18 Money Rules You Need to Know Before You Turn 30
Master these rules early and you won’t just make money, you’ll keep it, grow it, and buy back your freedom.
By the age of 30, most people have had tens of thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of RON pass through their hands.
You know how much they had left at the end of the month?
ZERO.
Why?
Because no one taught them the rules of the game.
And money, accumulating money, is a game. You either play it smart, or you lose and fall into debt.
If you want financial independence, if you want freedom, if you want to see your family doing well, then this is what you need to know:
1. The 50/30/20 Rule
Create a financial budget (it’s not as complicated as you think)
50% → Needs
30% → Wants
20% → Savings / Investments / Paying off debt
Spend as if you have a purpose, not like you need to impress your friends on Instagram.
2. If you hate money, money avoids you.
When you say “money doesn’t matter,” “money is the root of all evil,” “money doesn’t bring happiness,” guess what? Money hears you and goes to someone who respects it.
Yes, you’re right, money doesn’t bring happiness, but all those sayings are limiting beliefs that block you from building wealth.
Gratitude attracts. Frustration repels.
3. Emergency fund: 3–6 months of expenses
Life hits when you least expect it.
After paying off your debts, this should be your #1 priority.
Set aside money to cover at least 3 months of expenses, otherwise you’ll end up borrowing…
4. The 2x Investment Rule, If you buy luxury, invest the same amount.
Bought a watch for $1000? Put another $1000 into your investment account.
Nobody’s saying don’t enjoy life, just make sure you’re not stacking depreciating stuff instead of appreciating assets.
5. The 4% Rule
Calculate how much you need to be financially independent.
Want to pull out $3,950 per month from your investments? You’ll need around $1,184,000 invested.
Freedom has a price. Better to know it early.
6. The 3x Rent Rule
Rent shouldn’t kill your savings.
No more than 1/3 of your income should go to rent.
The rest? Savings, investments, freedom.
If your rent exceeds 1/3, it means you can’t afford to live there... Move into a studio, something smaller, or with roommates.
The good part about being young is that no one depends on you, so you can make these sacrifices now for financial independence later.
If you’ve done all that and your rent still exceeds 1/3 of your income, the problem is your income, you need to increase it.
7. The Rule of 72
How long it takes to double your money.
72 ÷ interest rate = years to double your investment.
For example:
At 10% return → you double your money in 7.2 years.
Now do it three times.
8. The 20/4/10 Rule for Cars
Be smart, now’s not the time to impress your friends with the latest car model.
Here’s what it means when financing a car:
20% down payment
Max 4-year loan
No more than 10% of monthly income toward car payments
A car should get you to work, not wreck your financial future.
9. Diversification is for the fearful.
If you're young, now’s not the time to play defense.
It’s time to take calculated risks. Play it too safe, and you’ll stay mediocre.
And no, I’m not telling you to bet all your money on crypto.
But if you’re in your 20s, be willing to take some risks.
This is the perfect time, if not now, then when? When you have a family and kids depending on you? Will you risk their future then?
10. Don’t panic when everyone else does.
Markets crash. What goes up must come down.
There will be panic everywhere.
Those who stay calm and hold cash will buy the future at a discount.
11. Learn from the greats, but play your own game.
Get inspired by Warren Buffett, Ray Dalio, Naval... but don’t blindly copy.
Your goal ≠ their goal.
Every person is different, different plans, different timelines.
Take what serves you best and adapt it to your own life.
12. The “Big Check” Syndrome: Fastest road to being broke.
Got paid €10,000 once? No, you’re not rich.
You’re just someone who got lucky one time.
Don’t burn your future in a single month.
Set the money aside, remember everything above.
13. Don’t compare.
Your buddy is three steps ahead of you?
Great.
You focus on your next step. Then the next one. Then the next.
You’ll lose focus trying to mimic your friend’s path, because it might not be right for you, and you’ll waste time figuring that out.
Also, he’s in a different chapter of life, his advice might not even apply to you right now.
14. Don’t fly business class. Don’t stay in 5-star hotels.
Seriously.
You don’t belong there if your investments are hurting and you’re not financially free yet.
It’s a trap for the “middle/upper-middle class” to keep you in the system.
Sure, it’s more comfortable, but the destination is the same in coach or business.
Delay gratification as long as you can, until you actually deserve it.
15. Surround yourself with people who make money.
Want to make money? Hang around people who know how to make it.
Conversations shape your direction.
Money loves networking. Build together. Win together.
16. Money is a game. Learn the rules or stay broke.
You wouldn’t play football against someone with 100 Champions League matches and expect to win, right?
Same with money. If you're losing, it’s not because you’re dumb, it’s because you haven’t played enough rounds.
Learn the game. Then play it seriously.
17. Don’t let your money get bored.
Idle cash is dying cash.
Money that’s just sitting around is looking for someone else to work for.
Put your money to work, always. Invest it.
I’d say anything you keep over €3,000 in cash is lazy money…
18. Know your tax system.
In every country, taxes are the game behind the game.
Study how money is taxed. Then build your strategy around that.
In the end, it’s simple: either you control money, or it controls you.
Most people work a lifetime and retire tired, confused, and with too little in the bank.
Not because they didn’t earn enough, but because they didn’t know what to do with the money they did earn.
If you’ve read this far, it means you don’t want to be like most people.
You want something else.
You want freedom.
Clarity.
Control.
You don’t have to get it all perfect.
You just have to start. Today.
The earlier you start, the easier the game becomes.
Financial education is not optional.
It’s the difference between barely surviving and living with intention.
Choose to build your future.
Learn the rules.
Apply them.
Take small steps, but take them consistently.
Because when you control your money, you control your life.
That’s real freedom.
And it’s 100% possible, for those who take it seriously.