Restaurants are an extremely tough business and Dulan’s is not exception. Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen on Crenshaw—an institution in LA’s Black culinary landscape—is fighting for survival. The culprit? A renovation project that spiraled out of control. What was supposed to elevate the brand has nearly sunk it. Delays, runaway costs, and a lack of financial cushion brought the operation to a standstill. Now the community is rallying, but it’s a race against time.
Here’s where this becomes a masterclass for business owners:
Gregory Dulan did something smart: He turned to the media. He didn’t just ask for help—he showed people why the place matters. In a recent story, he highlighted the food, the legacy, and what’s at stake. It wasn’t just a plea—it was marketing.
He reframed the crisis. Instead of hiding the financial struggle, he made it public—and human. That’s a strategic pivot most business owners overlook when they hit hard times.
But let’s not miss the core issue: This all started with a remodel that wasn’t tightly controlled. Budget overruns and time delays without a clear backup plan created a financial chokehold.
What can business owners learn?
“Never get a hard money loan with a balloon payment unless you plan to sell before that balloon comes due. Otherwise, it’ll pop your whole business.” KR
Don’t confuse vision with execution. A bigger, better space means nothing if you can’t afford to reopen.
Community support is powerful—but it’s not a business model.
When you’re in trouble, own the narrative. Don’t disappear—go public, go visual, go human.
Bottom Line: Dulan’s might survive because of heart, hustle, and hometown pride—but the real lesson is about planning, risk, and resilience. If you own a business, this isn’t just his story—it’s your warning.
Streaming Service: Disney+ Genre: Family/Animation A lonely Hawaiian girl named Lilo adopts Stitch, a mischievous alien who poses as a dog. Their adventures bring chaos and heartwarming lessons about family and belonging as they evade social workers and pursue true connection.
Highest 2 Lowest
Streaming Service: Apple TV+ Genre: Drama A New York City music mogul faces a tense rescue mission after his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped. Ambition, loyalty, and fatherhood collide in a high-stakes showdown inspired by Kurosawa’s classic.
Friendship
Streaming Service: Hulu Genre: Comedy/Drama A socially awkward executive becomes obsessed with befriending his charismatic neighbor, leading to comic mishaps and heartfelt reflections on connection and acceptance.
Warfare
Streaming Service: HBO Max Genre: War/Drama Based on true events, a platoon of Navy SEALs retell the chaos, brotherhood, and trauma of a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq. Their battle memories and real-time action drive this visceral, critically praised war film.
Black Rabbit
Streaming Service: Netflix Genre: Thriller/Crime/Drama Two estranged brothers (Jason Bateman and Jude Law) run a high-pressure New York restaurant and club, facing secrets, debts, and escalating dangers that threaten everything they’ve built.
Death of a Unicorn
Streaming Service: Prime Video Genre: Dark Comedy/Fantasy A father and daughter’s lives upend after accidentally hitting a unicorn, drawing them into a billionaire’s scheme to exploit the creature’s magical healing properties. Chaos ensues as scientists and hunters battle for the unicorn’s power.
Task
Streaming Service: HBO Max Genre: Mystery/Action A skilled investigator is drawn into an international conspiracy after a failed covert mission. As the pieces come together, trust and loyalty are tested in a race against time.
The Wrong Paris
Streaming Service: Netflix Genre: Comedy A mismatched pair of tourists arrive in Paris—only to realize they’ve booked a trip to a tiny French village with odd residents and eccentric adventures.
Kontrabida Academy
Streaming Service: Netflix Genre: International/Comedy A mischievous student enrolls in an academy for aspiring supervillains. Absurd lessons and humorous pranks follow as the students battle to become top “kontrabida.”
aka Charlie Sheen
Streaming Service: Apple TV+ Genre: Biopic/Drama A dramatized look at Charlie Sheen’s rise, fall, and ongoing career amid Hollywood scandals, addiction, and tabloid mayhem.
Swiped
Streaming Service: Hulu Genre: Comedy A tech-savvy college student develops a revolutionary dating app, only to have his invention spiral out of control amongst campus drama and personal dilemmas.
