9 Steps To Become a Millionaire in 5 Years (or Less) (2024)

9 Steps To Become a Millionaire in 5 Years (or Less) (1)

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You may think that most millionaires are celebrities or technology magnates, but many of the wealthiest people — roughly 20 million in the U.S. alone — are regular people. Few know how to increase their incomes rapidly enough to amass that kind of net worth, but it isn’t too tough to do if you have multiple income streams from salaries, investment dividends, rental property income and business investments — that’s how a majority of millionaires generate wealth.

Here are nine steps to help you become a millionaire in five years or less.

Step 1: Create a Wealth-Building Plan

Having a wealth-building plan is vital to ensuring financial freedom. An effective one calculates liabilities and assets and is continually modified as you pass through various life stages. However, a plan should take more than just your budget into consideration. It should also factor in your:

Most experts recommend making a quantifiable financial plan — the kind that’s got concrete numbers and specific dates to measure your success. The sooner you start building a plan, the quicker you’ll start building wealth.

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How Can I Become a Millionaire in 1 Year?

Becoming a millionaire in a year is difficult if you’re not already making a lot of money. However, becoming rich takes immediate action. Start saving, investing and challenging yourself today.

Step 2: Take Advantage of Employer Contributions

Taking advantage of your employer’s retirement contributions makes it easier for you to become a millionaire by reducing the amount of money you need to save on your own. Many of the country’s largest companies match 50 cents for every $1 contributed by an employee into a retirement account. While these contributions are typically capped at 6% of your salary, these benefits can add up to $200 a month to your retirement accounts.

For instance, perhaps you make $50,000 a year and contribute $450 to your retirement accounts each month. Without employer contributions, you’ll have $1 million in around 40 years. If your employer matches your contributions for up to 6% of your salary, you’ll gain an additional $250 a month. That extra cash will allow you to become a millionaire in 34 years instead of 40.

Step 3: Ask for a Raise

One of the best ways to amass a net worth of over $1 million is to increase the amount of money you’re earning. Asking for a raise is one of the quickest ways to accomplish that.

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You should do your research before approaching your boss. You need to understand how much other people in your industry make so you can make an educated argument when it’s time for your annual employee review.

Step 4: Save a Significant Portion of Your Earnings

You need to save a large portion of your income to accumulate a significant amount of wealth in a short period. Trim down your budget and live well below your means. Don’t take on extra debt, and don’t worry about the luxury items other people are buying.

Build a strict savings plan so you avoid wasting money on unnecessary items. Many people start by saving 10% of their income and then increase it to 20%. You’ll quickly find that you are comfortable living on a smaller portion of your income if you diligently track your expenses.

For example, assume you and your partner make a combined income of $100,000 per year, leaving you with about $80,000 after paying taxes. You’ll put $25,000 into savings each year if you save 25% of your income. The remaining $55,000 is enough to live on in many U.S. states if you reduce your housing expenses and eliminate debt.

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Step 5: Develop Multiple Income Streams

Supplementing your full-time pay by developing multiple income streams is another way to become a millionaire in five years or less. Starting a side hustle, picking up a part-time job or creating a home-based business are just a few ways to generate more money. Keep in mind that this income isn’t fun money. To grow it, you need to invest it.

How Much Money Would It Take To Be a Millionaire in 10 Years?

You need to save approximately $8,400 per month to become a millionaire in 10 years.

Step 6: Eliminate Debt

Debt is one of the biggest deterrents to becoming a millionaire because it reduces the amount of money you can save from your paycheck. The biggest obstacle to building wealth for most young people is student loan debt. The average student graduates with more than $35,000 in loans, and those with advanced degrees can leave school with much more debt than that.

Focus on paying down your student loans and eliminating other consumer debt such as credit cards, personal loans and auto loans. You may need to prioritize eliminating debt over other financial strategies if you have more than $10,000 in credit card debt. Eliminating debt will increase the time it takes to become a millionaire, but it’s a crucial part of your future financial success.

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Step 7: Choose Smart Investments

You may think that most individuals become millionaires by making technical, complicated investments. However, a simple investment strategy is often the most effective. Most self-made millionaires take risks with their careers but have conservative investment portfolios.

Every investment portfolio should contain stocks. Investing in simple, affordable index funds is the best strategy for most people. Resist the temptation to invest in trendy financial products such as cryptocurrency. These investments are heavily influenced by market factors and can result in drastic losses.

