The Power of Living Beneath Your Means: Financial Lessons from Wrestling and Real Life

Growing up, wrestling wasn’t just entertainment—it was a family tradition. My brothers, sister and I would gather around the TV to watch WWF superstars in action, and at home, we had our own championship matches. My brothers proudly claimed the title of household WWF champions, and we would dive off couches, imagining ourselves as the wrestling icons we idolised. Wrestling taught us a lot about energy, timing, and control—but it also delivered lessons that extend far beyond the ring.

One of these lessons came from Dave Bautista, famously known as Batista, who shared invaluable advice he received from The Undertaker, one of wrestling's greatest legends. While The Undertaker guided him on being mindful in the ring, it was his financial advice that left a lasting impact on Batista. As Batista recalls, The Undertaker said, “Always live beneath your means.” It’s a lesson Batista admits he learned the hard way—through personal mistakes—and now shares with athletes from humble beginnings, warning them against spending money too quickly.

As a startup head, I’ve noticed a similar pattern among many people. After receiving their paycheck at the beginning of the month, they splurge on the things they desire. But by the third week, they start running out of money and begin asking for help, advances, or loans to make ends meet. It’s an unsustainable cycle, and one that could be avoided by taking a mindful approach to spending.

Much like in wrestling, where overspending energy in the early rounds can lead to burnout later, spending too much in the first week can leave you struggling by the month’s end. Splurging on your thrills immediately delays the real enjoyment of those same thrills when financial stress inevitably kicks in later.

To break this cycle, we can learn from The Undertaker’s simple yet profound advice: live beneath your means. Start by setting aside money for essential expenses—rent, bills, groceries—and make sure to reserve a portion for savings and emergencies. Prioritise your wants, and resist the temptation to satisfy every desire as soon as your salary comes in. Living with intention allows you to stretch your income throughout the month and provides a financial cushion for when life throws unexpected challenges your way.

In wrestling, pacing yourself and conserving energy often determines who wins the match. The same principle applies to personal finance. By controlling your spending and delaying gratification, you not only ensure that you have enough to last the month but also set yourself up for long-term financial security. As Batista learned, financial discipline is the true victory—it’s not about how much you spend today, but how much you save for tomorrow.