French Lover
Streaming Service: Netflix Genre: International/Comedy A Parisian playboy’s world is upended when his ex-girlfriend publicly exposes his romantic misadventures, forcing him to change his ways or lose everyone he cares about.
She Said Maybe
Streaming Service: Prime Video Genre: Drama/International After a viral proposal, a couple faces newfound fame and the pressures of love in the modern world, questioning what truly keeps relationships together.
The Girlfriend
Streaming Service: HBO Max Genre: Biopic/Drama A behind-the-scenes retelling of an iconic pop star’s tumultuous romance—scandal, passion, and fame force life-altering decisions as tabloids circle.
Tempest
Streaming Service: Netflix Genre: Thriller/Action A catastrophic storm traps strangers together, and their secrets unravel as they fight for survival in an abandoned hotel.
Plan C
Streaming Service: Hulu Genre: Drama A high-powered corporate attorney takes a risky client and is thrust into a web of business intrigue, ideology, and betrayal.
Guerra
Streaming Service: HBO Max Genre: Historical/Drama An epic retelling of an infamous battle changes the lives and loyalties of soldiers and civilians as nations collide over honor and survival.
Summer Nights
Streaming Service: Disney+ Genre: Romance/Drama Friends reunite in a beach town for one unforgettable summer filled with old flames, new opportunities, and life-changing choices.
Red Ribbon
Streaming Service: Prime Video Genre: Suspense/Drama A grieving mother’s search for her missing daughter uncovers a shadowy world of conspiracies and deception.
Safety Net
Streaming Service: Netflix Genre: Documentary An investigative team delves into the silent crisis of online financial scams and vulnerable victims navigating digital danger zones.
THE SKATE BOARD ASSOCIATION (SBA) ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF FIRST-EVER PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
LOS ANGELES — Sept. 1, 2025 — The Skate Board Association (SBA) is launching the world’s first co-ed, equal-pay professional skateboarding league. Co-founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and NBA champion Gary Payton II, the league blends performance, immersive tech, and culture with a focus on equity, community, inclusivity, and storytelling.
Payton II is a co-founder, investor, and the league’s first official team owner. Additional owners include Brazilian pro Pamela Rosa; American pro and model Robert Neal; skateboard Olympian and musician Samarria Brevard; and Puerto Rican legend Manny Santiago.
Big Bear, California will host the SBA’s flagship arena, training complex, and media hub. Launch partners include Hyperice (official recovery device) and HYPERVSN (visual technology).
“As someone who’s dedicated my life to sports, I know the power they have to inspire, unite, and transform communities,” said Gary Payton II, SBA co-founder. “The SBA represents a new era. This league isn’t just about competition—it’s about opportunity, innovation, and giving the next generation of athletes a platform to shine.”
“The SBA is about more than launching a league—it’s a cultural movement that gives skateboarding the platform it deserves on the world stage,” said Sheldon Lewis, SBA co-founder. “We’re creating a space where athletes, brands, and fans can shape the future of the sport,” added Royce Campbell, SBA co-founder.
The first-ever SBA Draft is slated for late Q4 2025. The inaugural six-month season begins spring 2026 with 36 athletes (men and women). Annual draft salaries target a six-figure guarantee with equal pay for all athletes.
Slated for the 2026 draft (18 of 36): Christiana Means, Pamela Rosa, Kylie Frank, Gabriela Mazetto, Isabelly Avila, Carlos Ribeiro, Dave Bachinsky, David Reyes, Robert Neal, Keelan Dadd, Micky Papa, Dashawn Jordan, Boo Johnson, Julian Agliardi, Leo Romero, Kevin Hoefler, Manny Santiago, Ryan Decenzo.
The SBA is seeking founding partners aligned with a pro model built for skateboarding, cultural relevance, and global impact. More information: skateboardassociation.org and @skateboardassociation on Instagram.
