Why I Never Budget Without Room for Joy

How to Build Wealth in Your 30s Without Giving Up Your Favorite Coffee

Let’s get real for a second. You’re in your 30s. You’re well past the awkward freshman years of adulthood (a round of applause for filing your taxes on time!) but not quite ready to scream “early retirement” from the rooftops. You’ve heard all the clichés—skip the lattes, cook every single meal at home, and penny-pinch your way to success. But what if I told you there’s a better way? A smarter, sassier, and far more sustainable way to build real wealth—without sacrificing the little joys that make life delightful? Yes, including your $5 oat milk cappuccino.

Welcome to the Rachel Simmons way of building wealth: practical, positive, and just cheeky enough to keep your budget smiling.

Why Your 30s Matter So Much for Building Wealth

Think of your 30s as the financial adolescence of your life. It’s where personal investing meets independence. The decisions you make now will ripple into your 40s, 50s, and even beyond. This is the perfect decade to take control of your money story: you’re earning more, hopefully spending more intentionally, and (bonus!) you still have time on your side.

Your 30s should be a pivot point—from surviving to thriving. It’s no longer just about budgeting for rent and tacos; it’s about long-term planning, strategic investing, and making your money work even when you’re not. Sounds dreamy? Good. Let’s do it.

Step 1: Define What Wealth Means to YOU

Wealth-building isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. For some, it’s about retiring at 45 and traveling the world. For others, it’s owning a cozy home, maintaining zero debt, and having the time to raise their kids without anxiety sweating them out at night.

Ask yourself:

• What would financial independence feel like in your day-to-day life?
• What trade-offs are you willing—and not willing—to make?
• What are your non-negotiables (hello, travel) and what can be optimized (goodbye, random Amazon purchases)?

Your goals define your plan. Not the other way around.

Step 2: Automate Your Investing (Your Future Self Will Thank You)

Repeat after me: “If it’s not automatic, it’s optional.” One of the easiest ways to build wealth is to take the decision-making out of your hands. Why? Because humans are gloriously irrational, especially around money.

Set up automatic contributions to:

• Your retirement accounts (401k, IRA, or Roth IRA depending on your situation)
• A taxable brokerage account for medium-to-long-term goals
• An emergency fund with 3-6 months of expenses

Pro tip: Increase your retirement contributions every time you get a raise. Pretend the extra money never existed. Boom—wealth creation, sans drama.

Step 3: Invest Like a Grown-Up (It’s Not as Scary as It Sounds)

Newsflash: You don’t need to be a Wall Street wizard to succeed at investing. The truth is, boring is beautiful when it comes to building long-term wealth. Instead of chasing the next hot crypto or tech stock, focus on:

1. Low-cost index funds and ETFs (S&P 500, total stock market, international)
2. Dollar-cost averaging—investing a fixed amount regularly no matter what the market is doing
3. Rebalancing your portfolio once a year to stay in line with your risk tolerance and goals

And remember, the less you check your portfolio, the better your returns (and blood pressure) will be.

Step 4: Manage Lifestyle Creep Like a Boss

This is where many 30-somethings trip up. You start making more money—and suddenly the nicer apartment, biweekly massages, and imported organic marmalade feel very “necessary.” Spoiler: They’re not.

Here’s how to fight the temptation:

• Keep your core expenses stable as your income rises
• Live by the 50/30/20 rule—50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings/investments
• Treat extra income as an opportunity, not an excuse

Trust me, your future self will thank you when she’s sipping cocktails on a Tuesday afternoon because she chose investing over inflated rent.

Step 5: Optimize Your Earning Potential

Savings are great, but let’s not ignore the obvious: the easiest way to build wealth faster is to earn more. That doesn’t mean working 70-hour weeks, but it does mean being strategic about your skills and your time.

Ask yourself:

• Can you negotiate a raise at your current job?
• Is it time to switch careers or positions for a salary bump?
• Do you have monetizable skills—writing, coding, consulting—that can earn side income?

Investing in yourself (through courses, certifications, or coaching) might feel indulgent now, but it’s one of the highest ROI moves you can make in your 30s.

Step 6: Protect Your Assets Like a Real Grown-Up

Unsexy? Yes. Critical? Absolutely. Want to stay rich? Then don’t get caught by surprise. Here’s what to lock down:

• Health insurance (obviously)
• LTD and STD disability insurance if your job doesn’t cover it
• Life insurance (term, not whole, especially if you have dependents)
• Estate planning basics: a will, power of attorney, and living directive

You don’t buy insurance because you expect disaster. You buy it so panic doesn’t have to pay rent in your brain.

Step 7: Don’t Go It Alone

This whole grown-up money thing can feel a bit overwhelming. But here’s a scoop from someone who’s been there: community is everything. Whether it’s finding a financial advisor, joining a FIRE group, or hiring a money coach, get support.

And if you’re DIYing your path to wealth? Amazing. Just make sure your financial knowledge grows with you. Subscribe to podcasts, read books like Your Money or Your Life, and follow reputable sources—emphasis on reputable.

Final Thoughts: Wealth Isn’t Only About Money

At the end of the day, wealth is about owning your time, choosing how you live, and sleeping at night knowing you’re in control. The best part? You don’t have to eliminate every joy from your life to make that happen.

So enjoy your latte. Just don’t forget to invest more than you spend frothing milk.

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