($) Big ones ($)

Property and cars could be the most expensive items you ever buy. Excluding the jewellery, yachts, and private islands you may acquire one day after reading this book. So let’s give them their own chapter and look at them in detail.

Always live within your means. Don’t buy (or rent) a house where you can just barely afford the monthly payment. Interest rates WILL go up. You WILL have unforeseen expenses. Rates and taxes, and maintenance costs, WILL add to your total cost.

Same goes for your car. You don’t need a Porsche. Until you can afford to buy it cash. And by then, you may no longer want it. You could be so locked into a pattern of living conservatively, being financially responsible, that you’ll have to force yourself to live a little from time to time.

And you need to do that. Otherwise, what’s the point of building wealth?

Should you own or should you rent?

Renting gives you more flexibility and mobility. But if you have settled on the area you’d like to live, and you plan to be there for a while, it usually makes more sense to buy. Instead of paying off someone else’s mortgage, you’ll be paying off your own.

($)

Stop living from salary to salary. Achieve Financial Independence. Retire Early. Join the FIRE movement igniting the world.

Follow these weekly posts for solid advice on how to escape the rat race, covering material contained in Hard Money.

This is no get-rich-quick scheme. It won’t be easy. That’s why it’s called Hard Money.

Work while they sleep. Learn while they party. Save while they spend. Then live like they dream.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books, or Shorty’s Poems) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

www.amazon.com/author/burning

♠ City baby attacked by rats ♠

“Anyway,” continued Francina. “We get Gertie to the facility in Cape Town, they can copy the research we’ve done here and develop a vaccine.”

“Even if you can do all that, you can’t vaccinate whatever’s left of the population. It would take years. And a distribution network.”

“You’re behind the times, boy,” said Noecker. “We can introduce it to the water table or introduce it into the air like a crop sprayer. It’s natural. Harmless. We’d immunize the population and they wouldn’t even know.”

“We would have to tell them,” added Francina. “That would mean infiltrating the state media. We have a team looking into that.”

“A team. How big is your organization?”

“At its peak in 2023, we had nearly forty thousand. Today, it’s barely eight thousand. Scattered around South Africa.”

“So just the four of us then, to break into Lanseria, which I’m guessing is now a military airfield, and steal a plane, which I’m guessing isn’t scheduled to fly to Cape Town at all.”

“That’s right. Just the four of you.”

In all the confusion, everyone had forgotten about their reason for being there. Now that reason was holding a tiny pistol in each hand.

“I’m not going. I won’t be a lab rat in your insane war against nature.”

“Gertie, honey…”

Francina’s words were cut short by the sound of a high-caliber rifle shot. Connor had already watched the bullet ricochet off the concrete between him and the girls. He knew better than to react immediately, but his eyes scanned the rooftops of the buildings around them.

⛥

Read Big Day Out in weekly installments on FaceBook or WordPress. Receive notifications via Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, GoodReads, or Amazon, where you’ll find the whole mad mercenary romp through the dystopian nightmare that Covid-19 might have become. Might still become, if we don’t keep our self-appointed leaders on a very short leash.

Download FREE sampler previews of all my books – and some complete short stories – from PCloud at www.bit.ly/FreeBurning. Or read them on Kindle Unlimited.

No charge. No obligation. No sign-in. Read for free. Share with your friends.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

⛥

For a different experience, listen to these weekly episodes as Spotify podcasts, Apple podcasts, or Google podcasts.

⛥

If you have a book you’d like to publish, contact me to claim your 15 minutes of bestselling fame at No.1 on Amazon. Find all the above details and links at www.amazon.com/author/burning.

In case you missed the link while listening to the podcast, that’s www.amazon.com/author/burning.

⛥

Cheers.

($) If you’ve got the money, I’ve got the time ($)

Willie Nelson owed the IRS over $16 million in back taxes, penalties and interest. So in 1990, they raided his home and seized his assets. Willie managed to sing his way out of it, by selling some of his memorabilia and releasing an album called “The IRS Tapes,” the proceeds of which were shared with the IRS.

Don’t be like Willie Nelson.

($)

You could wait till the new tax year to start building wealth.

Or when you receive your next bonus.

Or once you’ve paid off your car.

Or – you could start today. Right now. By actively doing something.

Like so many things in this book – and in life – this is entirely your choice.

($)

Stop living from salary to salary. Achieve Financial Independence. Retire Early. Join the FIRE movement igniting the world.

Follow these weekly posts for solid advice on how to escape the rat race, covering material contained in Hard Money.

This is no get-rich-quick scheme. It won’t be easy. That’s why it’s called Hard Money.

Work while they sleep. Learn while they party. Save while they spend. Then live like they dream.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books, or Shorty’s Poems) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

www.amazon.com/author/burning

♠ English civil war ♠

“Shoot this asshole,” Noecker ordered from the ground.

“Shut up, Noecker. Sometimes you can be such a moron. Frankly I’m amazed he didn’t punch you before now. In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re a little short on manpower, and shooting each other will only make it worse. I could happily shoot either of you, or both of you, if we didn’t have to get to the airport.” She checked her watch. “The plane leaves for Cape Town at midnight. We have two hours.”

