Best and Worst Money Advice RANKED for 2025

money advice

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TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read)

Don’t Trust The Trash

You ever scroll through the internet and feel like everyone and their grandma has advice on how to get rich?

Some of it’s gold.

Some of it’s trash.

But here’s the thing... I’ve been through every stage of the money game, from broke as hell to running multi-8-figure businesses. So, I’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t.

This article?

It’s not just theory.

I’m ranking the most common money advice out there:

  • Balling out of control (Top-tier advice you NEED to follow).

  • Baller (Solid advice that’ll put you ahead).

  • Great (Moves the needle).

  • Decent (Ok, but not life-changing).

  • Trash (Advice that’ll keep you broke).

Let’s dive into the best and worst money advice for 2025, and where they land on the tier list.

Investing In Yourself (Baller)

The best investment you’ll ever make isn’t in the stock market, crypto, or even real estate.

It’s in you.

Most people ignore this, chasing shiny objects and quick wins. But here’s the thing—if you don’t have the skills, the knowledge, or the mindset, no amount of money will save you.

My mantra is simple: Skills = Leverage.

When you have leverage, you can work smarter, not harder. You can create systems, scale businesses, and make more money in less time.

brandon carter

Image Courtesy of Big Money Methods

Think about this:

  • A new skill can take you from a $50K job to a $150K career.

  • Learning sales can turn a struggling business into a six-figure powerhouse.

  • Understanding financial literacy can help you multiply your earnings while cutting down on waste.

My journey started with relentless self-investment—courses, books, mentors, and trial by fire. That’s how he built his empire.

And it’s why I constantly push people to invest in themselves.

Here’s the best part: once you learn how to make money with your mind, no one can take that from you.

Forget clipping coupons or skipping lattes. That’s penny-pinching, not wealth-building. Instead, focus on leveling up your skills.

Because the more you grow, the more you earn.

Keeping Expenses Low (Baller)

Keeping expenses low isn’t flashy, but it’s baller advice.

Let me break it down...

Most people think living below your means is about cutting coupons or skipping Starbucks. That’s not what I’m talking about. This is about controlling lifestyle inflation.

Here’s the trap: You start making a little money, and suddenly, you’re upgrading your car, your house, and your wardrobe.

Now your monthly bills have you locked in, whether your income stays up or not.

But the way to get ahead isn’t spending like you’re rich. It’s living like you’re broke while stacking cash and investing the difference.

brandon carter

Image Courtesy of Big Money Methods

Back in the day, I was making millions, but you wouldn’t know it from the Nike joggers and Jordans I was rocking.

Why? Because every extra dollar was either going into my business or into investments.

Let me hit you with some numbers:

  • If you save $2,000 a month and invest it at an average return of 10% (like in the S&P 500), you’ll have over $1.3 million in 20 years.

  • But if your expenses are eating up that same $2,000? That’s $1.3 million you’ll never see.

It’s not about depriving yourself forever. It’s about being strategic. I’m not telling you to avoid nice things.

Buy the watch, take the trip, but do it when you can afford it without denting your cash flow.

This advice is baller because it sets you up for longevity. If you’re disciplined now, you’ll have the freedom to live big later.

Using Debt Strategically (Balling Out Of Control)

A lot of people hear the word “debt” and panic.

They think debt equals broke... but that’s not the full story. It’s not the debt itself, it’s how you use it.

There’s bad debt, like racking up credit card balances on things that don’t make you money. And then there’s good debt, the kind that works for you, not against you.

Let me explain.

When I run ads for my businesses, I don’t spend my own cash. I put it on my Amex.

I know every dollar I spend on ads brings back $2–$3 in revenue. I use their money to make my money, and the ads pay the card off.

That’s leveraging debt.

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Here’s another example: real estate. When I buy property, I don’t pay for it outright. I take out a mortgage or use seller financing, which is still debt. But that debt allows me to own an appreciating asset that pays for itself through rent or resale profits.

