About

Special Forces & Finance. Meet Hippie Green Beret.

I’ve been all over the world and spent lots of time in fun-filled, highly desirable vacation spots around the globe – Afghanistan, Iraq, the deserts and jungles of Africa, and fancy pants Europe – doing the business. I’ve seen a lot. Oppression. Freedom. Despair. Hope. Greed. Generosity. Hate. Love. 

And now that I’m hanging up the jungle boots*, I’ve become aware of something hidden in the open right here in the USA. People in debt. Folks living paycheck to paycheck. Huge inequities. The haves and have nots. The middle class getting crushed. And in my own ranks, my brother Green Berets… where we pride ourselves on being self sufficient… I see a systemic but completely transformational problem: Financial Oppression, Debt, Consumerism, Money Fear. 

Purpose of this Blog: 

The purpose of this blog is to teach you how to be self-sufficient and financially free. It is also one way to give back, improve my mind (through writing & thinking), use my powers for good, and help others.

My Financial Journey

In 2000, I started my financial journey. Did what I was supposed to do. You know… save, invest, get life insurance, use a broker, buy a house, get the biggest truck I could afford, consume. Then, in 2015, after 15 years, I was ready to hang it up from the Army. The job wasn’t fun or fulfilling anymore, and I was banged up. But financially I couldn’t. So I got serious. Read everything I could. I was a man on a mission behind enemy lines. I educated myself. I put some skin in the game. And then, 5 years later, I became financially free. 

Financial Freedom

What does Financial Freedom** mean? Well, that depends on who you ask. For me, it means a new way of thinking about money. One where your financial decisions over time (past & present) – ensure your future freedom. Just as Green Berets attend different skill schools (driving, shooting, communication, man-tracking, etc.) and then come back to cross-train the team on those skills… I want to do the same for you. Share what I’ve learned to help you navigate towards being self sufficient and financially free. I want to teach you Unconventional Financial Education & Skills, mixed with a bit of dry humor and direct-no-BS-talk that, if applied, might just help you shrug off the yoke of oppression. 

Finance as a language

I speak several languages at varying aptitudes… English (Amer-I-Can), German (like a high functioning 8 year old who drinks beer), survival French (sacré bleu!), and some basic helpful Arabic terms (سلام العيقة = peace be upon you / ارفع يديك = hands up!). 

But I geek out in finance. And planning. And contingency operations. And being self-sufficient.

Long Walks on the Beach…

I am married to a wonderful woman, have three great kids, and ride a steel horse (30€ pedal bike), just recently adding a 25 year old work truck to the stable. 

I like being outdoors, eating real food, goofing around with my kids (training them to be self-sufficient without them knowing it), and staying mentally, physically, and spiritually tough. 

What is the Way? 

Everyone must find their own Way, but we can learn from each other. I’d offer: Make a Plan, Live Simply, Save & Invest, Ride a Bike, Eat Real Food, Do Something Physically Hard Every Day (maybe take off on Sunday… or Monday, even though Monday is leg day), Practice Being Present through meditation, nature, & breathing, and Improve Your Situation by Helping Others. 

The Financial Fundamentals

  1. Stay out of Debt.
  2. Live on less than you earn.
  3. Invest the difference.

My Goals

  1. Use my powers for good.
  2. Set people free.
  3. Make this world a better place. 

Publishing this blog to the open internet has taken much deliberation. Through due diligence (screening from the Department of Defense), and a passion to help others, I’m going to … SEND IT!

I look forward to starting the journey with you. 

-HippieGreenBeret 

De Oppresso Liber

*20+ year special operations career.

**Financial Freedom is the point in your life where you no longer have to work – where savings, investments, and passive cash flow cover living expenses.

If you want to know more about US Army Special Forces, check out the Army’s fancy pants website.