7 Financial Rules I Broke (That Actually Paid Off)
Sometimes, breaking the "golden rules" of finance leads to unexpected success.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Most of my life, I played it safe with money. I stuck to the “rules” everyone talks about—avoid debt, save every penny, never take financial risks. But one afternoon, sitting on the porch with Mary, I realized some of the best decisions I ever made came from knowing when to bend the rules a little. Life doesn’t always follow a neat plan, and sometimes neither should your finances.
Maybe you’ve felt boxed in by traditional advice, wondering if there’s room to trust your gut. I’ve been there. Today, I’ll share seven financial rules I broke that actually worked in my favor—and how you might consider breaking them too.
1. Saving Every Extra Dollar Never Made Sense for Me
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I used to believe every extra dollar should go straight into savings, but that held me back. Investing in skills, experiences, and opportunities brought bigger returns than letting money sit. Some risks paid off in ways a savings account never could.
2. Carrying a Credit Card Balance Helped My Cash Flow
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Everyone says to pay off credit cards in full, but I kept a balance when it made sense. Using that extra cash for investments and emergencies gave me flexibility. The key was staying in control and not letting interest take over.
3. Renting Was a Smarter Move Than Buying
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People act like renting is throwing money away, but buying was not the right choice for me. I avoided maintenance costs, property taxes, and being tied down. That freedom let me take career opportunities I would have missed as a homeowner.
4. Skipping a Budget Made Me Spend Smarter
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Strict budgets always felt like a diet I would eventually break. Tracking my spending without rigid rules helped me make better choices without guilt. Knowing where my money went mattered more than setting strict limits.
5. Taking a Pay Cut Was the Best Decision I Made
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Walking away from a higher paycheck seemed like a mistake, but it led to better opportunities. Less stress, more growth, and a job I actually liked made up for the short-term loss. My income eventually grew in ways that never would have happened in my old role.
6. Ignoring the 9-to-5 Path Gave Me More Stability
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A steady paycheck sounds safe, but relying on one income stream felt risky. I built multiple income sources, and that gave me real security. Losing one job would not wreck my finances because I was not tied to just one paycheck.
7. Spending on Convenience Was Worth It
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Cutting corners on time-consuming tasks let me focus on bigger goals. Paying for meal prep, cleaning help, or faster commutes gave me more energy for work and side projects. The money I spent often made me more in return.
Looking back, the times I carefully bent the rules are when I saw the biggest growth. It wasn’t about reckless choices—it was about knowing my priorities and being willing to go against the grain when it made sense.
Here’s how you can apply some of these moves:
Use credit cards strategically: Instead of avoiding them, I signed up for a cash-back credit card and used it for groceries and gas. By paying it off every month, I earned rewards without interest fees.
Splurge occasionally on meaningful purchases: One year, Mary and I spent more than usual on a family vacation. It felt like breaking the rule to “always save,” but the memories we made were priceless and never regretted.
Invest during uncertain times: Rather than pulling out when the market dipped, I bought a few shares of a low-cost index fund. Over time, it paid off more than if I had waited for the “perfect” moment.
Lend money carefully to family: I’ve loaned small amounts to close family members when they needed help. I set clear terms and treated it like a gift if repayment didn’t happen. It strengthened relationships without derailing my budget.
Delay paying off low-interest debt: Instead of rushing to pay off my mortgage early, I prioritized investing extra cash in my retirement accounts, letting compounding returns grow faster.
You don’t always have to follow the crowd. The key is knowing when to break the rules wisely, keeping your long-term goals in focus. Trust yourself, make thoughtful decisions, and you’ll find your own path to success.