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Getting rich isnt about making huge changes overnight.
Its about small, smart and consistent habits.
Get Out of Debt
Debt is a major roadblock to building wealth.
Cruze emphasizes getting out of debt, especially high-interestcredit card debt.
Instead of paying a bank, you could be investing that, she said.
Cruzes perspective on debt was shaped by her upbringing.
Her parents filed for bankruptcy in the 1980s to become debt-free.
Cruze recommends tackling your smallest debts first and working your way up.
This strategy motivates and makes the process feel achievable.
The sooner you make the first step, the sooner you start building wealth and eventually get rich.
Instead of just earning and spending, Cruze encourages people to increase their income to accelerate their financial success.
One of the Cruzes suggestions for increasing income is asking for a raise or promotion.
And if your current paycheck isnt cutting it, Cruze recommendsstarting a side hustleto boost your income.
A side hustle can speed up debt repayments and boost your savings and investments.
When you invest, your money makes money, Cruze said.
Plus, you dont need huge sums of money to start investing.
Cruze says even maxing out aRoth IRAeach year can lay a strong foundation for your financial future.
Cruze also insists on having a long-term mindset when investing.
Its not an overnight strategy but rather a long-term game.
While youll not see immediate returns, the goal is to be consistent and patient.
She insists that you need arealistic and discerning budgetthat you stick to religiously to live below your means.
Budgeting really helps with your spending, Cruze added.
According to her, creating a realistic budget and sticking to it comes with several benefits.
It helpsbuild an emergency fund, save for specific goals, and set aside money for investing.
Theres always going to be someone who seems more wealthy than you, Cruze said.
She points out that everyones financial situation is different.
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