Money hasn’t changed — we all need it, we all want it, and it takes up plenty of headspace. But the rules around money? Those have definitely changed over time.
The old “rules of thumb” don’t always fit today’s reality, and it’s time to update the playbook. Here are a few ways we’re helping clients at Aptus rethink the rules:
“You can afford to spend 28% of your gross monthly pay on housing expenses.”
Nope.
For young families and mid-career professionals, housing is the hot topic. With high rates, surging prices, and wages that haven’t kept up, buying your first home feels tougher than ever.
While banks still lend at 28–36% of your income, we recommend keeping housing costs around 14% of your gross monthly pay — including your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees. That helps you stay comfortable while saving and living your life.
Cash flow matters. At Aptus, we always talk in terms of cash flow. It’s easy to focus on the total home price as your “housing budget”, but with changing student loan repayment structures (looking at you, Income-Driven Repayment Plans), it’s crucial to focus on the actual monthly payment and how it fits into your annual plan year over year as other payments change with changes in income and family size.
And yes, the 20% down payment is still a great goal — but not a must. Many professionals, especially physicians, have access to special loan programs that reduce or remove down payment requirements. The key today is flexibility: build savings strategically so you’re ready when rates move or the right home appears.
“Cash Is Trash”
Nope. Cash is KING.
When markets are hot, holding cash feels boring. But when life happens, a 3–6 month emergency fund can save the day.
Cash buys you breathing room — and once that’s in place, you can focus on higher-growth moves like funding retirement accounts or investing through a brokerage account. Think of it as building financial stability before building wealth.
We have witnessed physicians lose steam in the grind of their day-to-day or have periods where they want more time with kids or jobs that fit their calling, even if they pay less. A pile of cash waiting in the wings can be the winning vote in taking that leap of faith.
“Always finance your cars.”
Nope. Save ahead.
Transportation costs sneak up fast. The average new car payment is around $750/month, and when you add gas and insurance, it’s closer to $1,000.
If you’re not saving for your next car now, you’ll likely end up on the endless loan/lease cycle. We always build future car replacements into clients’ five-year plans — because those big, “surprise” expenses can sink a good budget if you’re not ready.
We find that our clients might want a nicer car on the front end, but once they start saving the amount necessary to buy a car like that, they get to test out if it’s really what they want, after all. Saving ahead is a great tool for clarifying your actual interest in that car.
“Use credit card rewards and points to get your next vacation for free.”
Nope. Trust us, you will end up far better off just saving and paying for that vacation.
Credit card points can be fun, but they’re not a wealth strategy. Points lose value over time, and juggling multiple cards often leads to overspending or missed payments.
Think about it. Spending in the pursuit of saving just doesn’t add up.
In fact, we find that a focus on points distracts from the work that building wealth takes—saving, budgeting, and general control around spending.
The real key to building wealth isn’t hacking credit cards — it’s maintaining a strong, consistent savings rate over time.
“Your singular financial goal is an 800 FICO score.”
Nope. Your savings rate is the most important financial goal.
Everyone knows their credit score. Almost no one knows their savings rate.
A strong credit score matters for borrowing — but your savings rate is what drives long-term financial success. It’s time to track that number as closely as you do your credit score.
“Kids and Pets are such joy—the finances will work themselves out.”
Nope.
Pets
Pets are family — and they’re expensive. It’s not uncommon for clients to spend upwards of $500/month on pet care. Plan for it so it doesn’t sneak up on you.
Childcare
As more people relocate for work, traditional support systems disappear. That means higher childcare costs, both during the workday and on nights or weekends. Make sure your budget reflects that reality. Some of the biggest pitfalls we see are buying the big house and cars and then having kids and not having the financial room to budget for these expenses. These are the tough conversations we help our clients avoid with a little upfront strategic planning.
“I just don’t want to handle money stuff.”
Nope. You’ve got this.
A dermatologist would not agree to show up and put sunscreen on their patients every morning. A dentist won’t come floss for you. And a cardiologist isn’t going to sit down at the dinner table and measure how much you salt your food. Saving and investing are the sunscreen, flossing, diet and exercise of financial health. It’s very difficult to outsource these habits, and we loathe the fact that the financial industry has led people to believe that they can be outsourced.
Most people can move money between bank accounts in seconds — but feel nervous about their investment accounts. It’s time to change that.
Investing shouldn’t feel intimidating. You don’t have to trade often (in fact, you shouldn’t), but understanding how your money works and getting a plan to save and invest those savings are basic building blocks of wealth.
The Bottom Line
The financial rules, both explicit and implied, that we grew up with don’t always fit today’s world. Whether it’s rethinking how much house you can afford, balancing cash and investments, or learning to manage your accounts with confidence — the modern money game requires modern rules.
At Aptus, we help you play smarter, figure out which rules matter for your specific financial situation, and adjust your money habits for a modern era.