7 Simple Steps to $1 Million

Sometimes, individuals think that doing their own taxes will save them money. In some cases, they might be right. However, in other cases, it may actually end up costing them money because they fail to take advantage of the many deductionsavailable to them.

Try to become more educated as far as what types of items are deductible. However, if you're not willing or able to become educated about filing your own income taxes, it may actually pay to hire some help, particularly if you are self-employed, own a business, or have other circumstances that complicate your tax return.

Many of us rent a home or an apartment because we cannot afford to purchase a home, or because we aren't sure where we want to live for the long term. And that's fine. However, renting is often not a good long-term investment because buying a home is a good way to build equity.

Unless you intend to move in a short period of time, it generally makes sense to consider putting a down payment on a home. At least this way, over time, you can build up some equity and the foundation for a nest egg.

There's nothing wrong with purchasing a luxury vehicle. However, individuals who spend an inordinate amount of their incomes on a vehicle are doing themselves a disservice, especially since this asset depreciates in value so rapidly.

How rapidly does a car depreciate?

Obviously, this depends on the make, model, year, and demand for the vehicle, but a general rule is that a new car loses 15% to 20% of its value per year. So, a two-year-old car will be worth 80% to 85% of its purchase price; a three-year-old car will be worth 80% to 85% of its two-year-old value.

Some individuals are extremely loyal to their employers and will stay with them for years without seeing their incomes take a jump. This can be a mistake, as increasing your income is an excellent way to boost your rate of saving.

Always keep your eye out for other opportunities and try not to sell yourself short. Work hard and find an employer who will compensate you for your work ethic, skills, and experience.

Becoming a millionaire won't happen by any luck, such as winning the lottery, or some other unforeseen circumstance. The only way to become a millionaire is by diligently working to do so. Expecting luck to bring a financial windfall will only delay the time you have to build your wealth. The money spent on lotteries and other get-rich-quick schemes will be better utilized as savings and investments.