For those unable to commit to a strict, escalating monthly investment plan, an effective alternative is to leverage one-time cash infusions. Sources like tax refunds, inheritances, bonuses, or proceeds from selling large items can be used for significant lump-sum investments. This approach provides a flexible path toward a major financial goal without requiring a rigid monthly commitment.
Reaching the first $100,000 is the most difficult phase of investing because compound interest gains significant momentum only after this point. For example, growing from $900k to $1 million can take just one year, whereas accumulating the first $100k can take over six years with the same monthly contribution. This reframes the initial slow growth as a necessary, temporary phase.
An aggressive plan to build wealth, like reaching $100k in five years, cannot rely solely on saving a fixed percentage of income. The strategy requires actively increasing your earnings through raises or side hustles, which in turn enables you to aggressively ramp up your monthly investment contributions year after year. The plan explicitly couples the goals of earning more and investing more.