I Survived Capitalism and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Everything I Wish I Never Had to Learn About Money

Madeline Pendleton's memoir chronicles her journey from financial instability to building Tunnel Vision, a clothing company structured around employee welfare and profit-sharing. Raised by a punk father and goth mother in Fresno, California, she experienced homelessness as a teenager and later struggled with student loans and credit card debt. After her boyfriend's death by suicide—which she attributes to financial stress—Pendleton committed to finding an alternative to traditional capitalism. At Tunnel Vision, employees work four days weekly while earning comparable to the CEO, receive full benefits, gym memberships, free lunch, unlimited time off, and company-provided vehicles. Profits are distributed equally among staff rather than concentrated at the top. The book combines Pendleton's personal narrative with practical advice on negotiating pay, building credit, and achieving home ownership. It addresses the financial pressures facing Millennials and Gen Z, including stagnant wages, housing costs, and student debt crises.