is expected to meet this week with CEO’s of major crypto, AI, and prediction market companies such as Coinbase, Gemini, Robinhood, Polymarket and Kalshi, suspiciously just before the inaugural meeting of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) new “Innovation Advisory Committee” the next day. (more)
Real Money Moves
Each week, we feature a reader’s smartest and dumbest money moves. We’re all in this together; let’s learn from each other.
Valentina, 24 - Lubbock, Texas
Best Money Move - Side hustled early
“I always wanted to be financially independent, so I started side hustles from a very young age.”
“Lemonade stands, mowing lawns, babysitting, tutoring, selling crafts…I was always looking to make money as a kid and teenager.”
“Not only did I save up a lot but I learned early on about the value of a side hustle.”
Worst Money Move - Not investing sooner
“Even though I was earning money, I didn’t really know what to do with it.”
“I just stuck everything in a box under my bed, and later in a normal savings account. I was scared of losing everything I earned by investing.”
“Now I understand how simple and safe investing can be, and I regret all those years that I could have been making money off of my money!”
Got a money win or financial faceplant? Send it in. You might help someone dodge a mistake or make a smarter call.
Side Hustle Differently
Each week, we focus on money-making opportunities for a side hustle that could potentially become a full-time venture. No MLM schemes, no “passive income” lies, just real strategies for stacking cash outside your 9-5.
Flex Your Financial Muscles
For those with a zeal for health and fitness, harnessing this passion by becoming a certified personal trainer or fitness instructor can open doors to both personal fulfillment and financial gain.
From Fit to Fortune: In a world where health is increasingly a priority, skilled fitness professionals are in demand.
Broad Appeal: Everyone from busy professionals to stay-at-home parents is looking for tailored fitness advice and guidance.
Flexibility: Offering classes online broadens your reach beyond local neighborhoods, while in-person sessions can solidify community ties.
Health Benefits: While you earn and gain experience, you’re also promoting and living a healthy lifestyle, which is a great perk of the job.
Build That Sweaty Equity: Diving into the fitness world as a side hustle not only fuels your passion for health but also builds a career that enhances others’ lives, proving that your hobby can indeed become your hustle.
Check out the Financial Rebellion podcast to learn about how to turn your passion into profit.
Bank Like a Rebel with a Credit Union
You Own the Place: As a member you're an owner, not a transaction.
David vs. Goliath Energy: Big traditional banks primarily exist to serve shareholders while credit unions exist to serve their members.
Better Loan and Deposit Rates: Lower rates on auto loans and mortgages and higher rates on checking and savings accounts.
Learn more reasons why Financial Rebellion champions credit unions over banks by clicking here.
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Interested in becoming a Financial Rebellion Partner? Reach out to [email protected].
We’ll catch you next week. Rebels OUT.
Todd Romer: Founder and Writer
Corinne Clarkson: Writer and Editor
Dallin Merrill: Chief Newsletter Overlord
Disclaimer: The advice provided in Financial Rebellion is not considered to be financial or legal advice of any kind. It is your responsibility to dig deeper on any opinions or recommendations given