We will show you how to become a millionaire by age 40, including actionable job suggestions and basic investing knowledge. Often, when people consider what a millionaire is, they think of people like Brad Pitt (movie star), Elon Musk (inventor and investor) or Michael Jordan (Basketball legend). In fact, many of these examples have evolved from millionaires to billionaires over time. However, most millionaires live a simple, quiet life. The road to riches is not necessarily glamorous or exciting; Moreover, becoming a millionaire requires sacrifice and discipline.
Tried and True: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 40
- Invest in Mutual Fund/401(k)
- Invest in Real Estate
- Start a Small Business
- Obtain a Secure, High Paying Job
- Work in High Level Sales
- Invest in Cryptocurrency
- Investments in the Energy Industry
Less Conventional: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 40
- Organize Training Programs
- Investing in Gold Mining
- Invest in Silver Mining
- Start a Property Development Company
- Sell Arts and Crafts
- Build a Brand
- Start a Services Business
- Photographer/Photos
- Flip Stuff
- Real Estate Agent
- International Trading
- Flirting/Dating Expert
- Residential House Flipping
- Drop Shipping
- Car Dealer
- Cell Phone repair company
- Tutoring company
- Teaching/Private Tutor
- Bitcoin Mining
- Blogging
- Consulting
- Real estate Developer
- Open a Restaurant
- Podcast
- Personal Trainer
- Gold Mining
- Auto/Equipment Rentals Business
- Sell a course
- Commercial Real Estate
More Difficult: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 40
- Development of Software Applications
- Start an Advertising and Branding Company
- Invent a new product
- Improve an existing product
- Release a Music Album
- Write a Best Selling Book
- Start an Exporting and Importing Business
- Network Marketing Business
- Start a Construction Company
- Open a Gas Station
- Start a Car Dealership Business
- Start a Venture Capital Firm
- Be a Football Scout / Agent
- Participate in Talent Hunt Show / Reality Show
- Start a Law Firm
- Open a Property Makeover and Sale Business
- Start an E-commerce Business
Long Shot: How to Become a Millionaire By Age 40
- Forex Trading
- Create an App
- Become a Professional Athlete
- Winning the lottery
- Invest in Hedge Fund
- Marry a Millionaire/Inherit Millions
- Produce a Best Selling Movie
- Start a Record Label
- Become a Franchise Consultant / Broker
- Create a dating site
- Invent a video game
- Become a Celebrity
- New Search Engine
- Start a clothing line
- Cure a Disease
- Nascar Driver
- Start a Real Estate Brokerage Firm
More Ways to Become a Millionaire by Age 40
- Invest in Private Equity Fund
- Early Adoption/Sales of Fad
- Start a Youtube Channel
- Movie Producer
- Actor/Model
- Angel Investor
- Designer
- E-sports
- Medical Invention
- Travel Agency
- Artist/Musician
- Invent a new alcoholic drink
- Create New Social Media
- Go Viral
- Crane Operator
- Guru
- Inheritance
- Professor
- Government Contractor
- Invest in Commodities Futures Market
Unethical or Illegal: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 40 (Not Recommended)
- Rich Friends/Family
- Adult Film Star
- Fraud
- Politician
- Escort
- Sugar Daddy
- Gambling
- Live Webcam
- Private Snapchat
- Espionage
Guidelines for How to Become a Millionaire by Age 40
Currently, there are over 18 million people in the United States who are millionaires. In fact, some of those millionaires probably live in your neighborhood. Perhaps your next door neighbor is a millionaire.
There’s a popular belief that millionaires attain their money the easy way: inheritance, winning the lottery or through criminal activity. The truth is that the majority of millionaires discovered how to save a million dollars. In the book, “The Millionaire Next Door”, by Dr. Thomas Stanley and Dr. William Danko, it is revealed that most millionaires surveyed were self-made. These men and women started from scratch, with little to no money, and worked hard at saving and investing.
Preview
- Definition of a Millionaire
- Learn How to become a millionaire by 40
- Develop a Financial Plan and Start Early
- Learn How to Get Rid of Debt and Live Frugally
- Learn How to Save and Invest Like Millionaires
- Develop a Team Who Can Help You Grow Your Wealth
A millionaire is defined as a person who has a net worth of at least one million dollars. Net worth is calculated by subtracting your debt from your assets. For example, if you own a $400,000 home, a stock portfolio of $800,000 and owe $100,000 in debt, then your net worth is $1.1 Million ([$400,000 + $800,000] – $100,000 = $1,100,000).
As a result, we’ve developed some guidelines that will show you how to become a millionaire by age 40. If you are able to follow these guidelines, financial success can be in your future.
Pay Off All Debt
Learning how to become a millionaire by age 40 starts with no debt. Most millionaires did not get rich by borrowing money. In fact, most people with a significant net worth avoid debt. They know that when you have debt, money is working against you. So, it’s important to pay down all your debt prior to taking the next steps. Later, you can make your money work for you, not against.
Create a Consistent Source of Income
Put Aside 10-15% of Your Regular Income for Investment
You don’t have to own your own business or be an entrepreneur to be a millionaire. There are many millionaires who are average people who work 9-5 jobs every day, just like you.
One of the keys to their success is having a consistent source of income. Every month, or each paycheck, they divert 10-15% of their earnings to investment(s). An example would be investing in a 401(k), Investment Retirement Account (IRA) or Real Estate. Year after year, your money will grow and work for you to create wealth.
