I often hear people ask me, “I have $3,500 in my bank account. What should I do to get rich?” Whether it’s $1,000, $3,000, or even $10,000, the amount is actually irrelevant to what you should do next. Why? Because at that level, that money isn’t going to make you wealthy.
After two and a half decades in the wealth game, I’ve discovered a fundamental truth: you are the asset. Not your portfolio. Not Apple stock. Not the S&P 500. It’s you.
If you’ve got less than $10,000 to your name and you’re putting it in the stock market, that’s like pouring champagne into a paper cup with the bottom ripped out. It’s not just inefficient—it’s completely misguided.
The Real Path to Wealth Creation
Wealth isn’t something you chase—it’s something you create. And creation starts with you: your skills, your mindset, and your relationships. I call this combination of mental capital and relationship capital. These are the true engines that generate financial capital.
When you invest in yourself, the returns can be astronomical. Consider these potential investments:
- The right course that teaches you a marketable skill
- Sales training that helps you communicate value
- Financial intelligence that improves your decision-making
- A mentor who can accelerate your growth
These investments can unlock returns of 400% or more annually. Show me a stock that offers that kind of upside without gut-wrenching volatility and sleepless nights. You won’t find it.
Alignment Matters More Than Returns
Beyond just ROI, it’s about alignment. If you hate spreadsheets and your stomach drops every time the market dips, that’s a sign. Your first investment shouldn’t be in a ticker symbol—it should be in unlocking your sole purpose (S-O-L): your values, abilities, and passions for the highest context of living.
When you focus on building the value that only you can create, you’re making the smartest investment possible. This approach has helped me become a multimillionaire by age twenty-six, and I’ve seen it work for countless others I’ve coached.
Your Next Wealth Move
Before you buy another stock or follow another crypto pump, ask yourself: “What skills could I develop that would make me exponentially more valuable this year?” That’s your best investment.
The small amount in your bank account isn’t your limitation—it’s your starting point. Use it to increase your ability to generate more money, not as the primary vehicle for wealth creation.
Wealth isn’t something you chase. It’s something you create. And creation starts with you.
Most people have it backward. They focus on financial capital first, when they should be developing their mental and relationship capital. These are the true multipliers that will eventually create the financial returns you’re seeking.
Your bank balance is just a number. Your potential value creation is unlimited. Invest accordingly.
