10 ways to get 99% financially ahead of MOST people in 2026

Nine Ways to Get Financially Ahead in 12 Months

Key Concepts: Status Game vs. Wealth Game, Progress Principle, Intentional Spending, Emergency Fund, Income Diversification, Self-Investment, Compounding Habits, Long-Term Financial Thinking.

1. The Power of Small Habits & Avoiding the Status Game

The core message is that financial success isn’t about radical overhauls, but consistent, small habits. The speaker, drawing from 13 years of experience in finance and banking, highlights a crucial distinction between two “games” people play with money: the status game and the wealth game.

The status game is defined as an external ranking based on visible markers of success – home size, car make, brand names, social media projections – where someone must lose for another to win. Nal Ravikant’s definition is cited: “The problem is that to win a status game, you have to put somebody else down.” This game fosters anger and competition. The speaker illustrates this with the example of a Range Rover – its status value diminishes if everyone owns one.

Conversely, the wealth game focuses on internal, less visible factors: investments, emergency funds, maxed-out pensions. It’s about building financial freedom and living life on one’s own terms, prioritizing Return on Investment (ROI). The key is to evaluate financial success independently of external comparisons, recognizing that social media presents an incomplete picture.

2. Celebrating Financial Wins – The Progress Principle

Acknowledging even small financial wins is vital for motivation. The speaker admits to previously dismissing small achievements, constantly shifting goalposts. However, research from the Harvard Business School’s Progress Principle demonstrates that consistent progress and its acknowledgement are stronger motivators than achieving massive goals.

This is reinforced by Shardai’s work in Big Trust, which emphasizes how reflecting on achievements strengthens agency and self-belief. The speaker implements a “wins tracker,” recording three wins monthly, one of which must be financial, fostering a mindset of progress rather than perfection. Examples of wins include paying off a credit card, building an emergency fund, or avoiding an overdraft.

3. Thinking in Decades – The Long-Term Perspective

Shifting from short-term to long-term thinking is crucial. Focusing on daily or weekly results can be discouraging. True financial success is built over years, requiring patience and consistent effort. A quote is shared: “If everything you do needs to work on a three-year time horizon, then you’re competing against a lot of people. But if you’re willing to invest on a 7-year time horizon, you’re now competing against a fraction of those people.”

This highlights that most people abandon financial goals within a year or two due to a lack of immediate results. The speaker advocates asking “Where do I want to be in 10 years?” and then taking small, incremental steps towards that vision, playing a “long game” that most people don’t.

4. Knowing Your Relationship with Money – Intentional Spending

Understanding one’s financial health – income, expenses, and spending habits – is fundamental. The goal is to live below one’s means, increasing income and reducing outgoings to allow for savings and investment. The speaker promotes an intentional spending tracker (linked in the description) to gain awareness of spending patterns and one’s overall relationship with money.

5. Building an Emergency Buffer – Financial Security

Having an emergency fund is paramount. Statistics are cited: 40% of people in the UK lack one month of living expenses, and 39% of Americans can’t cover a $1,000 unexpected expense. An emergency fund provides peace of mind, prevents paycheck-to-paycheck living, and offers options during unforeseen circumstances. The speaker recommends starting with one month of expenses and gradually building to three or six.

6. Automating Savings and Investments – Prioritizing Future Self

Warren Buffett’s advice is quoted: “Don't save and invest what is left after spending. Spend what is left after saving and investing.” Automating regular transfers to savings and investment accounts ensures consistent financial growth without requiring constant manual effort. This also reduces the likelihood of impulse purchases.

7. Diversifying Income Streams – Resilience and Growth

Multiple income streams are a hallmark of wealth. This provides a safety net if one income source is disrupted and fosters continued financial growth. Investing is presented as an accessible way to create a second income stream, with links to relevant videos on the channel. The speaker also encourages leveraging the “fresh start” energy of January to launch a business, highlighting Shopify as a platform for doing so. Shopify provides tools for storefront customization, AI-powered content creation, and integrated marketing.

8. Stopping Caring About Opinions – Authenticity and Focus

The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of breaking free from seeking external validation. They emphasize that venturing outside of societal expectations and prioritizing personal values leads to positive outcomes. A self-reflection question is posed: “How important is this person’s opinion in the grand scheme of achieving what I want to do?” This applies to financial decisions, reminding viewers that it’s their money, their life, and their choices.

9. Investing in Yourself – The Highest ROI

The speaker asserts that the best investment is in oneself – education, fitness, self-care. The returns on self-investment compound over time, unlike the fluctuating value of traditional investments. Skills and knowledge directly impact earning potential and provide lasting benefits.

Conclusion:

The video advocates for a shift in mindset – from chasing external validation and quick wins to embracing small, consistent habits focused on long-term wealth building and personal growth. The nine strategies presented aren’t about drastic changes, but about making deliberate choices that compound over time, ultimately leading to financial freedom and a more fulfilling life. The key takeaway is that anyone can improve their financial situation by focusing on these actionable steps and prioritizing consistent effort over immediate gratification.