For most people, becoming a millionaire is a lofty goal. The median net worth across the country is $192,900, according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances. So, if you're a long way from $1 million, you're not alone.
Because this is a big goal, some people also believe that it's unrealistic. That couldn't be further from the truth. If you manage your personal finances well throughout your career, it's entirely possible to become a millionaire. And it may happen sooner than you think.
How long it takes to become a millionaire
There are two key factors impacting how long it takes to become a millionaire:
- How much you save
- The return you get on your money
The first is self-explanatory. Everything else being equal, you'll have $1 million sooner if you're setting aside $1,000 per month compared to $500.
The return you get on your money is even more important. This is what turbocharges your savings. Let's say you're able to save $1,000 per month. If you aren't getting any sort of return on your money, it will take you 1,000 months to save $1 million. That's over 83 years, longer than the average person lives.
Now, let's say you invest your money. The stock market's average return is about 10% per year. But you may put some of your money in more conservative investments, too. We'll play it safe and assume you get an annual return of 8%. If you invest $1,000 per month, you'll have $1 million in 25.5 years.
Depending on your income, you may be able to invest more or less than that. Here's a look at how long it takes to become a millionaire based on how much you invest per month:
| Monthly contribution | Time to reach $1 million with an 8% annual return |
|---|
| $250 | 41.6 years |
| $500 | 33.3 years |
| $1,000 | 25.5 years |
| $2,500 | 16.3 years |
| $5,000 | 10.6 years |
Data source: Author's calculations.
Getting on track for $1 million
As you saw, it's a lot easier to save $1 million if you have plenty of time to do it. If you're starting at age 25, you could be a millionaire when you retire by investing about $250 per month. If you're starting at 45, you'll need to invest about $1,500 per month. It's still doable, but the faster you want to do it, the more money you need to invest.
If you haven't done so already, start investing right away. Set aside a portion of every paycheck. It can be any amount that works for you. What's important is that you make it a habit. Here are a few of the best ways to invest your money:
- Set up a 401(k) plan at work: If your employer offers this, it's well worth taking advantage. You can have contributions taken out of your paycheck, and you're able to invest with pre-tax income. Many employers also match 401(k) contributions up to a certain amount, which is essentially free money!
- Open an individual retirement account (IRA): You can open this type of account yourself through a stock broker and contribute to it with pre-tax income, just like a 401(k). Another option is a Roth IRA, where you pay normal income taxes on contributions, but withdrawals in retirement are tax free.
- Open a brokerage account: Unlike 401(k)s and IRAs, you don't save on taxes with a regular brokerage account. But there also aren't any annual contribution limits or early withdrawal penalties with brokerage accounts, like there are with retirement accounts.
You can invest in stocks with any of these accounts. They all offer investment funds, as well, that save you time by investing your money for you. Target-date funds are a popular option, because they invest your money based on the retirement year you choose.
Becoming a millionaire isn't an overnight process. It takes a lot of discipline to set aside money and invest consistently. If you put in the work, the reward is well worth it. You'll be able to build wealth and eventually have not just security, but financial freedom.
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FAQs
The time it takes to become a millionaire depends on how much you save and the return you get on your money. If you invest $1,000 per month and get an 8% annual return, you'll be a millionaire in 25.5 years. The key to being a millionaire is to start investing right away and to be consistent about it.
Can you become a millionaire in 12 months? ›
It's Almost Impossible
While some experts believe it's an achievable feat, others aren't so optimistic. “It is almost impossible for most people to become millionaires within just one year,” said Loretta Kilday, attorney and spokesperson for Debt Consolidation Care.
How old are most millionaires? ›
Millionaires — those who have a net worth of at least $1 million —are, perhaps not surprisingly, on the older end. They're predominantly 55 and older; just 2.4% are under the age of 35.
How to be a millionaire ASAP? ›
8 Tips to Becoming a Millionaire
- Stay away from debt.
- Invest early and consistently.
- Make savings a priority.
- Increase your income to reach your goal faster.
- Cut unnecessary expenses.
- Keep your millionaire goal front and center.
- Work with an investing professional.
- Put your plan on repeat.
Getting out of debt, investing consistently for retirement, and getting your home paid off quickly are the three keys to going from zero to millionaire in two decades or less. That's the formula that has worked for thousands of millionaires all over the country—and it can work for you too!
How much money should a 25 year old have? ›
By age 25, you should aim to have an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses, and start regularly contributing to retirement savings to take advantage of compound interest over time, even if it's just small amounts.
Is there a 12 year old millionaire? ›
After a brief hiatus that left many wondering if she had indeed left the business world for good, 12-year-old child millionaire Pixie Curtis has made a return to the entrepreneurial spotlight.
Can I be a millionaire at 25? ›
Let's be real: becoming a millionaire from scratch by the age of 25 (or ever) doesn't exactly come easy. It takes incredible dedication, relentless work ethic, a keen vision and, more often than not, a healthy side serving of luck. And it takes discipline — not only in your work life but in your life-life.
How much a month do you need to be a millionaire? ›
Assuming that you can earn this 10% average return over your investing career, if you are getting started investing this year and you want to become a millionaire in 30 years, you would need to invest $506.60 per month. This amount may seem like a lot, but it may actually be pretty doable for many people.
Can you get rich in 3 months? ›
Becoming a millionaire in just 3 months is a highly ambitious and unrealistic goal for most people. Building wealth and financial stability typically takes time, hard work, and smart financial planning.
There are about 336 million people in the U.S. With 24.5 million of them being millionaires, the odds that someone in the U.S. will end up a millionaire come in at around 7.29%.
How rich is rich? ›
The 95th percentile, with a net worth of $3.2 million, is considered wealthy, facilitating estate planning and possibly owning multiple homes. The top 1%, or the 99th percentile, has a net worth of $16.7 million and represents the very wealthy, who enjoy considerable financial freedom and luxury.
What car does a rich man drive? ›
It's not all about flashy supercars; often, it's more about understated luxury, quality, and performance. Here's a quick look: Common Types of Cars Driven by the Wealthy: Luxury Brands: Think Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Lexus.
How to get rich legally? ›
- Invest. The goal of investing is to buy assets that may provide financial growth over time. ...
- Take advantage of compound interest. ...
- Create a plan and follow it. ...
- Start a business. ...
- Cut spending. ...
- Try taxing yourself. ...
- Consider additional education. ...
- Take calculated risks.
The bottom line is that while the idea of getting rich overnight may appeal to you, the reality is that financial success takes time, effort, and patience. Whether you're a business owner or working towards your personal financial goals, building wealth requires careful planning, hard work, and taking calculated risks.
Can I become a millionaire in 5 years? ›
Let's say you want to become a millionaire in five years. If you're starting from scratch, online millionaire calculators (which return a variety of results given the same inputs) estimate that you'll need to save anywhere from $13,000 to $15,500 a month and invest it wisely enough to earn an average of 10% a year.
How hard is it to become a millionaire? ›
Even with a $150,000 starting investment, it would still take you 22 years to reach the $1 million mark. Of course, with the use of the steps already mentioned, plus consistent determination, diligence and perseverance, you can reach your goal of becoming a millionaire even more quickly than the previous example.
Can you become a millionaire in 27 days? ›
If you double your money every day on the 27th day you will have 67,108,864 cents, which is 0,6 million. You'd need one extra day to become a millionaire.
 - Tim Doman - The Most Useful in Online Business)