Begin Saving Money
Saving Money teaches you the habit of not spending and allows you to take advantage of opportunities
Saving money is a lost art. And learning how to become a millionaire by age 40 starts with saving. Historically, people’s lives depended on saving money. If a natural disaster struck or just bad luck, people could fall back on the money they saved to stay alive. Today, life is easier. Credit is widely available to most people and we frequently borrow money for cars, houses and purchases on credit cards.
But, saving money is critical to becoming a millionaire for several reasons. First, learning to save money requires that you not spend all your money. Legendary investor, Warren Buffet, famously said that the most important rule of investing is “to not lose money.” So, don’t spend all your money. Instead, save some money. Saving money is an excellent habit to learn.
Second, saving money will give you the confidence to seize opportunities when they arise. When people live paycheck-to-paycheck, they waste their time struggling with bills, instead of focusing on future wealth creation.
Create a Budget
It’s important to keep track of your money. Learning how to become a millionaire by age 40 requires that you know where your money is at all times. And a budget helps you achieve that objective. Having a balanced budget means spending less of your paycheck. Preferably, you will have a significant amount of money left over to pay off debt and for investing. In short, every investor and business owner should budget, whether you are a large corporation or just one person.
There are many budget options online, including spreadsheets, mobile apps and even printable budgets. Check out our “Best Budget Apps” article for more information and recommendations.
Live below your means
Millionaires do not spend money on unnecessary expenses, such as eating out, new cars and designer clothing
In many cases, frugal living is the cornerstone of success for millionaires. This simply means spending less than you make. A simple monthly budget can assist you in determining whether you are meeting your goal.
Unfortunately, living frugally is not popular in the 21st century. Popular culture dictates what “normal” consumer behavior looks like. And it’s considered normal to go out and spend money at restaurants, on vacations and the like. In addition, it’s “normal” to buy a big house and drive a new car.
The reality for millionaires is that they don’t ascribe to normal behaviors. People with the millionaire mindset only purchase what is needed. They don’t buy new cars or fancy things. As a result, the extra money saved from this frugal behavior is put to work in investments.
Develop a Financial Plan
Once you’ve developed the millionaire mindset, it’s time to create a financial plan. Write down the details of what you want to achieve. If your goal is to own one million dollars in real estate, then plan accordingly. Include details of how you will acquire money to invest and how it will be allocated. In addition, set a timeframe for when you expect to achieve your goal. Your budget will be an addendum to the plan. Finally, review the financial plan frequently and assess your progress.
Develop Good Habits
Good Habits Include Budget Control, Staying the Course, Investment Knowledge and Discipline
Developing millionaire habits is critical on the path to acquiring wealth. Once you’ve established your goals and your financial plan, you must implement good habits. Good habits include:
- Budget Control
- Staying the Course
- Investment Knowledge
- Millionaire Habits and Discipline
Budget control means that you operate under a balanced budget. Spending is controlled so that remaining cash flow is routed toward smart investments. Good investments are critical for converting thousands of dollars into millions of dollars.
Staying the course requires that you consistently repeat what you are doing, so long as you are successful. If something doesn’t work, it can be changed. But the power of earning from compounding interest is continuously investing money.
Millionaire Habits
Being a good investor requires that you continuously educate yourself. You want to learn as much as possible about your investments. You will accrue knowledge and wisdom on different investment strategies over time.
Learning what has worked for other millionaires is the easiest and most secure strategy for success with money. Millionaires get up early each morning and focus on their goals. Investing money is a priority to them and their focus is on earning and business. Many successful millionaires make time for self-development activities, such as exercise and meditation. And they make these habits part of their daily ritual.
Invest Early
The sooner you can get started on your millionaire journey, the better. Many millionaires credit their success not to windfall earnings, but to incremental investing over long periods. Compounding interest is a powerful tool that can work for you in growing your wealth.
Grow Your Income
Maximize Your Income by Starting a Business or a Side Hustle
Once you’ve mastered budgeting and your debt is settled, you want to maximize the money that you earn. You will find that expenses remain almost the same from year to year, but increasing your income can have significant results. Earning more money means that your contribution to your investments will grow your wealth more rapidly.
There are many ways that you can improve your income. For example, start a small business out of your home. Explore what you like to do in your spare time and determine if you can make money doing it. For example, photography can be a hobby or a business.
Other sources of income can be part time jobs, weekend work, side hustles or even buying and selling things.
Final Thoughts: How to Become a Millionaire by Age 40
Many Millionaires Operate a Business, Network and Work with a Financial Team
Learning how to become a millionaire by age 40 will not be easy. First, many millionaires reach their goal quicker by operating a small business. Owning a small business allows you to control how the company operates and take more profit for the extra labor you put in.
Second, maximize the networking that you do with others. Participate in conferences or just promote contact with like-minded people in your area. The network effect can have positive financial benefits for you. Don’t isolate yourself.
Finally, surround yourself with a financial team. Seek out a respected tax professional, attorney, business coach, etc. Sometimes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Staying in good legal standing with state and federal regulations can help you grow. In addition, these professionals can save you money in the long term.
These guidelines are the simplest path on how to become a millionaire by age 40. Want to learn more about saving and investing?
Read More:
Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget
10 Things to Know Before Starting a Budget
Best Investing Books of All Time
How Much Savings You Should Have at 40
Disclaimer:
It is important to note that Piggy Bank Coins does not provide financial advice. We don’t endorse or recommend any financial investments. Instead, we provide information for educational purposes to those seeking knowledge regarding personal finance. However, in the spirit of transparency, note that the author is an investor in cryptocurrencies, precious metals and some equities.
In addition, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that Piggy Bank Coins disclose to readers that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Moreover, we try our best to keep things fair and balanced, to help you make the best choice for you.