Money Ain’t Wealth: Why It’s Time to Look Beyond Just the Bank Account

How to Build Lasting Wealth Beyond Your Bank Account

Have you ever looked at celebrities and thought, “They have it all”?

The fame, the fortune, the success.

But the sad truth is, they don’t always have it all. Take Tom Cruise, for example.

Tom is 60, in ridiculous shape, famous, and worth $620 million. But he’s not a part of his daughter’s life.

You read that right. His 17-year-old daughter, Suri, is not a part of his day-to-day life.

I don’t know how you feel right now, but that makes me sad…and angry.

Money can’t buy happiness, and it certainly can’t buy the real love of your family and friends. In my book, there’s no point in getting filthy rich only to have your life crumble around you.

How about you?

Before you started reading this, what did you think about money?

I bet you thought money was the answer to all our problems (I did too). But the truth is, it’s not.

I have spent years studying what it takes to build true wealth, and I can tell you that money is just one piece of the puzzle.

I want to share my 5 Pillars of Wealth with you.

This framework helps you holistically build generational wealth by focusing on the 5 key areas of your life: Faith, Family, Fun, Finance, and Fitness.

With a strong foundation in these 5 areas, your life can feel balanced and fulfilling.

Pillar #1: Faith — Your spiritual and mental area of life; your belief in yourself.

Pillar #2: Family — Your relationships with family and friends.

Pillar #3: Fun — Joy and building experiences.

Pillar #4: Finance — Your career, money accounts, and money management skills.

Pillar #5: Fitness — Your physical and mental health.

When Money Fails: Why You Need More Than Just Financial Assets to Build True Wealth

It’s a simple framework, but missing just one area can leave a hole in your life. Just look at some famous examples:

• John Belushi: No Fitness; addicted to drugs and alcohol, then overdosed.
• Mike Tyson: No Finance; went bankrupt despite earning over $430 million in his career.
• Elon Musk: No Family; he has been married multiple times with different wives and children.
• Buzz Aldrin: No Faith; struggled with mental health after walking on the moon.
• Hetty Green: No Fun; known as the “Witch of Wall Street.”

To help you kickstart your holistic wealth-building plan, here are some action plan suggestions for each of the 5 pillars:

Pillar #1: Faith

• Set aside time each day for quiet reflection or meditation.
• Keep a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re thankful for daily.
• Practice forgiveness towards yourself and others.
• Read or listen to inspirational material that uplifts and motivates you.
• Replace music or talk radio with educational podcasts.

Pillar #2: Family

• Schedule regular family outings or activities to bond with loved ones.
• Make an effort to communicate openly and honestly with your family members.
• Show appreciation and affection towards your family and friends regularly.
• Help your family members in any way possible, whether with chores, errands, or emotional support.
• Make time to hang out with friends, creating memorable experiences.

Pillar #3: Fun

• Please list activities or experiences you’ve always wanted to try and schedule them into your calendar.
• Prioritize hobbies or activities that bring you joy and make time for them regularly.
• Spend time with friends and loved ones who make you laugh and feel happy.
• Take breaks and allow yourself to relax and unwind regularly.
• Watch more comedies instead of dramas.

Pillar #4: Finance

• Create a budget and stick to it, tracking your expenses to ensure you stay on track.
• Develop a savings plan, setting aside a percentage of your income each month towards your financial goals.
• Educate yourself on personal finance and investing to make informed decisions.
• Seek out opportunities for career development or additional income streams to boost your financial stability.
• Get more money through skill acquisition — raises, switch jobs, new career.

Pillar #5: Fitness

• Make time for regular physical exercise, whether it’s a gym session or at home.
• Prioritize self-care and relaxation to manage stress and promote mental health.
• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet to support your physical health.
• Seek professional help if you’re struggling with mental or physical health issues.
• Sit less and move around more throughout the day.

Conclusion

To build wealth and live a happy, prosperous life, you must take all 5 pillars seriously and heed the warnings of our shared examples.

These pillars are not just suggestions but essential for a well-rounded and fulfilling life. The famous examples show that neglecting even one of these areas can lead to disastrous consequences.

So, please take action and implement these 5 pillars into your life.

Don’t just read about them and think they sound like a good idea.

Take action and commit to making them a part of your daily routine. It won’t always be easy, but the benefits will be worth it.

Imagine a life where you have strong faith, fulfilling relationships with your family and friends, enjoyable experiences, financial stability, and good physical and mental health. That’s true wealth, and it’s within your reach.

To learn more about building real wealth, follow me on Twitter, where I share tips in real-time: @fmarciano.