Following Instincts in an Uncertain Time
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of ownership—especially now, in 2025, when the current administration seems determined to limit or take away individual rights. There’s this instinct in me, almost primitive, that’s pushing me to go on the offensive in every aspect of my life. It’s not just about being prepared; it’s about making sure I’m ahead of the game—physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. Maybe that’s a defense mechanism, or maybe it’s just common sense given the direction things are heading. Either way, internal control is going to be more important over the next four years than ever before.
Building Financial Walls No One Can Tear Down
One of the biggest aspects of ownership is income. You can’t cut off my earnings if my money comes from assets I own—like this blog, my stocks, and other independent ventures. That’s real freedom. When your survival doesn’t depend on an employer, a government program, or any single external source, you have leverage. That’s what I mean when I talk about ownership—it’s about designing life in a way that minimizes external control.
As I write this, I can see how some people end up going to extremes—living off the grid, rejecting government entirely, and joining sovereignty movements. That’s not for me, and I don’t feel any urge to go that far. But I do understand how people get there. When you realize how much power some people want over others, and how many are willing to support that power grab simply because it validates their own hate and misguided beliefs, it opens your eyes.
It is no secret that when I first got my start in serious investing, I came across a private investor and his husband who managed to build a life of independence. There was a post that I read where he talked about a time he and his husband, then boyfriend at the time, had to hide their relationship and had to cover their armrest with a jacket while holding hands on the airplane—marriage was banned in almost all 50 U.S. states at the time. You can imagine some of the hurdles they had to jump through.
“Sometimes, I wonder if going through all of this is what made both of us want financial independence so strongly. In my case, my parents losing everything, and the desire to avoid poverty, was the primary catalyst but as I got older, I think that changed. It became an equal part wanting to not have to do anything so I could spend my time how I saw fit and an equal part defense mechanism. You can’t evict us if we own the building. You can’t cut off our income if the stock certificates and bonds are registered in our names. In a way, every dollar bought us more freedom.” https://www.joshuakennon.com/personal-message-thanks-throwback-thursday-gift-unaware-married/
This isn’t far-fetched from how I am feeling about the current state of things, where people want to roll back protections and take us back more than 50 years.
Harnessing Our Purchase Power for Intentional Spending
I’ve always been intentional about not spending money on things we don’t need, but this shift in thinking has reinforced that mindset even more. What has changed, though, is where I shop.
In November 2024, we completely stopped shopping at Walmart. In 2025, we pulled the plug on Target too—unless absolutely necessary. But honestly? I don’t think we’ll need it. Just like we found alternatives to Walmart, we’ll find other places to replace Target.
And here’s the kicker: since cutting out Walmart, we actually have more time. We aren’t going out of our way to “save” money when, in reality, those trips were costing us time and often more money in the long run. Big box stores like Walmart can be a trap. What seems like a deal isn’t always a deal when you factor in the real cost—your time, energy, and the hidden ways it encourages overspending.
What is Purchasing Power, and How Can We Harness It?
Purchasing power is essentially the ability to buy goods and services, which is directly tied to how much money we have and how wisely we spend it. But it’s not just about how much money we have in our bank accounts—it’s also about where we direct that money. Every purchase we make sends a message, either supporting businesses aligned with our values or contributing to a cycle of overconsumption.
By being intentional with our spending, we can harness our purchasing power to make decisions that align with our priorities. Think of it this way: every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. When you choose to spend your money at local businesses, ethical brands, or companies that prioritize sustainability, you’re reinforcing those values with your spending power. It’s about making thoughtful choices and redirecting that power away from places that don’t serve your goals.
When you start to focus on intentional spending, you become more mindful of what you buy and why. Instead of mindlessly walking into a big box store because it’s convenient, you begin to ask yourself questions like: Is this truly something I need? Is this purchase aligned with my values? Am I getting the best value, or is this convenience costing me more than I realize?
This shift isn’t just about cutting out stores—it’s about reclaiming your time, energy, and the real power that comes with making every purchase a deliberate choice.
Simplifying, Strengthening, and Taking Control
This shift isn’t just about where I shop. It’s also changed how we eat. Again, not about being perfect—sometimes old habits win—but we’ve consistently worked on eliminating food choices that don’t actually sustain life. Instead of Oreos and chocolate candy and ice cream, we just keep Oreos as our only chocolate treat. Meals are simpler: ramen and broccoli, beans and rice, stew and buttered bread.
At first, this was just about eating better, but I realize now it’s part of a bigger pattern: we’re cutting out the excess in all areas of life. Shopping, eating, spending—it’s all getting stripped down to what actually matters. And what’s left? More time, more clarity, and more control.
Internal Control in an Uncontrollable World
The biggest thing this shift has reinforced is that my instincts aren’t just paranoia. I’m not being overly cautious—I’m responding to what’s happening around me in a way that ensures stability. The world is heading in a direction where external control is tightening, and I refuse to be caught off guard.
We can’t control what happens politically, economically, or socially. But we can control our internal world. And the best way to do that is through ownership—ownership of our income, our choices, our resources, and our time. The more we own, the less power anyone else has over us. That’s the real goal.
So, as we move through 2025 and beyond, my focus is simple: keep building, keep simplifying, and keep owning my life. Because no matter what happens out there, I refuse to be left at the mercy of forces I can’t control. In a world where control is tightening, true freedom comes from what we own—our time, our choices, and our future.
The Broke College Student 
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