January 20th, 2025
What’s up everybody, we’re back! I mean I guess we’re “here”. This is not a “news” newsletter. Entirely. You will read literally nothing that is super interesting in this thing unless you’re a nerd like me. This is Real Life. By a Real… person.
Welcome! If you’re new here, we talk about whatever we want. And by we, I mean I. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, and, to be frank, I’m not that good at it. BUT, there are a handful of things I pay attention to every day that I think could be useful to you.
I’m not preaching, just recapping what happens in my life from 6-9pm.
1. NEWS
Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, big win for the Repubs. He said a lot of stuff in his inauguration speech. Regardless of how you feel about the man, myth, I think we can all agree that renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America is hilarious.
A “ceasefire” has taken effect in Gaza after 15 months of conflict. Hamas continues to do Hamas things. To be honest with you, the middle east is a shit show and I’ll be interested to hear from my servicemember friends about what is really happening over there.
The FDA has approved the sale of Zyn nicotine pouches, citing health benefits for adult smokers seeking alternatives to traditional tobacco products. BIG WINS for my Zyn pouch loving friends out there. I don’t use them. But I quit smoking years ago, so, whatever floats your boat folks.
The SUPER BOWL is approaching if you’re into that kind of stuff. Looks like the finalists are the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington “Commanders”. Apparently they renamed those guys.
A severe winter storm is sweeping across the United States, bringing bitter cold to many regions. Texas and other southern states are bracing for rare winter weather conditions. In other words. IT’S COLD.
2. MONEY
The S&P500 is cruising up in futures and premarket.
Asian markets seem stoked, with the Hang Seng popping 1.8% and Japan's Nikkei 225 climbing 1.2%.
Bitcoin shredded to a record high of $109,134 ahead of Trump's inauguration.
Dow futures rose, and the dollar dipped as Trump held off on new tariffs, opting to study trade policies instead.
eToro is gearing up for a U.S. IPO, aiming for a valuation over $5 billion, riding the crypto and stock market swell.
As you all may or may not know, I’ve been studying to take the SERIES 65 Exam, but by no means am I a professional or allowed to “give advice”. SO THIS IS NOT ADVICE BLAH BLAH I AM JUST A PERSON.
BUT, I’m a big Vanguard fan. Been investing every day for a while now and I’m not as dumb as I sound most of the time.
My recent buys last week have been,
VONG, VUG, and MGK. I sold some VWO. I just don’t like it that much.
Take that for what it is. I believe in a few things.
Most people can’t beat the indexes.
Don’t lose money.
Never miss buying the dip.
More to follow in the future.
3. LISTEN UP!
Look, if you don’t like Podcasting, I don’t know what to tell you. Skip this section. Here’s what I’ve been binging lately.
My First Million - No small boy stuff here. “The Crazy Stories of Google’s 7 Angel Investors” Jan 16th - Is yet another reason to listen to my guys Sean and Sam. If you don’t know who Ron Conway is, go listen and figure it out.
Entre Leadership - Say what you might about Ramsey, but it's a fact that he has run a successful company with over a thousand employees. And that is hard. In Jan 20th’s Episode, he talks to real small business owners (as one does), and offers real value as usual. No BS. Just Advice.
The Creative Penn Podcast - Even if you’re not a writer, you probably are. She interviews Kevin Anderson on Jan 20th. He did a lot of work on the DUNE series and films.
Founders - Ep 376. Jensen Huang: Founder of Nvidia. I shouldn’t have to explain to you why this person is interesting… Also his name is Hu-wang.
4. BUSINESS & WRITING.
Look, I know you don’t care much about me so I will make this quick. I just started a newsletter. You’re reading it now. Let me know what you think! Shoot me an email and info@timehacknetwork.com and spew some hate about this thing.
In other news, I am writing a Fiction Book series. Psychological thriller. If you’re a fan of the genre or know literally anything about how to write some stuff like that, I’d love your advice. EMAIL ME.
I also finished 6 Television Series Pilots this year. The Scripts are “Fine”. I’m getting a little bit better. You can listen to an audio draft of them, and I MEAN DRAFT, ROUGH ROUGH DRAFT, at my Podcast Channel. “Pilotspecs”. I use it to listen-to, and form ideas instead of just reading a boring script.
I finished my first Feature Film Script, a contained thriller about a young woman with a Psychotic Mother who wants to murder her. It’s… calming.
ENOUGH ABOUT ME.
5. THE GOOD STUFF
My wife and I are rewatching Severance on Apple TV. It’s old”er”, but, if you haven’t seen it yet - it’s worth your time if you like slow burn thriller/sci-fi/whatever it is. Just watch the Pilot Episode, give it a chance at least.
I tried to start watching the top new Netflix Film with what’s her face and what’s his name. Oh, it’s Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. “Back in Action”. I would review it for you, but I fell asleep about twenty five minutes in. I’ll let you know if I go back to it.
6. What’s for dinner?
Despite the cold weather tonight my wife and I are fully taking advantage of this Federal Holiday. RIP MLK by the way, we love you.
Two by USDA PRIME, filet mignon steaks. (If you’d like to know more about the difference between “Prime” and other words on your meat so to say, send me an e-mail and I’ll explain further). Treat yourself why don’t you. I just recently purchased a new grill from Monument Grills, check them out if you like. Their Schtick is a glass window pane on the front of the thing. I at first thought it was a bit of a gimmick, but it does help me refrain from unnecessarily opening the guy when I don't need to. And on a cold night like tonight, that is important for such an expensive cut of meat.
In addition to that, your basic saLad, with Champagne dressing. Never had it? Go get it. We like diced onions, cucumbers, carrots, and some feta cheese over the top of spinach and arugula. We’re simple beings.
If you are still here, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to give our newsletter a try. If you like it, all I ask is that you GIVE ME YOUR PERSONAL INFO - (kidding).
But if you’d like this kind of information delivered to you personally in your inbox at a time that is totally inconvenient for you, but absolutely convenient for me, subscribe and I’ll make your life, mind, and body, a better place.
At least between the hours of 6 and 9 pm.
Affectionately yours,
-Unprofessional