1. Switch to Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
If you’re paying your mortgage monthly, you might be missing out on one of the simplest hacks for long-term savings. I switched to bi-weekly payments—half a monthly payment every two weeks—and now I make 26 payments a year instead of 12. That extra “13th month” payment each year chips away at the principal faster. On a $500,000 mortgage with a 7% interest rate, this can save over $170,000 in interest and shave years off the loan.

2. Automate Everything: The 75-15-10 Rule
I split my income into three separate accounts: 75% for spending, 15% for investments, and 10% for savings. I set up automatic transfers as soon as income hits my account. This structure keeps my finances on track without needing willpower or mental math. Automating this system has eliminated budgeting stress and made investing a habit, not a chore.

3. Invest in Financial Education—Every Paycheck
I made it a rule: every paycheck, I buy one book, course, or resource to deepen my financial knowledge. Over time, I’ve read 25 books in five key categories—money, business, leadership, sales, and personal development—plus five biographies of successful people. It’s the equivalent of an MBA at a fraction of the cost. That education has transformed how I think about money, risk, and wealth.

4. Don’t Spend Raises—Invest Them
Most people fall into lifestyle inflation when they get a raise. Not me. Every bonus or raise I get goes straight into investments—at least at first. Once I’ve adjusted for long-term growth, I apply the 75-15-10 rule to future increases. That one discipline has helped me grow my portfolio faster and kept me from falling into the trap of spending just because I earn more.

5. Use Credit Cards—But Only Strategically
I’m not anti-credit card—I just believe they should be used carefully. I only swipe for things I already plan to buy and pay the balance off in full every month. The cashback or travel rewards I earn go directly into my investment account. But I stay away from cards entirely if I’m ever tempted to spend more than I should. Responsible use is key to making credit cards work for you, not against you.

6. Define Clear Financial Goals
I don’t save or invest just to “have more money”—I tie every dollar to a purpose. I have specific savings targets (3–12 months of expenses), investing goals (cash flow vs. appreciation), and even calculated how much I need in assets to fund my ideal lifestyle. This clarity helps me stay focused and make smarter financial decisions every day.

7. Learn Market Trends and How to Invest Accordingly
There’s passive investing, like buying index funds. And then there’s active investing, where you learn to spot trends. I look at five key areas: Main Street (consumer behavior), Wall Street (investor behavior), Government (policy changes), Innovation (new tech), and Broad Market conditions (like interest rate shifts). Services like Briefs Pro help me stay on top of these insights, but even basic research goes a long way. You don’t need to trade stocks daily—just understanding where the world is headed can guide better investment choices.

8. Financial Education Is the Real Escape Plan
The system isn’t designed for people like me to win by default. Institutions profit from keeping people financially uneducated—through interest payments, hidden fees, and impulsive spending habits. That’s why learning how money works is the first and most important step to financial freedom. Once I understood the rules, I started playing a different game—and winning.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or overwhelmed by money, try just one of these strategies to start. They may seem simple, but the impact they’ve had on my financial life has been anything but small.

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.

The post 8 Wealth-Building Strategies That Changed How I Manage My Money appeared first on ROI TV.

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.

The post How I’m Building Wealth by Focusing on Assets, Not Liabilities appeared first on ROI TV.