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
🪑 KEVIN!: President Trump announced that former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh is his pick to succeed Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve later this year. Kevin is known for being hawkish (likes high interest rates), so we will see what KEVIN (cue Catherine O’Hara, may she rest in peace) does this year. (more)
🤠 Market Roundup: Major indexes are stable, tech is underperforming, and precious metals suffered their worst losses in decades this last week. Bitcoin, like my New Year’s resolutions, could be doing better. (more)
🏖️ Thinking of going to Europe this summer? You probably need to save a little more: The US dollar is struggling, dropping to its lowest point since 2021 last week, while European currencies are eating pasta and drinking Aperol spritzes on the Amalfi Coast (they’re doing great). (more)
By the numbers
🍎 16%: Apple’s revenue increase on an annual basis, according to fiscal first quarter earnings. (more)
🌭 $2: The cost of a hot dog at the Atlanta Falcon stadium, after they slashed their concessions prices by over 50%. They have seen a 30% increase in stadium transactions because people buy more when things are affordable. (more)
☀️ $75 billion: how much the US invested in clean energy last year, a new record and 8% higher than the year before. (more)
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The Financial Rebellion Way
Money Confidence Isn’t Born—It’s Built, One Win at a Time
You don’t wake up financially confident. You earn it through small victories that prove you’re capable. Every tiny win rewires your brain from “I suck at money” to “I’ve got this.”
Your confidence-building starter pack:
Name a savings account TODAY: Change “Savings” to “Summer Vegas Fund.” Watch how differently you treat money with a name. First win = done in 30 seconds.
Automate $25 weekly: Not $100. Not “when I have extra.” Just $25 every Monday. After a month, you’ve saved $100 without thinking. That’s power.
Negotiate one small bill: Call your internet provider. Ask for a discount. Even $10 off proves you can advocate for yourself. That feeling? Addictive.
Track spending for one week: Not forever. Just seven days. Knowledge is confidence, and you can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Invest your first $20: Download an app. Buy a fractional share. Congratulations—you’re an investor now.
Big picture: Money confidence isn’t about having thousands in the bank. It’s about proving to yourself, repeatedly, that you can set a goal and hit it. Start laughably small. Stack wins. Build momentum. Confidence follows competence, and competence starts with one tiny win.
Markets - stocks and crypto
In under 3 minutes, start investing spare change, saving for retirement, earning more, spending smarter, and more.
Click the image above or this link to earn a special $40 bonus.
Prices for the week ending January 30, 2026:
▲ S&P 500 | 6,939 | +0.05% |
▼ NASDAQ | 23,461 | -0.30% |
▼ GOLD | 5,067 | -3.33% |
▲ DECKERS (DECK) | 119 | +19.27% |
▲ VERIZON (VZ) | 44.52 | +12.10% |
▼ BITCOIN (BTC) | 77,824 | -12.69% |
▼ ETHEREUM (ETH) | 2,291 | -23.77% |
Stock and Crypto Moves
Ugly shoes are having a moment: Deckers' stock is surging amid record revenue driven by global demand for UGG and HOKA...and though hideous, our feet have never been so comfy and supported. But this is coming from someone who wore TEVAS to her wedding 🫠 (more)
Can you hear me NOW: Despite their major outage earlier this year, Verizon stock jumped after its full-year forecast for profit, free cash flow, and subscriber growth beat expectations. And to celebrate, they’re giving away free iPhone 13s! 14s? 19s…? What number are we on now?? (more)
Don’t let go, Rose: Gold and silver did their best “Heart of the Ocean” (that necklace from Titanic) impression and plummeted into the sea this last week, with silver having its worst percentage drop since 1980. (more)
Gallium, cobalt, and lanthanum, oh my: Critical mineral stocks are having a moment after Bloomberg reported Trump’s planning a $12 billion shopping spree for rocks with unpronounceable names. (more)
Boring Bitcoin: Bitcoin has had a rough couple of months and has recently struggled to break above $90,000, despite significant trading activity and a combined $1.1 billion in outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, resulting in a sideways, “boring” price range rather than a sharp collapse or rally. (more)
Real Money Moves
Braxton, 28 - Raleigh, North Carolina
Each week, we feature a reader’s smartest and dumbest money moves. We’re all in this together; let’s learn from each other.
Best Money Move - Named every savings account
“I had one ‘savings’ account with $1,200 that kept mysteriously shrinking every time I went out with friends.”
“Read about digital envelopes and went crazy—opened five savings accounts: ‘Japan 2026,’ ‘Tattoo Money,’ ‘Concert Fund,’ and ‘Christmas Gifts.’ Set up $50-100 auto-transfers to each.”
“Now, when I want those $200 shoes, I’d have to steal from Japan. Can’t do it. In six months, I’ve saved more than the previous two years combined because my money finally has a purpose I respect.”
Worst Money Move - Ignored my 401k match
“My company matched 4% and I contributed… zero.”
“For two entire years. I literally left free money on the table because retirement felt too far away.”
“Now I max out the match even if it hurts. It’s literally a 100% instant return. I was stepping over hundred-dollar bills to save pennies.”
The bottom line: Every money move teaches you something — whether it builds your net worth or humbles your ego.
Got a story? 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.
We’re coming for you, little bird.
Language Teacher to Busy Adults
Teach Spanish to professionals who've been "meaning to learn" for ten years.
Your words-to-wealth blueprint:
Conversation over conjugation: Adults don't want grammar drills. They want to order wine in Barcelona. Teach travel Spanish at tourist prices.
Target business professionals: They expense "Business Mandarin" at $150/hour. You teach, their company pays.
Morning money slots: 6-8 AM slots command premiums. Busy people pay extra for convenience. Two morning students = your whole day rate.
Big picture: Language apps charge $10/month and deliver nothing. You charge $100/hour and deliver confidence. Ten regular students = an apartment in the country you're teaching about.
Check out the Financial Rebellion podcast to learn about how to turn your passion into profit.
Bank Like A Rebel
While big banks profit from your mistakes, credit unions invest in your financial education. Weird how doing the right thing is considered rebellious.
Did you know the myths about credit unions versus banks? Debunked 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.