4 Lessons To Build Wealth Without Acting Broke
Why extreme frugality is sabotaging your best moments.
The other morning, my 4-year-old wandered into my office at 5:45 AM while I was trying to get ahead on work. "Daddy, want to race Hot Wheels?" My first thought? "I should keep working."
My second thought hit me like a ton of bricks: "He's not always going to want to play with me in the morning. These moments aren't going to last forever.”
After a decade of helping high-income millennials find their financial sweet spot, I've noticed something troubling: we're getting wealth-building all wrong. Too many of us are falling for the "act broke to get rich" trap, putting our lives on hold while waiting to hit some magical net worth number.
Let me share four crucial lessons I've learned about building wealth without missing what matters most.
↓
Lesson 1: Trade Your Time for Memories, Not Just Money
Ever catch yourself saying "I'll do that when I'm rich enough"? I hear it all the time from clients making well into six figures.
But here's the thing: you can't compound time the way you compound money.
Think about your favorite family memory from last year. Now think about your biggest investment gain. Which story will you still be telling in 10 years?
Most material purchases depreciate instantly. But experiences?
They appreciate in value every time you remember them, share them, or build on them with people you care about. That family vacation you're putting off? It's not just an expense — it's an investment in memories that grow more valuable over time.
The key is finding your "wealth-building rhythm" — the sustainable pace that lets you be both a present parent and a smart investor.
Lesson 2: Build Wealth Like a Marathon Runner, Not a Sprinter
Let's bust a myth: extreme frugality isn't the fast track to wealth — it's the fast track to burnout.
I've seen too many ambitious professionals sprint out of the gates, cutting every possible expense and working 80-hour weeks.
Know where they end up? Usually right back where they started, but with added stress and missed opportunities.
Here's the brutal truth about the "act broke" mindset:
It creates a scarcity mentality that actually limits your wealth-building potential
It trains you to see money as your enemy rather than a tool
It teaches your kids that success equals sacrifice and deprivation
The secret? Build sustainable systems.
Automate your investments, set up smart tax strategies, and create clear boundaries between work and life. Your wealth-building pace should feel like something you can maintain forever, not something you're dying to escape from.
Lesson 3: Design Your Rich Life Before Someone Else Does
Here's a mistake I made early in my career: letting other people's definition of success drive my financial decisions.
The result? A lifestyle that looked good on paper but felt empty in practice.
The world has plenty of opinions about what "success" looks like.
But true wealth? That's having the freedom to choose your own path. It's about having enough confidence in your financial foundation to say "no" to the pressure to keep up with everyone else.
I remember the last year at my previous firm. My oldest was just one year old. I'd rush out of the house before he woke up and get home with barely 30 minutes before bedtime.
I never saw him.
That's when it hit me: I was building someone else's version of wealth. That moment changed everything about how I approach money — and how I help my clients approach it too.
Lesson 4: Master the Art of Selective Splurging
Being smart with money doesn't mean never spending it. It means spending it on things that matter.
The math is actually pretty simple:
Save enough to feel secure
Invest enough to build wealth
Spend everything else guilt-free
Teach your kids by example
Notice "act broke" isn't on the list.
When you've built a strong financial foundation, every dollar beyond that becomes a tool for creating the life you want – not a source of guilt.
That’s it.
Here's what you just learned:
Time and money are both currencies, but only one compounds indefinitely.
You need a sustainable pace, not a sprint.
Your definition of wealth matters more than anyone else's.
Strategic spending on what matters isn't a luxury — it's an investment in living.
Remember: You can build lasting wealth by being intentional about both your money and your moments.
Thanks for reading.
See you next week,
Whenever you're ready, there are 2 other ways we can help you:
Opulus Method Digital Course: Join 350+ students inside the Opulus Method. In just 90 minutes, learn a proven system to secure your financial freedom without sacrificing your lifestyle.
Join Opulus as a Client: We'll build your personalized strategy to reduce taxes, boost your income, and grow your wealth. Live life on your terms—we'll execute the financial strategy to get you there.
Opulus, LLC (“Opulus”) is a registered investment advisor in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions where exempted. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply any specific level of skill or training.
The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or accounting advice. It is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or investments, nor does it endorse any specific company, security, or investment strategy. Readers should not rely on this content as the sole basis for any investment or financial decisions.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategies discussed will result in profits or avoid losses.
All information is provided "as-is" without any warranties, express or implied. Opulus does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Opinions expressed are those of the authors, Ryan Greiser and Francis Walsh, and are subject to change without notice.
Opulus is not responsible for any errors or omissions, nor for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use or reliance on this information. Use of the content is at your own risk. This content is not intended as an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be illegal.