"I Will Teach You To Be Rich" author Ramit Sethi recently shared how you can get ahead of 95% of people in three months. He claims that you don't have to haggle over small expenses or cancel everything fun in your life. He even throws in another caveat that makes it feel more accessible.
"You don't need a six-figure salary," he declared in a recent video.
Sethi proceeded to lay out a blueprint that anyone can use to get more control over their finances and build toward long-term goals. These are the steps you can take.
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Master Your Financial Numbers
Most people claim to know their finances, but Sethi says you can unravel this myth by asking someone how much they spend every month. Knowing the exact number can help you feel better about your finances and know how you can improve.
Sethi suggests reviewing the past three months of your bank account statements and credit card activity and dividing the total expenses by three. That's a good way to gauge how much you spend each month.
You can then use that number as a benchmark and see if you can reduce your expenses. While you can skip coffee, Sethi points at housing as the biggest expense. Downsizing, having a roommate, or moving to a more affordable location are some of the ways to trim this expense.
Then, commit to investing at least 10% of your paycheck every month. It's okay to start a little lower in the beginning, but you should build up to this number. Finally, setting automatic transfers to your 401(k), Roth IRA, brokerage account, bills, and credit card ensures that you pay yourself first instead of investing what's left after expenses.
Know Your Crossover Point
Your crossover point refers to the moment when your assets generate enough income to cover your expenses. Once you reach your crossover point, you can retire, but it's not about retirement. Reaching your crossover point gives you more options. You can travel more often, work fewer hours, or take a sabbatical.
Sethi recommends using a retirement calculator to determine how many years it will take to reach your crossover point. A good retirement calculator will let you see how your crossover point will change based on adjustments you make to your monthly portfolio contribution and your expenses. This metric will give you a long-term financial goal that can solidify good financial habits.
See Also: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they’re on pace — here’s a breakdown on what’s behind this formula.
Scale Up Your New Rich Life
Sethi explains that you will have a better grip on your finances than 95% of people if you follow these steps. However, you also have to enjoy the journey, and part of that involves asking questions about your new rich life.
You should consider how you want to use your money and what expenses align with your values. For instance, some parents spend extra money to ensure that their children can attend private schools.
Knowing what your future life can look like will help you earn more and spend less. The path to wealth is filled with many benchmarks, but Sethi suggests starting with the goal of reaching your first $100,000. He mentioned that once your net worth reaches that figure, your wealth grows much faster.
Read Next:
- If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here’s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now
- Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? The percentage may shock you.
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