Hi there. If we haven’t met yet, welcome to Making Paper Moves. I’m the guy next door who figured out how to take control of my finances and change my life. I didn’t win the lottery or cash out from some Silicon Valley tech deal. Nope, I did it while working a regular 9-to-5 with my spouse and living the typical middle-class American life. But instead of following the script most of us are handed — you know, work until you’re 65, barely scrape by on retirement savings, and hope for the best — I found another way. And guess what? You can too.
Making Paper Moves is all about showing regular people how to make smart financial decisions that can lead to financial freedom sooner than you’d expect. If you’re new here, you’re probably wondering:
“How can this blog help me get rich? And can it work for me, starting right now?”
Great questions. Let’s get into it.
For the last decade, I’ve been preaching a different kind of financial advice — the type that gets people talking because it’s the opposite of what we’re told in magazines or by the financial “gurus” on TV. According to the mainstream, life is tough and expensive, and the best you can do is grind away at your job, clip a few coupons, throw whatever’s left of your paycheck into a 401(k), and pray nothing major goes wrong during your 40+ year career.
That plan? It’s broken. Here’s why: most middle-class lives are riddled with unnecessary expenses. It’s a financial sinkhole, and most people don’t even realize they’re sinking. But if you can spot the waste and cut it out, you can start saving half of your income — or more. Sound impossible? It’s not. The readers of this blog are living proof.
What happens when you start saving more than you spend?
Here’s the surprising truth: The only way to get rich is to spend less than you earn. No tricks, no magic. Just math.
Let’s say you start saving 50% of your income. If you’re 25, you could be financially independent by 40. Already have some savings? You’re even closer than you think. Save 75%, and your working career could be as short as 7 years.
I’m living proof. My partner and I saved about 65% of our income for a decade while working regular jobs. We weren’t making six figures or winning awards for frugality — we just made smart choices. In under 10 years, we realized we had enough to quit the 9-to-5 grind. Now, we’re living life on our terms, and we’ve got kids, a house, and plenty of time for things that really matter.
So, how do you save that much?
The bottom line is simple: focus on happiness and what truly adds value to your life. The mistake most of us make is chasing convenience, luxury, and status — things that don’t actually bring lasting happiness. You don’t need a brand-new car, the latest iPhone, or fancy vacations to feel good about your life. Those are just traps designed to keep you working longer and spending more.
If you can recognize that and focus on the things that truly make you happy — like your relationships, health, and passions — you’ll find it’s easy to cut back on all the other noise. You’ll be saving money without even feeling deprived.
Still not convinced? Fine, let’s get practical.
Here’s how you can immediately cut your expenses in half:
Start by tackling debt. Pay off those high-interest credit cards ASAP.
Live close to work. A shorter commute saves money and stress.
Skip the car loans. Buy used, reliable cars, and avoid trading up.
Ditch the cable. Most of what you watch is online anyway.
Stop wasting food. Meal planning and grocery lists are your friends.
Teach your kids the value of money. They don’t need every gadget or brand.
Cancel overpriced phone plans. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives.
Get moving. Walk or bike places when you can. It’s good for your wallet and your health.
That’s just the start. Keep cutting unnecessary costs, and you could easily be saving 50-75% of your income. Sound extreme? It’s really not — it’s just about making smarter choices.
What do you do with all that money you’re saving?
You invest it. Put it into stock index funds, pay off your house, or consider investing in rental properties if real estate interests you. You don’t need to be an expert to get started — you just need to begin.
Here’s the simple formula: if you can save up 25 times your annual expenses, you’ve got enough to live off — forever. That’s financial independence. But don’t get bogged down in the numbers just yet. Focus on saving and shifting your mindset, and you’ll see your lifestyle and financial situation improve dramatically.
1. Earn: Build Your Income, Not Just Your Paycheck
- Maximize Earnings: Aim to increase your income with strategic moves, whether it’s asking for a raise, upskilling, or exploring side gigs.
- Diversify Income Streams: Look for ways to add passive income sources that grow without demanding constant effort, like online businesses or investment income.
- Mindset Shift: Remember, each dollar earned is a step toward your freedom — don’t just work for a paycheck; work for a purpose.
2. Save: Spend Less, Keep More
- Cut the Clutter: Identify wasteful expenses and redirect that money toward savings. Ditch unnecessary subscriptions, avoid luxury upgrades, and keep lifestyle inflation in check.
- Live Simply, Save Wisely: Choose quality over quantity, focus on what brings joy, and ignore the rest. Little changes, like meal planning or downsizing transportation costs, can double your savings rate.
- Prioritize Happiness: The biggest gains come from valuing experiences and relationships over material purchases. You’ll save more by focusing on what truly makes life meaningful.
3. Invest: Make Your Money Work for You
- Start Small, Stay Consistent: Begin with simple investments like index funds and consistently add to them over time. You don’t need a financial background — just get started.
- Multiply Wealth Over Time: Investments grow when given time. By investing early and regularly, your money can compound and generate passive income to support you long-term.
- Consider Diversifying: If it aligns with your goals, explore real estate or other assets to balance your portfolio. The goal is to build multiple streams that grow with minimal maintenance.
4. Borrow: Use Debt Strategically
Stay Debt-Savvy: Keep credit card use minimal and aim to pay the full balance each month. Debt-free living unlocks the freedom to allocate funds toward what really matters.
Pay Off High-Interest Debt First: Clear any high-interest debt (like credit cards) as soon as possible. These debts drain resources, limiting what you can save or invest.
Borrow with Purpose: Not all debt is bad. Borrowing for investments like real estate can be beneficial, but avoid debt for depreciating items like cars.
This blog isn’t just about how to manage your money; it’s about how to transform your life. Your attitude towards money, success, and happiness plays a much bigger role in your wealth than you think.
So welcome! I’m glad you’re here. Whether you’re a long-time reader or just stumbled upon Making Paper Moves, let’s take the journey to financial freedom together. Ready to get started?