Simple Ways to Build Wealth from Scratch

Starting out with nothing makes it hard to imagine becoming wealthy. Even if you are putting aside a little extra cash from time to time, it is still difficult to see how those small amounts could add up to enough to count for anything significant.

The reality is, anyone who has built a significant amount of wealth starting with nothing had to start somewhere. They also understood that there is no hidden secret or magic button for getting rich overnight.

You do not even need luck, genius or family connections. Instead, creating wealth is a process that takes planning and patience. It is also much easier than most people want to believe.

No matter how much you are earning right now, there are some simple things anyone can do to start building wealth from scratch. The key is to create a solid goal based on your individual financial situation and stick to your plan.

Here are some tips to get you started on your wealth creation goals:

Step #1: Repay debts

If you are spending most of your disposable income repaying outstanding debts, you have less money to put towards your wealth creation goals. Take a close look at the interest you are paying on your current credit cards, personal loans or student loans.

Then work on ways to pay down those debts. Refinance to loans with lower interest rates. Find ways to put some extra cash towards your balances.

It is much easier to create wealth with a clean slate than it is to dig yourself out of a financial hole. If you can manage to repay your outstanding debts, you should feel confident that you can start saving to achieve your financial goals more easily.

Step #2: Spend less than you earn

If you're serious about creating wealth, work on ways to keep your living expenses as low as possible. In order to get ahead financially it is important that you learn to spend less money than you earn.

For some, reducing living expenses might mean sharing an apartment with a roommate for a while. For others, it could mean living at home with mom and dad for a while longer to save money.

Look for ways to reduce your current living expenses. It is much easier to save money when you're not spending every cent you earn.

Step #3: Look for additional streams of income

Regardless of what you do to earn your primary income, start thinking of ways you might earn some extra money on the side. The internet has made it easier than ever to generate additional income around your regular working hours. There are plenty of sites around seeking people willing to complete tasks for a few extra dollars.

Alternatively, you might choose to cash in on your existing skills or talents. Graphic designers or writers can sign up with freelance sites. You might prefer to tutor high school students, mow lawns, clean houses, or babysit neighborhood kids on weekends.

Your options are only limited by your imagination, so take some time and look around for things you might do to earn some extra cash on the side. Any extra cash you earn should be put towards your savings goals.

Step #4: Automate your savings plan

Take a bit of time to work out exactly how much you can afford to save each week. Then commit to putting that amount of cash aside in an interest-bearing savings account every week.

To ensure your stick to your savings plan, set up a regular direct payment from your bank account into your savings account each week. When your savings plan is automated, you are less likely to find excuses to spend that money on other things.

Step #5: Invest wisely

Investing your money wisely does not require you to attend expensive investing seminars or spend years studying. You also do not need to pay for investment managers or advisors who take a percentage of your investment cash as their fee.

Instead, learn a bit about investments that allow you to take control of your own money and grow your own wealth safely. For example, earning a few extra dollars in interest earned on your savings might not seem exciting, but it is still a form of investment that helps boost your wealth over the long term.

When your savings balance is high enough, think about investing in 'buy and hold' investments that generate a return for your money. Low-cost index funds or carefully considered stocks paying dividends could be a good option for increasing your returns.

As your savings and investment portfolio grows, you might choose to diversify your asset base to include cash-flow positive real estate. The rental income you receive from your property should cover all expenses associated with owning the home and still generate a profit for you as well.

Step #6: Reinvest your profits

One of the key factors of building wealth is learning how to take advantage of compounding. Many types of investment allow you to reinvest your profits back into the same asset class, which speeds up your wealth creation plans.

For example, if you leave your money in a high-interest savings account, the bank will end up paying interest on the original amounts of interest you have already received.

The same is true with some stocks. Many companies pay shareholders dividends each quarter. Instead of choosing to receive your dividends in cash, you may have the option of choosing to receive your payment in the form of more shares. Aside from adding to your share portfolio at no extra cost, you also avoid paying brokerage fees on the transaction.

Even an investment property offers the opportunity to compound your wealth creation goals. If your rental property is cash flow positive and generates a profit that exceeds the costs associated with owning it, you can pay the profit towards repaying the outstanding mortgage more quickly and start building up your equity in the property.

Step #7: Rinse and repeat

The key to building real wealth is to repeat the process until the income you earn from your investments exceeds your expenses. Continue putting any extra cash into savings. Put your amassed savings into carefully considered investments. Then find ways to compound your returns on those investments.

Wealth creation is not difficult and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to make it work for you. All you need is a defined plan that works for your individual financial situation. Then stick to your plan until you achieve your goals.