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
What a Fed rate hike means to you: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point, which is expected to gradually increase borrowing costs while giving savers somewhat higher interest rates. Find out how this hike will affect your credit cards, personal and student loans, mortgages, savings accounts, CDs and investments here.
The sandwich generation is in a pickle: A growing number of Americans are simultaneously caring for children and aging/disabled family members, creating financial pressure through caregiving costs, reduced work hours and lower retirement savings. (more)
Not even Bob the Builder can fix this: My condolences if you just graduated in construction management. High mortgage rates and weaker demand are causing homebuilders to cut prices, offer incentives and build fewer homes. In September, 38% of builders cut prices on new homes, while housing starts fell 2.6% in August. (more)
By the numbers
10 years: The length of Kylian Mbappé’s new deal with On. He leaves Nike after 20 years, having signed with them at eight years old. (more)
1 in 4: how many U.S. adults are now in the sandwich generation, supporting a child and a parent over 65 at the same time. It was closer to 1 in 5 in 2021. (more)
$600,000: how much one woman lost in a pig-butchering scam, followed by a $225,000 tax from the US government. But there’s a new bill that could protect scam victims…learn more about it here.
Poll of the Week
The Financial Rebellion Way
Three Lies You Might Be Telling Yourself
After years of talking to young people about money, these are the beliefs many people have about achieving financial success. None of them are true.
The big fat lies:
“I’m not smart enough.” Managing money isn’t a gift you’re born with. It’s a skill you learn. The fact that nobody taught you doesn’t mean you can’t figure it out.
“I have to be hyper-disciplined to get ahead.” Thank heavens for technology. Set up automatic transfers the day after payday and let the system do the work your willpower can’t always deliver.
“I’m just not the kind of person who gets to have this.” That one’s the sneakiest lie of all, and the most damaging. You are worthy to have the life you desire. You are good enough to be successful financially.
Big picture: Your money story started long before you had a bank account. But here’s the thing—you get to rewrite it. The first step isn’t a budget or an investment account. It’s deciding the old story isn’t true anymore.
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The Autopilot
Discipline has to show up seven months out of twelve
Move $50 the day after every payday and never think about it again. Or promise yourself $200 a month and do it when you remember.
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| Willpower has to reach seven months out of twelve just to draw level. Almost nobody reaches seven. That is lie number two, answered with arithmetic. | |
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| 26 paydays a year, deposits only, no interest. The crossover is seven months whatever number you use. 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 September 18, 2026:
▲ S&P 500 | 7,650 | +0.67% |
▲ NASDAQ | 26,522 | +1.94% |
▲ GOLD | 4,424 | +1.23% |
▼ PEPSICO (PEP) | 129.75 | -6.41% |
▲ SPACEX (SPCX) | 152.71 | +1.23% |
▲ BITCOIN (BTC) | 80,986 | +3.60% |
▲ ETHEREUM (ETH) | 2,622 | +4.37% |
Stock and Crypto Moves
SpaceX stock falls: SpaceX shares fell more than 2% after the company delayed its next Starship test flight from September 22 to September 28. The delay came as some retail investors sold shares, although the stock was still up about 1% for the week. (more)
Bitcoin returns to $80,000: Bitcoin climbed to a two-week high around $80,000 as other cryptocurrencies also rallied. The rise came despite the Fed raising interest rates and a cryptocurrency bill failing to advance in the Senate. (more)
Store brands take market share: Store-brand products such as Kirkland and Amazon Basics are gaining sales as shoppers look for cheaper alternatives to name brands. Private-label products generated $245 billion in sales last year, up from $184 billion in 2020, putting pressure on companies such as PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. (more)
Novo Nordisk comes up short: The mother company of weight loss drug Wegovy saw its stock fall after concerns over short-term targets and increasing competition. (more)
The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) just created a 5-year test rule letting approved platforms trade "tokenized" stocks — blockchain-based digital tokens standing in for real shares, tradeable faster and possibly 24/7…giving the US stock market a crypto makeover. (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.
Cooper, 28 - Portland, Maine
Best Money Move: Got that Roth going young
“Right after starting my first job, I decided to open a Roth IRA and began contributing a small portion of my paycheck each month.”
“Starting early meant the compound interest (thanks high school math) would be even greater for me longterm.”
“This move not only prepared me for retirement but also got me in the habit of saving and investing even just a little bit every month.”
Worst Money Move: Not paying off credit cards
“I had some trips I wanted to go on and some unexpected health issues, which I just put on my credit card.”
“I could only paythe minimum payments on my credit card balances each month, not realizing how much extra I was paying in interest.
“I didn’t fully grasp the impact of compound interest working against me. My debt kept growing because the interest accumulated faster than my payments could keep up.”
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.
Parents Will Pay Good Money to Not Clean a Car Seat Themselves
If you’ve ever seen the inside of a toddler’s car seat, you already understand the business opportunity.
Your car seat cleaning playbook:
The startup cost is almost nothing: A good handheld vacuum, some baby-safe cleaning solution, and a few microfiber cloths. You’re in business.
Find your customers where they already are: Facebook parent groups, neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, and local daycare bulletin boards are goldmines.
Charge what it’s worth: This is a detailed, time-consuming job most parents dread. $75–$150 per car seat or stroller isn’t unreasonable, and a package deal for both is an easy upsell.
Big picture: Parents are exhausted, busy, and will gladly hand over cash to check something gross off their to-do list. You show up, do the dirty work, and leave them with a clean, safe seat.
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. 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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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