Build Your Financial Muscles

Building Wealth Is Like Going to the Gym 💪💰

When you’re new to the gym, a trainer can help you get started—show you how to use the equipment, avoid injuries, and build a routine. But after that? The biggest key to success is simply showing up and staying consistent.

It’s the same with money.

You don’t need to be a finance expert or follow every headline. You just need to build strong financial habits—and stick with them. After years of talking personal finance, I always come back to the same two foundational rules:

1. Live below your means

2. Invest early and often

Notice: neither of these requires expert knowledge or a fancy finance degree. They’re about habits, not hacks.

💡 Rule #1: Live Below Your Means

It sounds simple—spend less than you earn. But in real life? That can be really hard.

Life is unpredictable. Emergencies happen. And let’s be honest—sometimes we just want the weekend getaway, the outfit, the night out. Saying no can feel like missing out. But learning to pause, choose wisely, and make intentional decisions adds up over time.

This rule isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent. It's not about guilt—it's about freedom.

💡 Rule #2: Invest Early and Often

Here’s the good news: investing isn’t complicated. Why? See the figure below which shows the total value of the top 50 companies on the NZ sharemarket plotted over the last 25 years.

What's the takeaway? In the long run, share markets like the NZX50 (and others overseas) tend to grow over time (despite a few bumps along the way). Interest and fixed income investments also compound in powerful ways. Therefore, in the long run, you tend to make significant wins and with a simple plan—like a managed fund or support from a trusted adviser—you can get started without stress.

The hard part? Ignoring the noise. Wall Street drama. TikTok “money gurus.” Crypto bros promising overnight riches.

Spoiler alert: if someone really knew how to double their money overnight, they wouldn’t be shouting about it online (they would be keeping it to themselves).

The truth is: you don’t need to be a genius. You need a habit.

Automate your investments. Keep adding regularly. Don’t try to time the market. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment.” Just start and keep going.

Want to get financially strong? Do what you'd do at the gym:

✅ Show up

✅ Stick to the plan

✅ Stay consistent

That’s how you build confidence. That’s how you build wealth. That’s how you build a sexy portfolio (yes, I said it 😉).

So remember:

1. Live below your means

2. Invest early and often

If you need help getting started (book a free 30 minute chat) or setting up an accountability plan (that's a regular check up on my website), reach out. We can build your financial routine together—with check-ins, encouragement, and zero judgement. But at the end of the day, building wealth is not rocket science, it's simple habits.

Let’s make your money work as hard as you do. Build that financial muscle. You got this!