I’m deep in the wealth accumulation stage

Here’s what it really feels like.

Photo by Ewan Buck on Unsplash

Somewhere along the way, we crossed a line. I can’t quite say when, but we’re fully in the wealth accumulation stage.

I’d like to say it’s exciting, but mostly it’s… meh.

This is the point of the journey where we move past laying the groundwork and testing the waters, and finally buckle down on deliberate growth.

Right now, all my energy and resources are going toward building our foundation — slowly, steadily, but surely.

It’s not the most fun phase, but it’s definitely a fruitful one.

If you’re unfamiliar, here are a few key features of this stage:

💸 Asset-first mindset: Almost all extra income goes toward investments, property or other wealth-building assets.

💸 Delayed gratification: Comforts, luxuries and experiences are often deferred in favor of accelerating net worth growth.

💸 Long-term outlook: The goal is financial security, independence or to create future options rather than immediate satisfaction.

💸 Risk management focus: While growth is prioritized, strategies are often chosen to preserve capital and maximize compounding over time.

I’m deep in the accumulation stage, and dialing it back feels almost impossible. I’m too focused to spend time or money elsewhere.

Shifting my mindset from snapping up assets to actually spending freely? That’s a challenge I’m still navigating.

The proof is in my November spending: almost every dollar went straight into assets, with very little slipping through anywhere else.

I make the majority of my purchases with a credit card so I can accrue airline points to fly for free. A few essentials — like rent, gas for my apartment and vehicle, my electricity bill and my $10 monthly gym membership — are excluded, but tracking my expenses through my credit card lets me monitor my spending in real time. Each month, I share my progress, for better or worse.

I spent $270 less last month than I did in November 2024.

That total includes $500 given to The City Mission in Cleveland, the first of two planned gifts at that amount.

Even with our gift, November ended up being one of my lowest-spending months of 2025. After a brutal start, I’m closing the year strong, staying true to the asset-first focus and long-term outlook that define this phase.

Temporary pleasures no longer appease me. Small indulgences feel fleeting, even trivial, compared with the satisfaction of seeing assets grow and progress compound over time.

What used to feel rewarding now barely registers. My focus is on long-term gain, not momentary gratification, and that’s how I keep my spending in check.

Don’t get me wrong. I still stumble.

Last month, I accidentally let two subscriptions auto-renew: $39.99 for a stock trading community I never used, and $8.81 for Paramount+, which I never even watched.

Dining came in at $334 last month, marking the fourth consecutive month I’ve crossed the $300 mark. Clearly, when I choose to spend, food is where my priorities lie. And I won’t pretend my choices were healthy — plenty of pizza and a bunch of Bonchon Chicken — but sometimes indulgence wins.

I also treated myself to a new rocking recliner, $276 well spent to retire the tattered 10-year-old chair that had been squeaking in the living room.

That splurge pushed my shopping total to $588, the fourth month in a row I’ve spent $300 or more in the category.

And yet, even with these indulgences, every dollar still feels purposeful.

Remember, the accumulation stage isn’t about deprivation — it’s about being deliberate.