If you had told me years ago that Cyber Monday would become more than a shopping spree, I’d have rolled my eyes. But after too many years of being the broke guy chasing deals, I realized this so-called holiday could actually be my ticket out. Picture this: Black Friday’s rush has just died down, my bank account’s gasping for air, and it hits me—what if I wrote the rules instead of just playing by them?
Confessions of a Cyber Monday Shopper: My Battle with the Cart
Every year, as November winds down and Black Friday fades into Cyber Monday, I find myself caught in the same cycle as so many others. I tell myself, “I’m just going to browse,” but suddenly my cart is overflowing, my bank app is blinking warning lights, and I’m justifying every purchase because “it was on sale.” The truth is, Cyber Monday sales have a way of making even the most disciplined among us forget our own rules—especially when Military Finances 101 is more theory than practice in my daily life.
I remember one year in particular. My rent was overdue, my fridge was empty, and my phone buzzed with Cyber Monday deals every five minutes. I convinced myself that buying a new monitor—because it was 40% off—was a “smart investment.” I told myself it would help me work better, maybe even launch a side hustle. But deep down, I knew I was just chasing the rush of a good deal, not solving my real problems.
“Everyone wants nice things. The trap is thinking that buying them will solve what’s empty inside.” – Me (because sometimes that’s all I have!)
The emotional rollercoaster of online shopping is real. There’s the thrill of watching checkout timers tick down, the adrenaline as I race to “secure” the last item in stock, and the little voice in my head whispering, “You deserve this.” But as soon as the order confirmation hits my inbox, the crash comes. I stare at my shrinking bank balance and feel the weight of regret settle in. The monitor arrived a week later, but instead of joy, I felt guilt. It was a reminder that I’d let Cyber Monday sales win—again.
Scrolling social media only made things worse. Friends posted their new gaming rigs, dual monitors, and RGB-lit setups, while I tried to ignore the reality of my own finances. I envied their gear, but what I really envied was their confidence—the feeling that they were winning at life while I was falling behind. It’s easy to forget that most people are just as vulnerable to impulsive spending and financial strain during Cyber Monday as I am.
I became an expert in rationalizing every flashy deal:
“It’s an investment in my future.”
“I’ll never see this price again.”
“If I don’t buy it now, I’ll regret it later.”
But these were just stories I told myself to justify what I knew was a bad decision. Military Finances 101 teaches us to prioritize needs over wants, but Cyber Monday blurs those lines with every pop-up and countdown clock.
Looking back, I realize that the real battle wasn’t with my cart or my bank app—it was with my mindset. The cycle of browsing, buying, and regretting is hard to break, especially when the world is shouting “buy now, save big!” But the first step is seeing the pattern for what it is: a trap that keeps me stuck as a customer, not a creator.
Drawing the Line: Customer Versus Creator Mindset
Every Cyber Monday, I used to fall into the same trap: hunting for deals, convincing myself that the next gadget or discounted “must-have” would somehow fix my finances or boost my happiness. But as I watched my bank balance shrink and my stress grow, I started to realize something crucial. The problem wasn’t that I wanted nice things—everyone does. The real issue was that I kept showing up as the customer, not the creator.
Customers buy stuff. Creators build systems and digital assets. That’s the line Cyber Monday draws in the sand. On one side are people filling carts and tracking shipments. On the other are those using the same energy to build online entrepreneurship systems—funnels, lead magnets, and digital products that generate passive income streams.
The moment it clicked for me was when I stared at my latest “deal”—a new monitor I didn’t need, bought on credit. It hit me: The next gadget won’t save my finances. Only assets will. That’s when I started asking a simple question before every purchase: Is this a toy, or is this an asset?
Toys drain my account. They’re fun for a minute, but the excitement fades and the bills remain.
Assets have the potential to refill my account. They’re things I build once—like a YouTube video training, a simple affiliate funnel, or a downloadable guide—that can pay me again and again.
This shift in mindset is everything. As a veteran, I realized I already had the discipline, planning skills, and grit to succeed in digital asset creation. The same focus I used in the service could be redirected to building something online that lasts. I didn’t need to be an expert or have a fancy setup. I just needed to start treating my time as my most valuable currency.
Here’s what that looks like for beginners:
Affiliate funnel: A simple one-page website that collects emails and recommends a product I trust.
Lead magnet: A short checklist or guide that solves a real problem for other veterans or service members.
YouTube video training: A quick, helpful video sharing what I’ve learned about online entrepreneurship or passive income streams.
The best part? Every digital asset I create is a step away from being just a customer and a step toward becoming a creator. With every funnel, every video, every email I send, I’m building a system that can work for me—even while I sleep.
“Don’t just shop Cyber Monday—hack it as fuel for building your future.” – Inspired by my own turning point
Veterans have the perfect background for this. We know how to follow a plan, adapt under pressure, and execute consistently. Those same skills are what make online entrepreneurship and digital asset creation possible—even if you’re starting from scratch. The only real difference is deciding to cross the line from customer to creator and then taking that first step.
