# 5 Money Moves That Actually Lead to Millionaire Status

How do people actually get rich? It's not magic—it's habits.

Financial expert Rachel Cruze broke down 5 concrete moves that compound over time:

**1. Zero Debt Game**
No credit card trap, no interest bleeding your account dry. When you're debt-free, that payment you'd send to the bank? Goes straight to investments instead. That's how wealth multiplies.

**2. Spend Less Than You Earn**
Budget isn't a dirty word—it's your wealth blueprint. Know exactly where every dollar goes. Simple as that.

**3. Stop Playing Comparison**
Your cousin's buying a house, your friend's flexing a new car. Doesn't matter. Your financial game is yours alone. Different budgets, different timelines, different wins.

**4. Put Money to Work**
Saving alone won't cut it. Rich people invest—whether it's maxing out a Roth IRA or diversifying portfolios. Your money needs to make money.

**5. Think in Decades, Not Days**
Instant gratification = wealth killer. Compound interest doesn't pop overnight. Skip the impulse buys, stay disciplined, and in 20+ years? That's when the real numbers show up.

The median household income is ~$80K (pre-tax). Millionaire status isn't impossible—it just requires these habits to become second nature.