My Weekend Routine: Budgeting, Rebalancing, and a Brew

How to Build Wealth in Your 30s Without Giving Up Avocado Toast

Let’s get one thing straight: Your 30s are not the time to panic—they’re your prime. Maybe your hangovers last longer and TikTok makes you feel uncool, but financially? This is where the magic can really happen. And no, I’m not going to tell you to ditch brunch or that buying lattes is why you’re not a millionaire. I’m Rachel Simmons, and I believe in personal investing with a side of real life. Let’s talk about how to build wealth in your 30s—without budgeting yourself into misery.

Why Your 30s Are the Wealth-Building Sweet Spot

If your 20s were the financial chaos years—student loans, credit card overdraft fees, and a love-hate relationship with instant noodles—your 30s can be the glow-up. Here’s why:

• You’re (probably) earning more
• You have a clearer sense of your life goals
• You might be ready to invest seriously
• You still have decades for compounding to do its sexy little thing

The goal isn’t to suddenly become a spreadsheet-obsessed finance robot. It’s about aligning smart money moves with a life that still includes spontaneous road trips and the occasional overpriced candle. Let’s dive into how.

1. Get Intimate With Your Net Worth (Yes, Even If It’s Ugly)

Before you can build wealth, you need to know what you’re working with. And no—your salary doesn’t count. Your net worth = assets – liabilities. Assets are what you own (savings, investments, property), and liabilities are what you owe (loans, credit cards, etc).

Use a good old spreadsheet or a free tool like Mint or Personal Capital to track everything. Ignore the guilt. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness.

Pro tip:

Update your net worth quarterly. It’s your long-term scorecard, not something to check compulsively like your ex’s Instagram stories.

2. Automate Your Savings (Set It and Forget It… Like That Plant You Killed)

If budgeting feels like brain surgery, try a sneakier tactic: take willpower out of the equation. Set up automatic transfers to:

• Emergency fund: Aim for 3-6 months of expenses, stashed in a high-yield savings account.
• Retirement: Max out your employer’s 401(k) match (this is free money—seriously, take it), and consider opening a Roth IRA if eligible.
• Investment account: Even small recurring contributions compound over time.

Consistency beats intensity. I’d rather you invest $200/month for 10 years than $10,000 once and ghost the market.

3. Stop Treating Investing Like It’s Reserved for “Finance Bros”

If you’ve been sitting out of investing because it seems “too complex” or “too risky,” I hear you. But the biggest risk? Not being in the market at all.

Here’s a no-panic investing starter pack:

1. Open an online brokerage account (Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab are great places to start).
2. Choose a low-cost index fund or ETF (think S&P 500).
3. Set up recurring monthly contributions.

You don’t need to pick stocks or become a day trader. And please, don’t fall for get-rich-quick TikToks or crypto bros who promise 10x returns in 10 days. That’s not wealth—that’s gambling dressed in Gucci.

4. Crush High-Interest Debt Without Losing Your Mind

Debt isn’t evil—but high-interest debt is that toxic ex who keeps showing up uninvited. Tackle it strategically:

Try the avalanche method:

Pay off the highest interest rate first while making minimum payments on the rest. Save hundreds (maybe thousands!) in interest.

Or the snowball method:

Pay the smallest balances first to get momentum and confidence. Both work. Pick one that feels doable and stick with it.

5. Level Up Your Income—Your Secret Wealth Weapon

Cutting back on small indulgences won’t make you wealthy. Raising your income will. Whether it’s negotiating your salary, picking up a freelance gig, monetizing a hobby, or starting a side hustle, your earning potential is often your most underused asset.

I’m all for sipping fancy coffee. But your income level is what determines whether that cup is a treat or a stressor. Choose the side that lets you enjoy it, guilt-free.

6. Lifestyle Inflation: Sneaky Little Saboteur

You got a raise—yay! You bought a Peloton, upgraded to a luxury apartment, started ordering DoorDash three times a week—wait. What just happened?

This my friends, is lifestyle inflation. In your 30s, it’s everywhere, especially if your peers are leveling up too. The key? Spend more mindfully.

• Set lifestyle limits in advance (e.g., “No more than 50% of my raise goes to lifestyle upgrades.”)
• Stick to your savings rate (aim for 20–30%) even as income grows.
• Keep your upgraded expenses aligned with your core values, not someone else’s highlight reel.

7. Future You Will Thank You: Start Estate Planning

Wills, beneficiaries, and all that adulting jazz can sound depressing. But estate planning is just another way of saying “I care about my people.” And yes, it’s relevant even if you don’t have kids.

In your 30s, it’s smart to:

• Designate beneficiaries on all accounts (401ks, IRAs, etc.)
• Consider writing a basic will—especially if you have property or dependents
• Get term life insurance if someone relies financially on you

You’re not planning your demise. You’re protecting your legacy.

The Bottom Line: Wealth ≠ Deprivation

Your 30s are the decade to stop surviving financially and start thriving. Building wealth doesn’t mean cutting out every joy. It means aligning your money with your values. It’s not as sexy as winning the lottery, but it’ll give you the freedom to live life how you want—today and tomorrow.

So yes, go ahead and eat the brunch. Just make sure your investments are cooking in the background too.

Need help getting started with your personal finance journey? Reach out here—I’d love to hear your story.