let’s talk about millionaires. Money Budgeting, You probably picture them lounging on a yacht, sipping something fizzy, and just, you know, not thinking about money. Right? I did. I used to think the secret to being rich was just… being rich. Like, they just woke up one day and money was pouring out of their ears and they didn’t have to worry about whether they could afford that extra guac at Chipotle. But then, I started reading up on these people—actual, self-made millionaires—and I realized something kinda wild. A lot of their budgeting tips from millionaires are, well, not what you’d expect. They’re… kinda basic. And shockingly, they’re things a messy, ramen-eating human like me can actually do.
I mean, I’m still figuring out how to adult on a daily basis. My sock drawer is a disaster, my plants are constantly on the verge of death, and I still get a little thrill from finding a coupon. I’m not a millionaire (yet, a girl can dream!), but I’ve picked up some of their habits, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. So, if you’re tired of the same old boring financial advice, pull up a chair. Let’s get into the weird, wonderful, and surprisingly simple things the super-rich do with their cash.
1. They Don’t Budget to Feel Poor; They Money Budgeting to Get Richer
This is the biggest mindset shift right here. When I used to budget, it felt like a punishment. It was a list of all the things I couldn’t have. No more coffee, no more takeout, no more clothes. It was about restriction.
But millionaires don’t see it that way. They see a budget as a plan. A blueprint for their money. They’re not tracking every penny to feel guilty about buying a latte. They’re tracking it so they know where their money is going, so they can direct it to things that actually matter to them—like investing, saving, and spending on things they genuinely value.
It’s about intentional spending. They might be able to buy a new car on a whim, but they don’t plan for it, save for it. And they know exactly how much they can spend without derailing their bigger goals.
My friend, Mark, told me once that he stopped thinking of his budget as a set of rules and started thinking of it as a tool to build his “Freedom Fund.” I was like, “The what now?” And he explained that every dollar he saved or invested was a brick he was laying for his future freedom—to take a cool trip, to retire early, to just… not worry so much. And honestly? That reframing totally changed the game for me. It’s not about what you’re giving up now; it’s about what you’re building for later.
2. The “Pay Yourself First” Principle (It’s Not a Cliché, I Swear)
You’ve probably heard this one a million times, but have you actually done it? This is, hands down, the most powerful of all the budgeting tips from millionaires. It’s the foundation of their entire money-management system.
They don’t wait until the end of the month to see what’s left over to save. They save first. Right off the top. As soon as the paycheck hits their account, a portion of it goes directly into savings or investment accounts. Automatically. Without fail.
My dad (who is definitely not a millionaire, but is super smart with money) taught me this. He said, “Treat your savings account like a bill. A bill to yourself.” That totally clicked for me. You wouldn’t just “forget” to pay your rent, would you? So why would you “forget” to pay yourself?
I set up an automatic transfer from my checking to my high-yield savings account the day after my paycheck comes in. It’s an appointment with my money, and I don’t miss it. Some people do 10% of their income. I started with 5%, and then bumped it up to 7%. The key is to start somewhere. The amount isn’t as important as the habit. After a while, you don’t even miss it. Your brain just adapts. It’s wild how it works.
3. They Don’t Care About the Latest Shiny Thing (Unless it’s an Investment)
This one might be hard to hear, but it’s true. Millionaires don’t buy things just to keep up with the Joneses. In fact, they probably don’t even know who the Joneses are. All they are notoriously frugal when it comes to things that don’t generate more money.
They might drive a perfectly good, used car instead of a brand-new one that loses value the second you drive it off the lot. They buy houses they can afford, not giant mansions they have to mortgage every last penny to pay for. They understand the difference between an asset and a liability. A new car is a liability (it costs you money). An investment property is an asset (it makes you money).
I learned this the hard way in my early 20s. I wanted a new car so badly, and I bought one that was way more than I needed. The monthly payment was a punch in the gut. I was so “car poor” that I couldn’t do anything else fun. I was so focused on the shiny thing that I didn’t think about the cost of that shiny thing on my overall life. I should probably be embarrassed, but honestly? It was a great (and expensive) lesson.
So, before you buy the latest iPhone or a new TV, ask yourself: is this an asset or a liability? Does it make me money or cost me money? That simple question can save you from a lot of impulse buys and help you build smarter financial habits.
4. They Have Financial “Nerd Friends”
You know how some people have “gym buddies” to keep them accountable? Millionaires have “money buddies.” They talk about their finances. They bounce ideas off of each other. They’re not afraid to talk about money, debt, and investments.
For a long time, I thought talking about money was taboo. It felt rude or braggy or something. But when I finally opened up to a couple of my close friends about my goals and my struggles, it was a total game-changer. We started sharing tips, celebrating wins, and holding each other accountable. My friend told me about a high-yield savings account I’d never heard of. I told another friend about a book on investing I was reading. It’s a whole support system.
Find a friend, a mentor, or a community where you can talk openly about money. It doesn’t have to be a millionaire. It just has to be someone who gets it and is on a similar journey. You can learn so much just by having conversations and not feeling like you have to figure it all out in a silo. You ever feel like that? Like you’re the only one trying to figure out this whole money thing? It’s just me? Nah, it’s not.
5. They’re Incredibly Boring with Their Money (And That’s the Point)
This is the anti-sexy tip. The one that no one wants to hear. But it’s so true.
Millionaires are boring with their money. They don’t day-trade with their life savings, don’t chase hot stocks, don’t splurge on things they haven’t saved for. And they are incredibly, soul-crushingly consistent.
They invest in things that are steady and reliable over the long term, stick to a plan. And don’t panic when the market goes down. They automate their savings and investments. They have a plan for their money, and they stick to it. It’s not exciting. It’s not a roller coaster. It’s a slow, steady, consistent climb.
It’s like running a marathon. You don’t sprint the whole way. You set a pace, you stick to it, and you keep going. The boring, consistent running is what gets you to the finish line. The crazy sprints will just burn you out. So, be boring with your money. Be predictable. Be consistent. Your future self will be so, so grateful.
So, there you have it. My messy, unfiltered take on some surprisingly simple millionaire habits. They don’t have some magical secret you don’t know about. They just have discipline and a plan. And you can, too. So, what’s your first step? Is it automating your savings? Or maybe unsubscribing from that email list that’s always tempting you with sales? mindset and implementing their strategies, you can take control of your finances and work towards your own financial success.
