We’ve all heard the classic script: go to school, get a job, save a little, retire at 65, and maybe you’ll enjoy a few golden years. The truth? That formula doesn’t work for most people anymore. If you want to start building wealth, real wealth that leads to freedom and options, you have to do what most people won’t. That means thinking differently—and more importantly, acting differently.
Working with countless young adults who want to win early in life. The fastest way? Stop following the crowd.
Let’s break down exactly how going against the grain is the smartest move you can make.
Why Most People Stay Broke
The Comfort of the Crowd
Let’s get real—most people live paycheck to paycheck, even when they make good money. Why? Because it’s “normal.” People follow what their friends, parents, or co-workers do without questioning it. They buy things they can’t afford, finance everything, and think short-term.
I was there, too. In college, I watched everyone around me rack up student loans, skip budgeting, and rely on credit cards. I followed suit, except for student loans. But it wasn’t until I hit a wall financially that I realized something: If I wanted different results, I had to make different decisions.
Common Financial Mistakes People Keep Making
- Living beyond their means – That shiny car or new iPhone? Most of it is debt-fueled.
- Not investing early – People wait until “later” to invest, which kills the power of compounding.
- Focusing on income, not assets – Earning $80K/year doesn’t mean much if your expenses are $79K.
Contrarian Thinking: How the Wealthy Think Differently
Watch What the Wealthy Actually Do
We often hear the flashy parts of wealthy people’s lives—luxury cars, vacations, yachts—but few notice how they got there. Here’s the thing: Most millionaires live frugally in their early years. They invest. They build businesses. They save. They take risks before they look rich.
Thomas J. Stanley’s book, The Millionaire Next Door, is a classic for this very reason. It shows that most millionaires aren’t flashy—they’re just smart with money early on.
Ask Better Questions
Most people ask, “Can I afford the payment?” Wealthy people ask, “What return will I get from this investment?”
Shift your focus:
- Don’t ask if you can afford a new car—ask if that money would be better in an investment like an index fund or high-yield savings.
- Don’t ask how to make more—ask how to build systems that make money while you sleep, or what skills you can develop that will make you more valuable.
5 Contrarian Moves That Lead to Building Wealth
1. Invest When Others Are Afraid
When the market drops, most people panic. But that’s when the real ones buy.
Remember March 2020? Stocks tanked, and fear was everywhere. But those who invested during that dip made a killing over the next 12 months. Warren Buffett says it best: “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”
2. Choose Skills Over Degrees
I’m not anti-college, but I am pro-skill. If the path you are on to make the most of amount money in the field you are in does not require going to college, don’t go. No debt. No wasted time. If it requires years of school and dedicated study, then commit to doing it, if you get a return on your time. That’s the power of a high-income skill.
In today’s world, there are no rules you can:
- Learn to code.
- Become a copywriter.
- Be a consultant.
- Build a sales career.
- Start a content agency.
All of these beat out a generic business degree if you work smart.
3. Save Aggressively in Your 20s
Most people think they’ll save when they’re older. Don’t fall for it.
If you start saving just $500/month at 22 and invest it with an 8% return, you’ll have over $1 million by 55. But if you wait until 35 and try to catch up, you’ll need to save over $1,200/month to get the same result.
Early money is powerful. Compound interest is your best friend.
4. Say No to Lifestyle Inflation
One of the hardest lessons I learned was resisting the urge to “level up” my lifestyle every time I made more money. I remember the first time I got a promotion and got a $10K bonus. It was tempting to just go out and spend it on a new car, but deciding to manage this amount early made things so much easier in the future.
Millionaires don’t upgrade their lifestyle every time they get a raise. They buy freedom later, not liabilities now.
5. Own Assets, Not Just Income
Trading time for money will always cap your potential. To truly start building wealth, you need ownership.
Own:
- Real estate
- A business
- Content that generates passive income
- Investments that grow over time
Don’t just work in a system—build your own.
Optimize Your Life for Wealth-Building
Daily Habits Matter More Than You Think
Wealth is not built from one big win. It’s built from micro-decisions stacked consistently.
Start here:
- Track your spending. Every dollar should have a job.
- Read 10 pages of a financial book daily.
- Surround yourself with content that challenges your money mindset.
Upgrade Your Circle
If your friends clown on you for investing or skipping out on $300 concert tickets to save, you need new friends.
Wealth-minded people encourage each other to think long-term. Get around people who talk about investments, ownership, and freedom, not just gossip and Netflix.
Final Thoughts: You Win by Going Left When Everyone Goes Right
Building wealth isn’t about being rebellious for no reason—it’s about being intentional.
Most people won’t save early. Most people won’t invest. Most people won’t start businesses. That’s exactly why most people won’t become wealthy.
But you can.
If you’re willing to think differently, take calculated risks, and reject “normal,” you can create a life most people only dream of.
Call to Action
Ask yourself: What’s one “normal” financial habit I can unlearn today?
Ready to go deeper? Subscribe to Permission Free Living and learn how to build the life you actually want, not the one society sold you.
References
- Stanley, Thomas J., and William D. Danko. The Millionaire Next Door. Longstreet Press, 1996.
- Ramsey Solutions. “Saving Early vs. Saving Later: The Shocking Difference.” https://www.ramseysolutions.com/
- Buffett, Warren. Annual Shareholder Letters. Berkshire Hathaway.