About the Skate Board Association (SBA) The SBA is a professional skateboarding league built at the intersection of sport, culture, and innovation. Founded by Sheldon Lewis, Royce Campbell, and Gary Payton II, the SBA merges world-class talent with technology, storytelling, and community engagement. With Big Bear as its year-round hub, the SBA aims to elevate skateboarding as a true professional sport while honoring its grassroots foundation. The inaugural season launches spring 2026.
CORE RADIO GROUP/STREETZ 94 5 CELEBRATES SOUTHSIDE DAY SUCCESS AND CEO STEVE HEGWOOD’S HALL OF FAME HONOR
ATLANTA September 2, 2025: It’s been a season of celebration for Core Radio Group/Streetz 94 5. From the high-energy community turnout at the 2nd Annual Southside Day to CEO Steve Hegwood’s induction into the Friends of Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, the wins keep stacking up.
On August 31, the Southside showed out at East Point City Hall, where the 2nd Annual Southside Day hosted by Yung Joc and friends, brought together over 5000 families, influencers, city leaders, and artists for a day filled with live performances, giveaways, civic engagement, and culture. The annual event reflected Core Radio Group’s mission to unite and uplift Atlanta’s vibrant communities.
A tense thriller about a desperate man, Lou Bloom, who turns to crime journalism and quickly builds his own business by hustling to sell sensational footage to TV news stations. The film exposes the dark side of ambition, reminding entrepreneurs to weigh ethical considerations even when seeking rapid success.
The Social Network
Directed by David Fincher, this film recounts Mark Zuckerberg’s creation of Facebook, focusing on major turning points like co-founder disputes, lawsuits, and the evolution from a Harvard dorm project to a tech behemoth. Essential viewing for its depiction of innovation, rivalry, and the personal costs of meteoric growth.
Pirates of Silicon Valley
This made-for-TV movie reveals the early history of the world’s tech titans, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. It documents their youthful ambition, unconventional methods, and the radical transformations that shaped Apple and Microsoft. Entrepreneurs will appreciate lessons on strategic risk, industry disruption, and rivalry.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Based on Chris Gardner’s true story, this film tracks a struggling salesman who, through perseverance and faith, overcomes homelessness to become a successful stockbroker. A moving narrative about resilience, belief in oneself, and never giving up despite overwhelming obstacles.
The Shawshank Redemption
This drama follows Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully imprisoned, as he quietly and methodically builds hope and a new future behind bars. Entrepreneurs learn from Andy’s patience, resourcefulness, and refusal to surrender in adversity—success is often about steady, strategic progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIv97tIImz8
Forrest Gump
Forrest’s unlikely journey through American history is filled with entrepreneurial undertones: accidental business ventures, serendipitous opportunity, and the rewards of kindness and loyalty. The film subtly underscores that taking chances and staying true to your values can lead to enduring success.
Moneyball
Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, who turns a cash-strapped baseball team into contenders using data analytics and unconventional thinking. It’s a masterclass in challenging tradition, strategic innovation, and making the most out of limited resources—crucial lessons for any entrepreneur.
The Godfather
While a crime drama at its core, The Godfather is also a profound study in leadership, succession, loyalty, negotiation, and managing family business. Entrepreneurs can draw critical lessons in navigating power, risk, and organizational legacy.
Jerry Maguire
A sports agent has a crisis of conscience and starts his own boutique agency, emphasizing relationships over profit. It celebrates the courage to lead with integrity, pivot when needed, and prioritize client loyalty and authenticity for long-term growth.
The Founder
Ray Kroc’s journey in converting McDonald’s into a global franchise empire highlights vision, ruthlessness, and relentless work ethic. Entrepreneurs gain insights into scaling, innovation, and the ethical complexities of success.
Wall Street
This cautionary tale, starring Michael Douglas as the unscrupulous Gordon Gekko, explores high-stakes trading, ambition, and moral compromise. Aspiring entrepreneurs see the tensions between drive and ethics in the pursuit of wealth.
Boiler Room
A gritty drama following college dropouts lured into the high-pressure world of stock brokerage sales. The film offers lessons on recognizing ethical gray areas, ambition, and the allure—and risks—of shortcut success.
