At first glance, reaching a net worth of $1 million may seem daunting, but it’s more achievable than it appears. You don’t necessarily need a winning lottery ticket or a trust fund to enter this exclusive financial realm.

While your annual income plays a role, the way you manage and allocate your funds is even more critical than your salary. With thoughtful planning, a strong work ethic, responsible spending habits, and strategic investments, you can grow your wealth to $1 million and beyond.

Attaining this financial milestone will require some sacrifices, but the sense of financial security is invaluable. If you’re genuinely committed to becoming a millionaire, it’s time to take significant steps. Develop a robust game plan by integrating some — or all — of these 12 tips into your lifestyle, setting yourself on the path to achieving your first $1 million.

1.Elevate Your Profit Margins

A profit margin is not exclusively applicable to businesses; it is equally relevant to individuals. By widening the gap between your income and expenses, you generate a profit, mirroring the way businesses do. This surplus can then be utilized to pursue your enduring financial objectives.

To achieve a million-dollar milestone specifically, you must significantly elevate your savings rate beyond the typical 10% to 15% of your income. This entails making challenging decisions, such as postponing current expenditures in favor of future financial prosperity. For dual-income households, it is recommended to consider living on one income and directing the other salary towards savings and investments.

2. Commence with a capital of $10 million

The notion of “Start with $10 million” is actually a jest, highlighting how our minds can mislead us into making misguided investment choices. To outsmart our “inferior mental instincts,” it’s crucial to educate ourselves about investing, formulate a plan, and adhere to it.

Our psychological tendencies often work against us. Achieving a million through investing isn’t overly challenging—especially if initiated early and pitfalls like herd mentality are avoided.

Steer clear of frequent trading in and out of investments. Establish a robust investment strategy, stay committed through ups and downs, and over time, attaining millionaire status becomes plausible. Individuals who engage in more frequent buying and selling typically fall short compared to those who adopt a buy-and-hold approach.

3. Transform your passion into a thriving business

Passion alone won’t pave the way to your first million. There’s no substitute for a combination of luck and adaptability. “Discover something you are genuinely passionate about, establish authority, and turn it into a business. Not only will you find joy, but you’re likely to achieve significant success.

The Chipotle narrative perfectly exemplifies this principle. Upon completing culinary school in 1993, Chipotle’s founder, Steve Ells, harbored dreams of launching a fine-dining establishment. Faced with a shortage of funds for the upscale venture, he secured a modest loan from his father and inaugurated the first Chipotle. Selling 1,000 burritos in the initial month redirected his passion for cooking from a high-end restaurant to a lucrative trajectory, resulting in the renowned Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant chain.

Moreover, anticipate encountering setbacks along the journey. It’s not uncommon to face challenges before stumbling upon that million-dollar idea.

4. Commence your investments at an early stage

Accumulating wealth can be a matter of applying mathematical principles. It is widely acknowledged that investing in the stock market over an extended period, reinvesting dividends, and allowing your money to grow and compound can lead to millionaire status. However, success also hinges on understanding the optimal amount to invest, the types of mutual funds to choose, and the duration of your investment.

A helpful tool in determining the necessary investment amount, duration, and expected return is a straightforward calculator. Todd Tresidder, a former hedge fund manager and the owner of the wealth-building website Financial Mentor, has designed a calculator for this purpose. For instance, by inputting variables like investing $500 monthly in a diversified stock market index fund, such as the Fidelity Total Market Index Fund, with an average 7 percent return and factoring in a 2 percent inflation rate, the calculation reveals that you can become a millionaire in 36 years.

Consider Henry, who, if he starts investing at age 25, would reach millionaire status by age 61. If he begins later, he would need to save and invest more. Opting for lower-return investments, like money market funds or certificates of deposit (CD), would necessitate saving thousands more to compensate for the lower annual rates of return associated with such investments.

5. Exercise patience

Irrespective of the route you choose for wealth accumulation, it demands time. The stock market requires years for your investment to grow and compound. Establishing and nurturing a successful business is not an overnight endeavor. In the realm of compounding returns, the most significant financial growth typically unfolds in the later years.

Making your first million will often take longer than making your second. Whether through business building or years of diligent saving, the initial million is frequently the most challenging. Stay dedicated, exercise patience, and keep your gaze fixed on the goal.”

Resist letting the initial slow growth through compounding or the challenges of entrepreneurship deter your long-term wealth ambitions. Fear and impatience can prove to be formidable adversaries in the pursuit of a million-dollar goal.

6. Engage in real estate investment

Venturing into real estate has traditionally been a route to prosperity. However, initiating real estate investments is often more accessible in regions with a lower cost of living. If you reside in high-cost areas like San Francisco or New York City, consider exploring opportunities in emerging neighborhoods.

Paula Pant, the proprietor of the personal finance blog Afford Anything, is amassing wealth through a real estate portfolio. She advises saving enough for a down payment on a rental property that generates a robust positive cash flow—meaning there’s surplus money after covering expenses, which adds to your bank account.