Even buying stocks on margin can be strategic if you know what you’re doing.

The point is, debt isn’t the enemy, it’s a tool. If you understand how to turn money into more money, debt can supercharge your results.

But here’s the catch: If you don’t know how to make money with money, stick to avoiding debt. It’s not for beginners.

That’s why I always tell my students, “Don’t start spending on ads until you’re making at least $10K a month organically.”

If you’re going to use debt, you need a plan, a skill set, and discipline. When done right, it’s one of the fastest ways to level up.

Focusing on Net Worth (Trash)

Here’s a piece of advice that sounds smart but is actually trash: Focus on growing your net worth.

Let me break it down.

Net worth is the total value of your assets minus your liabilities.

Sounds good on paper…but here’s the issue, it doesn’t mean cash flow.

You could have a $1M home, a $200K car, and a closet full of Gucci.

But if you’re not bringing in enough cash to cover your monthly bills, you’re broke with nice stuff.

Net worth doesn’t pay for groceries, rent, or investments.

It’s a vanity metric, a number that makes you feel rich without actually being rich.

Take your house, for example. Yeah, it’s an asset, but it doesn’t put cash in your pocket every month.

It actually takes money out, property taxes, maintenance, insurance.

Same goes for that car. It’s on your net worth sheet, but it’s a liability in reality.

Instead of obsessing over net worth, focus on cash flow.

Cash flow is king. It’s what lets you invest, grow your business, and live life without financial stress.

This obsession with net worth is why so many people feel trapped. They’ve got the numbers but none of the freedom.

Don’t fall for this trap. Cash flow > net worth. Every time.

Building Multiple Income Streams At Once (Decent)

You’ve probably heard this one before: Millionaires have at least seven streams of income.

So naturally, people think the secret to wealth is starting 10 side hustles at once.

Wrong.

The truth? Most millionaires built their wealth with one primary income stream before diversifying.

They mastered one thing, scaled it, and only then did they start branching out.

Trying to build multiple streams too early is like lying on a bed of nails.

The energy is so dispersed that nothing gets done. But when you focus on one needle, it penetrates.

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When I started, I went all-in on my online fitness business. That’s where my focus and energy went. Only after I hit consistent success did I start expanding into other ventures.

If you’re chasing 10 different streams before mastering one, you’re not building wealth, you’re spinning your wheels.

Here’s the move: Pick one thing. Focus. Master it. Then use the profits to create more streams.

Automating Your Savings (Trash)

This one’s controversial, but hear me out.

Automating your savings, setting up a system to automatically pull money into a savings account, sounds great.

For the average person, it’s decent advice. It’s better than spending every dollar.

But if you’re trying to build wealth? It’s highly limiting.

Here’s why: Automation takes away your control. You’re on autopilot, saving the same amount regardless of how much you’re making or what opportunities come up.

As an entrepreneur, my income fluctuates.

Image Courtesy of Big Money Methods

Some months are huge, others are lean. Saving 10% automatically doesn’t make sense when I could be saving 50% in a big month or reinvesting in my business for a higher return.

Automation is for people who want to “set it and forget it.” But building wealth requires intentionality. You have to be active in how you allocate your money.

Instead of automating savings, track your income and expenses manually. This gives you flexibility to adapt and optimize.

Wealth building isn’t passive, it’s about staying in control and making deliberate moves.

The BMM Takeaway

Also, remember this: wealth isn’t just about stacking cash, it’s about creating freedom.

Freedom to make decisions without fear, freedom to invest in what you believe in, and freedom to live life on your own terms.

The key? Stay intentional.

Whether it’s how you use debt, where you invest your time, or the advice you choose to follow, every decision shapes your financial future.

Wealth isn’t built in a day, but every day is a chance to build it.

Keep the focus sharp, the hustle strong, and the moves deliberate. You’re either stacking assets or stacking regrets. The choice is yours.