Glengarry Glen Ross
In a cutthroat real estate office, salesmen battle for survival, revealing the harsh realities of fierce competition, pressure, and motivation. The movie teaches tenacity, adaptability, and why strong leadership and clear incentives matter.
Moneyball
Billy Beane’s unconventional approach to baseball management—embracing data and rejecting tradition—inspires entrepreneurs to innovate and make smart resource decisions.
Erin Brockovich
Julia Roberts stars as a persistent legal assistant who takes on a powerful corporation, bringing justice to a community. Entrepreneurs witness the power of persistence, conviction, and using your voice to drive real change.
Joy
Based on the true story of Joy Mangano, who fought immense skepticism to launch a multimillion-dollar business as a single mother. Perseverance, creativity, and self-belief transform her idea into reality, inspiring entrepreneurs to persist and innovate.
The Big Short
A group of financial outsiders spot flaws in the U.S. housing market and profit by betting against it, illuminating the importance of challenging consensus and taking calculated risks—cautioning entrepreneurs about industry blind spots.
Startup.com
Tracks the rise and fall of dot-com startup govWorks, capturing the excitement, stress, and lessons of building a tech business from the ground up. Offers insights into partnership dynamics and the unpredictability of startups.
Any Given Sunday
A football drama that parallels entrepreneurship: relentless effort, teamwork, and incremental wins are the keys to victory. Al Pacino’s “inches” speech embodies the perseverance needed to succeed in business.
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley
Documents the rise and fall of Theranos and founder Elizabeth Holmes, exposing the dangers of hype, secrecy, and ignoring warning signs. Entrepreneurs learn the importance of ethics, transparency, and due diligence.
The Great Hack
A documentary revealing how data privacy and political manipulation played key roles in business and society. Entrepreneurs must recognize the impact and responsibility that comes with managing sensitive information.
Becoming Warren Buffett
Chronicles the life and philosophy of one of the world’s most successful investors. Teaches value-driven decision-making, humility, lifelong learning, and the importance of adapting to change for sustained success.
Key Features: Zero calories, no sugar alcohols, ~450 servings, Keto Certified, NON‑GMO. Airtight packaging keeps it fresh.
“You’ll be pissed when you see how small the container is, but that’ll all change when you realize how little you need for full effect. That tiny scoop hits hard — especially in coffee, etc.” — Kevin Ross
“If you’re not digitizing your papers and documents, you’re setting yourself up. What if there’s a flood or fire? A week’s worth of mail can be 100 pieces or more of paper you don’t need. This handles it fast.” — Kevin Ross
“Hands down, the best salmon and chicken breast is made on this grill. It’ll never go out of style — even though they’re getting harder to find. I swear by it.” — Kevin Ross
“If one more person thanks me for recommending this, I’m gonna cuss them out (lol). I swear by it — makes killer chicken wings, and the one-hour timer means you can run an errand while it cooks. This thing does everything but take out the trash. Love it.” — Kevin Ross
“I was at my son’s place fighting with the damn shower curtain just to slide it over. This is a brilliant invention. I’ve had it for years — got him a set too.” — Kevin Ross
Key Features: Cold‑pressed, 520°F smoke point, rich in healthy fats, kitchen & skincare friendly, non‑GMO.
“Let’s face it, there are days you want wings, fries — something fried. This is the answer. If you’re gonna fry, do it right. Avocado oil is the best, and it can take the heat.” — Kevin Ross
“I’ve got three monitors on my desk and I get a LOT more done in way less time. Might be the AI too… probably both. Either way, this setup slaps. Enjoy.” — Kevin Ross
“Once you try this, you’ll never go back to the old way of charging. Everything — from my iPad to my Fit watch — powers up fast, and I’m out the door.” — Kevin Ross
Wondering where the music business will be in 2027? Most likely the music industry will be strategically defined by streaming’s dominance, technological disruption from AI, new direct-to-consumer models, and the evolving role of radio. Growth is real but the shape of that growth is changing—major players are doubling down on efficiency and diversified revenue as old boundaries blur and new forms of engagement rise.