“Cape Town?” Connor questioned. “I’d always imagined Brazil, then the States.”

“Can you imagine the freak show she’d be turned into if we went to the States?” Noecker spat blood and got back to his feet.

“Why Cape Town?”

“The Western Cape rose up and declared independence in 2025. They realised what the government in Pretoria were trying to do. Cape Town is a warzone now, but we have friends there. Independence was a major slap in the face for the administration here, and they sent troops to reclaim it.”

Noecker resumed the story. “Not many troops. Seems it’s not high priority.”

“Where is the priority?” Connor asked.

“We’re not sure. Zim is the best bet. Possibly Botswana. We think the intention is to unite Southern Africa into one super state.”

“A step back to the days when countries wanted an Empire. They’re about a hundred years too late,” Connor snorted.

“Tell them that.”

⛥

Read Big Day Out in weekly installments on FaceBook or WordPress. Receive notifications via Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, GoodReads, or Amazon, where you’ll find the whole mad mercenary romp through the dystopian nightmare that Covid-19 might have become. Might still become, if we don’t keep our self-appointed leaders on a very short leash.

Download FREE sampler previews of all my books – and some complete short stories – from PCloud at www.bit.ly/FreeBurning. Or read them on Kindle Unlimited.

No charge. No obligation. No sign-in. Read for free. Share with your friends.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

⛥

For a different experience, listen to these weekly episodes as Spotify podcasts, Apple podcasts, or Google podcasts.

⛥

If you have a book you’d like to publish, contact me to claim your 15 minutes of bestselling fame at No.1 on Amazon. Find all the above details and links at www.amazon.com/author/burning.

In case you missed the link while listening to the podcast, that’s www.amazon.com/author/burning.

⛥

Cheers.

($) Don’t fear the reaper ($)

Unlike marketing, credit cards are not evil. If they are used properly. Live within your means and settle the full balance as it becomes due every month.

Paying as much as you can by card – either credit card or debit card – also allows you to see where you spend your money. This will help you to draft an accurate budget (see Chapter 11), which will be one of the cornerstones of your prioritized savings plan.

Credit cards also allow flexibility on the odd occasion when you do need to finance a large purchase, like car repairs. You can choose to pay this off over two or three months if you really have to, without applying for a loan.

Another advantage to using cards is that you may find yourself less inclined to indulge in impulse buying if you carry very little cash. It comes down to how much self-discipline you have.

($)

Finally, a word about tax.

Journalist P.J. O’Rourke tells us that giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

Yet give we must, if only to avoid being investigated later.

If the only two certainties in life are death and taxes, why don’t we treat them the same? Nobody rushes into the reaper’s arms at the first opportunity. We exercise. Eat healthy food. Schedule regular medical checkups.

Tax should be handled the same way. Accept that it’s going to happen, but minimize the damage. Put it off as long as possible. Consult an expert.

($)

Stop living from salary to salary. Achieve Financial Independence. Retire Early. Join the FIRE movement igniting the world.

Follow these weekly posts for solid advice on how to escape the rat race, covering material contained in Hard Money.

This is no get-rich-quick scheme. It won’t be easy. That’s why it’s called Hard Money.

Work while they sleep. Learn while they party. Save while they spend. Then live like they dream.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

www.amazon.com/author/burning

♠ Big balls ♠

Another deep breath. “You remember those times we’d break up, swear it was over, that we’d never see one another again?”

Connor nodded. He remembered them well. Sometimes fondly, usually bitterly.

“You weren’t to blame for all those times. Despite what I might have said. Some of them, I had to be with Agnetha, plan our response to what we knew was coming.”

Uh oh.

“And that long break we had, before we moved in together the last time?” She looked up at Gertie, who was hanging on every word, eyes as big as the hole in Connor’s heart. “That’s when I knew I was pregnant.”

“So she’s definitely mine?”

He saw a tear trickle from the corner of Gertie’s eye before she turned away to hide it.

“You think you were the only one ploughing that field, boy?”

Noecker didn’t see it coming. Before he even knew what he was doing himself, Connor was standing over the old man’s sprawled body, flexing his bruised knuckles and pointing a loaded gun at Noecker’s shocked face.

It felt good. Connor’s body surged with adrenaline as he watched a trickle of blood run from the old man’s nose.

“Get up. I’ll rip your throat out.”

“No, you won’t.” Justin moved into Connor’s peripheral vision, weapon raised and ready.

“Stay out of this, Chrome Boy. It doesn’t concern you.”

“He’s my commanding officer. It does concern me.”

“Okay, you’ve had your fun.” Francina was staring at Connor, gun held steady. “You want to get your balls blown off over this piece of garbage?”

⛥

Read Big Day Out in weekly installments on FaceBook or WordPress. Receive notifications via Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, GoodReads, or Amazon, where you’ll find the whole mad mercenary romp through the dystopian nightmare that Covid-19 might have become. Might still become, if we don’t keep our self-appointed leaders on a very short leash.

