Wondering how to become a millionaire? It may sound impossible to some people, but it doesn't have to be an out-of-reach pipe dream. With careful planning, patience, and smart savings, you can easily make a million dollars by the time you retire.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
If you want to become a millionaire, the most important thing you can do is to start early so you can take advantage of compounding.
Keep your spending in check. You'll have more money to save and invest and you'll reach your goal faster.
Max out your retirement accounts whenever possible.
How to Become a Millionaire
You don't need a six-figure job or family money to become a millionaire. Instead, you need to start saving early and be mindful of every dollar you spend. Here are some tips for building that million you need to retire in style or to retire early.
1. Start Saving Early
The easiest way to build your savings is to start early. Doing so lets you take advantage of the power of compounding. Say you're 20 years old. If you contribute $6,000 to an individual retirement account (IRA) every year ($500 a month) for 40 years, your total investment would be $240,000.
But because of the power of compounding, your investment would grow to more than $1.37 million, assuming a 7% return. And you'd be a millionaire by age 57, just by saving $500 a month.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Spending and Debt
Stop buying things you don't need. Before you tap your card, ask yourself the following:
"Is this something I really need?"
"Do I have something similar already?"
"Do I want this more than I want to become a millionaire?"
Every dollar you spend on something you don't need is one less dollar you can invest. Here's a reality check. If you invest an extra $25 a week for those same 40 years, you would end up with an additional $277,693.
Can you cut $25 of unnecessary spending out of your weekly budget? Maybe, maybe not. But if you can, it will go a long way toward helping you reach your $1 million goals.
