What Are the Phases of Wealth Creation?
Unfortunately, outside of hitting the jackpot in Vegas, receiving a massive inheritance, or discovering buried treasure, there aren’t any shortcuts to building wealth.
It’s all about acknowledging where you are and steadily working your way through the five phases of the wealth creation process, using various financial strategies, such as budgeting, debt elimination methods, retirement accounts, and more.
Solvency
The first stage of the wealth creation process begins once we’re no longer dependent on our parents for financial support.
This stage is where most young adults start, living paycheck to paycheck with the goal of building stable, consistent sources of income. But given life’s unpredictable ebb and flow, it’s easy for people to get stuck here for many years, even decades.
Typically, taking out a mortgage or eliminating your debt won’t be in the cards during this phase. However, with consistent income and careful money management, you can avoid going deeper into debt and maybe even start setting aside a little cash as you go.
Stability
To compare the wealth creation process to constructing a house, Solvency is the stage where you lay your foundation, and Stability is where you start building on it.
When you reach this phase, you’re no longer in financial survival mode. You can make rent, pay your bills, and live comfortably without pinching pennies. You have a steady stream of income—likely from a salaried position—a healthy budget that you stick to, and enough savings to cover one or two unexpected expenses that may come up.
In other words, your foundation is set, and you’ve started work on the walls, windows, roof, and doors.
Accumulation
Think of the Accumulation phase as putting the finishing touches on your house. This is where you build wealth, make investments that align with your long-term goals, and start saving money for retirement.
At this point, you’re likely seriously considering taking out a mortgage or already making payments on one. And, if your goal is to reach financial independence, you’re focused on making your income work for you in as many ways as possible.
Preservation
With your finances flourishing, the last thing you want is to lose that sense of security. The Preservation phase is all about protecting your wealth by implementing financial safeguards like life insurance and investment diversification.
This stage of the wealth creation process ensures your nest egg is shielded from the elements so it can continue to grow, support your lifestyle, and help you reach your financial goals.
Distribution
You’ve spent decades building wealth, saving enough to ensure you have a steady source of income for retirement, and more.
Now, you can enjoy the luxury of sharing the fruits of your labor, whether by giving money to friends and loved ones, passing down your assets, or donating to charity. The Distribution stage is where all your hard work over the years comes full circle.