LIVE RICH · RETIRE RICH: A Simple System to Actually Reach $1,000,000

Author

Najma Zanelli
September 09, 2025

In partnership with

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.

Hey there,

Let’s start with the truth: there’s too much noise out there. Too many “gurus” trying to sell you programs, too many quick-fix hacks, and too many distractions. But at the core? Wealth has always been simple. It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how you manage what you make. And here’s the kicker: getting to $1 million is actually easier than most people think.

Why a million? Because $1 million is a tipping point. For most people, it’s enough to pay off your home, clear your car loans, and build an investment base that can grow into passive income and dividends you can live off of. It’s peace. It’s breathing room. It’s freedom to live life on your terms.

Today, I’m giving you the no-fluff, 10-step game plan to hit your first million—without burning out or falling into someone else’s trap. And yes, there’s a quiz at the end (answers included!) because wealth-building should feel interactive and alive, not just another lecture.

STEP 1: Stop the Bleeding

Save $2,000 fast. Pay off your credit cards. You can’t build wealth while dragging a 25% interest chain behind you. Think of this as climbing a mountain—without removing the weights, you’ll never reach the peak.

Why this matters: 3 out of 4 Americans don’t have $2,000 in savings. One emergency—car trouble, medical bill, even a speeding ticket—sends them spiraling into debt. That’s not wealth; that’s survival mode. Your first win? Build the cushion and cut the debt chains.

STEP 2: Build Your Money System

Note on ratios: Last week I shared the 65/25/10 rule. This week, I’m giving you a different angle: 75/15/10. Why the switch? Because there isn’t one magic formula—just options. Think of these ratios as guidelines, not strict rules. You choose which rhythm fits your lifestyle and income. The endgame is the same: consistent investing and steady saving lead to millionaire status. Set up three accounts: 75% spending, 15% investing, 10% savings. Automate withdrawals so your investments and savings grow without needing willpower every month.

Pro tip: Your investments are what make you rich. Your savings are your safety net. Your spending? That’s just life’s overhead. Automating ensures you don’t “forget” your future when you see a flash sale sweater for $92.

STEP 3: Cut the Crap

If it doesn’t put money in your pocket, don’t finance it. That’s cars, phones, vacations. Buy with cash or don’t buy at all.

Example: The average new car payment is $750/month. Redirect that into the market for 30 years, and you’ll have over $1 million. Compare that to owning a depreciating car worth zero in seven years. Which one feels smarter?

It’s not about deprivation. It’s about timing. Delay the luxury until your investments can pay for it in cash.

STEP 4: Rethink Big Purchases

Your house isn’t always an investment. It’s an expense—property taxes, maintenance, insurance, and interest. Buy what you can afford without starving your investments. Treat your house as a liability, not a guaranteed asset.

Reality check: In a $400,000 mortgage at 7%, more than $27,000 in year one goes straight to interest, while only $4,000 chips at the principal. Banks win unless you play smart.

STEP 5: Know Your Style — Cash Flow or Growth

Do you want income now (cash flow) or appreciation later (growth)?

  • Cash flow: Dividend stocks, rental properties, businesses. You get checks now, but pay taxes immediately.

  • Growth: Index funds, appreciating real estate. You don’t pay until you sell, but you need patience.

Clarity here prevents you from buying assets that don’t align with your goals.

STEP 6: Choose Your Lane

401k, Roth, IRA—yes. Index funds, real estate, dividend stocks—yes. Crypto and startups? Maybe later.

Options explained:

  • Government accounts (401k/IRA): Tax benefits, long-term lockup. Great for starters.

  • Private investing: Stocks, real estate, business ownership. Flexible, scalable, requires more learning.

Note: Gold? A hedge, not a wealth-builder. Businesses? Rewarding but time-heavy. Startups? High risk. Focus on the proven pillars first.

STEP 7: Raise Your Income

Earning more is the fastest accelerator. Ask for a raise, switch industries, monetize your skills, or start a side hustle. In today’s AI-driven world, lean businesses can scale fast.

Ideas:

  • AI consulting for chiropractors, law firms, or realtors.

  • Virtual staging services for real estate agents.

  • YouTube analytics concierge for creators.

  • Fractional cash-flow management for startups.

Why this matters: Going from $50K to $500K a year isn’t about “luck.” It’s about daring to expand. Even if you only 2x or 3x, the compounding effect when you invest that income is life-changing.

STEP 8: Master the Tax Game

High earners get taxed the most. Investors? Much less.

  • Earned income: up to 50% gone in federal, state, and payroll taxes.

  • Long-term capital gains: capped around 20%.

  • Real estate investors: sometimes pay zero due to legal deductions.

Lesson: Don’t just make money. Keep money. Hire a CPA who saves you more than they cost.

STEP 9: Protect the Bag

Get a will. Build a trust. Do estate planning. Don’t let the state decide your legacy. Protect your family from fighting or losing assets they can’t afford to maintain.

STEP 10: Adopt the Millionaire Mindset

Dare to be different. It’s okay to do things differently—because wealth is not built by following the crowd. Most people stay stuck in debt, overspend, and underinvest. Your edge will be in choosing the road less traveled: courage, discipline, and long-term vision.

Habits that compound:

  • Read daily. Books feed your growth.

  • Curate your environment. Follow expanders, mute chaos.

  • Ritualize your future. A 6-minute practice: 2 min breath, 2 min gratitude, 2 min vision.

Mindset is the multiplier. Without it, you’ll self-sabotage no matter how good the math looks. Without it, you’ll self-sabotage no matter how good the math looks. Without it, you’ll self-sabotage no matter how good the math looks.

The 7-Day $1M Sprint

  • Day 1: Open 3 accounts. Set automations.

  • Day 2: Cancel 2 subscriptions. Reclaim $50.

  • Day 3: Draft a debt payoff plan.

  • Day 4: List 1 new income idea.

  • Day 5: Schedule an auto-buy in an index fund.

  • Day 6: Sell 1 unused item. Add to emergency fund.

  • Day 7: Journal your millionaire identity.

Case Study: Carol’s Pivot

Carol, 40, exec + mom of two. Car payment: $680/month. Stress level: max. She sold the financed car, bought a reliable Toyota with cash, and redirected $680/month into investments. She also launched a fractional CFO side hustle at $1,500/month. In 18 months, her net worth grew by $240K, stress dropped by 60%, and she secured a 12% raise. Systems + boundaries = freedom.

Common Pitfalls That Keep Smart Women Stuck

  • Confusing saving with wealth. Savings protect; investments grow.

  • House-poor syndrome. Big house, empty portfolio.

  • Financing lifestyle wants. Phones, vacations, furniture. Cash or pass.

  • Shiny-object syndrome. If you can’t explain it to a teenager, you shouldn’t buy it.

  • DIY taxes forever. A skilled CPA is ROI, not an expense.

Quiz Time

  1. Financing a luxury car OR buying a Toyota with cash and investing the difference?

  2. Watching 3 hours of Netflix daily OR learning a new skill?

  3. Saving 20% of income OR investing 15% consistently for 30 years?

Answers:

  1. Toyota + investing wins. $1M in ~30 years.

  2. Skills win. Netflix doesn’t compound.

  3. Investing beats hoarding savings every time.

This is your wake-up call: $1M is not a dream, it’s math + mindset. The sooner you start, the sooner you buy back your freedom. And remember, the first million is just the beginning. Once you’ve built the system, the next ones come faster.

In abundance and love,
Najma Zanelli
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Founder, NAZ Global Consultancy
Follow me on IG: @najma_zanelli
Email: [email protected]

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