Another option if you want to try something other than index funds is real estate investment trusts. These funds invest in commercial real estate properties and large residential apartment buildings. Historically, REIT funds provide high returns for investors. Adding a REIT to an otherwise index-heavy portfolio adds the diversification you need to start making financial gains.

Step 8: Improve Your Skills

Until you begin to see significant returns from your investments, your income is your most significant source of wealth. No matter your industry or chosen career, take the time to perfect your skills. The better you are at your job, the more you will earn and the more you can save.

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Investing in your career can take many forms. Perhaps you need an advanced degree to receive a promotion. Make a plan to obtain that degree smartly. Research affordable programs and map out a payment strategy. Do not take out loans to finance your education. See if your employer offers tuition assistance or search for schools with monthly payment plans.

Perhaps earning a designation or taking a tailored course can help you land a promotion or a higher-paying job. If you work in finance, consider becoming a certified public accountant to increase your earning potential.

Step 9: Resist the Urge To Spend Cash

Living well beneath your means is essential if you want to become a millionaire in five years or less. Besides making a realistic budget, you need to find ways to control impulse spending. Avoid visiting your favorite online shopping sites and stick to a list when going to the grocery store.

Also, look for alternatives before purchasing something new. If you have a broken computer, see if you can have it repaired before buying a new one. Maybe a family or friend has a used computer you can buy.

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How Can I Become Independently Rich in 5 Years?

There are three steps to follow to become independently rich in five years.

  1. Budget and cut back on your expenses, becoming more effective with your money so you can keep more of your income.
  2. Save and invest as much of your income as possible.
  3. Find mentors and colleagues who will challenge you.

Takeaway

If you want to become a millionaire in five years or less, you’ll need to adopt an aggressive investment and savings strategy. Many young adults can benefit from adopting a more realistic timeline. If you’re in your 20s or 30s, start slow by taking advantage of compound returns and you’ll likely see your money grow in no time.

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Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.

9 Steps To Become a Millionaire in 5 Years (or Less) (2024)

FAQs

9 Steps To Become a Millionaire in 5 Years (or Less)? ›

Consider investing in rental properties or real estate investment trusts (REIT). The real estate market is a fertile setting for a $100k investment to yield $1 million. And it's possible for this to happen between 5 to 10 years. You can achieve this if you continue to add new properties to your portfolio.

How to become a millionaire in 5 years or less? ›

  1. 10 Steps to Become a Millionaire in 5 Years (or Less) ...
  2. Create a wealth vision. ...
  3. Develop a 90-day system for measuring progress/future pacing. ...
  4. Develop a daily routine to live in a flow/peak state. ...
  5. Design your environment for clarity, recovery, and creativity. ...
  6. Focus on results, not habits or processes.

How to turn $100 K into $1 million in 5 years? ›

Consider investing in rental properties or real estate investment trusts (REIT). The real estate market is a fertile setting for a $100k investment to yield $1 million. And it's possible for this to happen between 5 to 10 years. You can achieve this if you continue to add new properties to your portfolio.

What are the top 10 ways to become a millionaire? ›

These 10 steps will move you in the right direction:
  • Create a financial plan. ...
  • Increase your income. ...
  • Live below your means. ...
  • Pay off your debt. ...
  • Understand the power of compound interest. ...
  • Max out your retirement contributions each year. ...
  • Choose the right investing brokerage. ...
  • Open a high-yield savings account.
Apr 10, 2023

How to turn $500 K into $1 million? ›

To go from $500,000 in assets to $1 million requires a 100% return—a level of performance very hard to achieve in less than six years. To go from $1 million to $2 million likewise requires 100% growth, but the next million after that requires only 50% growth (and then 33% and so on).

How can I grow my money quickly? ›

Take control of your finances today by trying these four simple ways to make your money grow faster.
  1. Track your spending, savings, and investments.
  2. Pay yourself first.
  3. Start a side hustle.
  4. Find a residual income stream.
  5. Wrapping up.

How long would $5 million dollars last? ›

Based on the median costs of living in most parts of America, $5 million is more than enough for a very comfortable retirement. Based on average market returns, $5 million can support many households indefinitely.

How to turn $10,000 into $100,000 fast? ›

Here are the most effective ways to earn money and turn that 10K into 100K before you know it.
  1. Real estate investing. ...
  2. Product and website flipping. ...
  3. Invest in index funds. ...
  4. Invest in mutual funds or EFTs. ...
  5. Invest in dividend stocks. ...
  6. Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) ...
  7. Invest in cryptocurrencies. ...
  8. Buy an established business.