Streaming Drives Consumption, but Markets Mature
Streaming subscriptions are expected to exceed one billion worldwide, propelled by emerging markets but also tempered by saturation in key regions like North America and Western Europe. Average revenue per user continues to climb, but the pace of growth in developed markets is slowing, leading platforms to focus on retention, personalized experiences, and premium tiers. On-demand platforms now dominate genre consumption—especially hip-hop, Latin music, and dance/electronic—reflecting the ways listeners prefer flexibility and instant access.
AI and Tech: Productivity, Creativity, and Monetization
AI is now both a production tool and an operational necessity: it drives content creation, curates playlists, refines analytics, and even redefines royalties and rights management. This technological evolution is changing workflows, raising new IP questions, and helping companies target superfans with unique content, direct offers, and experiences. Blockchain and NFT technologies further spark innovation around royalties and authentic fan interactions, increasing transparency and opening new direct monetization paths.
Direct-to-Fan: Strategy Over Transaction
Major labels and established platforms are integrating D2C models, giving artists increasing autonomy and forcing industry incumbents to rethink their value proposition. Grassroots distribution and data-driven engagement are becoming standard for artists looking to maximize reach and revenue through direct sales, exclusive releases, and dynamic fan feedback loops. More musicians are using compiled listening data to shape release schedules and market to superfans—shifting sales from supplemental to strategic.
Radio: Reinvention vs. Resilience
Traditional radio persists, but it’s adapting or merging with streaming to remain relevant. Globally, radio revenue is projected to grow by USD 8.5 billion (2024–28), with digital audio and online radio streaming narrowing the gap with terrestrial formats. AI-driven programming and greater interoperability with smart devices (like smart speakers and soundbars) expand radio’s role in the connected home, office, and car. While some listeners choose customized playlists, research shows radio still delivers higher engagement and brand connections via trusted on-air talent, live updates, and local community focus.
Live and Immersive Experiences
Concerts—physical, virtual, and hybrid—continue to drive revenue and global audience growth. Spatial audio, VR, AR, and 5G-enabled distribution support new monetization models and allow for seamless multisensory fan experiences, multiplying the reach and impact of live music far beyond venue walls. AI-powered marketing is prioritizing tour stops and enhancing fan targeting for these immersive events.
Data, Analytics, and Sustainability
Advanced analytics will underpin every major business move—from release planning to tour logistics and marketing optimization. Superfan engagement strategies are targeted, with exclusive content now critical to both retention and revenue growth. Meanwhile, sustainability initiatives, carbon-neutral touring, and eco-friendly production practices matter more than ever—from logistics to digital infrastructure.
By 2027, industry leaders will prioritize tech-enabled productivity, diversified revenue, and strategic fan engagement. Radio and streaming will coexist—with radio evolving into a digital-first, engagement-driven medium. No fluff: the sector’s future is shaped by efficiency, data, and measured risk, not hype.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a creative or even if you work for a corporation there are times we all reach our peak with stress and even anxiety. But it doesn’t have to get to that point. Grounding: The Rock, the Reset, and the Real-World Science
My youngest brother Daryl—sharp as a razor with this stuff—recently put me on to grounding. When he says “check it out,” I listen. And it jogged a memory. I remember that scene in The Secret—the guy with the rock. He called it his “gratitude rock.” Just a smooth stone in his pocket. Every time he touched it, he’d think of something he was grateful for. People noticed, wanted one, and he ended up selling them. A driveway rock turned into a business.
He didn’t know it then, but he was practicing what psychologists now call grounding: pulling yourself back into the present when your mind tries to sprint into panic, flashbacks, or worst-case fantasies. No incense. No guru. Just an anchor.
Why Grounding Works
When anxiety spikes, your body hits fight-or-flight—heart racing, breath shallow, thoughts lying to you about danger. Grounding is the emergency brake. Touch a rock. Grip the chair. Name five things you can see. It interrupts the storm and locks you into now.
Nervous system reset: Sensory focus and slow breathing cue calm.
Trauma-informed: Therapists teach it to manage flashbacks and dissociation.
