Rachel Jo Silver didn’t hire a videographer at her own wedding in 2013. But shortly after tying the knot, she started noticing that her friends’ wedding videos—with on-point cinematography, music, and editing—were nearly full-fledged films.
Inspired by what she saw, Silver left her social media job to become the founder and CEO of Love Stories TV, a website where viewers can watch real couples’ wedding videos. She also hosts a podcast about social media marketing called Since You Asked.
As someone with her own businesses, here’s what Silver has learned about money through the years:
What do you spend too much money on?
“Lunch! I never prepare lunch at home. Logistically, it’s just another thing to remember and carry around with me. I’m always running to a spot near the office for lunch. It is very healthy and delicious. And because it’s very healthy, it’s more expensive. My health is my number one priority, so it’s worth it. But I could save money by cooking at home!”
What do you spend too little on?
“Over the past few years I’ve dramatically cut my spending on clothes. I subscribe to Rent the Runway, a designer clothing rental program, and it’s amazing how much money I save. But sometimes, in between shipments, I realize I haven’t shopped in years and have to get really creative with my outfits.”
What’s your biggest money regret?
“I’m sure everyone says this, but I should have started saving earlier. My first few years in New York City, I could have done better. I always had an IRA and a 401(k), but I only saved what I now consider the bare minimum. The earlier you start saving, the more time your money has to grow.”
What money moves do you feel most proud of?
“My saving habits now. As you get older you realize small changes can make a big difference. The biggest thing is that my lifestyle has changed. When I was young in New York City, I went out with my friends every night. And that meant going to bars and taking cabs every single night. Today, I rarely eat out for dinner during the week. And if I do, it’s work-related. I didn’t make these changes in order to save money, they just happened naturally as my interests changed.”
Maridel Reyes is a journalist based in New York. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, the New York Post, USA Today and the Boston Globe.