As you steadily repay the mortgage, eventual ownership of the property outright becomes a reality. Pant recommends commencing with a single property and replicating the process until you attain a cumulative value of $1 million.

7. Modify your way of living

Dispelling the misconception that all millionaires live extravagantly and indulge in lavish spending is crucial. In the book “The Millionaire Next Door,” delved into the study of how individuals achieve wealth, revealing unexpected insights.

People residing in upscale homes and driving luxury cars often lack substantial wealth, they observed. Strangely, many individuals with significant wealth do not dwell in affluent neighborhoods.

The authors discovered that high incomes don’t necessarily equate to substantial net worth. Surprisingly, those who amassed the most wealth were often characterized by frugality, coupled with partnerships with similarly conservative spenders. Recognizing the disparity between income and expenditure is a key asset for those aspiring to build wealth. The reality is clear: amassing wealth becomes unattainable if one exhausts all earnings, or worse, spends more than earned.

8. Contribute the maximum amount to your 401(k)

Harness the government’s wealth-building gift: the 401(k) account. Utilize it strategically to reach your initial $1 million milestone:

1. Enroll in your employer’s program and invest the maximum allowable amount by law—$20,500 for 2022, with an additional $6,500 catch-up contribution for individuals aged 50 and above.

2. Benefit from an immediate reduction in your taxable income for any 401(k) contribution. For instance, if your income is $60,000 and you contribute $19,500, you’re only taxed on $40,500.

3. Enjoy tax-free growth and compounding as long as the funds remain in the account.

In practical terms, if you contribute $19,500 annually to your 401(k) and achieve a 7% return by investing in an average stock mutual fund, you’ll reach millionaire status in 23 years. Adjustments in contribution amount or earning a lower return will extend the timeline to your first million.

9. Embrace the role of a hustler in building wealth

It may seem straightforward, but to achieve your first million, consider engaging in a side gig to boost your income. If your current earnings only cover basic necessities like rent, food, and utilities, the path to wealth might be elusive. You don’t necessarily need brilliance to become a millionaire, but discipline, hard work, and creativity are crucial.

Renowned entrepreneur Mark Cuban embarked on income-generating ventures as early as age 12. Biography notes that he sold packages of trash bags to afford the shoes he desired. During high school, he dabbled in selling stamps and coins to earn extra money.

His journey included taking college psychology classes in junior high and skipping his senior year to enroll in college full time, exemplifying a wealth-building hustler’s mindset. Sacrificing leisure and free time to pursue aspirations is a common trait among many millionaires.

10. Steer clear of a mindset that undermines your own success

Building wealth is significantly influenced by your mindset, so it’s essential to eliminate beliefs that hinder your progress. To achieve your first $1 million:

1. Don’t assume anyone owes you a living.
2. Avoid expecting something for nothing.
3. Refrain from accumulating consumer debt, if you don’t have the cash, reconsider the necessity.
4. Stay focused and persistent despite obstacles if getting rich is your goal.
5. Prioritize education; acquire the skills needed to excel in your chosen endeavor.
6. Don’t hesitate to take on an additional side hustle.
7. Avoid the trap of keeping up with the Joneses, who may be submerged in debt.
8. Remember the importance of giving, as it often leads to reciprocity.

If you aim to learn how to make your first $1 million, starting at a younger age and practicing patience is preferable. It’s crucial to enjoy the journey because, ideally, that’s the essence of the pursuit.

11. Create something innovative

If you have a plethora of exceptional ideas, choose your finest one and turn it into a source of income. Whether it’s a product or service, the key is that people are willing to pay for the benefits it provides.

Consider Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, who became the youngest self-made female billionaire in the U.S. by inventing figure-flattering undergarments. According to Forbes, her current net worth is $1.1 billion.

Ty Warner, the creator of Beanie Babies, built a substantial fortune through his stuffed animal empire. Strategically offering a diverse product line in limited quantities propelled his creations to unprecedented popularity. Forbes estimates the former Dakin Toy Company sales representative’s net worth at $4.2 billion.

Your invention could address a common problem or captivate a wide audience. Regardless, people are willing to invest in something that enhances the value of their lives.

12. Expand your inherited wealth

You might believe that a relatively modest inheritance,  between $25,000 and $75,000, may not stretch too far. However, judiciously allocating these funds can lead to substantial gains. Marc Johnston-Roche, co-founder of Annuities HQ, recognizes the temptation to indulge in newfound wealth but suggests opting for investment instead.

“Collaborate with a financial planner to devise an asset allocation strategy tailored to your age group, This strategy will depend on your risk tolerance and the duration you intend to invest these funds. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, so seeking professional guidance is crucial

Furthermore, by investing your money now and allowing it to grow, you can harness the power of compound interest, Compound interest can accumulate significantly over time when you reinvest earned interest instead of cashing it out.