How to save $1000000 in 20 years? ›

Given an average 10% rate of return on the S&P 500, you need to save about $1,400 per month in order to save up $1 million over 20 years.

What is the golden rule of money? ›

Golden Rule #1: Save more, spend less

One of his most famous pieces of advice on managing your money is “Don't save what is left after spending, spend what is left after saving." In other words, save before you spend - pay yourself first.

What is the secret to becoming a millionaire? ›

The secret sauce to becoming a millionaire is to invest part of your income every month, and let compound interest do its work. Every dollar you save by living frugally and avoiding debt is money that can help you build long-term wealth.

What job makes you a millionaire? ›

The jobs of millionaires
  • Investment banker.
  • Certified public accountant.
  • Entrepreneur.
  • Day trader.
  • Real estate agent.
  • Engineer.
  • Lawyer.
  • Actuary.
Apr 14, 2023

What is the first thing you do to become a millionaire? ›

The advice is really simple, but reaching the goal is challenging.
  1. Develop a written financial plan. Saying you want to be wealthy won't get you there. ...
  2. Get into the habit of saving. ...
  3. Live below your means. ...
  4. Stay out of debt. ...
  5. Invest in ways that work for you. ...
  6. Start your own business. ...
  7. Get professional advice.
Oct 12, 2022

What is the first thing to do when you become a millionaire? ›

What will you do if you suddenly become rich?
  1. First steps. ...
  2. Gift and estate tax planning around a liquidity event. ...
  3. Take your time. ...
  4. Gauge your risk tolerance. ...
  5. Know your short-term needs. ...
  6. Liquidity needs and time horizons. ...
  7. Create appropriate estate planning structures.
Jan 5, 2023

What are the 5 easy steps to being rich? ›

  1. Know Where Your Money Is Going. Knowing where your money is going is the first step of any successful financial plan. ...
  2. Financially Educate Yourself. ...
  3. Pay Down Debt. ...
  4. Have Multiple Sources of Income. ...
  5. Increase Your 'Grow' Category.
Mar 28, 2023

How to make $10,000 dollars fast legally? ›

16 Legit Ways to Make $10000 Fast
  1. Get a Side Hustle.
  2. Sell Unwanted Jewelry.
  3. Sell Your Unwanted Stuff.
  4. Rent Out Your Spaces.
  5. Rent Out Your Stuff.
  6. Set up Passive Income Streams.
  7. Invest in Real Estate.
  8. Invest in the Stock Market.
Apr 26, 2023

Does $2 million make you rich? ›

Being rich currently means having a net worth of about $2.2 million. However, this number fluctuates over time, and you can measure wealth according to your financial priorities. As a result, healthy financial habits, like spending less than you make, are critical to becoming wealthy, no matter your definition.

How many $100 dollars make a million? ›

Ten thousand $100 bills equals $1 million (10,000 x $100 = $1,000,000).

How can I grow $5000 fast? ›

19 Easy Ways to Make $5,000 Fast
  1. Rent a Home, Car, or Storage Space.
  2. Make Deliveries.
  3. Drive for Uber or Lyft.
  4. Sell High-Value Items.
  5. Invest in Stocks.
  6. Sell Stuff Online.
  7. Freelancing.
  8. Real Estate Investing.
Apr 20, 2023

How to double $2000 dollars in 24 hours? ›

The Best Ways To Double Money In 24 Hours
  1. Flip Stuff For Profit. ...
  2. Start A Retail Arbitrage Business. ...
  3. Invest In Real Estate. ...
  4. Invest In Dividend Stocks & ETFs. ...
  5. Use Crypto Interest Accounts. ...
  6. Start A Side Hustle. ...
  7. Invest In Your 401(k) ...
  8. Buy And Flip Websites And Domain Names.
Dec 23, 2022

Can I retire on $2 million at 65? ›

Yes, for some people, $2 million should be more than enough to retire. For others, $2 million may not even scratch the surface. The answer depends on your personal situation and there are lot of challenges you'll face. As of 2023, it seems the number of obstacles to a successful retirement continues to grow.

Can I retire at 45 with $3 million dollars? ›

You can probably retire in financial comfort at age 45 if you have $3 million in savings. Although it's much younger than most people retire, that much money can likely generate adequate income for as long as you live.

Can I retire at 62 with 300k? ›

The short answer to this question is, “Yes, provided you are prepared to accept a modest standard of living.” To get an an idea of what a 60-year-old individual with a $300,000 nest egg faces, our list of factors to check includes estimates of their income, before and after starting to receive Social Security, as well ...

