Why Do We Slip Up?
Seriously, Why Is Saving So Hard?
Let’s kick it off with some real talk: Why is it that even when we know we should save, stick to a budget, or invest, we end up grabbing takeout… again? I used to ask myself this in the Target parking lot—cart full of “essentials” I somehow needed. Sound familiar?
It isn’t just you. The money game is rigged against us, if you think about it. Ads pop up literally everywhere, and there’s always something new or shinier or tastier calling your name. We end up on a hamster wheel—earn, spend, repeat. It’s exhausting. But if you crack open any version of the 3 Rules of money book, you’ll see something wild: the path to wealth is actually way simpler than most people think.
The Real Reason Most People Miss Out
Richard Templar, in The Rules of money, made this click for me. He says anyone can grow wealth if they’re willing to:
- Spend less than they earn
- Invest what they save
- Be patient
That’s it! But why don’t we do it? Honestly, most of us have never sat down and asked… do I even believe it’s possible for me? Or are we clinging to old stories, like “money is evil” or “I’ll start next month when things calm down” (spoiler: they never do)? The 3 Rules of money book isn’t magic—but it does force you to drop the excuses and see that mindset matters just as much as math according to summaries of The Rules of Money.
One time, I caught myself buying yet another pair of “on sale” sneakers. I didn’t need them. But in that instant, all those “rules” went tumbling out the window… until my credit card statement arrived. That was the slap I needed to rethink my rules.
A Peek into the Money Trap
Want a mini wake-up call? Here’s a little table I wish someone showed me in college.
| Habit | Cost Per Day | Yearly Total |
|---|---|---|
| Barista Lattes | $5 | $1,825 |
| Takeout Lunches | $10 | $3,650 |
| Streaming Extras | $2 | $730 |
Not trying to guilt-trip you—but does anyone actually feel wealthy after all those small splurges?
Does Patience Really Matter?
Is Waiting Boring… or Brilliant?
Rule three of the 3 Rules of money book is what I used to call the most impossible: patience. Back in my twenties, “patience” was code for “missing out.” Turns out, it’s more like a money cheat code. Here’s why.
Let’s say you save $200 a month. Not bad, right? But if you tuck it under your mattress, it just sits there, growing mold (and maybe resentment). What if you invested it, earning a modest 5% a year instead? Fast forward a decade, and you’d find around $31,000 in your account instead of $24,000. That’s almost a vacation—or the beginnings of a down payment—simply for letting your money chill and do its thing.
A Table for the Skeptics
| Option | Monthly Saved | 10-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Pillowcase “Investment” | $200 | $24,000 |
| Simple 5% Investing | $200 | ~$31,000 |
That seven-grand difference? That’s patience, not just hustle. Have you ever watched a toddler try to wait for cookies to bake? That used to be me with money—absolutely zero chill. But with time, you learn to love the slow build.
Here’s a little story: My grandma never made a ton, but she always let her savings simmer. She’s the reason our family could handle emergencies, and why her smile in retirement is basically sponsor-worthy. Turns out, the folks with the least “flash” sometimes do the best.
Spending Smarter, Not Harder
Is There a Secret to Not Overspending?
Frugality isn’t a punishment. Think of it more as a muscle you flex. The 3 Rules of money book shows that “spend less than you earn” isn’t about counting every bean—it’s about paying attention and making values-based choices.
Meal prepping? Yeah, it saves money. But also, it saves you from the 7pm takeout spiral. Tracking expenses? Not a vibe killer—it’s the only way to see your real patterns (I found out my “$10 a week” snack habit was a whopping $60/month. What?!).
Budget Tricks That Actually Work
- Automate your savings—it’s the closest thing to getting paid for doing nothing.
- Use free apps—I swear by them. A bit of setup, and you’ll spot leaks in your budget fast.
- Plan “fun” money—if you pretend you’re never going to splurge, you’ll crash.
My buddy once did a “no takeout” challenge for a month. The first week: complaint-box. Week four? He sent a pic of the homemade chicken parm he made from scratch. Savings? $200. Confidence boost? Huge.
