You must have heard that you need money to make more money. This saying has become very popular, especially considering the recession and inflation that has hit the global economy. But that’s just the thing; it’s an incomplete statement.
Yes, the rich indeed keep getting richer because they have the facilities for that. But that doesn’t mean those with moderate income cannot build wealth. More often than not, it’s all about the mindset because one too many times, you must have heard of a lottery winner who hit it big on the Bovada website but lost it all in months.
This proves that it’s not only about the amount of money you have; it’s also about having the right tactics in your arsenal. Here, we shall discuss effective strategies to build wealth over time, specifically for moderate-income earners. Let’s get started.
Create a Budget Based on Priorities
You need to have a budget on any type of income, whether small, moderate, or large. Consider the expenses you need to pay for and list them in an order of priority level. This will help you to save better, not underestimating your expenses and exaggerating your income.
For budgeting, it’s recommended to implement the 50/30/20 method. In this method, you divert 50% to your needs, 30% to your wants, and 20% toward savings and investing. You can begin with this ratio and increase it as you get used to it.
One mistake many people make is to skip this step and jump straight to investing or saving. However, budgeting is a great way to track expenses, making it easier to manage your finances.
Build an Emergency Fund
The easiest way to lose all your savings and other wealth you may have built is to neglect to have emergency funds. Life is unpredictable and full of uncertainty, which means you never know when unanticipated expenses may arise. You may be consistent with your savings all you want, but that doesn’t matter when your car breaks down or you get sick and need to go to the ER.
Within seconds, all your savings can evaporate, which is why you need emergency funds. Emergency funds are money that you can spend if an emergency arises, protecting you from dipping your hands into your savings or, worse, going into debt. Additionally, you enjoy peace of mind since you know you can navigate through whatever inconvenience life throws.
Investment is Key and Time is Your Best Friend
When it comes to money and long-term goals, time is your biggest asset. This is why investment should be a priority if you wish to build wealth with the little income you earn. For instance, within years, the seemingly little $20 that you invest today can multiply into $400 if you’re patient enough.
Therefore, make sure you dedicate a part of your earnings to investing, however small. The earlier you begin and the longer your investment goes, the less money you’ll need to keep saving. Investment is key to building long-term wealth.
Implement Automatic Savings
Saving a percentage of your income is just as important as investing part of it. Saving money is simply keeping it for a specific savings goal, such as a car, weddings, a home down payment, etc. However, it’s important to remember that any money that doesn’t have immediate use should be redirected to your investment fund.
Also, to stay disciplined with your savings, adopting a fixed deposit plan is advisable. In other words, as your salary enters your account, your bank deducts a fixed rate each time, transferring it into your savings account. This way, you don’t defer any month’s savings.
Spend Less Than You Earn and Slowly Increase Your Savings Rate
Regardless of how little or plenty your income is, the best way to build wealth is by living below your income. Doing so, you’ll notice a significant difference each month in the value of your net worth. Make sure you only spend on direct and unavoidable expenses; if the cost is avoidable, you don’t need to spend on it.
Increase your monthly savings rate to at least 15 to 20% of your post-tax income. It may be difficult at first to live on a small income, but the result is worth it.
Tone Down Excessive Lifestyles
In a society that focuses on “doing things to make yourself happy,” you may find yourself engaging in extracurricular activities that take a significant toll on your finances. While it’s not a bad idea to reward yourself once in a while, you don’t need excessive spending to do so.
Reduce activities like driving extra cars, clubbing,, or sporadic shopping sprees. Also, like Mum always says, “There’s food at home, so you don’t have to eat out.” These little cuts to your budget make a significant difference in your overall wealth.
Consider Taking an Extra Job
Lastly, consider taking an extra job like bartending or waitressing or having a home business like catering or embroidering. The extra salary from such jobs can contribute to your investment account, allowing you to accumulate more money over the years.
In Summary…
As you’ve seen, you don’t have to earn millions of dollars each year to grow your wealth. You can always begin with your moderate income and watch as your wealth builds up. Remember, investment is key, and time is your biggest advantage.