The Wealth Pyramid (3 sides to building wealth)

^{Read time - 3 minutes / Disclaimer}

Having a plan when growing your net worth means:

- Less stress.

- Less anxiety.

- More confidence.

Unfortunately, knowing what to focus on is the big question.

Building Wealth

Growing your net worth in your 20s, 30s, and 40s isn't a common topic:

- In high school.

- In college.

- At work.

Sure, everyone wants to become a millionaire.

But no one gives you a clear roadmap.

The old American retirement plan:

20s: No plan
30s: No plan
40s: No plan
50s: Panic
60s: Panic
70s: Panic

The new American retirement plan:

20s: Invest a lot
30s: Invest a lot
40s: Invest a lot
50s: Enjoy
60s: Enjoy
70s: Enjoy

— JOHN HENRY (@thejohnhenry_) September 16, 2025

When I was a kid, my family struggled financially.

The bills were plentiful.

The money was scarce.

It made me want more for my family as an adult.

To not stress over money.

To be able to help my parents.

To work less and enjoy life more.

I was so determined to figure out money.

I spent a decade working at a bank.

The Wealth Pyramid

The wealth pyramid represents the 3 sides to money.

Each side helps grow your net worth in a different way.

Focusing on all 3 sides helps you build wealth faster.

Here's what I learned about The Wealth Pyramid (hope it's helpful).

Let's dive in:

Side 1: The Net Worth Builders

The net worth builders is about "growing" your money by investing in things that go up in value.

For example:

- Investing in stocks.

- Investing in real estate.

$1 invested in stocks has doubled every 8 years on average (based on the S&P500).

The value of a home has doubled every 14 years on average (since the 1990s).

"Compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world, he who understands it, earns it." —Albert Einstein

Side 2: The Cash Flow Mindset

The cash flow mindset is about "keeping" your money.

A common investing objection:

"I don't have any money to invest."

The cash flow mindset is about watching your finances closely using tools like:

- An phone app.

OR

- A spreadsheet.

Doing so helps you hang on to more money (to invest).

"You need a written gameplan for your money (a budget), or you're going to wonder where it all went." —Dave Ramsey

Side 3: The Income Levers

The income levers is about "making" money.

(ideally as much as possible)

3 different ways people do that include:

1. Getting promotions.

Working your way up the corporate ladder.

2. Opening a service business.

Creating your own small company like a dog walking business.

3. Offering a product.

Creating something to sell like a physical product or a digital product that can be sold online.

"If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." —Warren Buffett

The bottom line

The idea behind the wealth pyramid is to constantly give attention to all 3 sides.

Side 1: To invest every month (even if it's a small amount).

Side 2: To track your cash flow every month to "find" extra money to invest (using an app or a spreadsheet).

Side 3: To keep looking for ways to make more money (getting promoted, starting a side business, etc).

Leaving out one or more sides can slow down the wealth building process.

Consider spending 15 minutes thinking about which side may need more attention this year.

I know it's not easy. 

But it's worth it.

That's all for today.

See you next Saturday.