economy
January 24, 2026
He had everything he wanted by 30, but was still ‘miserable’—now he follows these money rules to ‘live a wealthy life’
Sahil Bloom, author of "The 5 Types of Wealth," spent the last three years researching money and wealth. These rules "helped me build a life that feels truly abundant," he says.
TL;DR
- Avoid common financial errors like impulse purchases and avoidable debt.
- Separate self-worth from net worth, anchoring value in character and relationships.
- Track financial progress to identify areas for improvement.
- Live below your means to create financial flexibility.
- Focus on providing value, impact, and service to others.
- Prioritize income growth through skill development and new earning streams.
- Spend more on quality products rather than brand names.
- Disregard external expectations about financial achievements.
- Use debt sparingly, especially for luxury items.
- Implement a 24-hour rule for non-essential purchases.
- Consider both time and money when evaluating investments.
- Recognize that returns on investment can take many forms, including access and learning.
- Invest in yourself through fitness, education, and mental health.
- Avoid using money to eliminate all life friction, as some friction creates meaning.
- Conduct regular financial check-ins with a partner to ensure alignment.
- Focus on increasing your savings rate for long-term compounding benefits.
- Maintain a 12-month emergency fund for peace of mind and opportunity capture.
- Run disaster simulations to prepare for unexpected financial challenges.
- Concentrate on high-impact financial questions rather than minor optimizations.
- Employ a barbell approach to investments, balancing safety with high-risk/high-reward options.
- Simplify financial accounts and obligations to maintain control.
- Automate payments for recurring expenses to reduce cognitive load.
- Conduct quarterly audits to identify and eliminate wasteful subscriptions.
- Be generous with others, as generosity brings more happiness than consumption.
- Use money as a tool to enhance time, experiences, purpose, and health.
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