7 Money Cheat Codes to Build Wealth

Time to up your wealth game.

Getting a financial education is one of the best things you’ll ever do for yourself.

Maybe the best.

Understanding money allows you to buy what you want, retire early, take nice vacations, save for your kids’ college and a million other things.

Money isn’t a goal.

Money is a tool. And tools should be put to work.

1. Don’t fall for good marketing.

Don’t be one of those people who buys shit like the 19 dollar polishing cloth Apple is selling.

Good marketing will trick you into parting with money that you can’t really afford to part with.

Objects almost never make us actually happy.

Save and invest your money instead so you can pay for things like nice vacations with your family and a home with a beautiful view.

2. Value provided > time spent.

You get paid for the value you create, not the time you spend.

I mean sure, you’ll get paid at your 9–5 for the hours you clock. But, if you’re running your own business, side hustling, etc. you’re getting paid for the value.

3. Don’t buy more than you need.

Why would I pay 50k for a new Mercedes when I can pay 10k for a used Mazda?

They both get me where I need to go.

Why would I buy a huge house that costs me more not just actual dollars but also in interest, taxes and utilities?

A home is what you make it.

4. Avoid lifestyle inflation.

I make a lot more money today than I did 10 years ago, yet the way I live looks pretty similar.

Lifestyle inflation is why you hear about people who make 100k/year saying they’re broke or having a tough time.

Mike Tyson made 700 million dollars over his career, now he has 3 million.

Lindsay Lohan made 28 million and now has 800k.

Lifestyle inflation can kill you.

5. Get married.

But like to the right person. Someone who is good with money and understand personal finance.

Quickest way to double your income? Marriage. You make 50k but live alone, you’re below average in household income.

But you get married to someone also making 50k and now you’re suddenly in the top 30%.

6. Hard work alone is not the answer.

If hard work was the answer to wealth, every construction worker would be a billionaire.

Leverage is what you want. I wrote an article months ago that still earns me decent profits every month. That’s leveraging a skill.

Work hard AND smart.

7. Understand (and optimize) opportunity cost.

What is opportunity cost?

Well if you spend 3 hours watching Netflix, you can’t also spend that 3 hours reading a book.

If you spend 100 dollars on dinner, you can’t also invest that 100 dollars. If you put 30% down on your house instead of only 20%, then you can’t invest that additional 10% in a higher yielding asset (we’re assuming your mortgage interest rate is pretty low in this scenario).

CONTRIBUTED BY Cait Mack

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