As a real estate agent with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen families from all walks of life navigate the ups and downs of finances. Between showing homes, negotiating deals, and managing open houses, I’ve also been raising two wonderful daughters, softball and basketball practices, dance recitals, and weekend family outings have filled my calendar as much as any client meeting. Through it all, I’ve learned that building wealth isn’t about earning more; it’s about saving smartly, consistently, and intentionally. Here are the seven habits that have helped me, as well as countless clients, build wealth, regardless of their income.

Automate Your Savings 

Life with kids is busy, there’s no denying it. Between school drop-offs and evening activities, remembering to transfer money to a savings account can easily slip through the cracks. That’s why I set up automatic transfers each month. Even small amounts add up over time. Automating savings ensures that your wealth-building happens without requiring daily effort or willpower.

Track Every Dollar

When you’re running between appointments, practices, and family dinners, it’s easy to lose track of spending. I keep a simple budgeting app that tracks everything—from groceries to unexpected field trip fees. 

Tracking your money helps you see where you can cut back and redirect funds toward savings. Even tiny adjustments, such as brewing coffee at home instead of stopping at the café, can make a significant difference over the course of a year.

Pay Yourself First

Before paying bills or funding your kids’ extracurricular activities, I make sure to “pay myself first.” That means moving a portion of my income directly into savings or investments. This habit turns saving into a non-negotiable priority, not an afterthought. Think of it as securing your family’s future while still enjoying the present.

Set Realistic Goals

When raising children, I’ve learned the importance of realistic expectations—whether it’s bedtime routines or weekly homework. The same principle applies to saving. Set achievable short-term goals, like saving for a family vacation, and long-term goals, like college funds or retirement. Celebrating small milestones helps maintain high motivation and prevent burnout.

Live Below Your Means

It’s tempting to keep up with others, especially in neighborhoods full of beautiful homes and manicured lawns. However, one of the most significant lessons I’ve learned in real estate and in life is that living below your means frees up money to save and invest. 

My family enjoys quality experiences, but we’ve learned to prioritize what truly matters—without stretching our budget.

Make Saving a Family Affair

I involve my daughters in our family’s financial decisions. We talk about saving for bigger goals, like trips or a new car, and celebrate when we reach milestones. 

Teaching kids about money early not only builds their financial literacy but also instills a lifelong habit of saving.

Review and Adjust Regularly

Even after 15 years in real estate, I still review my finances on a monthly basis. Markets change, kids grow, and priorities shift—your saving strategy should evolve too. 

Set aside time each month to review your budget, assess your progress, and adjust your goals accordingly. 

Flexibility keeps your plan realistic and sustainable.

Want the Full Step-by-Step Guide?

If you found these habits helpful and want a more detailed, easy-to-follow savings roadmap, I’ve created a downloadable brochure that breaks everything down into clear steps, checklists, and practical examples you can start using today.

Bringing It All Together

Saving money and building wealth doesn’t require a massive income—it requires intentional habits, consistency, and a clear vision for your family’s future. As someone balancing the demands of a real estate career and raising a busy family, I can tell you firsthand: implementing these seven habits makes it possible to secure financial stability while still living a fulfilling life.

Start today—automate, track, set goals, and involve your family. Little by little, those small saving habits turn into long-term wealth, and you’ll be teaching your children the most valuable lesson of all: financial confidence and responsibility.

Words to Keep You Going

No matter where I started, I’ve learned that I have the power to shape my own financial story. Building wealth has come from discipline, patience, and believing that my family’s future is worth every intentional choice I make. 

Every small habit I’ve built—automating transfers, tracking every dollar, and living intentionally—has moved me closer to the life I want for myself and my daughters. By staying committed and consistent, I’ve created the confidence, freedom, and stability that our family deserves.

Want a simple, step-by-step guide you can actually use?

Download our Habits of Highly Successful People guide and start building better habits today.