How to Build Wealth in Your 20s: Smart Moves for a Richer Future

Building Wealth in Your 20s: The Smart Way to Grow Your Net Worth Early

If you’re in your 20s, now is the perfect time to start building wealth. These years give you a huge advantage — time.

By laying a strong financial foundation now, you allow compound interest to do its magic while keeping your options open for early retirement, travel, or entrepreneurship.

This guide follows the Rich Guy Math philosophy — a blend of smart investing, passive hustle, and mindset mastery. Let’s break it down.

1. Get Clear on Your Financial Goals

Before you can grow wealth, you need a financial vision. Ask yourself:

Do I want to retire early?
Am I saving for a home or travel?
Do I want to build income streams I control?

Your goals will guide everything — how you spend, save, invest, and hustle.

Pro Tip: Use free tools like Mint or YNAB to stay organized and track spending.

2. Start Investing Early (Even With Little Money)

Even small amounts invested early can grow faster than large amounts invested later.

If you invest $50/month starting at 22, you could build a 6-figure portfolio by 60 — even without increasing the amount.

Starter ETFs for Young Investors:

SCHD: Great for dividends and stability
VOO: Tracks the S&P 500 for broad growth
JEPI: Provides monthly income via a covered call strategy

New to investing? Read our Beginner’s Guide to Investing

Also check out: The Rich Guy Math Method: Explained

3. Build Passive Hustles That Pay You Forever

You don’t need two full-time jobs to get rich. You need systems that pay you while you sleep.

Passive Hustle Ideas:

Blogging (like this!)
Selling digital products (ebooks, templates)
Affiliate marketing
Dividend investing

Explore more in our Side Hustles category

Coming soon: Best Passive Income Streams for Beginners

4. Rewire Your Money Mindset

Money isn’t just numbers — it’s how you think. In your 20s, it’s easy to fall into the trap of flex culture, FOMO, and lifestyle inflation.

But if you want real freedom, focus on:

Gratitude over greed
Long-term thinking (investing vs. impulse buys)
Assets over status (own things that pay you)

“Wealth starts in your mind, not your wallet.” – The Rich Guy Math

Dive deeper in our Money Mindset section

5. Track Your Progress Like a CEO

If you’re not tracking, you’re guessing.

Tools to Use:

Empower (formerly Personal Capital)
Google Sheets or Excel
Notion templates

Track your:

Net worth
Investment growth
Monthly savings rate
Debt payoff

I post monthly updates in our Progress Report series to help you stay motivated and benchmark your growth.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stack Smart Moves

Your 20s are your financial launchpad. Whether you’re making $18/hour or $80K/year, what you do now matters more than how much you earn.

Start small. Stay consistent. Stack smart moves.

That’s Rich Guy Math.

Action Steps

Define your top 3 financial goals
Open a brokerage account (Robinhood or Fidelity)
Automate monthly investments (even $50/month is enough)
Start one passive hustle
Track your progress monthly

How to Build Wealth in Your 20s: Smart Moves for a Richer Future

Building Wealth in Your 20s: The Smart Way to Grow Your Net Worth Early

1. Get Clear on Your Financial Goals