This was a phrase I first heard when I read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. Like many others, it was very foreign to me at first. We get a job and then we work it to make money. That was the way that you made money. The idea with that method is you work for money. This has a ceiling on how much you can make. If you want to make more you get a better job or get a degree or a certification.

When you flip it, there is an endless amount that you just have to tap into to get. How do you make your money work for you though? This can be done with oneself. The easiest way is to invest in yourself. We are creatures that have a high level of thought, ideas, and creativity. We hold interests that, surprise, other people are interested in too. Learn. Grow. Seek out knowledge. This is as easy as Youtube or Linkedin Learning. There are so many skilled people out there who want to teach you and talk about the things they are passionate about. Take advantage of it.

The second way to make your money work for you, and don’t be alarmed, is through stocks. This is personally the first step I took in this process. Investing in stocks takes time to learn and patience. Chances are there is a company that you follow and support. You may even support them without knowing it. Starbucks every day? Do you use Microsoft Windows? There are so many that we overlook. Don’t let the numbers and changes scare you. My method, and everyone’s is different, involves a long-term investing strategy with dividends. I heed the words of Warren Buffet when he says “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”

I will lump together the third and fourth I want to cover as they are related. Starting a business and investing in real estate are the next ways to make your money work for you. These are assets that have the potential to generate money. A business requires an idea. You need to find a way to deliver value to people. This is another way that you can invest a lot or a little depending on the business idea you have. Youtube channel, anyone? Real estate is another one that is not too far out of reach for those who don’t have the money to put towards owning a full building. This again requires research but there are REITs, Real Estate Investment Trusts, that allow you to invest in it like a stock. These payout to shareholders as you are a partial owner of these groups of buildings.

As with any investments, make sure you are covering your needs first. Food, housing, and utilities should be first and foremost so you can cover yourself and your family. Beyond that, all it takes is a little at a time to start. It can get quite addictive and may lead you down the path of better habits (it has for me as my spending has dropped on stuff).

Thank you for taking the time to read and reach out via my socials if you have any questions. The comment section will return soon.