Jeffery Sparks 
Building long-term wealth requires a combination of earning money, saving and investing that has been shown to be successful over time.
Though it may seem intimidating, becoming wealthy doesn’t have to be an impossible goal. Even if you are a first-generation American or have never managed your finances before, there are some simple strategies that can help make you wealthy quickly.
1. Save More
If you want to build long-term wealth, it is essential to begin saving more money right away. That way, you can invest it and watch its value increase over time.
One way to accomplish this is by “paying yourself first.” This involves setting aside some of your paycheck into an automatic savings account, such as a retirement plan at work or solo 401(k). You can also generate positive cash flow by eliminating expenses like cleaning out closets and selling unused items.
While you may need to give up some things in order to save more, the compounding effect will make the sacrifice worthwhile.
Another critical strategy is to pay off debt as quickly as possible, especially high interest credit card and unsecured loans. Doing this helps you avoid exorbitant interest expenses that could significantly deplete your wealth.
2. Pay Off Debt
Paying off debt is an integral component of building long-term wealth. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of using credit cards without ever saving for retirement or other goals.
Debt snowballing is a popular strategy to reduce debt and build wealth. This strategy involves paying more than the minimum balance on each debt until all are cleared.
Debt consolidation can be a daunting task, but it is achievable. Roth suggests focusing on reducing your interest rate first and then using any unexpected income or raises to make extra payments towards existing obligations.
Once your debt is cleared, Roth recommends investing the same $1,000 a month into an investment account that will grow over time. By investing, you can increase the amount of money available for savings for retirement and other goals.
3. Invest
One of the best ways to build long-term wealth is investing. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how or where to begin when it comes to investing.
Investing successfully and reaching your objectives is possible. You have two options: work with a financial advisor or do it yourself – but before making either move it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of investing.
Before investing, determine how much money you are comfortable investing. This amount should be determined based on both your income and savings goals.
Next, choose a combination of assets that meets your goals and timeline. For instance, if you’re saving for retirement, your portfolio could include stocks.
Along with investing, it is wise to have a savings account or emergency fund set aside in case of unanticipated expenses. These funds can cover unexpected medical bills or home repairs without resorting to credit card debt.
4. Save for Retirement
Saving is one of the most essential steps towards long-term wealth accumulation. It’s never too early or late to start or prioritize saving as a top priority.
Financial planners suggest saving 15% of your gross income, including any employer contributions, into retirement accounts such as 401(k) or Roth IRA. This amount can be easily achieved for most people.
If you haven’t already, why not set up automatic deductions from your paycheck for a retirement account? That way, you’ll always have an amount set aside each month and won’t forget it!
Another suitable place for investing your retirement funds is low-risk investments like bonds, which tend to move less than stocks. They can help smooth out the ups and downs of your portfolio over time. Furthermore, you might want to consider a target-date retirement fund which automatically adjusts your asset mix according to when you plan to retire.