Brain mechanics: It recruits the thinking brain and quiets the fear center.
How People Actually Ground (Real Examples)
Musician backstage: Runs the 5-4-3-2-1 drill—five things to see, four to feel, three to hear, two to smell, one to taste—then walks out steady instead of scattered.
Exec before the meeting: Feet flat, hands on the table, silent facts: “It’s Tuesday. I’m in New York. I’m running this room.” Adrenaline meets reality.
Student mid-panic: Ice cube in hand. Focus only on the cold. The spiral breaks.
Parent at night: Barefoot walk on the grass after bedtime. Body resets; mind follows.
Objects, Sheets, and Simple Anchors
The rock wasn’t magic. The meaning was. Coins, keys, bracelets—anything you assign purpose can be your anchor. Some folks go further with sleep tools like Grounding Sheets to keep a steady baseline overnight. Use what actually helps—no need to complicate it.
The Electrical Connection
Think outlets. That third prong is the ground. When there’s a surge, energy needs a safe path or the system fries. Same idea with your nervous system. Anxiety dumps voltage; you need a discharge route. That’s what grounding provides: a reliable path back to steady.
Bottom Line
You don’t need a new personality. You need an anchor. Could be a rock in your pocket, a breath you can count on, or Grounding Sheets on your bed. That’s grounding—practical, fast, and built to keep your system from frying when life throws a surge.
Some people stand barefoot in the grass and hold a tree but with people and their dogs in LA I might step into a hot pile of Dog S*it with my bare feet and grounding would graduate to VOMITing. So unless I KNOW the grass is well cared for, I’ll put that on the back burner.
I’ve been at this for 30 years. Learned a lot. Learned most of it the hard way. Here’s the truth: if you give anything away for free, you’ll stay busy but you’ll stay broke. People love free. They’ll line up for it, drain you dry, and never see the value in what you do.
So charge for everything you possibly can. Every time. No exceptions.
And while we’re at it, here are the other lessons I had to bleed for.
If they come to you, you’ve got something of value
When people come knocking, it’s not just because they like you. They want something — they want to make money. So, don’t give it away for free. Charge for everything. Teach people how to treat you from the start. If you give something for free, they’ll keep coming back, expecting more, and you’ll be lucky to get a coffee in return.
Eliminate the middleman
Middlemen are only there to profit off your work. They don’t respect you. They show up with their own agenda, supporting who they want, no matter what you say or do. I’ve always had more success when I go straight to the top. It’s not disrespect; it’s about taking care of you. Skip the middleman, go direct. They’ll try to make you wait, but you can set the tone.
The one with options holds the power
Your business should be where people come to you. If you’re the one chasing others for support, you’re not running a business — you’re working a job. You don’t need to beg. People should be seeking you out. If they’re not, you’re wasting your time. Build something so valuable that they have no choice but to come to you.
Sell at your peak
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you’ve got something hot, sell it while it’s still burning. You might love it, but the time to cash out is when it’s at its peak. Sell when the demand is high. When you love something, don’t let your emotions make you hold on too long. You can always start something new — don’t wait for it to slow down.
Hang up on “hook me up”
Anyone who asks for the “hook up” is disrespecting your work. Don’t tolerate it. If they ask for a favor, hang up. It’s not just disrespectful — it devalues the effort you’ve put in. Don’t let people tell you your business isn’t worth paying for. Respect the grind.
Take weekends off
Work will always be there, but you won’t. Make sure you take time for yourself, your family, and your friends. Don’t be the person who sacrifices everything for work and wakes up one day realizing you’ve missed your life. The hustle can wait. Take your weekends. Recharge.
Always be looking for your next
Resting on your laurels is how you get blindsided. Always be on the lookout for the next opportunity. Right now, it’s AI. Learn it. In a month, you’ll be more valuable than 90% of the workforce. Opportunities are everywhere, but you have to keep looking, adapting, and evolving. Don’t get comfortable.