How to turn $25,000 into a million? ›

Based on an investment of $25,000 today, it'd take a return of 13.08% per year to transform into $1 million in 30 years. If you require a shorter time to grow your investments, you'll need a higher return to arrive at $1 million sooner.

How can I save my first $100000 fast? ›

If you can afford to put away $1,400 per month, you could potentially save your first $100k in just 5 years. If that's too much, aim for even half that (or whatever you can). Thanks to compound interest, just $700 per month could become $100k in 9 years.

How can I turn $100 into $1000 today? ›

One of the easiest ways to turn $100 into $1,000 is by investing your money in a 401(k) or IRA. Investing is a must if you want a stable and wealthy retirement. And the earlier you start, the better. This is why it's important to start investing today, even if you don't have much money to get started.

Can I retire at 60 with $1 million dollars? ›

So, can you retire at 60 with $1 million, and what would that look like? It's certainly possible to retire comfortably in this scenario. But it's wise to review your spending needs, taxes, health care, and other factors as you prepare for your retirement years.

Can you retire $1.5 million comfortably? ›

The 4% rule suggests that a $1.5 million portfolio will provide for at least 30 years approximately $60,000 a year before taxes for you to live on in retirement. If you take more than this from your nest egg, it may run short; if you take less or your investments earn more, it may provide somewhat more income.

At what age can you retire with $1 million dollars? ›

A recent analysis determined that a $1 million retirement nest egg may only last about 20 years depending on what state you live in. Based on this, if you retire at age 65 and live until you turn 84, $1 million will probably be enough retirement savings for you.

What are the 3 rules of money? ›

The 3 Laws of Money Management
  • The Law of Ten Cents. This one is simple. Take ten cents of every dollar you earn or receive and put it away. ...
  • The Law of Organization. How much money do you have in your checking account? ...
  • The Law of Enjoying the Wait. It's widely accepted that good things come to those who wait.

What are 4 money rules? ›

It works because it's built around Four Rules designed to change your financial future.
  • Rule One. Give Every Dollar a Job.
  • Rule Two. Embrace Your True Expenses.
  • Rule Three. Roll With the Punches.
  • Rule Four. Age Your Money.

What is 3 golden rules? ›

The Golden rule for Personal, Real and Nominal Accounts: a) Debit what comes in. b) Credit the giver. c) Credit all Income and Gains.

What are the six secrets of money? ›

The Six Secrets of Money is your step by step guide to whip your finances into shape. Six keys that guarantee financial peace, including knowing yourself, setting systems, creating strategy, learning how to survive, 60 ways to save, and 30 fool proof ways to make money.

Do millionaires hold cash? ›

Many millionaires keep a lot of their money in cash or highly liquid cash equivalents. And they tend to establish an emergency account even before making investments. Millionaires also bank differently than the rest of us.

What is the first thing you should do with your money? ›

Pay down debt

This should always be the first thing you do with your money after you've paid for the basics of life every month. The reason why paying down your debts is so important is because debt costs you money.

What do most millionaires do for work? ›

The top five careers for millionaires include engineer, accountant, teacher, management and attorney.

What are the top 3 professions of millionaires? ›

The Ramsey study found that five careers produced the most millionaires: engineers, accountants, management, attorneys and teachers.

What is the most paying job? ›

Highest-Paying Occupations
OCCUPATION2022 MEDIAN PAYPERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER NATIONAL MEDIAN
Chief Executives$189,520309.20%
Orthodontists$174,360276.50%
Computer and Information Systems Managers$164,070254.30%
Architectural and Engineering Managers$159,920245.30%
17 more rows

What is the average age of a first time millionaire? ›

This is according to a study conducted by Ramsey Solutions, which is the largest study of millionaires to date. The average age of a millionaire is 49 years old, which means it takes them over 27 years of saving and investing to reach this status. This may seem daunting, but the truth is, it's never too late to start.

What age is a first time millionaire? ›

The world's 100 richest individuals earned their first $1 million at age 37, on average. The average millionaire is 57 years old.

How do millionaires start their day? ›

1) Start your day with exercise.

That's why most successful millionaires start their day off with a little bit of exercise. But the type of exercise you choose to add into your morning routine is totally up to you! Whether you prefer to relax with a yoga routine or want to head outside for a run doesn't matter.

