{"id":722,"date":"2026-08-01T15:18:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T15:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/2026\/08\/01\/financial-expert-explains-why-she-chooses-to-rent-instead-of-buy-despite-being-a-millionaire-exclusive\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T15:18:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T15:18:20","slug":"financial-expert-explains-why-she-chooses-to-rent-instead-of-buy-despite-being-a-millionaire-exclusive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/2026\/08\/01\/financial-expert-explains-why-she-chooses-to-rent-instead-of-buy-despite-being-a-millionaire-exclusive\/","title":{"rendered":"Financial Expert Explains Why She Chooses to Rent Instead of Buy Despite Being a Millionaire (Exclusive)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cBuying a home to prove something to your group chat is one of the most expensive forms of validation money can buy,\u201d Haley Sacks tells PEOPLE<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/people.com\/thmb\/kQQhWH2EumZFrXIFBJAM2RdeTkg=\/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)\/haley-mrs-dow-jones-3-073026-9be5428baaed4e95afb2f9e6132c78fe.jpg\" alt=\"Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.Credit: Daniel Randall\" title=\"Haley Sacks, Mrs. Dow Jones\" \/><figcaption><i>Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.<br \/>Credit: Daniel Randall<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>NEED TO KNOW<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p>Millionaire Haley Sacks recently spoke to PEOPLE about why she still chooses to rent instead of buy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>The finance expert who goes by Mrs. Dow Jones online says the decision comes down to comparing the true cost of homeownership with the benefits of investing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>For her, it\u2019s about following the numbers \u2014 not traditional expectations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Haley Sacks, a financial expert better known online as <a class=\"null\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mrsdowjones\/\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"null\">Mrs. Dow Jones<\/a>, has people rethinking one of the biggest assumptions about building wealth after revealing that, despite being a millionaire, she still chooses to rent.<\/p>\n<p>In a recent social media post, the 35-year-old explained that when her HVAC or dryer breaks, she simply calls her landlord instead of footing costly repair bills. She also highlighted that the money she would have spent on a down payment is working for her in the market \u2014 all while she enjoys a Brooklyn Bridge view from her apartment.<\/p>\n<p>Her post, however, left many followers wondering <em>when<\/em> buying actually makes more financial sense than renting, so Sacks sat down exclusively with PEOPLE to explain why, in her view, the answer isn\u2019t as simple as people think. \u201cSometimes buying wins. Sometimes renting wins. The mistake is deciding the winner before you\u2019ve done the math,\u201d she emphasizes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, Sacks has built a following by making investing and personal finance feel approachable through humor and practical advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As host of the <a class=\"null\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrsdowjones.com\/podcast\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow\"><em>Financial Tea<\/em><\/a><a class=\"null\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrsdowjones.com\/podcast\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow\"> podcast<\/a> and the <em>New York Times<\/em> bestselling author of <a class=\"null\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mrsdowjones.com\/book\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"3\" rel=\"nofollow\"><em>Future Rich Person<\/em><\/a>, she has become known for challenging long-held money assumptions such as the idea that renting is a waste of money.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf renting is \u2018throwing money away,\u2019 then so is literally everything you spend money on and don\u2019t get to keep forever \u2014 food, gas, your gym membership,\u201d Sacks says. \u201cRenting buys you shelter and flexibility. Owning buys you shelter and a mortgage. Neither is \u2018free.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for <\/strong><a class=\"null\" href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" data-type=\"\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>PEOPLE\u2019s free daily newsletter<\/strong><\/a><strong> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/people.com\/thmb\/0whwq87H2PEEoYLJdMbNR8x2usc=\/fit-in\/1280x960\/mrs-dow-jones-073126-6-b0fe9d4544204df0b4f03c468fb5b354.jpg\" alt=\"Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.Credit: Daniel Randall\" title=\"HALEY SACKS (MRS. DOW JONES)\" \/><figcaption><i>Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.<br \/>Credit: Daniel Randall<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For Sacks, one of the biggest mistakes people make is comparing monthly rent to a mortgage payment without considering everything else that comes with owning a home. She argues that the financial picture is much broader than the price listed on a real estate website.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA house isn\u2019t just the purchase price,\u201d Sacks says. \u201cIt\u2019s property taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, closing costs and the opportunity cost of tying up hundreds of thousands of dollars in one asset.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sacks\u2019 now-viral post illustrates her philosophy with everyday examples. For instance, when her air conditioning stopped working, the $15,000 expense wasn\u2019t hers to absorb. The same applied when her dryer broke, and it became a replacement appliance rather than an unexpected financial setback.