Most people were never actually taught how money works. They were taught how to spend it, not taught how to invest it. From the moment we got our first paycheck, the world around us has been coaching us to consume: upgrade the phone, lease the car, chase the lifestyle. But here’s the thing, those are the rules of consumerism, not capitalism.
At Simpli-FI.money, we exist to change that. We teach you how to win the game of capitalism by following four simple rules: spend less than you earn, invest the difference, avoid debt, and give it time to grow. We want young adults, especially those just stepping out of high school and college, to understand that corporations train you to spend because it benefits them. Our goal is to help you make intentional decisions about your money, so it benefits you. Because if you don’t know which game you’re playing, you’ll always be playing for the wrong team.
Let’s start with something simple: In the United States, we call it “football.” You throw, you tackle, and you score touchdowns. In Europe, they call it “football,” too; but you kick the ball, not carry it, and you score goals. Same word. Completely different game. Now imagine an American football team showing up to a European soccer match in helmets and pads, charging the field ready to hit someone. They’d look ridiculous. Because they don’t know the game that’s being played.
Here’s the truth most people never realize: the same confusion that happens on the football field is happening in our economy every single day.
We think we’re playing capitalism—but most people are actually playing consumerism. And that’s why so many hardworking people keep falling behind financially, no matter how much effort they put in. They’re showing up, hustling, and giving it everything they’ve got, yet the scoreboard never seems to move in their favor.
In reality, most people are trying to win a capitalism game while following consumerism’s rules—and just like an American football player on a soccer field, they keep losing possession without understanding why.
Here’s the truth: capitalism and consumerism may wear the same jersey, but they play for opposite teams. Capitalism is the game of ownership; you score by building assets that produce income. It’s about creating value, owning businesses, investing, and letting your money do the running for you. Consumerism, on the other hand, is the game of spending; you score imaginary points by buying things that look good but lose value the moment you kick off. In capitalism, you’re the club owner. In consumerism, you’re just another ticket holder in the stands, cheering for the people who actually own the team.
The problem is that we’ve been trained from day one to play the wrong sport. From childhood, our culture teaches us how to buy, not how to build. We learn how to spend money, not how to make it grow. We celebrate goals like “getting the new iPhone” or “driving the latest car,” but those aren’t goals, they’re distractions. Consumerism convinces us we’re on the field, when in reality, we’re sitting in the bleachers funding someone else’s victory.
Capitalism, real capitalism, is a beautiful game when you understand the rules. You create value, you earn profit, and then you reinvest that profit into assets that score for you even when you’re off the field. That’s how you build momentum, how you control possession, and how you start winning the long game. Every smart investor, entrepreneur, and wealth builder is basically a great midfielder; they see the whole field, make strategic passes, and set up plays that turn small advantages into big wins.
Consumerism, though, is like a player who chases the ball wherever it goes. No formation, no game plan, just constant motion and no progress. Every paycheck is spent chasing the next shiny object—a new car, a bigger house, a flashier vacation. You run hard, but you never advance. The score never changes. You’re exhausted, but somehow still behind. Meanwhile, the team owners, the capitalists, are watching from the box seats, sipping something cold, because you just bought their newest jersey, their latest product, and their next revenue record. You’re their MVP; and not in the way you think.
The rules of capitalism aren’t complicated, but they are strategic. You win by owning, not owing. You invest, not impress. You build, not borrow. And most importantly, you play the long game. Just like soccer, capitalism rewards patience and discipline. You can’t rush greatness. You build it one smart pass, one good investment, one strategic decision at a time.
Most people don’t realize they’re already in the game. Every dollar you earn, spend, or invest is a move on the field. The question is—whose side are you playing for? Are you the striker trying to score for your own team, or are you the fan paying for a front-row seat to watch others win?
The truth is, capitalism isn’t broken, it’s just misunderstood. It’s not about greed; it’s about creation. It’s not about exploitation; it’s about participation. When you learn how the game works, you stop kicking the ball into your own net. You start thinking like an owner, moving with intention, and passing the ball toward your goals instead of someone else’s.
So, the next time you hear someone brag about their new car, latest gadget, or luxury trip, remember this: in consumerism, those are just fancy dribbles that look good for the highlight reel but don’t change the scoreboard. In capitalism, the real highlight is freedom; financial freedom, time freedom, and the freedom to choose how you play the game.
The crowd might cheer loudest for the flashy moves, but the smartest players know the real win is in control, strategy, and ownership. So lace up, step on the field, and start playing your game; the game of capitalism. Because once you understand the rules, you’ll never settle for being a spectator again.
At Simpli-FI.money, our purpose is to teach you how to win the game of Capitalism, not just play along in the endless game of consumerism. We break it down into four simple rules: spend less than you earn, invest the difference, avoid debt, and give it time to grow. That’s it. No gimmicks, no secrets—just discipline and understanding.
Our mission is to reach those just out of high school and college, before the system convinces them that success means spending more instead of owning more. Corporations have spent decades teaching you to consume because it serves their best interests. We’re here to flip that script. To help you make intentional decisions about your money, so every dollar you spend serves your goals, your growth, and your future. Because when you understand the real rules of the game, you stop fueling someone else’s victory; and start building your own.
Building Lasting Habits
Being able to notice the difference between Capitalism and Consumerism is just the first step in one’s journey of creating Financial Freedom. What truly moves the needle are the core habits behind the numbers: the routines, systems, and decisions that determine whether you actually take advantage of these core habits year after year.
That is why we created The Core Financial Habits series. It is designed to help you build the four foundational behaviors that build wealth: consistent saving, intentional spending, strategic investing, and ongoing money management. If you are ready to move beyond information and start building the habits that make financial freedom inevitable, begin with Part 1 of the series here: Developing the Core Financial Habits – Introduction.
Coach Holdren’s S.E.M. Calculator
Once those habits are in place, you can take the next step by using Coach Holdren’s S.E.M. Calculator to project your personal timeline to financial freedom. By entering your savings rate, earnings, and investment assumptions, the calculator shows you how the small, consistent actions you take today compound into long-term results. It reveals how your daily decisions shape your overall trajectory and helps you see, with real numbers, how soon you can achieve financial freedom or full independence.