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
⛔ One Strait, Trillions at Stake: After failed negotiations, the U.S. is moving forward with a naval blockade targeting Iran’s access to the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery for global oil—raising fears of retaliation and a fresh spike in energy prices. The escalation could ripple through markets worldwide as tensions threaten a key supply route. (more)
🧑🏽💻 It’s just too powerful!!! The banks are scared!!!: Anthropic’s powerful new AI model is alarming banks because it can autonomously find and exploit software vulnerabilities at an insane rate, potentially supercharging cyberattacks. Governments and financial giants are scrambling to test and contain it before it falls into the wrong hands. (more)
👖 Your leggings might be lying to you: Texas is investigating Lululemon over whether its athleisure contains “forever chemicals” that contradict its wellness branding, though the company says it phased them out years ago. I’m sorry, I apologize if this is controversial, but you’re going to have to pry my True Navy Align Wunder Train High-Rise No Line 25” Tights off of my cold, dead legs. (more)
By the numbers
📹 $15.99: How much YouTube is raising its Premium prices to (in this economy???) (more)
🎥 1,000: The number of Hollywood’s finest who signed a letter in opposition to Paramount’s megadeal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (more)
🤑 72 years: how long Tax Day has been on the now infamous April 15th (more)
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The Financial Rebellion Way
Stop Loaning Uncle Sam Your Money at 0% Interest
Getting a $3,200 tax refund feels like winning the lottery. Plot twist: You just gave the IRS a year-long interest-free loan while your credit card charged you 24%.
Your money rebellion strategy:
Do the math that matters: $3,200 refund = $266/month you could’ve invested. At 10% returns, that’s losing out on $320 in gains. Every. Single. Year.
March to HR this week: Request a new W-4 form. Increase your allowances. Watch your paycheck grow immediately—no waiting until next April for your own money.
The best tax refund is $0 because it means you kept control of every dollar you earned.
Big picture: Traditional advice says “max out your refund for forced savings.” That’s like paying someone to hold your wallet so you don’t spend money. Real financial rebels keep their cash working year-round—earning interest, killing debt, building wealth.
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 April 10, 2026:
▲ S&P 500 | 6,816 | +3.33% |
▲ NASDAQ | 22,902 | +4.18% |
▼ GOLD | 4,755 | -1.48% |
▲ DISNEY (DIS) | 99 | +2.65% |
▲ ELI LILLY (LLY) | 939 | +1.46% |
▼ BITCOIN (BTC) | 70,758 | -0.34% |
▼ ETHEREUM (ETH) | 2,185 | -0.13% |
Stock and Crypto Moves
Market wrap: Stocks paused Friday after a multi-day rally, with the S&P 500 ending its winning streak as investors grew cautious ahead of U.S.–Iran talks, though markets remained relatively stable overall. (more)
Software stocks & AI disruption: Software stocks are falling as investors worry that increasingly powerful AI tools (like Anthropic’s models) could disrupt traditional software businesses. (more)
Getting big by making people little: Eli Lilly’s massive growth (ironic) is driven by its diabetes/weight-loss drugs, but investors are questioning how long that momentum can last amid competition and sustainability concerns. (more)
Epic Games engagement drop: Things might look rough now, but it could all change in a fortnite. As user engagement declines, Epic Games is reportedly planning a major new title (potentially tied to Disney) to reignite growth and keep players within its ecosystem. (more)
Bitcoin & new ETFs: Bitcoin is holding around $71,000 despite volatility, with continued ETF launches signaling growing institutional involvement even as price momentum stalls. (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.
Cam, 25 - Modesto, California
Best Money Move - Negotiated everything
"I called every single monthly bill—internet, phone, insurance, gym—and asked for a better rate."
"In two hours of phone calls, I cut $340 from my monthly expenses without changing anything."
"That's $4,080 a year I saved just by asking. Most companies said yes immediately."
Worst Money Move - Day trading with rent money
"I watched some YouTube videos and thought I could flip my rent money quick in crypto."
"Lost $1,800 in three days trying to time the market. Had to borrow from my sister to avoid eviction."
"If I'd just held instead of panic-trading, I would've actually made money."
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.
Master Bookkeeper
Small business owners will happily pay you to deal with the shoebox of receipts they've been avoiding.
Your numbers game plan:
QuickBooks quarterback: Learn one software well. Most businesses use it, hate it, and need someone to make sense of their financial chaos.
Monthly maintenance money: $300-500 per client for a few hours of categorizing expenses. Stack 10 clients and replace your salary.
Tax season surge: Charge panic prices when everyone realizes their books are disasters. February through April is your Black Friday.
Big picture: Every entrepreneur thinks they'll handle their own books until they realize they'd rather do literally anything else. You're not selling bookkeeping—you're selling the gift of never thinking about receipts again.
Check out the Financial Rebellion podcast to learn about how to turn your passion into profit.
The Rebellion Challenge
Hello there!
You made it all the way down here. Incredible. You’re so…rebellious 😍
As a little treat, respond to this email with an emoji that describes your current state of mind and enter to win a Financial Rebellion t-shirt. Winning emoji announced next week!
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.