We asked 13 industry experts to share an unconventional financial habit that has worked well for them. Here are the strategies they employ that challenge traditional budgeting and investment concepts.
- Practice Reverse Budgeting
- Create a Legal Foresight Budget
- Automatically Invest with a Mindset Shift
- Allocate Funds for Knowledge Equity
- Set Aside for Team Innovation
- Treat Savings as Subscription Service
- Implement a Rolling Runway
- Adopt Meal Prepping
- Establish a Fun Fund
- Batch Expenses Weekly
- Prepare for Surprise Investments
- Track Energy Spent Per Dollar
- Use Price Anchoring Journaling
13 Financial Habits that Work
Practice Reverse Budgeting
One unconventional financial habit that has worked well for me is practicing “reverse budgeting.” Instead of meticulously tracking every expense, I focus on setting aside a fixed percentage of my income for savings and investments at the start of each month, leaving the remainder for discretionary spending. This ensures I prioritize financial growth without micromanaging daily expenses.
I discovered this approach after feeling overwhelmed by traditional budgeting methods that required constant adjustments and detailed tracking. It was inspired by the “pay yourself first” principle, which emphasizes building wealth proactively.
The benefits have been transformative. It’s simplified my financial management, reduced stress, and ensured consistent progress toward long-term goals like building an investment portfolio. As a bonus, it’s cultivated mindfulness about spending since I know I’ve already prioritized savings and investments. This habit has allowed me to stay financially disciplined while enjoying the flexibility to adapt my lifestyle when needed.
Kalpi Prasad
Finance Partner, Renown Lending
Create a Legal Foresight Budget
One unconventional financial habit that has worked well for me is creating a “legal foresight” budget, even when there isn’t an immediate need for litigation or compliance review. I discovered this habit early in my career when I saw many businesses and individuals face avoidable legal crises because they didn’t plan for legal costs. By setting aside funds for proactive legal guidance—whether for employee handbooks, workplace investigations, or preventative audits—I’ve been able to save my firm and our clients from costly disputes down the line.
This habit has given me peace of mind and flexibility. It allows me to make decisions about expanding the firm, hiring staff, or taking on pro bono cases without fearing financial strain. For clients, it has reinforced my belief that legal preparedness is an investment, not an expense. The benefits extend beyond finances; it builds trust and confidence in our ability to serve effectively, knowing that unforeseen hurdles won’t derail us.
Ed Hones
Attorney at Law, Hones Law Employment Lawyers PLLC
Automatically Invest with a Mindset Shift
One unconventional financial habit that has worked well for me is automatically investing a portion of my income, but with a specific mindset shift. Rather than simply saving, I view this as automatically investing in assets with growth potential, effectively paying my future self first. This approach removes the need to actively think about saving each month, leveraging the power of inertia to consistently build wealth. I discovered this approach gradually through continuous learning and experimentation with various financial strategies. It was an evolution from basic budgeting to regular saving to exploring diverse investment options.
This method incorporates the principle of dollar-cost averaging, spreading out my investments over time and reducing the risk of investing a lump sum at a market peak. While this doesn’t guarantee the best returns, it offers a psychologically comfortable and safer approach to wealth building. The real benefit, however, extends beyond financial growth. It provides peace of mind, knowing that I am proactively securing my financial future. This sense of security empowers me to pursue opportunities and dreams I might not have otherwise considered, fostering a sense of freedom and control over my financial life.
JJ Maxwell
CEO, Double Finance
Allocate Funds for Knowledge Equity
One unconventional financial habit that has had a profound impact is allocating a fixed percentage of earnings toward what I call a “knowledge equity fund.” This fund is exclusively used for acquiring skills, whether through courses, mentorships, or even attending niche industry events. The idea came from realizing that financial investments grow over time, but the right knowledge can amplify that growth multifold.
For instance, a single leadership workshop once led to streamlining operations, saving both time and significant resources. The habit has reinforced the belief that investing in personal and professional growth consistently yields the highest returns.
Arvind Rongala
CEO, Edstellar
Set Aside for Team Innovation
Allocating a fixed percentage of revenue for team-driven innovation projects works wonders. Employees pitch ideas, approve projects, and get funding from this dedicated pool. It keeps the firm evolving while engaging the team creatively and productively. The habit strengthens morale while delivering measurable returns on small, consistent investments.
The innovation fund idea emerged from wanting to engage my team better creatively. Giving employees ownership of ideas transformed how we approached problem-solving across departments. Success stories from these projects reinforced the value of constant reinvestment in talent. It’s financially rewarding and fosters a collaborative, motivated workplace.
David E. Preszler
Partner, Preszler Injury Lawyers
Treat Savings as Subscription Service
I discovered that treating our savings like a monthly subscription service completely transformed our couple’s finances. Every month, my partner and I “subscribe” to our future by automatically transferring $200 each into a joint investment account, just like we pay for Netflix or Spotify. This gamified approach has not only helped us save over $10,000 in the past year but has also turned what used to be stressful money conversations into exciting monthly “unboxing” moments where we check our growing nest egg together.
