7 Ways to Build Wealth in 10 Minutes or Less

This seems like a no-brainer. But, if you don’t know how much you have in the bank, you run the risk of spending more than you have. 

Just doing a quick check through a banking app each morning makes a big difference. This will help you figure out how much you can reasonably spend in a given day, whether you can afford to go out with friends, or if you’ve got enough available in cash to splurge on that pair of on-sale sneakers. 

Perhaps you keep a to-do list for your daily tasks. Why not create one for your money? I have a running to-do list of financial housekeeping that I need to tend to. This sometimes includes: figuring out my “going out” budget for the week, making sure my bills will be paid on time, or determining if I need to close an account.

Because I freelance, I also need to take care of gig economy-related tasks, such as sending invoices, balancing the books in my accounting software, and setting aside money for taxes. I make a point to check off a few items at least once a week. If I don’t make the time to do this, things will just pile up. 

I know, it seems like a major snoozefest. But you could set a date with yourself, or see if any pals would be up for a short session – either in real life or virtual. It’s nerdy fun and keeps away the boredom. 

Have a killer idea for selling shirts? Or maybe you’d like to launch a digital product, such as a course or series of books? Spend 10 minutes a day on your passive income project to figure out how you can turn your idea into cash.

I’m currently working on the first of a series of books, and I try to crank out a certain number of words each day.

If you’re having trouble giving some love to a passion project, consider incentivizing yourself. For each checkpoint you pass, treat yourself to something small. And once you’ve completed the project – besides giving yourself a high-five – offer yourself something that’s meaningful and rewarding to you. 

Negotiating for a lower monthly bill, annual fee or subscription can net big wins over time. Let’s say you nix a $90 annual fee on a credit card. If you keep that card for five years, that’s a $450 savings. Or, if you shave $10 off your Internet bill each month, that’s $120 after 12 months.

This usually takes 30 minutes max, and at the very least, the customer service rep will check to see what she can offer you. For instance, your current cell phone plan may offer up a promo you can hop on or existing discounts that you’re unaware of. 

If you get tripped up on what exactly to say to a customer service rep, start with the following script: 

Hello. I am calling today to see what deals or promotions you might have for X. I did some research and [competitor X] is offering Y, while competitor Y is offering Z. I’ve been a loyal customer in good standing for X years. Will you be able to match it? 

You may have monthly bills and debt to pay off. But what about your own financial goals? Perhaps you want to save up to buy a house or fund a sabbatical to focus on a passion project. The immediate obligations that are screaming “me first” get in the way of longer-term stuff. 

So, try paying yourself first, which means putting aside some cash toward these important, meaningful goals. 

Automating your savings and bills will make your financial life easier.

And, when it comes to automating your savings, try to start small. It doesn’t have to be a ginormous amount. Can you swing one dollar a day? Or maybe $10 a week? That adds up over time. Just think: You can put that extra cash toward an emergency fund or into another savings account.  

If you’re afraid that an overcharge will slide past you, set alerts. For example, I set email and text alerts each time a bill gets paid.

For every purchase you make on your card, you can round up the transaction to the nearest dollar. Spend $3.50 on a latte? Round it up to four dollars, and save fifty cents. If you make 30 transactions over a week, that spare change can add up quickly. 

You can do this manually at days’ end, which should take a few minutes. Or if you’re a Chime member, check out the Save When You Spend feature. 

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