How I’m Building Wealth by Focusing on Assets, Not Liabilities
When I first started taking my finances seriously, one lesson changed everything for me: understanding the difference between assets and liabilities. It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most powerful principles I’ve ever learned—and it’s reshaped how I think about money, investing, and long-term financial freedom.
Assets vs. Liabilities: My Financial Wake-Up Call
Here’s how I break it down: assets put money into my pocket. Liabilities take money out. That means things like dividend-paying ETFs, rental properties, and stocks are assets—they generate income for me on a regular basis. On the flip side, luxury cars, designer clothes, and expensive vacations? They’re liabilities. They might make me look rich, but they drain my wallet.
Early on, I was guilty of chasing that “rich” lifestyle—buying things to impress others. But it wasn’t sustainable, and it certainly wasn’t helping me build wealth. Now, I focus on buying assets first and letting those assets eventually fund my lifestyle. That’s how real wealth is built.
Active vs. Passive Investing: Choosing My Lane
Over time, I’ve learned that not all investing is created equal. Some people thrive with active investing—digging into individual stocks, flipping houses, or running businesses. It takes time, effort, and a high tolerance for risk, but the potential rewards can be big.
For me, I’ve leaned more into passive investing. I prefer putting my money into low-maintenance investments like index funds, ETFs, or even real estate syndicates. These “set it and forget it” strategies don’t require me to constantly watch the market, and they still provide solid returns over time.
How I Get Paid from My Investments
There are two ways I get paid: cash flow and appreciation. Cash flow is that sweet, regular income I get from dividends or rental properties. It’s money I can actually use without selling the asset. Appreciation, on the other hand, comes from buying something and waiting for it to go up in value—like when a stock or home increases in price.
I like to combine both strategies. I hold dividend-paying ETFs that pay me quarterly, and I have long-term investments that I’m confident will grow in value. That balance gives me steady income and long-term growth.
Picking the Right Strategy for Me
I’ve realized that choosing the right investment strategy is personal. It depends on how much time I want to spend, my comfort with risk, and how involved I want to be. For example, if I have $100 and not much time, I can throw it into a low-cost ETF and automate monthly contributions. If I have more capital and time, I might explore real estate or private business deals.
The key for me has been to start small, learn as I go, and diversify over time. I didn’t try to master everything at once.
Making My Investments Work Automatically
One of the smartest things I ever did was automate my investing. I use platforms like M1 Finance to make regular contributions through dollar-cost averaging. That way, I invest consistently whether the market is up or down, and I don’t get stuck trying to time anything.
If you’re more into active investing, that’s fine too—but do your homework. I’ve learned to research financial statements, understand economic trends, and study the locations of any properties I’m considering. Real estate especially requires knowing where people are moving and why.
I Never Stop Learning
If there’s one habit that’s accelerated my financial growth, it’s financial education. I read books, take courses, and follow people who know more than I do. Every time I level up my knowledge, my investing gets smarter—and more profitable.
Education isn’t optional in this game. It’s the edge that helps me make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
My Goal: Financial Freedom, Not Just Looking Rich
At the end of the day, everything I do financially comes down to this: I want my investments to generate enough income to cover my lifestyle. That’s what financial independence means to me—freedom from needing a paycheck, freedom to live on my own terms.
To get there, I diversify. I’ve got money in the stock market, real estate, and some alternative investments. I don’t chase trends—I focus on building income streams that can weather any storm.
And most importantly, I’m in it for the long haul. I know that consistent investing over time will get me where I want to go.
Jaspreet Singh is not a licensed financial advisor. He is a licensed attorney, but he is not providing you with legal advice in this article. This article, the topics discussed, and ideas presented are Jaspreet’s opinions and presented for entertainment purposes only. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
