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9 Money Rules You MUST Follow to Become (Filthy) Rich

Building wealth through property investment doesn’t require luck. It requires the right rules. These 9 money principles will help you avoid mistakes, leverage smart strategies, and create financial freedom through property.

Written by
Ravi Sharma
Published on
September 26, 2025
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When you think about building wealth through investing in property, it can be overwhelming, especially if you are starting from scratch. You might be unsure how to begin, what steps to take, and what to do to ensure you are on the right track. 

If you aim to rise beyond the average, not just in wealth, but in life, you will need to follow a different set of rules. If you ignore them, you will risk retiring at 70, leaving you with no choice but to keep working.

The truth is, you don’t need prior experience to set yourself up for success in property investing. With the right approach, you’ll avoid costly mistakes and build the confidence to take action on your investment property journey. If you live by these nine money rules, you give yourself the chance to live life on your terms.

Rule 1: Buying Your First Home to Live In Is the Biggest Mistake

At some point, you would have been told that the smartest move is to buy your first home with government grants and incentives. On the surface, that sounds like an easy way to get into the property market. In reality, it will only lock you into a mortgage prison. 

Instead of chasing grants, you need to focus on strategies that will give you freedom and financial growth; a powerful option is rentvesting. 

Rentvesting Explained

Rentvesting means renting in a location where you want to live, while investing in areas where the numbers actually work. With this, you will enjoy the lifestyle you want while your money is working harder through properties selected for growth and yield, not emotion. 

This strategy will allow you to combine lifestyle flexibility with wealth-building discipline.

Rule 2: Leverage Is a Weapon

Learning to leverage correctly will accelerate your path to financial freedom. By having $1 million in capital, you could buy one property outright or spread 10% deposits across 10 properties in high-growth areas

Leverage is also the reason why wealthy people don’t fear debt. It is a tool that when used wisely, will multiply your opportunities and speed up your progress. Although if you misuse it, the results could be destructive. 

The key? Separate good debt that will grow your assets from bad debt, which drains your income, keeping you stuck.

Rule 3: Cash Flow Is King, but Equity Buys Freedom

Cash flow keeps you in the game, but equity is what gets you out of it. Positive rental income will help you cover expenses and reduce the stress of holding properties. If you stop at cash flow, you’ll limit your potential. 

When you focus on creating equity, you give yourself more options. Equity allows you to borrow against your existing assets, unlock more capital, and grow your portfolio further. 

This is how you move from owning one or two properties to building a portfolio that creates financial freedom. 

Rule 4: The Government Will Not Save You

Policies, taxes, and the system itself will keep changing. They are not built to secure your future. If you rely on the government handouts or wait for external support, you will end up disappointed. 

You need to take accountability for your own financial journey. Even if you start small, you will begin to create momentum. Those small, consistent steps compound over time and put you on the path to financial freedom.

The key: Stop waiting for someone else to solve your problems. Don’t rely on the system, because it was never designed to make you wealthy. Take action, and give yourself the chance to build lasting security and financial independence.

Rule 5: You Need a Team of Experts, Not Your Family’s Advice

When you listen to the wrong people, you will end up making wrong decisions. That’s why you need a team of experts on your side.

Accountants, brokers, and advisers may cost money, but they help you make smarter moves and avoid costly mistakes. Think of them as employees in your financial journey whose expertise will accelerate your progress.

With expert guidance, you replace uncertainty with informed strategy, increasing your chances of long-term financial  success.

Rule 6: You’ll Never Get Rich Playing Safe

If you sit on the sidelines waiting for the perfect time, the market will keep moving without you. While you wait, you lose valuable time that could have been spent building wealth. 

Wealth always involves risk, but the key is to take calculated risks, backed by research, strategy, and a long-term outlook. When you commit to the game instead of waiting for perfect conditions, you give yourself the chance to benefit from growth and compounding over time.

Rule 7: Real Freedom Is Built in the Boring Years

The boring years are where true financial freedom is created. These are the years when you quietly hold assets, stay consistent, and allow compounding to do the heavy lifting. It may not feel exciting day to day, but this discipline is what separates those who build wealth from those who do not.

Quick wins and shortcuts can be tempting, but they rarely create lasting results. 

Lasting wealth comes from patience and consistency. By committing to the process and letting time work in your favour, you give yourself the chance to build financial freedom that lasts a lifetime.

Rule 8: You Need a P&L, Not Just a Budget

"Profit and loss report with calculator and financial graphs showing business figures."

A budget helps you keep track of spending, but if you want to operate at a higher level, you need to treat your life like a business. That means going beyond a simple budget and creating a profit and loss statement (P&L).

A P&L gives you a clear view of your income, expenses, and investments. With that level of clarity, you can make sharper decisions about where your money goes and how to grow it. When you run your personal finances like a business, you put yourself in control and create the foundation to scale your financial future.

Rule 9: Grow Your Portfolio First, Then Enjoy the Lifestyle

Your portfolio is the engine that creates freedom and lifestyle, but only if you prioritise growth first. If you chase short-term gratification now, you sacrifice long-term wealth. If you focus on building your portfolio before lifestyle upgrades, you set yourself up for lasting success.

When you grow your portfolio first, you create the financial base that allows you to enjoy both freedom and lifestyle later. This way, you don’t just live well for a few years, you give yourself the ability to enjoy security, choice, and lifestyle for the rest of your life.

Kickstart Your Wealth Journey!

When you follow these rules, you will avoid mediocrity and put yourself on the path to financial freedom. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, don’t rely on anyone else, and don’t ignore the boring years.

If you’re ready to put these rules into action and start building a portfolio that works for you, book a FREE discovery call with Search Property

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