Is it a Mercedes Benz in the driveway or a four-car garage? Could it be a pair of red bottoms, a Louie bag, and diamonds? Hold that thought. I had an interesting conversation with my son a few years ago. I'm not sure if it made an impression on him, but it definitely made one on me. We were traveling, and I just happened to have a wad of cash in my pocket. We walked into a clothing store, and I was buying a T-shirt. I pulled out a stack of maybe $500—it had a couple of Benjamins but was mostly $20s and singles. My son looked at me and said, "Wow, Dad, you have a lot of money."He was used to me pulling out an empty wallet and handing over my debit card.

I responded quickly, "This isn't a lot of money, son. You can't fit a lot of money in your pocket." Then I pulled out the debit card and said, "This is where the money is." After we left, we had a conversation about people who flash money and go places with a lot of cash—and how, in reality, that isn't a lot of money.

Real Money Is Silent

Real money is silent and sometimes invisible. I read a book titled "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley about 20 years ago. It painted the picture that most millionaires are indistinguishable from the average person who isn't one. Instead of the Mercedes and the mansion on a hill, they were your next-door neighbors who drove Honda Accords. People who systematically lived below their means, saved, invested, and over time amassed large amounts of wealth. These "secret millionaires" were living happy, fulfilled, burden-free lives—right under the millionaire radar.

Ever since that book, I've been amazed by the popularity of the "thousandaires" who do the exact opposite. Many are unhappy, unfulfilled, and stressed out—yet they paint the picture of success and create envy.

The "B" Word

The wealthy become—and stay—wealthy because they live on a budget. Yep. I said the "B" word. They live on a budget that gives them control over where their money is going. Now, I'm not saying they're pulling out spreadsheets every month, but they do have money they live on, money set aside for fixed expenses, and money for savings and investments. A budget system can be as simple as having a portion of your check sent to a separate account that you don't touch—or it can be a more structured system that allocates money for specific needs.

Budget = Freedom

We've got to break the stigma that a budget is some kind of restriction or handcuff. It's actually the opposite. A budget gives you freedom. It allows you to have the money you never dreamed of having. In fact, budgeting is Wealth Management 101. Budgeting is what creates the wealth. Without it? The more you make, the more you spend.

If you're a budgeter—congrats and keep doing what you're doing. If you're not? Let's try something new. It might just give you a kind of freedom you've never known before.

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