Erika Palmer
Founder, Cupla
Implement a Rolling Runway
One unconventional financial habit that has worked well for me is the “rolling runway.” Each month, I skim a specific percentage of our recurring client retainers and transfer it into a separate account—no exceptions, no matter how small the percentage. Think of it like a mini emergency fund for the business that re-ups every time new invoices are paid. I stumbled upon this concept during a particularly rough quarter when a couple of big payments were delayed; it forced me to formalize a buffer system so we’d never be caught off guard again.
Since implementing the rolling runway, I’ve noticed some major benefits. First, it shields our core operations from sudden dips in cash flow—a late client payment doesn’t derail our entire month. Second, it provides peace of mind to the team; knowing there’s a financial cushion lets us focus on growth-oriented work rather than scrambling to patch budget holes. This savings trickle has allowed us to seize unexpected opportunities—like investing in a new software suite or collaborating with a niche influencer—without jeopardizing daily operations.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Adopt Meal Prepping
Meal prepping has been an unconventional financial habit that’s worked wonders for me. I stumbled upon it when I noticed how much I was spending on last-minute food purchases.
The basic idea is simple: plan and prepare meals for the week ahead, storing them in the fridge or freezer. This not only cuts down on impulsive food purchases but also ensures I get healthier meals without breaking the bank. It’s fascinating how something as straightforward as meal prepping can keep your diet in check while significantly trimming your grocery bills. Plus, having a batch of meals ready saves time and stress during busy work weeks.
As a tip, consider starting with easy, versatile ingredients like rice or pasta, adding different proteins and veggies to keep things interesting.
Shannon Smith O’Connell
Operations Director (Sales & Team Development), Reclaim247
Establish a Fun Fund
An unconventional financial habit that has worked well for me is setting aside a “fun fund” within my budget, explicitly designated for guilt-free purchases of things I enjoy. I learned this after I worked with a client who found it challenging to stick to a very tight budget, hence experiencing financial burnout. I then realized the need for balancing and thus began saving a small percentage of my earnings that is constant as discretionary spending. This practice motivated me to maintain my overall financial plan and check rash spending behaviors because at least I knew how much I could spend without any monthly restrictions.
The significant value here is psychological, bringing together discipline and pleasure about money. For instance, 5-10% of your monthly earnings can be allocated to this particular reserve, which would be recommended for readers. Assess its effect on your expenditure pattern and make any necessary adjustments accordingly. The point here is to allow financial planning sustainability while still accommodating life’s pleasures.
Adam Garcia
Certified Financial Planner (Cfp) and Founder, The Stock Dork
Batch Expenses Weekly
One of the more unconventional financial habits that has worked wonders for me is what I call “expense batching”: instead of reviewing expenses on a monthly basis, I chunk them into weekly “batches” and analyze where my money is going in real time.
This was something that I discovered whenever I tried to reconcile one month’s expenditure all in a single go, which, apparently, put me always behind the eight-ball with money. Breaking it down into the week’s reviews brought the patterns clearly in sight. Overspending on restaurants or subscriptions to services which I hadn’t used yet immediately presented themselves for my course correction in behavior.
The benefits have been huge. I have saved more by catching small leaks in my budget early, and I developed a better sense of control and clarity over my spending. It’s also made me more mindful: seeing the weekly snapshot keeps me more disciplined without feeling that budgeting is a chore.
Not very well-known, it’s not a system, but for those people who find it daunting to keep track every month, this could be a real advantage.
Reilly James Renwick
Chief Marketing Officer, Pragmatic Mortgage Lending
Prepare for Surprise Investments
Setting aside “surprise investment” funds for unexpected opportunities has been game-changing. These funds allow me to capitalize on sudden ventures or time-sensitive deals confidently. It’s not about saving passively but preparing actively for strategic growth. This approach ensures I stay financially agile and seize unplanned opportunities quickly.
The idea for “surprise investments” came from missing a lucrative opportunity earlier. I realized waiting for cash flow alignment often meant losing exceptional chances entirely. Creating a ready fund ensured I never hesitated when opportunity struck again. It’s led to strong partnerships and ventures that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
Jason B. Javaheri
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, J&Y Law
Track Energy Spent Per Dollar
I started a habit of tracking “energy spent per dollar earned” instead of just focusing on income or savings. This means evaluating whether my financial decisions—whether it’s taking on a project or investing in personal development-truly align with my long-term goals and values.
This unconventional metric came from experiencing burnout early in my career. By focusing on alignment rather than just monetary returns, I’ve been able to make more meaningful financial choices that balance profitability and well-being. This habit has improved my financial and personal satisfaction, ensuring that every dollar reflects intentional living.
Jehann Biggs
President & Owner, In2Green
Use Price Anchoring Journaling
Price anchoring journaling is another less conventional financial habit, which has actually changed my perception of money; it involves writing down not just what I am spending but how much I would have expected the thing to cost before I read the actual price.
This is surprisingly simple: before any purchase, immediately note what your gut-feel price expectation is and then the real price. Over time, patterns begin to emerge showing where your price assumptions are stuck in the past.
The real benefit is not just saving money but reducing decision fatigue. Having a clear record of your price expectations versus reality means spending less mental energy debating whether something is “worth it.” It’s like having a personal financial advisor who understands your exact spending psychology, helping you make more conscious choices without feeling constrained by traditional budgeting rules.
Taryn Pumphrey
President, Ledger Lift