Charge high, negotiate down
Corporations waste thousands a day. They don’t care about a few extra dollars — don’t sell yourself short. As a matter of fact being cheap HURTS your reputation more than helps it. Always ask for more than you need. When they negotiate, let them haggle you down. You’ll still come out ahead. Never sell yourself cheap. Big companies have money to burn; you’re not in a position to discount for them.
Pay yourself first
Set aside 20% of your income into a high-interest savings account — not some commercial bank where they pay you nothing. Use it to build a cushion. Every lump sum you earn should feed into this account. Over time, you’ll be amazed at how much it grows. Protect your future, and build wealth quietly.
Final Thoughts
These are the rules I’ve lived by in business, and they’ve served me well. You can’t play the game by their rules. Play by your own. Respect yourself enough to charge for what you do, eliminate the middleman, and keep pushing forward. Always be looking for what’s next, and don’t ever let anyone disrespect your time, talent, or money.
Everybody’s chasing the next hot investment — crypto, stocks, NFTs, tulips, whatever. Before you throw your cash into the casino, squeeze a little more juice out of the money you already have. That’s where AI, common sense, and a few tricks most people ignore come in. Always keep in mind whoever runs a lot of TV commercials is going to offer the lowest value because someone has to pay for those commercials. Not sure who it is? Three guesses, the first two don’t count.
Make Credit Cards Work For You, Not Against You
Ask AI which card gives the best return on your spending. Some cards offer up to 6% cash back on things you’re already paying for — streaming, online services, groceries. That’s found money. Don’t just swipe blindly. American Express Blue Cash Preferred offers 6% cash back on select streaming services like Netflix and groceries. My invite to join is here. You’re welcome.
Move Your Money to an Online High-Yield Savings Account
If you don’t car about forced smiles and people asking “How’s your day today” (as if they really GAS) while they have their hand in your wallet stealing your money, then keep the brick and mortar banks. Keep in mind Main Street banks charge you to babysit your money, but online banks dish out 4–5% APY, FDIC insured up to $250k. Put $1,000 in today and it earns for you tomorrow. It’s simple math, with no overhead dragging down returns. You can find these banks on sites like Nerdwallet.com
Cut the Login Circus — Time Is Money
Tired of verification runarounds? AI can tell you which secure plugins let you access everything with one login across devices. Bonus: The fewer places you give your number for “security,” the fewer robocalls you’ll get. Check Amazon for devices that save you the headache.
Audit Your Subscriptions With Rocket Money
Plug your accounts into Rocket Money and instantly spot every forgotten subscription. Those $4.99 and $12.99 hits add up fast, especially when billed annually. Some find $500/month in ghosts.
Check Your Apple (or Google) Subscriptions
Apple makes it too easy to forget about trials you signed up for late at night. Review your accounts monthly and cancel the dead weight before it bleeds you dry.
Use Google Keep to Kill Time Wasters
Write down 5–10 non-negotiable tasks each day. Cross them off, prioritize with AI suggestions. Every checked box puts money back in your pocket — because lost time is lost revenue.
Cut Your Cell Bill by Bundling With Cable/Internet
Cable and internet providers often offer bundled cell service — using the same towers as big carriers — for a fraction of the price. No more excuses about “bad service.” Xfinity is an example of the cable companies that offer bundled phone service.
Stack Extra Life Insurance Policies
If you’ve already got life insurance, great. But credit unions and professional groups often offer cheap extra coverage. Not glamorous, but adds up and makes life easier for your family.
Think Land + Tiny Homes
Land isn’t sexy, but they aren’t making any more of it. Buy a lot, put a tiny home in your yard for $30k. Rent the big house, move into the small one later, and let the mortgage pay itself.
Avoid Middlemen — Always Sniff out the Purse
Gatekeepers are nice but don’t control the money. If you want deals, connect directly with the budget holder. Skip the runaround, build the right relationships. It’s better to direct down then to question up. You can always copy the middle person on the correspondence but develop the relationship with the person who controls the money.
Bonus: Position Yourself So Money Finds You
Still chasing clients, cold calls, or referrals? Build a brand that attracts business. AI can position your value in front of the right people fast. Stop convincing — start proving. Money follows value.