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRenting caps my downside. I know my number every month, and if something breaks, it\u2019s not my bill and not my problem,\u201d she shares. \u201cPredictable costs plus liquid, compounding capital\u2026 that combo won for me. Not forever. Just right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/people.com\/thmb\/PPz1ypvKw35P2XfD_1ua20zAHqc=\/fit-in\/1280x960\/mrs-dow-jones-073126-7-401cdd74bec444e59f62fe9f04aeccba.jpg\" alt=\"Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.Credit: Courtesy of Celeste Sloman\" title=\"HALEY SACKS (MRS. DOW JONES)\" \/><figcaption><i>Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.<br \/>Credit: Courtesy of Celeste Sloman<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That broader perspective, she says, changes the conversation entirely because it forces people to consider not only what they\u2019re spending, but also what they could potentially earn by putting their money elsewhere instead of locking it into real estate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut most people never consider that comparison,\u201d Sacks reveals. \u201cThey assume buying automatically builds wealth, when, in reality, your investments can absolutely outperform your home, especially if you\u2019re consistently investing the money you didn\u2019t sink into a down payment and ongoing ownership costs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rather than relying on the conventional wisdom that buying is always the financially responsible choice, Sacks says she approached her decision by crunching the numbers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI did the math instead of trusting the folklore, babe,\u201d she tells PEOPLE. \u201cA 20% down payment in NYC is easily six figures. Invest that instead.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/people.com\/thmb\/bhg7X55reMzc1RFFB4MnFrnPpLs=\/fit-in\/1280x960\/mrs-dow-jones-073126-2-81edbdd0c7be41c89a4e841f0537995c.jpg\" alt=\"Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.Credit: Daniel Randall\" title=\"HALEY SACKS (MRS. DOW JONES)\" \/><figcaption><i>Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.<br \/>Credit: Daniel Randall<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>And although her comments resonated with many people who currently rent, Sacks emphasizes that she isn\u2019t arguing against homeownership. Instead, she believes the right choice depends on personal circumstances, financial goals and whether the numbers actually support buying.<\/p>\n<p>Reflecting on how her own thinking has changed as her wealth has grown, Sacks tells PEOPLE the biggest shift came once purchasing a home became a choice rather than a milestone she felt obligated to reach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOnce homeownership stops feeling out of reach and becomes optional, you find out real fast whether you actually want the house or just want to stop feeling behind,\u201d Sacks admits. \u201cI\u2019m not anti-homeownership at all. If I plant roots somewhere for the long haul or find a property where the math genuinely beats renting-and-investing, I\u2019ll buy.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/people.com\/thmb\/-BGMLhqo6jlTX-Apm2wf0hlL_Fk=\/fit-in\/1280x960\/mrs-dow-jones-073126-3-5e19464a7ddc4babbbf6f721df819333.jpg\" alt=\"Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.Credit: Daniel Randall\" title=\"HALEY SACKS (MRS. DOW JONES)\" \/><figcaption><i>Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.<br \/>Credit: Daniel Randall<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>More broadly, Sacks believes younger generations are beginning to redefine what financial success actually looks like.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than following the same path previous generations considered the only route to stability, she sees more people questioning whether traditional milestones still fit today\u2019s economic realities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe old checklist \u2013 house, car, 2.5 kids, the same job for 30 years \u2013 was built for an economy that doesn\u2019t exist anymore,\u201d Sacks says. \u201cWe\u2019re trading \u2018checking the box\u2019 for \u2018building the actual life,\u2019 which means admitting a house isn\u2019t a personality trait or a guaranteed win. It\u2019s one tool in a much bigger toolkit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Sacks, that shift is about making financial decisions based on individual goals instead of outside expectations \u2013 a mindset she believes ultimately creates greater flexibility and long-term wealth.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll take someone who rents, invests aggressively, and stays flexible over someone who overextends on a house because that\u2019s what a \u2018successful adult\u2019 is supposed to do by 30,\u201d she tells PEOPLE.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cBuying a home to prove something to your group chat is one of the most expensive forms of validation money can buy,\u201d Haley Sacks tells PEOPLE Haley Sacks, also known as Mrs. Dow Jones.Credit: Daniel Randall NEED TO KNOW Millionaire Haley Sacks recently spoke to PEOPLE about why she still chooses to rent instead of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-everything-else"],"wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":"","cvmm-medium":"","cvmm-medium-plus":"","cvmm-portrait":"","cvmm-medium-square":"","cvmm-large":"","cvmm-small":"","full":""},"categories_names":{"1":{"name":"Everything Else","link":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/category\/everything-else\/"}},"tags_names":[],"comments_number":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=722"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/722\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adsandthings.com\/winews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}