What are the rules of Who Wants to Be a millionaire? ›

Rules of the Game

The game on WWTBAM is a series of multiple-choice questions that each have four possible answers (A,B,C,D). The contestant must answer 15 of these questions correctly, one at a time, in order to win the million dollars. As soon as the contestant answers a question incorrectly, the game is over.

How do millionaires behave? ›

Millionaires take personal responsibility, practice intentionality, are goal-oriented, and work hard, according to Hogan. While those are qualities of many people, regardless of net worth, millionaires recognize that these traits can't work together without consistency, he said.

What do the rich invest in? ›

Investing Only in Intangible Assets

Ultra-wealthy individuals invest in such assets as private and commercial real estate, land, gold, and even artwork. Real estate continues to be a popular asset class in their portfolios to balance out the volatility of stocks.

What are some realistic ways to get rich in 5 years? ›

Understand and follow them carefully if you wish to be counted as a millionaire quickly and easily.
  1. Formulate a financial plan.
  2. Be strong enough to take risks.
  3. Survive excuses, enhance confidence.
  4. Keep some capital in hand.
  5. Save cash from your earnings.
  6. Invest your money wisely.

How to be rich without working? ›

How to Make Money Without a Job: 11 Ways in 2022
  1. 1 11 ways to make money without a real job. Get paid to test websites. Become a crowdworker. Design and sell t-shirts. Work as a transcriber. Shop for others. Sell crafts online. ...
  2. 2 Being unemployed doesn't have to mean being without money.
  3. 3 Want to learn more?
Feb 8, 2022

What can make you a millionaire in 5 years? ›

Here are nine steps to help you become a millionaire in five years or less.
  • Step 1: Create a Wealth-Building Plan. ...
  • Step 2: Take Advantage of Employer Contributions. ...
  • Step 3: Ask for a Raise. ...
  • Step 4: Save a Significant Portion of Your Earnings. ...
  • Step 5: Develop Multiple Income Streams. ...
  • Step 6: Eliminate Debt.
Sep 5, 2022

How to get rich in next 5 years? ›

  1. Know Where Your Money Is Going. Knowing where your money is going is the first step of any successful financial plan. ...
  2. Financially Educate Yourself. ...
  3. Pay Down Debt. ...
  4. Have Multiple Sources of Income. ...
  5. Increase Your 'Grow' Category.
Mar 28, 2023

How long does it realistically take to become a millionaire? ›

A lot of people believe in get-rich-quick schemes, but the reality is that becoming a millionaire typically takes 27 years. This is according to a study conducted by Ramsey Solutions, which is the largest study of millionaires to date.

What to save to be a millionaire? ›

Putting away $1,500 a month is a good savings goal. At this rate, you'll reach millionaire status in less than 20 years. That's roughly 34 years sooner than those who save just $50 per month.

How do most people become millionaires? ›

67.7% are self-made. 23.7% made their money from a combination of their own efforts and inheritance. 8.5% inherited their wealth entirely.

How do rich people get rich? ›

No matter how much their annual salary may be, most millionaires put their money where it will grow, usually in stocks, bonds, and other types of stable investments. Millionaires put their money into places where it will grow such as mutual funds, stocks and retirement accounts.

What is the best way to get rich in 2023? ›

  1. Earn more. I think one of the first steps for building wealth is to earn as much as possible for a while. ...
  2. Watch your student debt. There are different approaches to debt, but I tend to agree that there's good debt and bad debt. ...
  3. Separate time from money. ...
  4. Buy assets. ...
  5. Build assets. ...
  6. Start saving for retirement. ...
  7. Educate yourself.

Which stock can make you a millionaire? ›

10 Penny Stocks That Will Make You A Millionaire
  • Zevia PBC (NYSE:ZVIA) Share Price as of January 6: $4.64. Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 3. ...
  • Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE:TMQ) ...
  • Matterport, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTTR) ...
  • Absci Corporation (NASDAQ:ABSI) Share Price as of January 6: $2.43. ...
  • Unity Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:UBX)
Jan 10, 2023

What age do most people become millionaires? ›

Self discipline (i.e., regular investing and living below one's means) are key factors. The average age of millionaires is 57, indicating that, for most people, it takes three or four decades of hard work to accumulate substantial wealth.

How many hours does a millionaire work? ›

The typical millionaire works around 60 hours each week, which equates to a ten-hour, six-day workday. Bear in mind that a 10-hour, six-day workweek is the very minimum for a self-made billionaire. According to several prominent billionaires, aspiring entrepreneurs should work 70- to 80-hour workweeks.

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