Download FREE sampler previews of all my books – and some complete short stories – from PCloud at www.bit.ly/FreeBurning. Or read them on Kindle Unlimited.

No charge. No obligation. No sign-in. Read for free. Share with your friends.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

⛥

For a different experience, listen to these weekly episodes as Spotify podcasts, Apple podcasts, or Google podcasts.

⛥

If you have a book you’d like to publish, contact me to claim your 15 minutes of bestselling fame at No.1 on Amazon. Find all the above details and links at www.amazon.com/author/burning.

In case you missed the link while listening to the podcast, that’s www.amazon.com/author/burning.

⛥

Cheers.

($) I heard it through the grapevine ($)

Watch your bank accounts. Make sure you are being charged the lowest bank charges possible for your needs.

When initial contract periods expire, consider cancelling the debit order. Cellphone contracts, gym fees, magazine subscriptions, if debit orders are still running, make sure you are receiving value. Query any unusual transactions.

Shop around for better rates on insurance, medical cover, gym fees. And do it again next year. And whenever your personal circumstances change. Marriage. Divorce. Childbirth.

But at the same time, make sure you have enough insurance & medical cover. This may often be a grudge purchase, but it could prevent a major financial setback.

Other setbacks could result from contractual obligations. Whenever you enter into this kind of agreement – an employment contract, rental lease, partnership agreement, marriage – make sure you have an appropriate exit strategy, agreed and documented up front.

Most people are too excited at the time to even think about this. They end up tied into restraints of trade, or lengthy notice periods. Or ex-wives who own everything they worked for. Be practical. Be smart. Be prepared.

Don’t be like Marvin Gaye.

He declared bankruptcy in 1976 when he couldn’t afford to pay back alimony amounting to $600 000. As part of the settlement process, he agreed that his ex-wife would receive the royalties from his next album, which included a song entitled “You can leave, but it’s going to cost you.”

According to Rolling Stone, Marvin lived in a bread van around this time…

($)

Stop living from salary to salary. Achieve Financial Independence. Retire Early. Join the FIRE movement igniting the world.

Follow these weekly posts for solid advice on how to escape the rat race, covering material contained in Hard Money.

This is no get-rich-quick scheme. It won’t be easy. That’s why it’s called Hard Money.

Work while they sleep. Learn while they party. Save while they spend. Then live like they dream.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

www.amazon.com/author/burning

♠ Vision thing ♠

Francina lowered herself onto a low wall separating two warehouses. Justin turned his back on the proceedings, not at all interested but mainly so he could keep an eye on the estate’s main gate. Noecker half-turned to watch the opposite direction. Even Connor, as intrigued as he was, kept his eyes roaming back and forth to cover the gaps between.

Francina took a deep breath. “We never told you about Gertie…”

“Obviously.”

She glared again. “This is hard enough already. We never told you, because she was classified.”

“Above your pay grade.”

Connor resisted the urge to punch his old commanding officer in the mouth, but it was becoming harder and harder.

“We had Agnetha, even back then. She had a vision. About the virus, the lockdowns, a child who would one day bring us out the other side. The higher ups didn’t believe it. They dismissed her as unstable, based on her history. And her family.” Francina caught Noecker’s glare and stopped. Connor caught it too. What was that about? She seemed about to say more, but then she shrugged. “At least, that was their official position.”

Noecker spat again before taking up the narrative. “Unofficially, they started to stockpile. Everything. Food. Drugs. Booze. And weapons. Mainly weapons. Remember that drive to legalize all civilian guns? People had to hand them in, reapply for their licenses? All part of the plan. Plus whatever they could get from Mother Russia.”

“We kept Agnetha off the books,” Francina carried on. “Bounced her from safehouse to safehouse when it became obvious they wanted her back. Or maybe they wanted her gone. So we pretended she was.”

⛥

Read Big Day Out in weekly installments on FaceBook or WordPress. Receive notifications via Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, GoodReads, or Amazon, where you’ll find the whole mad mercenary romp through the dystopian nightmare that Covid-19 might have become. Might still become, if we don’t keep our self-appointed leaders on a very short leash.

Download FREE sampler previews of all my books – and some complete short stories – from PCloud at www.bit.ly/FreeBurning. Or read them on Kindle Unlimited.

No charge. No obligation. No sign-in. Read for free. Share with your friends.

Anyone in Johannesburg who would like a signed copy (of any of my books) can have one delivered to their door by Big Bad Wolf Motorcycle Maniac Deliveries. No charge for delivery.

Or have them delivered anywhere in South Africa via Bakgat Books. https://bakgatbooks.co.za/all-stores/burning-books/

⛥

For a different experience, listen to these weekly episodes as Spotify podcasts, Apple podcasts, or Google podcasts.

⛥

If you have a book you’d like to publish, contact me to claim your 15 minutes of bestselling fame at No.1 on Amazon. Find all the above details and links at www.amazon.com/author/burning.

In case you missed the link while listening to the podcast, that’s www.amazon.com/author/burning.

⛥

Cheers.