Notes: The Wealth Ladder - by Nick Maggiulli

It is rare these days for me to read a book about money that I like. I have read too many of them, so I am a bit jaded. But this one I liked. Here are my notes.

I loved the salt metaphor, something like: “Salt doesn’t add taste to food; it enhances the existing flavors. Similarly, money doesn’t create happiness; it amplifies the happiness you already have.”

Introduction

• Building wealth isn’t just about working harder; it’s about using the right strategies for your situation.
• Wealth is best understood as a series of levels, each requiring different approaches.

Chapter 1: Spending up the Wealth Ladder

• Spend based on your net worth, not your income, since income can fluctuate.
• The “0.01% Rule” suggests you can safely spend 0.01% of your net worth daily without eroding your wealth.
• Avoid overspending, but extreme frugality isn’t necessary.
• Use your liquid net worth (readily available assets) as a conservative guide for spending.

Chapter 2: Earning up the Wealth Ladder

• Income is the foundation of wealth; high income and high wealth usually go together.
• Different forms of leverage (labor, capital, content, code) become more important as you move up the ladder.

Chapter 3: Investing up the Wealth Ladder

• Those with less wealth tend to own cash, vehicles, and homes; those with more wealth own investments that generate income.
• Moving up the ladder means shifting from assets that cost money to those that make money.
• Owning a business or stocks is common at higher levels, but ownership alone doesn’t guarantee success.
• The key is to gradually increase your share of income-producing assets.

Chapter 4: Level 1 (<$10k) — Atypical Results Require Atypical Actions

• Focus on reducing debt and building a financial safety net.
• Prioritize developing skills that can increase your income, ideally without taking on more debt.
• Rely on relationships for support if needed, and be prepared to reciprocate.
• Avoid large financial risks like high-interest debt or unnecessary loans.

Chapter 5: Level 2 ($10k–$100k) — Learn Today, Earn Forever

• Identify where your skills, interests, and market demand overlap.
• Education that leads to higher earnings is a worthwhile investment at this stage.
• Beware of dead-end jobs and missed opportunities.
• The mindset: invest in learning now to benefit for a lifetime.

Chapter 6: Level 3 ($100k–$1M) — Just Keep Buying

• Research investments that suit you and consider side hustles to diversify income.
• Focus on acquiring income-producing assets and creating multiple income streams.
• Overspending, especially on big purchases like homes, is a major risk.
• Consistency in investing is key; keep building wealth steadily.

Chapter 7: Level 4 ($1M–$10M) — What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

• Decide whether to stay at this level or pursue business ownership for further growth.
• Continued investment and possibly starting or joining a business are main opportunities (you need equity).
• Avoid speculative investments and businesses that are just jobs in disguise (aka they depend on you).
• The strategies that got you to this level may not be enough to move higher.

Chapter 8: Level 5 ($10M–$100M) — Only the Paranoid Survive

• Decide whether to sell your business, start a new one, or stop climbing.
• Scaling or selling businesses is a common path at this level.
• Watch out for concentrated investments, personal liabilities, and the psychological challenges of wealth.
• Protect your wealth and relationships; risk management is crucial.

Chapter 9: Level 6 ($100M+) — Legacy = Action × Wealth

• Focus on safeguarding your wealth and prioritizing non-monetary aspects of life, like relationships and health.
• Consider the impact and legacy you want to leave.
• Major risks include divorce, lawsuits, and taking unnecessary risks.
• At this stage, your actions and how you use your wealth define your legacy.

Chapter 10: How Long Does It Take to Climb the Wealth Ladder?

• Wealth accumulation is a long-term process; most millionaires are in their sixties.
• Upward mobility is possible, especially over decades, but most people remain in the same wealth level over ten years.
• Time and patience are essential; expect gradual progress, not overnight success.

Final Insights

• Money can increase happiness, especially at lower levels, but its impact diminishes as wealth grows.
• True wealth includes social, mental, physical, and time wealth—not just financial assets.
• Balance is key: financial wealth multiplies the value of other forms of wealth, but can’t replace them (salt metaphor).
• The journey up the Wealth Ladder is as much about enjoying life and relationships as it is about accumulating money.