It’s a fact: this life is temporary. We all have an expiration date. Knowing this, it’s important to think about the kind of legacy you’ll leave behind. Will you leave behind debt, unfinished business, and financial chaos? Or will you leave a lasting legacy of prosperity?

Does it seem like even though you’re working harder for your money, it continues to slip through your fingers? Or have you found a way to hold on to your money and have it actually work for you rather than the other way around?

As a society, we have been conditioned to be consumers — that success equals consuming the newest, latest, shiniest, prettiest fill-in-the-blank. 98% of the population believe that having the newest car, the biggest house, the latest technological breakthrough equal wealth. But 98% of the population will also be dead or dead broke by the time they turn 65 years old. In order to achieve the kind of wealth that can span generations, you must stop thinking like 98% of the population and start thinking like the 2% who understand what true wealth is, and (maybe more importantly), what it’s not. Here’s the secret to true wealth: it is possible to be wealthy without having a huge income. Wealth does not equal being “rich.”

Wealth is not about making tons of money. Instead, your money mindset and the actions you take with the money you currently have actually determine your wealth. In Dani’s best-selling book, First Steps To Wealth, this is referred to as the law of success and the law of promotion.

The law of promotion states “if you are faithful with the little, you will receive even more.” This is true for your career, your marriage, your relationships – basically every aspect of your life. But it is especially true of money.

If you take what little money you can spare and direct it toward new forms of cash flow, you will generate wealth that will take care of your family for generations. Remember, you reap what you sow. If you spend what money you have rather than invest it mindfully, you will not have a harvest when times are bad.

Here are some steps to get you started on the road to financial freedom, understanding what wealthy (“financially free”) people understand:

Cut the FAT

When was the last time you took a look at your bank statements? Wealthy individuals know exactly where their money goes. Can you say the same? Or do you unknowingly spend your cash on things like eating out or entertainment? Find where you can cut unnecessary expenses (known as FAT) and then put that money toward your debt and into investments. Doing this will give you a powerful head-start.

Make a Plan and Stick to It

If you don’t have a plan for success, you’re planning to fail. A budget is the great way to plan for success. In First Steps To Wealth, you’ll learn how to go through your bank statements and sort exactly what expenses are important and which ones are just FAT. Once you find and then cut the FAT from your budget, you’ll be able to put all of that extra money toward paying off your debt or into investments.

Being successful with your money takes patience and consistency. Sure, there will be times when you’ll be tempted to stop investing or splurge from time to time. That’s normal. But if you have a plan in place, it will be much easier to stick to a budget and start building a lasting legacy on a firm financial foundation.

If you don’t have a copy of First Steps To Wealth, we’d love to send one to you for  free. You’ll just pay the shipping. Go here to pick up your FREE copy of this best-selling book.

All-New Program NOW AVAILABLE!

If you are ready to chart a course for unlimited potential, I invite you to check out Dani’s all-new LifeMap To Success. Here, you’ll master the skills needed to improve all areas of your life. You’ll learn exactly what it takes to to enrich all of your relationships, grow and improve your business skills, and get a step-by-step action plan for becoming financially free. Don’t just imagine the life of your dreams, map it out!