15 money lies you should stop telling yourself by age 30

Jojo Whilden/ HBO

After a decade of experimenting, failing, and learning from those failures, most of us have figured out how to navigate, or avoid, the most common money mistakes by the time we hit 30.

Still, we sometimes let ourselves — and a few money lies — get in the way.

Don't let these 15 lies hold you back.

Mandi Woodruff contributed to an earlier version of this post.

So long as my job pays well, it's OK if I hate it

By age 30, no one should be toiling away at a job that leaves them stressed out and dissatisfied with life. Sometimes you just have to say no, and have the confidence to quit.

Need inspiration? Read about this young woman who turned her back on a lucrative job on Wall Street when years of 14-hour work days made her overweight, burnt out, and miserable.

"I'm a few months into my new job [as an asset manager for a nonprofit] and it's made my life richer. I'm making an effort to breathe, smile, eat healthier and have positive thoughts about my future," she wrote.

"I took a pay cut of about 30% to change positions, but I don't think that I should be applauded for making the choice to accept less pay – I don't view it as a sacrifice."

If I turn a blind eye, somehow my finances will figure themselves out

One of the worst things you can do is to ignore financial red flags when they arise.

Check your bank account, no matter how fearful you are of how low the number might be; don't leave your credit report untouched; and take advantage of work benefits, such as the 401(k) match.

If you're broke, you might as well know it and own it. It's the only way you'll ever truly be able to do something about it.

Banks and bill collectors will get their way no matter what I do

At some time, life may get in the way and you'll find yourself on the wrong side of your bank or, worse, a bill collector.

Stand your ground. Negotiating your way to lower credit rates, car insurance, cable bills, and bank fees is possible, especially if you monitor your accounts dutifully and refuse to take no for an answer.

If you're ever in doubt, think about Kenny Golde, who managed to negotiate $220,000 worth of debt down to $70,000.