The 24-Hour Cyber Monday Battle Plan: From Blank Page to Asset
Every Cyber Monday, I used to fall into the same trap—scrolling deals, filling carts, and feeling that familiar rush of “winning” a sale. But this year, I’m flipping the script. Instead of being a consumer, I’m using my military discipline to become a creator. Here’s my 24-hour battle plan to go from a blank page to a real digital asset—no fluff, no fancy tools, just proven steps borrowed from online business experts like Russell Brunson and J. Montoya, but tailored for veterans like me.
Step 1: Nail Down My “I Help” Statement
The first mission is clarity. I ask myself: Who do I want to help, and how? My target market is other veterans or military spouses who want to break into online business startups. My “I help” statement is my North Star. For example: “I help veterans launch their first affiliate marketing funnel and earn their first online sale in 30 days.” This keeps my focus sharp and my messaging clear.
Step 2: Pick One High-Quality Offer
Next, I resist the urge to overload my funnel. I choose a single, high-quality offer—maybe a trusted affiliate program, a lead magnet creation toolkit, or a done-for-you template pack. The key is to pick something I’d recommend to a fellow vet, not just what pays the highest commission. Quality over quantity wins every time.
Step 3: Build a Simple One-Page Funnel
Now it’s time to build. I use AI tools to speed up the copywriting process—no need to be a pro writer. My first opt-in page was hilariously ugly, but as Russell Brunson says:
“Ship it ugly. The only perfect funnel is a published funnel.”
I focus on a strong headline, a few bullet points about results, and an opt-in box. For example: “Tired of waiting on payday? Discover how veterans are building online income streams with simple affiliate marketing funnels.” The goal is to get it live, not perfect.
Step 4: Set Up a 3-Email Follow-Up Sequence
Email follow-up sequences are where the magic happens. According to DotCom Secrets and Expert Secrets, follow-ups boost engagement and conversions. I draft three quick emails:
Email 1: Deliver the lead magnet and recap the value.
Email 2: Share my story—why I’m doing this and why it matters for vets.
Email 3: Invite action—remind them of the offer and the next step.
AI helps me write these fast, but I make sure they sound like me—honest and direct.
Step 5: Launch with What I Have
No paid ads, no fancy gear. I use what’s in my kit: a Facebook post about my journey, a quick Instagram story, maybe a 60-second video on LinkedIn. The goal isn’t to go viral—it’s to create proof that I can build, ship, and start. Each share is a step toward building my own online business startup.
By following this Cyber Monday battle plan, I’m not just browsing—I’m building. Affiliate marketing funnels, lead magnet creation, and email follow-up sequences aren’t just buzzwords; they’re my new tools. And as I learned from Traffic Secrets and J. Montoya’s Freedom Accelerator, the only way to win is to start, even if it’s messy.
Wild Card: From Uniform to Unique—Why Veterans Are Built for This
Every time I stare at a blank funnel builder or draft a social post, I’m reminded that my years in uniform weren’t just about following orders—they were about learning to build, adapt, and lead. The military gave me more than discipline; it gave me a toolkit for entrepreneurship. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) taught me how to break down big missions into simple, repeatable steps. Grit kept me moving when the odds were against me. And learning on the fly? That’s second nature when you’ve had to improvise in the field. These aren’t just military skills—they’re the backbone of digital entrepreneurship.
Sometimes I imagine an experiment: what if you handed every veteran a laptop and just one day to create? The sheer number of businesses, digital assets, and personal brands that would spring up would be staggering. Veterans are already wired for mission-focus and consistency. We know how to stick to a plan, adjust when things go sideways, and keep pushing until the job is done. That’s exactly what it takes to build an online business, especially when you’re starting from scratch.
My own journey proves it. The first funnel I ever built was a mess—broken links, clunky copy, and a color scheme that would make a drill sergeant cringe. But that messy first try was my badge of honor. It was proof that I could get unstuck, that I could move from consumer to creator. I didn’t need permission or perfection. I just needed to start. That’s the wild card every veteran holds: the ability to act, adapt, and improve under pressure.
Personal branding for veterans isn’t about flashy logos or perfect bios. It’s about showing up authentically, sharing your story, and letting people see the real journey. Social media marketing isn’t just about blasting offers—it’s about building connections, one comment thread at a time. Some of my best opportunities have come not from big platforms, but from genuine conversations in the comments. That’s where trust is built, and where your unique experience as a veteran becomes your greatest asset.
“Wearing the uniform trained me for bigger things than just following orders—they trained me to build.”
The gold in veteran experience is real: discipline, consistency, and mission-focus are the secret weapons of online business. The skills that kept me moving in tough times are the same ones that help me build digital assets, grow my personal brand, and connect with others on social media. If you’re a veteran reading this, know that you’re built for this too. The world of digital entrepreneurship needs your grit, your story, and your drive.
As I close out this Cyber Monday, I’m not just another customer chasing deals—I’m a creator, building my own system, one imperfect step at a time. If you’re ready to flip the script and join me, subscribe to the blog, and let’s build something real together. Your uniform was just the beginning. Now it’s time to show the world what you can create.
