# Page 2: Live Below Your Means

The #1 step to building real wealth is spending less than you earn. Every dollar you don't spend is a dollar you can invest. Start by analyzing your spending habits and identifying places where you can cut back.

Make a zero-based budget that allocates every dollar to essential spending and saving/investing. Prioritize needs over wants to maximize how much you can save each month.

# Cut back on unnecessary purchases:

• Limit shopping for clothes and material goods
• Cancel subscriptions you don't use
• Reduce eating out and dining expenses
• Avoid impulse buys

# Live a more minimalist lifestyle:

• Sell or donate items you don't use
• Downsize to a smaller home to reduce bills
• Opt for used items over new purchases
• Repair and maintain what you have instead of replacing frequently You'll be surprised how much money you leak through small, everyday expenses. Even trimming 10-20% from your spending can translate to hundreds or thousands extra per year that you can put toward investments.

The benefits compound over time: that $500 you save this month could be over $5,000 in 20 years (at a 10% annual return). Every dollar you refrain from spending is an investment in your future financial freedom. Start small and live below your means - it's the foundation for building real wealth.