How do business leaders, media moguls, and former Presidents of the United States get up on the right side of the bed each morning? It’s not by chance.
Successful people everywhere believe in the power of ritual, and there’s none more powerful than your daily rise and shine.
A morning routine can sharpen focus, build discipline, increase productivity, and help you get ahead financially. Here are 11 rituals of the rich that you can do too to help you jumpstart your daily activity and bank account balance.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Wake up without an alarm
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey skip the alarm clock, preferring to wake up naturally. The calm helps them make clear decisions and wake up refreshed.
Oprah’s pal Arianna Huffington is also a believer in nixing the alarm. “Just think about the definition of the word alarm," explains Huffington. "A sudden fear or distressing suspense caused by an awareness of danger."
So starting your day with a wave of adrenaline and stress hormones — where your body preps for danger — is not the most relaxing way to ease into the day or make smart financial decisions.
Have a morning ritual
Some people call it an atomic habit — the idea that small activities that we practice every day can lead to success.
Author James Clear, dancer Twyla Tharp, and Marie Kondo all believe in having a consistent morning routine. This routine can include getting out of bed and hitting the shower straight away or drinking orange juice while you watch cartoons with your son.
Tharp’s simple morning ritual is rising at the same time each day and then hailing a cab to go to the gym. Making it a routine makes it easy and repeatable and reduces the chance she would skip it. Daily completion creates accountability. It’s also one less thing to worry about — having to talk yourself into going to the gym — so you free up mental bandwidth for more creativity.
Don’t go straight for coffee
Brewing a pot or grabbing your morning fix seems like a logical thing to do, especially when we need to wake up. But going for plain water straightaway is a healthier choice. After waking up, our bodies are dehydrated after several hours without fluid. Our organs, tissues, and brains need to rehydrate for optimal function.
Actress Cameron Diaz swears by it; she starts each day by drinking a liter of water.
A large, cold glass can help your mind and body feel more energized and optimistic about the day ahead. And it’s easier to thwart bad decisions — like impulse spending — if you’re well-rested, hydrated, and focused.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Move your body
It’s not just for athletes and models. The world’s most successful people believe in kickstarting their day through physical activity.
Bill Gates multitasks by watching videos on the treadmill each morning. Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, starts her day by playing an hour of tennis. And President Barack Obama made lifting weights a part of his daily morning routine at the White House.
Exercise is good for the body and mind. It can manage stress, boost mood, and improve mental clarity and attention span. This makes it easier to meet financial goals like meal planning at home instead of overspending on food delivery.
Make your to-do list the night before
Sometimes, the most effective way to prepare for tomorrow is to plan your day the evening before. Barbara Corcoran and former American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault are known for this. Chennault ends his workday by writing down three goals for the next day. Cocoran makes tomorrow’s to-do list before leaving her office.
While you might not be closing multi-billionaire deals, you can plan ahead for success — especially when the simplest of decisions can throw us off track. If you don’t wake up and have to waste mental energy on figuring out what to wear or when to stop hitting snooze, you’ll be that much more productive.
Trending Stories
Journal your financial goals
Arianna Huffington, Warren Buffett, and Richard Branson are all big believers in journaling and the power of self-reflection. Studies suggest it can improve job performance and alleviate stress.
Journaling can also help you better manage your wallet. It can help you cope with money-related stress and make better financial choices amid uncertain times. While not a replacement for talking to a therapist or a financial coach, this approach can help you make more deliberate, mindful choices.
Avoid checking your phone
Arianna Huffington avoids her smartphone first thing in the morning, which could be a smart move for the rest of us. Skipping social and email can help you stay focused on more intentional tasks, like reviewing your budget and mentally going over your daily to-do list.
Clear your head
Many successful people begin their day with prayer or meditation. Arianna Huffington practices 20 to 30 minutes of mindfulness each morning before she looks at email or any screen devices. And Jack Dorsey, former Twitter CEO, takes 30 minutes to meditate each morning before beginning his six-mile run.
Mental visualization is a common habit for runners and business leaders alike. Try taking a few minutes each morning to visualize reaching your financial goals, like finally getting debt-free or hitting your target savings number. This can prime your brain to make better money choices.
Declutter your space
Marie Kondo, the Queen of Anti-Clutter, is known for helping others tidy their living spaces. She has a consistent morning ritual. She rises daily at 6 a.m., opens all the windows to let in fresh air, and then burns incense.
She strives to keep her home comfortable, organized, and filled with clean energy all day. A tidy house, she believes, sets you up for productivity and greater confidence.
Additionally, an organized home helps you see what you have so you don’t overbuy. (That’s how we wind up with 20 phone charger cords.) A decluttered home can bring visual and financial clarity.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Practice gratitude
Oprah Winfrey practices gratitude daily. After walking the dogs, she reads cards from her 365 Gathered Truths box while brewing her morning espresso. Reflecting on these inspirational quotes, says Oprah, is “a beautiful way to start the day.”
Acknowledging what you have leads to appreciation and more mindful spending and saving, which in turn leads to better financial health over time.
Stare death in the face
Steve Jobs began each morning by looking death square in the eye. He’d stare at his reflection in the mirror and ask, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today? If the answer is no for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
Asking yourself the same question daily may help you live life more intentionally — and frugally.
Bottom line
Successful people are intentional. The Oprah Winfreys and Jeff Bezoses of the world don’t leave productivity, gratitude, or building wealth up to chance. They’re purposeful, and that starts with deliberate, daily practices.
And since all these high-power morning rituals are free, there’s no reason not to try one. A cup of tap water from the sink each morning is free. It costs no money to unplug your alarm clock, turn off your phone, or meditate over your bowl of cornflakes. You can start living and spending more intentionally today.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.