Want a few more creative ways to keep money in your pocket? I love browsing ideas from pages about 9 money rules—they’re practical but feel totally doable. Plus, knowing there are others trying this stuff makes it way less lonely!
Are Cheap and Frugal the Same?
Big difference. Being cheap is skipping your friend’s birthday gift. Being frugal is making smart money moves that align with what you care about. The 3 Rules of money book lays it out: spend where it matters, cut what’s forgettable.
Quick snapshot: I stopped grabbing drive-thru coffee so I could splurge guilt-free on family movie nights. Money’s a tool—not a tally.
Investing: Not Just for Wall Street Bros
Is Investing Scary… Or Doable?
Listen, “invest” used to sound like a foreign language to me. Like, suits, graphs, Wall Street mayhem… not my thing. But the second rule in the 3 Rules of money book—invest what you save—makes it way less intimidating.
What if investing could be as boring as watching paint dry? That’s the good kind! You don’t need a finance degree. You just need to start. Index funds? They’re like a big basket of stocks, so you don’t have to pick winners. Automate a small draw—say, $30 a month. If you can order pizza, you’ve got this.
Pros & Cons Table: Where Should My Money Go?
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| High-Interest Savings | Super safe, easy | Slow growth |
| Simple Investing (Index Funds) | Grows over time, hands-off | Market ups and downs |
| Crypto/Gambling | Exciting, big win (maybe) | Risky, stressful, not recommended for newbs |
Read up on easy-start investing with accessible guides like 10 rules of money—they’re less intimidating than you expect! I wish I knew this ten years ago: small, boring, and automatic wins the race.
Can My Family Really Learn This?
This isn’t just for adults. Rule three—be patient—actually works wonders for kids. Ever give a child $5? My youngest once blew it all on candy in two minutes. But now, we do “mini savings challenges” as a game. They’re learning early what took me decades. Talk about levelling up the family tree!
Teaching your children these basics now? Don’t be shocked if they end up better off than you financially. I wish someone had given me this knowledge at eight, not twenty-eight!
Moving Beyond: Layering Up With More Money Rules
Are There More Rules?
The 3 Rules of money book gets you started, but if you want to level up, you’ll want to sprinkle in a few more from the wider world of personal finance. That’s where the Rules of money management comes in—think of it as a “next steps” guide once you’ve got the basics on lock.
What’s the difference? The “core three” are your anchor, but the 9 money rules or even 10 rules of money get a bit more specific. Things like, “Be prudent with lending,” “Track your net worth,” and “Accept that sometimes you’ll mess up, but don’t give up.”
During our tightest year, I tried layering these in—one month, it was “absolutely no new debt.” The next, “compare value, not just price.” Not every rule stuck perfectly (pretty sure I flubbed the “don’t stress about status” rule more than once), but the direction these rules set matters more than perfect execution.
3 vs. 10 Rules: What’s Best?
| # of Rules | Best For | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Rules | Beginners, overwhelmed folks | Simple, clear, major impact |
| 9-10 Rules | Ready to level up? | More strategic, flexible, tailored |
Honestly, I keep coming back to the “big three” anytime life gets wild. But once you get traction, adding a few from 10 rules of money can make the whole thing run smoother.
Conclusion: Your Next Money Move
So… where do you go from here? The 3 Rules of money book—spend less than you earn, invest what you save, and be patient—aren’t rocket science. But living by them? That’s where the adventure starts. Stories, tables, and little wins are cool, but none of it matters if you don’t make one small move. Stash a little away. Try an invest app. Cancel one subscription. Tell someone your rule #1 win.
Remember, you don’t have to nail every rule at once. Pick the one that feels least scary and run with it. Read more, mess up, and try again. That’s how my family went from “how did we spend that much?” to “wait, we really have a cushion now?” If you get stuck or want backup, swing by guides like the Rules of money—sometimes you just need a nudge or a new tip.
So, what’s your next tiny step? Maybe it’s tracking those sneaky snack runs, or roasting your first batch of coffee at home, or sitting down with your kid for their first money talk. Whatever it is, start today. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you. And if you have a story or money win, share it—I’d love to celebrate with you!
