I vividly remember the moment that I realised the path I was on wouldn’t lead me to the life I truly wanted. It was a sobering, and somewhat discouraging, realisation. But let me ask you—what is your dream? And, are you taking steps that will actually help you achieve it?
For me, the harsh truth is that my goals require financial stability. One of my biggest aspirations is to build my own home and achieve financial independence, free from the constraints of a typical 9-to-5 job. I know, it sounds ambitious—but why not aim high?
The reality is, no one really teaches you about money in the same structured way we learn math or science in school. Financial literacy often falls to the individual to figure out. The common advice we hear is to work hard, secure a job, and retire once your pension kicks in. But if I’m honest, that idea doesn’t excite me!
I want more for my future. If that resonates with you, keep reading. This space is for those of us ready to seek something bigger, starting with the 4 pillars of money to grow your wealth.
The 4 Pillars
Let’s start by saying the 4 pillars of money are figurative. They are habits and areas to introduce in to your finances and are based on the financial habits of those who are very money smart, aka the self made millionaires.
1. Spend well
Spending well is deeply personal and should be guided by your individual budget. At the core of spending well is budgeting. Budgeting ensures you can meet your basic needs, such as rent, utilities, and groceries—these are your essentials.
Once your necessities are covered, take a closer look at what remains, often referred to as your “fun money.” This is where you have the most flexibility and room to assess your spending. Ask yourself two key questions: “Do I benefit from this?” and “Does it make me happy?” These answers can help you decide if certain expenses are worth keeping or if they can be cut.
For most of us, there are a couple of common areas where we can trim costs, such as food and travel. Could you make coffee at home instead of buying it from a café? Or consider carpooling to save on fuel? Small adjustments like these can add up over time.
Check out my blog post on how to budget your money for more information.
2. Save well
Saving money effectively starts with a clear understanding of your spending habits and financial goals. Once you’ve created a budget that prioritises your necessities then you can factor in savings, along with enjoyment.
Saving with a purpose is key. Think about what is important to you and set yourself money specific goals to work towards. Having the mindset of ‘I want to be financially independent in 5 years’ may be too overwhelming so set yourself smaller money specific goals, such as paying off a debt, to help you achieve the bigger dream.
Consider automating your savings by setting up direct transfers to a savings account, so you’re consistently setting aside money before you’re tempted to spend it.
3. Invest well
‘Invest in the idea of what you want to become’
That is one of my favourite quotes by a YouTuber who kick started my interest in personal finance. Usually when people hear the term ‘investing’, they think pensions, property, investment ISAs, stock market.. but also consider investing in yourself.
Investing in yourself is one of the most valuable decisions you can make for both personal and professional growth. By dedicating time and resources to improving your skills, knowledge, and well-being, you’re setting the foundation for a more successful and fulfilling future. Whether it’s through education, acquiring new skills, or focusing on your physical and mental health, investing in yourself increases your value in the job market, enhances your confidence, and opens doors to new opportunities.
Check out my blog post if you are interested in starting an investment portfolio.
4. Giving
Stay with me on this one- at first it was a concept that I struggled with.
Many people believe that to grow wealth, you must hold on to every penny you earn. However, if you observe truly wealthy individuals, you’ll notice they often practice generosity. The truth is, it’s rare to go from having nothing to great financial success without some form of help or collaboration along the way. Whether it’s mentorship, partnerships, or opportunities, wealth is often built through connections with others.
If you believe in the law of attraction then you could argue the more you give, the more you will receive. This idea promotes an abundance mindset, where sharing your wealth—whether it’s through charitable giving, supporting others, or investing in meaningful causes—can generate more opportunities for growth and prosperity. Beyond financial returns, using your wealth to make an impact allows you to contribute to something larger than yourself, creating a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
How to apply these 4 pillars of money to your finances
Now we know the 4 pillars of money, the next step is to total your monthly income and split it accordingly.
Knowing how much to allocate for each pillar is very person specific. But a good starting point is reviewing your budget. Realistically the majority of money will go towards the spending pillar, which might be around 50-75%. Once you’ve allocated money to spending, then you can divide the remainder between the other 3 pillars.
The way you allocate money will vary depending on your goals. For example if I was saving for a short term goal, like a holiday, I might pay more in to my savings pillar. But if I wanted to work on a long term goal, in 10 years time, then I might pay more in to my investing pillar.
Final thoughts..
Personally, I like to have a £0 based budget, meaning every pound is allocated across those 4 pillars.
The best part about managing your money this way is that once you’ve decided how to allocate your income it can be replicated month on month. So instead of spending hours deciding how to grow your wealth, all it takes is 10 minutes, as soon as you’re paid to transferring the money accordingly.
The four pillars really will transform your finances. Although it takes a little while to establish in the beginning, before you know it you’ll be a pro. Then comes the best part- watching your wealth grow.
