The original Ford Model T used over 100 square feet of wood, and with millions of cars built, that meant mountains of scrap and sawdust.
Henry Ford, always looking for opportunity, turned the waste into charcoal—sparking the creation of Kingsford Charcoal, which still dominates the barbecue market 110 years later with an 80% share.
Hat tip to Morgan Housel for this story.
THE GREEN ROOM.
MONEY THOUGHT
Money isn’t just what you spend — it’s what you agree to carry.
Every purchase you make isn’t just a transaction; it’s a weight.
- Buy a big house, and you’re agreeing to carry maintenance, property taxes, and repairs for decades.
- Buy a new car, and you’re agreeing to carry insurance, depreciation, and the quiet stress of keeping it shiny.
Even smaller purchases — that new subscription, those “fun” impulse gadgets — add tiny weights you drag with you.
If you ever feel overwhelmed financially, it might not be that you’re not earning enough — it’s that you’ve agreed to carry too much.
The fastest way to feel richer is to start dropping the things you never wanted to carry in the first place.
TICKER TALK
TIME HACK.
THREE MAKES FREE
Here’s one you don’t hear often:
Stop trying to “finish” your to-do list—design it to be unfinishable.
The truth is, high-achievers almost never run out of things to do.
New tasks will always replace the ones you cross off, and the illusion that you’ll one day “catch up” is what drives so much stress.
Instead, create a Today’s Top 3 list each morning: three non-negotiables that, if done, make the day a success no matter what else happens.
Everything else goes into a “Later” list that you don’t measure yourself against.
This shifts your brain from chasing an impossible finish line to celebrating meaningful daily wins.
You’ll still move forward on big projects, but without the constant guilt of “not getting everything done”—because you’ve redefined what done actually means.
FROM THE BLOG.
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An unbiased, non-paid look at Pacaso’s co-ownership platform, how it differs from traditional timeshares, and if it’s a solid investment.
17 Smart Money Habits Parents Can Teach Their Kids Early
Learn how to teach kids about money management through simple, intentional lessons for financial responsibility.
DEEP DIVE
How to Start a Self-Service Car Wash: The Complete Guide
How to Design Your Day Around Your Chronotype (Night Owl vs. Early Bird)
What Is a Choice-Minimal Lifestyle?
CAREER CONSIDERATION
Do You Want to Be a Restaurant Manager?
ONE-LINERS.
5 ARTICLES : 5 SENTENCES
WORTH THE READ.
So good you need to read every word:
- Building Financial Resiliency [Fintech Takes: Workweek]
- The 80-Hour Myth (Why We’re Addicted To Being Busy) [Dan Koe]
- Bitcoin Explained in 2 Minutes [X]
P.S.
Nobody deserves what happened to Charlie Kirk, especially his wife and kids, who were watching the event. Politics aside, if you are celebrating his death, please don’t subscribe or unsubscribe.