Expert reveals seven money habits to build wealth fast

An expert who has spent two decades working with investors has revealed the top money habits of those who build wealth faster.

If you’ve ever looked at someone with serious wealth and thought, What are they doing that I’m not? – you’re asking the right question.

Because the truth is, wealth doesn’t come from one lucky break, or just earning a high income, or even being smart with spreadsheets.

Wealth is built by design.

And more than anything else, it’s built by habit.

I’ve spent the past two decades working with investors and studying what separates those who build real wealth from those who stay stuck in the cycle of doing okay, but never quite breaking through.

And here’s what I can tell you: it’s not about doing more.

It’s about doing the right things – consistently.

Here are seven money habits I’ve seen time and time again in those who build wealth faster. Master even just one, and it can change your financial trajectory.

1. They take total responsibility

Wealthy people don’t make excuses. They stop pointing fingers – at the economy, their boss, their upbringing – and start asking: What part of this do I own?

It’s not always comfortable.

In fact, it can be confronting.

But the moment you take full responsibility for where you’re at financially, you take back the power to change it.

That’s where every real transformation starts.

The secrets of rich Aussies have been revealed. Picture: iStock

2. They focus on earning

Most people spend their lives trying to spend less.

The wealthy? They figure out how to earn more.

They back themselves.

They get good at something valuable, and they find ways to monetise it – whether that’s through their career, business, side hustle, or investments.

You can only cut back so far.

But your income? That can keep growing. And it’s the fuel that funds your future.

3. They practise delayed gratification daily

We live in a world that sells instant everything – fast food, fast cash, fast success.

But building wealth doesn’t work like that.

It takes patience, consistency and a long-game mindset.

The wealthy trade short-term pleasure for long-term pay-off.

That doesn’t mean living like a monk – it just means you make decisions that serve your future, not your impulses.

It’s not sexy. But it works.

4. They prioritise and protect their time

Time is either working for you or against you – and most people don’t even realise how much they’re leaking it.

The wealthy treat time like a non-renewable resource, because it is.

They don’t fill their days with distractions or busywork. They get laser-focused on what matters and say no to the rest.

Want to get ahead? Start treating your time like your most valuable asset – because it is.

The wealthy figure out how to earn more. Picture: iStock

5. They act like the CEO of their financial life

Most people don’t run their money like a business.

But the wealthy do.

They track what’s coming in and going out. They review their investments. They make strategic decisions with the same level of intention a CEO brings to a boardroom.

Ask yourself: If I were a company, would I invest in me right now? 

If the answer’s no, it’s time to step up.

You are the CEO of your financial future. Own the role.

6. They’re master implementers

Learning is great. But learning without action is just mental clutter.

The wealthy move fast on what they learn.

They don’t sit on ideas – they test them, tweak them, and execute.

They don’t wait until it’s perfect. They get moving and adjust along the way.

Here’s a simple rule I teach: Learn one thing. Do one thing. 

Try that this week and watch what happens.

Ask yourself, If I were a company, would I invest in me right now? Picture: iStock

7. They model success

Wealth leaves clues. And the smartest people follow them.

Millionaire investors look for people who’ve already done what they want to do. They learn from mentors. They plug into proven systems. They ask better questions and apply better answers.

In school, copying was called cheating. In the real world, it’s called leverage.

You don’t need to figure it all out on your own – you just need to learn from someone who has.

Wealth isn’t found. It’s built.

There’s no magic windfall coming. No one’s going to tap you on the shoulder and hand you financial freedom.

But when you stack the right habits and stick with them, everything changes. You don’t have to master all seven today. Just pick one.

Start small. Build momentum.

Because if wealth is a habit – and it is – then it’s yours to build. And no one can take that from you.

Todd Polke is an investor, entrepreneur, and international educator in investing and

wealth creation. He is the author of Escape the Middle (Wiley $32.95), a personal escape

plan to financial freedom. For over two decades, he has guided thousands of individuals in

growing and scaling their wealth to achieve financial independence. Find out more

at https://www.portfoliowealth.com/

Originally published as Expert reveals seven money habits to build wealth fast