12 Money Rules You Need to Know

Ready to stop winging it with your money?

Check out these 12 most powerful rules for mastering your finances.

From crushing debt to stacking cash and investing smart, it’s time to get your wallet in shape and stop making excuses!

"Never depend on a single income."

~ Warren Buffett

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Pay Yourself First

If there’s one piece of financial advice that stands the test of time, it’s this: Pay. Yourself. First. It’s the cornerstone of building wealth and the easiest way to take control of your financial future.

Yet, somehow, so many people treat this concept as if it’s optional. Spoiler alert: It’s not.

When you pay yourself first, you’re prioritizing your savings and investments before anything else.

Not your bills, not your groceries, and definitely not that “treat yourself” impulse buy.

You’re essentially saying, “Future Me deserves a slice of every paycheck before anyone else gets a cent.”

Paying yourself first is a habit that you can adopt in 5 simple steps:

1. Set a Savings Goal Decide how much you want to save each month. A good rule of thumb is 20% of your income, but if you’re just starting out, aim for whatever you can manage—5%, 10%, or even $50 per paycheck.

2. Automate Your Savings Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to a savings or investment account as soon as you get paid. Out of sight, out of mind—and out of reach for unnecessary spending.

3. Prioritize Emergency Savings Before you dive into investing, make sure you have an emergency fund. Aim for 3-6 months of living expenses to cover life’s unexpected surprises, like car repairs or surprise medical bills.

4. Invest for the Long Haul Once your emergency fund is solid, it’s time to let your money grow. Contribute to your 401(k), open a Roth IRA, or dive into low-cost index funds. The earlier you start, the more your money works for you.

5. Treat It Like a Non-Negotiable Expense Savings isn’t optional. Treat it like rent or utilities—something you have to pay no matter what. Even if money’s tight, put away something. Future You will thank you.

Paying yourself first is the first and simplest step to building wealth and creating financial security.

It’s not glamorous, it’s not complicated, but it works.

Learn How to Invest

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If you're not investing, you're basically letting inflation rob you blind while your money sits around doing absolutely nothing.

Newsflash: saving alone won't cut it unless you're cool with working forever. Investing in how you put your money to work so it can sweat for you.

Here's your no-nonsense guide to diving into the world of investing without overthinking every move.

Get Your Financial Act Together - Before you can invest, make sure your financial foundation isn't hot garbage.

• Kill your High Interest Debt If you're carrying credit card debt with 20%+ interest, investing is like carrying water in a bucket with a hole. Patch the hole first.

• Learn the Basics You don't need to be a Wall Street wizard, but you do need to know the basic language:

  1. Stocks You are buying a piece of a company. High-risk, high reward.

  2. Bonds Basically IOUs. You lend money, they pay it back (fingers crossed) Low-risk, low excitement.

  3. Mutual Funds A pre-packaged bundle of investments managed for you - for a fee of course.

  4. ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) Like mutual fund, but cheaper and more flexible.

  5. Index Funds These mimic the market (e.g. S&P 500) and are the ultimate "set it and forget it" investments

• Decide How Hands On You Want to Be You need to decide if you are a control freak, or are you fine with someone else managing your investments.

  1. DIY Investor Do you have an obsession with spreadsheets bordering on unhealthy? Then strike out on your own, open a brokerage account and start picking your own stocks and ETFs.

  2. Robo-Advisors If you would rather binge watch SUITS reruns than research stocks, use a robo-advisor. They do the heavy lifting for a small fee.

  3. Financial Advisors Okay, we see you Big Money!!! You can hire a pro, however, make sure they are a fiduciary AKA legally required to not screw you over.

• Start Small, but Get Started, Dammit Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need millions to invest—hell, you don’t even need hundreds. Many platforms let you start with $5.

  • 401(k)/403(b): If your job offers a match, take it. It’s free money—don’t be dumb.

  • IRA: Roth or traditional, pick your flavor of tax advantages and start saving for retirement like a boss.

  • Brokerage Account: No tax perks, but unlimited potential. This is your playground for growing wealth.

• Don't Panic When Things Go Sideways The. Stock. Market. Is. Volatile. The market will dip, dive, hell, even crash at times. That is normal. Stay the course, keep investing, and don't let fear cause you to make dumb decisions.

Avoid These Rookie Mistakes

Chasing Hot Stocks: If it's in the headlines, you're already late

Timing the Market: Spoiler alert: You can't. No one can. Stop trying. It is far better to Dollar Cost Average your investments.

Remember, time IN the market beats timING the market. IYKYK.

Ignoring Taxes: Your Uncle Samuel always gets his cut. Plan for it.

Skipping Dividends: Reinvest your dividends to supercharge your growth.

Investing isn’t brain surgery—it’s about getting started, staying consistent, and letting time work its magic. Don’t overthink it, and don’t wait for the “perfect” time.

Don't Be a Hater of It

Make sure to

Give Every Dollar a Job

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Spend Less Than Your Earn

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Have a Plan and Set Goals

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Don't Be a Slave of Money

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If You Have It Don't Flaunt It

Make sure to

Keep Your Finances Organized

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It's a Game; Learn How It Works

Make sure to

Learn How to Make Money Passively

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