Wealth isn’t won in a day—it’s
mastered in stages.
The this article breaks down “The Game of Wealth” into four powerful,
progressive levels. Each stage presents a mindset shift, action plan, and
strategic financial habit that propels you closer to long-term freedom.
At WAIZED, we believe wealth is not
just about having money; it’s about financial resilience, freedom of
choice, and peace of mind. Let's break down each level, with
practical examples and illustrations.
LEVEL 1: Financial Foundation
- Kill Off Bad Debt
Debt is the biggest obstacle to wealth. Focus first on clearing high-interest
liabilities—credit cards, payday loans, and consumer debts.
Example:
Let’s say you owe ₦200,000 on a credit card with 30% annual interest. That’s
₦60,000 in interest in a year! Imagine if that ₦60,000 went into an investment
portfolio instead.
- Create a Budget
A budget is your wealth GPS. Use the 50/30/20 rule (as explained in our last article) to track spending, prioritize savings, and avoid lifestyle creep.
- Gain Complete Focus
This is a mindset reset. You’re not just reducing expenses; you are getting
in the game. Like an athlete in training, wealth-building starts with
tunnel vision.
Illustration:
Create a simple budget using free tools like Google Sheets or apps like Mint,
PiggyVest, or Cowrywise.
LEVEL 2: Hustle & Alignment
- Find Your Passion
Wealth grows faster when you monetize what you love. Think skills like coding,
trading, digital marketing, writing, or teaching.
Example:
Uche loved drawing. He turned that passion into a graphic design side hustle
and now runs a profitable brand studio from Lagos.
- Work Your Ass Off
No shortcuts. At this level, you grind. You build credibility, upskill
constantly, and possibly work multiple jobs or gigs.
- Sacrifice Fun
Not forever—just for now. Delay gratification so you can later afford the kind
of freedom others only dream of.
Tip:
Instead of weekly nightlife outings (₦15,000/week), redirect that cash into a
high-yield savings account or investment. You could accumulate over
₦750,000/year.
LEVEL 3: Save Aggressively &
Value Money
- Save, Save, Save
At this stage, you're no longer hustling just to survive—you're saving to invest.
- Minimize Spending
Cut out unnecessary subscriptions, luxury spending, or emotional purchases.
Follow the 1% impulse rule: If something costs over 1% of your annual
income, wait 3 days before buying.
- Value Your Money
Don’t just think of money as spending power. Think opportunity power—every
naira not wasted is a seed for your future.
Practical Tip:
Automate savings using tools like Bamboo, Risevest, or Chipper Cash. Have
10–20% of your income automatically routed to investments.
LEVEL 4: Multiply Wealth
This is where you escape the rat
race.
- Invest Savings
Start with safe, consistent instruments like:
- Mutual funds
- Index funds
- Treasury bills
- Real estate syndicates
- Cryptocurrency (with caution and knowledge)
Example:
₦100,000 invested monthly in a fund with 10% annual return grows to over ₦7.9
million in 5 years. That’s the power of compounding.
- Start Businesses
Don’t just be a consumer of value—create value. Build scalable
solutions, even on a small scale. From e-commerce to content creation, tech
startups to agriculture, the options are endless.
- Create Multiple Income Streams
This is your ultimate financial shield.
Diversify income into:
- Active: Freelance, salary, consultancy
- Passive: Dividends, rental income, digital
products
Illustration:
Tolu, a civil engineer, earns from her 9–5 job, YouTube channel on home design,
Airbnb side hustle, and her real estate group savings co-op.
Final Thoughts: Wealth Is a Game—But
You Can Win It
Each level in the game of wealth
builds on the last. You can't skip steps, but you can accelerate
through them by being intentional, consistent, and financially literate.
Whether you're stuck at Level 1 or
scaling Level 4, remember: Your financial journey is your personal
revolution. And at WAIZED, we exist to equip, inspire, and walk with you
every step of the way.
Are You Ready to Level Up?
Join the WAIZED community for more guides, tools, and insider tips to win the
game of wealth.