While the American dream glamourised building a company from the ground up and selling it for billions, this isn’t going to be achievable for most of the population. However, we’re here to tell you that you can still build wealth while working a 9 to 5.
We’ve heard many people say they don’t have the time or resources to build wealth while managing their desk job, so we’ve laid out some ways in which “regular people” can build wealth while still working their day job.
Adapt your mindset to wealth building
Yes, “if you believe it you can do it”, but more importantly: if you take the necessary steps, you will move forward in that direction. If you’re action-orientated and self-motivated, there’s no reason why you can’t work your way up the corporate ladder. Typically in an organization, if you build wealth for the company, this is rewarded through incentives and promotions, thus generating more wealth for the individual.
If you adopt an attitude that you can build your wealth within your 9 to 5, this will have you on your way in no time. Think beyond just having a job, think of the bigger picture: you’re building a career and in turn building wealth.
When looking for a job, prioritize companies that allow for growth and personal expansion, and that value wealth creation. Whether it's in terms of promotions or offering employees shares, there are plenty of opportunities, especially within the tech space for building wealth through a career.
Grow your market value
When investing in the stock market, investors look for stocks from a company that has the potential to grow. Consider yourself to be the company and invest in your own growth. If you increase your market value through learning new skills, you increase your potential for greater income.
Two perfect ways to do this are through growing your technical skills and soft skills.
Increase your tech skills
Technology is here to stay, so why not boost your portfolio by adding some additional skills to your repertoire now? Technical skills encompass skills that can be visible to an employer or peer. These might include coding or content creation, as both offer “proof” that you can do this.
Build on your soft skills
Soft skills, however, are skills that you need to prove over time, like being a team player, being reliable, or being emotionally intelligent. While these don’t sound like the be-all and end-all of building wealth, they are skills required to reach high-level jobs, and high level equates to high pay.
While technical skills will get you the job, your soft skills will guarantee growth. Both play an equally important role in building wealth.
Manage your money (from stock market to student loan debt)
This might be the most important point when building your wealth. It's essential to change your attitude towards money in order to increase your financial wellness, and there are several ways you can do this.
Understanding how to create wealth is a mentality that affects your behavior, which leads to actions that will enable you to maintain stability. Follow the golden rule of wealth building: “plan, save, invest” and start now.
Draw up a budget. Save money. Build an emergency fund. Make your money work for you. Work on ways to generate more income. Consult a certified financial planner or investment advisor if need be. Whether you start small or not, starting today is the most essential.
The key is to always be thinking about how to make your money work for you, not just how to earn the entrepreneur title.
Establish your goals for building wealth and work backward
If you’re looking to be a homeowner in ten years, start taking the necessary steps to do so now. If you want to have a healthy investment portfolio in five years, open an investment account and start learning about investments today. Don't be afraid to consult professionals who can assist you with financial planning and achieving this goal.
Details are critical for success so get specific with your goals, whether it’s for your personal finance dreams or retirement savings. Do not rely on daydreaming to make your 9-5er wishes come true.
Start a side hustle
If investing in mutual funds isn't for you, there are still plenty of earning opportunities outside of your 9 to 5. While some require serious capital and time commitments, there are plenty of others that are highly achievable in the rest of the hours of your day.
From creating an online course that can run with little to no effort once completed, or content writing, to becoming an affiliate marketer or creating Youtube videos on something you’re knowledgeable about, the options are endless and often lucrative.
In conclusion
Building your personal wealth while working a 9 to 5 is entirely achievable. Better yet, you don’t need to worry about running a business, from the operational expenses to paying salaries. You can still build your wealth on the side while learning new skills on the job and receiving a regular, stable income.
If unsure where to start, begin with getting a grip on your personal finances and setting up a budget and emergency fund. Emergency funds will help you steer clear of high-interest debt while you reach your financial goals.