WayPoint Survival: the 5th Rule

In 1889, a group of men gathered in St. Louis, Missouri. They were not politicians or bankers. They were travelers, wanderers, and laborers who called themselves hobos. They were men who knew the hard realities of the road, and they decided to write down a code to live by. Not a set of laws, but a code of ethics. A way to maintain dignity in a world that often had none to offer.

Most of the rules are what you would expect: respect the law, help your fellow traveler, don't take advantage of the vulnerable. But one rule stands out to me, a rule that holds the entire key to the hobo philosophy. It is the fifth rule:

"When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts."

Read that again. It is not a suggestion to beg. It is not a license to steal. It is a command to create. It is the fundamental assertion that your value does not come from a boss or a timecard. Your value comes from what you can do with your own two hands and the skills you carry between your ears. This is the heart of self-reliance.

Today, we are told that the only way to make a living is to have a website, a social media following, a digital storefront. That is a lie. It is a lie designed to sell you things you do not need and to make you dependent on systems you do not control. The hobo of 1889 knew better. He knew that real security is portable. It is a skill, not a job title.

So, what does the fifth rule look like in 2026? It looks like turning your hands into a business. It looks like providing a real, tangible service to your community, no internet required.

The Modern Craftsman: Four Paths to Making Your Own Work

This is not about starting a global empire. It is about earning a day's wage, on your own terms. It is about turning a skill into a service, with nothing more than a sign and a reputation.

1. The Edge Master: A Sharpening Service

Every home has dull knives. Every gardener has dull shears. Every workshop has dull tools. A sharp edge is a universal need. For less than fifty dollars, you can buy a set of quality sharpening stones. With a little practice, you can put a razor edge on almost anything.

How to start: Make a simple, hand-lettered sign: "KNIVES & TOOLS SHARPENED." Post it at the local hardware store, the community garden, or the farmer's market. Go door-to-door in a neighborhood. The work will find you. You are not just selling a sharp edge; you are selling convenience and restoring value to something your customer already owns.

2. The Engine Whisperer: Small Engine Repair

Every suburban garage has a lawnmower that will not start, a leaf blower that sputters, or a chainsaw that has sat dormant for a year. People would rather pay fifty dollars to fix what they have than three hundred for something new.

How to start: Most small engine problems are simple: bad gas, a dirty carburetor, or a fouled spark plug. You can learn the basics of two-stroke engine repair in a weekend from a library book or an old manual. Start with your own equipment. Then offer to fix your neighbor's. Your reputation will spread faster than you can print business cards.

3. The Stitch in Time: Leather and Canvas Repair

We live in a disposable world, but people still own things they love. A favorite leather belt with a broken buckle, a canvas work bag with a torn strap, a dog collar that has seen better days.

How to start: A basic leatherworking kit with needles, thread, an awl, and some rivets costs less than a night at the movies. You are not trying to become a master saddle maker. You are providing a simple, honest repair service. You are extending the life of a valued object. That is a service people will gladly pay for.

4. The Fixer: The Neighborhood Handyman

Look around you. Every home has a list of small, annoying problems. A leaky faucet, a sticky door, a loose railing, a broken fence post. These are not big enough jobs to call a contractor, but they are a constant source of frustration.

How to start: You do not need a truck full of tools. You need a basic toolbox and the confidence to solve simple problems. Make a flyer that says, "NO JOB TOO SMALL," and list the things you can do. Post it on the community bulletin board. You are selling peace of mind and a solution to a nagging problem.

The Dignity of the Craft

Notice what all of these have in common. They are real skills that provide real value. They do not require a fancy degree or a government license. They require only your hands, your mind, and the willingness to serve others.

This is the spirit of the fifth rule. It is the understanding that you are your own economy. This is the core of what Bob Yeager and I are building with the Modern Day Hobo course. It is not just about survival; it is about freedom. The freedom that comes from knowing you can always make your own way.

You are not dependent on the system. You are the system.

Stay sharp,

James Bender