A quick internet search will give you the top warning signs that you are in a cult. Here are three of the top signs: Absolute authoritarianism without accountabilityZero tolerance for criticisms or questionsA belief that the leader is right at all timesI find many cultish threads when I look at the preferred stock offered by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, Inc (formerly Microstrategy). STRC, is affectionately referred to as “Stretch”. Before I can explain STRC, I must explain Saylor’s vision for this company, Strategy, Inc. Founded in 1989, Microstrategy was a business intelligence software company. But things took a turn in August of 2020, when MicroStrategy purchased $250 million Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset on its balance sheet. The company would continue to make additional large purchases of Bitcoin, and it’s balance sheet and valuation became completely based on it’s cryptocurrency holdings. *Source: Strategy Inc financial filings to the SEC. Generated by Claude AI. Saylor believes that the future price of Bitcoin will be so high, that he issues new common shares of Microstrategy stock purely for the purpose of buying more Bitcoin. At the end of May 2026, the company owned 843,705 BTC valued at over $65 billion. The company’s legacy revenue from the software business is relatively small at ~$475 million per year. If issuing new shares of stock for the sole purpose of buying Bitcoin sounds odd, wait until you hear what happened next. The newly renamed Strategy Inc then offered preferred stock which pays juicy dividends. They were insanely popular. Investors purchased more than $15 billion in preferred stock from Strategy though the end of May. The annual dividend burden for the company is now ~$1.7 billion per year. With annual revenue less than $500 million, you might wonder, where is the money coming from to pay such dividends?The dividends are funded by issuing MORE preferred stock, which in turn increases the dividend burden. That’s right, the person in line behind you is funding your dividend. The only reason this is not a Ponzi scheme is that the fraud is fully disclosed. To be more precise, the dividend can be funded by the sale of common stock as well, or by selling some of the Bitcoin, something Michael Saylor swore for years he would never do …. until last week. Strategy sold 32 BTC for a total of $2.5 million to help fund the STRC dividend. Although this is a small fraction of the company’s total Bitcoin holdings, the sale represents a symbolic shift from the ‘never sell’ promise from Saylor since 2022. The cult leader can never be wrong. He cannot be questioned. STRC preferred stock has a mechanism where the company increases the dividend yield to entice new buyers and peg the price at $100 per share. STRC launched in July of 2025 with a yield of 9.00% per year. The yield has increased seven times to 11.5% in April. It is an upward spiral. Issue more shares, then increase the dividend yield to entice

I’ll be honest with you. I was a bit nervous about going to Alaska. I had never been to the state! I was a little nervous about the cruise and traveling with a group of people I mostly didn’t know. I wasn’t sure what to expect my anxiety was a bit high. Those that know me, know that I’m an anxious traveler and tend to be a homebody.  I know that probably sounds weird coming […]

Recently, I’ve been having many conversations about the use of contactless payments, or Apple Pay. I was asked how secure it is while on vacation. Then it came up at my in-person FI meetup group. And most recently at a business networking event. I then asked the group, “Who uses Apple Pay?” and it’s like I asked who owns a pet badger. Not a single hand goes up. And I get the same looks. The […]

Most couples spend years planning the financial side of retirement. They run the projections, debate when to claim Social Security, and think carefully about how to make the money last. What gets far less attention is the day-to-day reality of actually living together in retirement. That gap, it turns out, can matter just as much as the portfolio balance.  When work ends, and the calendar opens up, couples step into a version of their relationship that has […]

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #173 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Special Album Release Edition!! I’m proud and nervous to announce my first full length album, Roaming Heights, which… The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 173 – Album Release Edition! appeared first on Accidental Fire.

June 5, 2026 – Almost to the day, today, eight years ago, was my last day at work. One thing I always looked forward to in retirement was never having to pay those dreaded payroll taxes again. Alas, eight years into retirement, I’ve picked up a few side gigs to stay involved and now run my own small financial advisory business. Not only do I pay Social Security and Medicare taxes again, but I now […]

My mom went to be with the Lord last night. Nine and a half years since her initial diagnosis with Lewy Body Dementia, eight and a half years since that diagnosis was modified to Parkinsons with Dementia, and just short of four years on hospice care. She has been bed ridden and not responsive for the majority of the last four years. Hospice told us last Friday that the end was near. She began refusing to eat periodically a couple of weeks ago. Her last full meal was Thursday morning. (A week ago today.) She went peacefully, surrounded by all of us kids and my dad after a 5 day vigil. She had not opened her eyes since Friday at midnight. I am so grateful that I have been here this past year. I am so grateful that we were all able to be present for these final days. There was lots of laughter, lots of stories, lots of teasing. It was such a hard but beautiful time together. I will remain here for the foreseeable future. My dad broached this subject with me when I returned from my trip moving my son here. Once things settle here, I will be back with promised updates. Today, we are working on funeral arrangements and notifications. Hug your loved ones a little tighter today. While we all KNOW my mom is whole again and kicking up gold dust…this loss is HUGE for all of us. My mom in November, 2020 The post My Mom has Passed appeared first on Blogging Away Debt.

Ever walked through a garage sale and wondered if you were passing by a hidden treasure without even realizing it? While most people see old furniture, dusty boxes, and random household items, experienced flippers see opportunity. Some garage sale finds can be cleaned up, repaired, or simply listed online for several times what they originally paid. In some cases, a $5 purchase can turn into a $50, $100, or even $500 profit. The best part? […]