Money Rules I Break on Purpose

Why I’ll fight over $9, pay hundreds in annual fees, and still buy the iced coffee.

Sunshine and Savings, Issue No. 3

I recently discovered that I was paying $9 a month for a subscription I wasn’t using.

Nine dollars.

Was $9 going to wreck our family budget? No. But the second I realized a giant corporation had been billing me every month for something I wasn’t using, this was no longer about the money.

This was about justice.

So I canceled the subscription immediately. Then, because I was already on a mission, I asked for a refund. And you know what?

They gave me one.

Not for everything I’d paid, but I got a good portion of my money back, which is a nice reminder: You don’t know unless you ask.

So there I was, victorious in my battle over $9, while several premium credit cards with annual fees of hundreds of dollars sat quietly in my wallet minding their business. And I’m perfectly happy to keep paying them.

That might sound contradictory. It’s not. This week, I’m sharing three money rules I break on purpose, and why spending less isn’t always the goal.

The money rules I break on purpose

I spend a lot of time looking for ways to save money. I use coupons, buy plenty of store-brand groceries, shop sales, and regularly compare prices on everything from our internet service to car insurance. I don’t mind putting in a little effort to keep more money in our budget when the savings are worth it. (Even if it’s just nine forgotten dollars a month.)

But spending less isn’t always my goal.

Instead, I aim to be intentional about where our money goes. I’m happy to cut costs in areas that don’t matter as much to my family so we have more room for the priorities that do, whether that’s traveling together, buying approximately 47 more books than I need, giving generously to people and causes we care about, or simply making everyday life a little easier.

I want our money to do more than sit in a bank account while we wait for some future day when we’ve finally checked every financial goal off the list. Of course, I want to save for the future. But I want to enjoy our life now, too. And sometimes, the choice that costs more on paper is still the one that makes the most sense for our family.

That’s why I’ve gotten comfortable breaking a few traditional money rules.

Money rule #1: Never pay for convenience

I used to think paying for convenience was wasteful. Now? I’ll happily pay to have groceries show up at my front door on a busy workday. Those couple of hours I didn’t spend wandering around the grocery store, driving, and loading and unloading the car are hours I can spend working. Sometimes, I can earn more during that time than I spent on delivery.

That doesn’t make every convenience worth paying for. Some of them still offend me on principle. (Restaurant delivery fees that double my takeout costs and I cannot make peace!) But my time has value, too. If I can pay someone to make my day easier, bless another working person with a good tip, and free up time for something else on my never-ending to-do list? Sometimes that’s money well spent.

Money rule #2: Cut out the fun until you reach your financial goals

There will always be another financial goal. Another bill to pay, home repair to tackle, retirement account to fund, or responsible grown-up expense waiting for my money. If I waited until I checked every box before spending money on fun, I’d be waiting forever. So yes, I save, plan ahead, and pay attention to our spending. I also buy the iced coffee, buy entirely too many books, and take my family on trips.

I’ve heard financial advice that says if you’re trying to get out of debt, you shouldn’t even see the inside of a restaurant unless you’re working there. Respectfully, no sir. I’ve cut way back on dining out, and it’s a treat now instead of a habit. But I’m not putting fun on hold until I reach Financial Perfection®, and you don’t have to either. I want to prepare for my future without forgetting to enjoy my life now.

Money rule #3: Spending less means you’re better with money

I will absolutely chase down a wasted $9 charge while willingly paying hundreds of dollars in annual fees on some of my credit cards. That’s because I care deeply about whether I’m getting enough value for the money I spend.

Those travel rewards credit cards helped my family access well over $15,000 worth of travel this year, including nearly free flights, hotel stays, dining, baggage fees, room upgrades, and more. That $9 per month gave me nothing. I’ll spend more when the value makes sense, and I don’t care if it’s $9 or $900. What I don’t want to do is pay nine cents for something that isn’t earning its place in my budget.

Find your $9 and your $900

You don’t have to follow my money rules. But you should know what’s worth spending more on in your life and what isn’t worth nine cents.

• Look for your $9. Scan your credit card and bank statements to review the last few months of transactions. Find the charges that make you think, Why am I paying for this? Cancel, negotiate, downgrade, or ask for your money back.
• Find your $900. What costs more but genuinely improves your life, saves you time, helps someone else, or supports a goal you care about? That’s where spending more may make sense.
• Move the money. Don’t just celebrate saving $20 and let it disappear into checking-account oblivion. Give every dollar you earn a job that matters to you. Whether you move that extra $20 to debt payoff efforts or a fun money fund is up to you. Just make the choice on purpose.
• Check your own rules. If you’re spending out of habit, guilt, or because some money expert said you “should,” ask whether the rule actually fits your finances and priorities. It’s never too late to adjust. Your money rules can change when your life does.

Spend on purpose

I don’t save money because I think spending is bad. I save money on what I don’t care about so I have more money for what I do.

Being good with money isn’t about spending the least. It’s about knowing why you’re spending it.

And if your why includes an iced coffee now and then? Mine too. ☀️

The good stuff

I’m happy to spend more when the value makes sense, but that doesn’t mean I want to pay more than I have to. Here are two ways to stretch your money a little further this week.

🛍️ Shop the bills you already have

One of the ways I stretch our budget is by shopping around or negotiating bills we already pay, including internet, cell phone service, and car insurance. Recently, I cut our cell phone bill by $50/month—a $600 annual savings.

I usually handle this chore myself for our household, and while it can be rewarding, it’s also a bit time consuming. You can hire a service to negotiate on your behalf if you want to outsource the task, but expect to pay a fee or a percentage of the savings. Rocket Money and Billshark are two options to check out. Just compare the fees with your potential savings before signing up.

☕️ National Coffee Day is coming

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 29: National Coffee Day. Coffee shops around the country celebrate with freebies and discounts, so keep an eye out as we get closer. Dunkin’ is already offering a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase, and more offers should pop up as we get closer.

You can follow me on Instagram (@creditwriter) and TikTok (@credit.writer), where I share Bright Deal Alerts when I find freebies and deals worth knowing about. Because if I find a way to get the iced coffee for free, obviously I’m telling everybody.

Want MORE of The Good Stuff? Sunshine and Savings subscribers get extra money, credit, and travel tips delivered straight to their inbox, plus free access to my growing CreditWriter resource library.

Spread the sunshine

Know someone who could use something BRIGHT in their inbox? Send this issue their way. Maybe they love finding smart ways to save, don’t mind breaking a few traditional money rules, or they’re the person who texts you every time they find a great deal. If you think they’d feel at home here, spread the sunshine and invite them along. ☀️

P.S. A week is a long time to wait! Come hang out with me on Instagram (@creditwriter) and TikTok (@credit.writer) between issues.

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