“Systems can fail. Programs can pause. But principles never stop working.”
By Kyle J Christensen, Founder, Principles-Based Planner, Unique Advantage
Unique Advantage Monthly Client Email – November 2025
The recent government funding crisis may have been resolved, but it highlighted something important: how fragile our financial systems can feel when we rely on them too heavily. In the weeks leading up to the deal, concerns grew over whether programs like EBT and food assistance would continue without interruption. For millions of families, the possibility of losing access to groceries—even briefly—was very real.
For many, that’s not a headline. It’s their everyday reality. And my heart goes out to them. Programs like SNAP have supported countless families through hard times and play a critical role in keeping food on the table. But moments like this also remind us how essential it is to build a life that isn’t vulnerable to every political or economic shake-up.
At Unique Advantage, we teach five financial principles that help people move from dependence to independence. Principle #4 is one of the most important: Build and Maintain Six Months to One Year of Income Storage. Liquidity is essential to avoid debt, but it’s also what allows you to take advantage of opportunity. Cash truly is king when it comes to the game of wealth creation.
Most people never reach that point because they’re unconscious spenders. They do exactly what Wall Street wants them to do—tie their money up in accounts that are illiquid, unusable, and inaccessible for long periods of time. When life happens, they can’t reach it, and that’s when fear and panic set in.
Imagine if the money you were counting on didn’t show up next month. Whether it’s a paycheck, a government benefit, or business income, losing that source of cash would create real stress if you weren’t prepared. If you had six months of expenses sitting in a liquid account, you wouldn’t just survive—you’d be calm. You’d have choices. You’d even be in a position to help someone else. That’s the real power of self-sufficiency.
Principle #1 teaches us to build the habit of saving. It’s about keeping at least 15% of what you earn before anything else. This simple but powerful habit is the foundation of every wealth plan because it proves you can hold on to what you earn.
Principle #4 shows us where to keep what we’ve saved. It focuses on building and maintaining six months to one year of income storage. Having liquidity keeps you out of debt and positions you to take advantage of opportunities when they come.
Together, these principles give you confidence and control. You stop living in survival mode and start managing money with purpose. It’s the shift from chasing dollars to directing them.
And when you have more than enough, you give. That’s the part most people miss. Abundance isn’t about stacking cash; it’s about creating capacity to lift others. Giving is one of the greatest signs of true wealth.
The government shutdown is a wake-up call for all of us. Systems can fail. Programs can pause. But principles never stop working. Build your income storage. Strengthen your foundation. Then use your abundance to bring stability to others who need it, a theme I shared in an article from last year. Financial freedom doesn’t happen by chance. It starts with principles, and it grows one person and one family at a time.
Sincerely,
Kyle J Christensen
P. S.
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