1. They Use an Annuity to Earn Guaranteed Growth on Their Retirement Savings

Middle-income earners who hit the million-dollar mark don’t rely solely on traditional methods. They know the average savings account doesn’t pay enough interest and that the stock market can be volatile.

That’s where an annuity can come in — not only can it grow your money much faster, it can also earn you guaranteed income during retirement at a fixed rate. No stock-market risk involved.

You can get started with a Gainbridge® FastBreak™ annuity with a minimum investment of just $1,000. The more you invest, the higher rate you can earn — up to 5.65% APY**. The best part? There’s no risk to your investment. 

For context, 5.65% APY is more than 13 times* the average rate on a savings account. Plus, your principal amount is fully protected, unlike when you invest in the stock market.

The FastBreak™ annuity is self-directed, easy to set up and comes with 30 days to cancel your contract if you change your mind. Plus you can access up to 10% of your money each year without penalties — even if you’re under 59½.

Looking for a predictable, stable way to grow your retirement savings without risking any of your principal investment? Get started here with as little as $1,000 to earn 5.35% APY, or deposit more to earn up to 5.65% APY.

2. They Save $1,025 on Their Car Insurance

Odds are, you’re probably paying way too much for your car insurance every month. And it can seriously add up — to the tune of $1,025 a year.

Fortunately, Insurify lets you compare all your car insurance options at once — and it can save you up to $1,025 a year. 

Just enter some basic details about your car and background, you’ll get customized quotes you can review on your own time and from the comfort of home. Ready to cut your car insurance bill? It’s easy to get started here and see how much you can save.

3. They Invest in Real-Estate Loans — and Earn 8.1% in Dividends

Loaning people money and charging interest is one of the ways large institutions and the ultra-wealthy earn passive income. It’s not something that’s typically available to the average person.

But with the Arrived Private Credit Fund, you can invest in a portfolio of real-estate loans that pay dividends monthly — with a historic yield of 8.10% annualized dividends.

Arrived is a platform backed by Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff, and other top-tier investors, with more than 800,000 registered users and nearly $300 million invested.

Here’s how it works: You’ll invest in a diversified portfolio of loans across the U.S. that help fund renovations, rehabs, and new home construction. As borrowers pay the loan back, the interest is distributed among investors like you on a monthly basis. Historically, this has yielded investors 8.10% annualized dividends.

Want to start earning passive income like the ultra-wealthy do? It’s simple to get started here and see how much you could earn.

4. They Get Up to $1,000 in Free Stock Just For Investing

While your cash sits in a basic account doing absolutely nothing, smart investors are growing their wealth effortlessly – and getting up to $1,000 in free stock just for opening and funding a new SoFi Active Invest account.

Whether you’re new to investing or a seasoned pro, SoFi makes it easy to start, manage and grow your portfolio by investing in stocks, ETFs and even fractional shares, meaning you can own a slice of your favorite company without having to buy a full share.

Traditional investing platforms charge fees that eat away at your gains. But with SoFi Active Invest, you keep more of what you earn: There are no commissions on stocks and ETFs, no account minimums and no hidden fees.

It takes just a few minutes to open an account. Get started here and fund your account within 30 days to earn up to $1,000. 

5. They Protect Their Portfolio With Precious Metals

If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that disruptions to the market can come out of nowhere. Between the pandemic, supply-chain issues and bear markets, a lot of people’s retirement savings felt the impact. 

That’s why it can be a smart idea to look for ways to protect your retirement savings from the unpredictable. For a lot of people, investing in precious metals is a way to diversify and protect their investments.

One way to do this is with a precious metals IRA through a company like Priority Gold. Precious metals often outperform other investments in a volatile market, and their value tends to rise with inflation, making them an effective hedge during uncertain economic times.

Opening a gold or silver IRA is easy, and you can roll over funds from existing retirement accounts without any taxes or penalty fees. Or you can buy gold and silver directly from Priority Gold’s extensive collection.

Worried you may need to sell your precious metals in the future? Priority Gold offers a no-fee buy-back program. Plus, Priority Gold has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Right now, Priority Gold is offering up to $10,000 in free silver with qualifying purchases, and you’ll get free account setup, free insured shipping and free storage for up to five years.

Want to diversify and safeguard your investments by adding gold and silver to your portfolio? It’s easy to get started here and get your free guide. Right now, Priority Gold is offering up to $20,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases.

6. They Know You Can Get Matched with a Financial Advisor for Free

Even the savviest millionaires don’t know everything about money. But people who quietly build wealth know enough to know what they don’t know — that sometimes, it takes an expert’s insight to make the smartest financial decisions. 

But the idea of getting a financial advisor sounds expensive and tedious. That’s why we like a company called WiserAdvisor. They’ll match you with a financial advisor in your area — for free.

No two people have the same financial situation, which is why WiserAdvisor matches you with the best financial advisor for your specific situation, so you get an expert in the areas you need. 

There’s no obligation to hire the advisor, and WiserAdvisor screens every advisor to make sure you’re only getting matched with the best experts. 

Want to get a customized financial plan? Just start here to get matched with a financial advisor for free.

7. They Use This App to Get $300+ in Annual Value While Building Credit — No Hidden Fees, No Interest

Building credit can feel impossible if you don’t already have it. Most cards either reject you or stick you with sky-high fees and interest.

But with an app called Fizz, you can actually get over $300 in annual value via rewards while you build your credit.

Here’s how it works: Become a Fizz Member for less than a cup of coffee a month. Connect your existing bank account and apply for a line of credit to use for everyday purchases. Then, turn on daily autopay, and Fizz will report your on-time repayments to the credit bureaus — so you can build your credit while your wallet grows, too.

You can earn over $300 in annual value along the way, including 3% cash back in a category of your choice, cash-back rewards at merchants near you, and flash deals worth up to 100% cash-back at popular spots.

Unlike traditional credit cards, there are no hidden fees, no interest and no ATM or foreign-transaction fees. More than 100,000 people already use the Fizz app.

Want to pocket an extra $300 in annual value or more while you boost your credit? Download Fizz on iOS and Android and start earning. You could get approved for up to a $1,000 line of credit today.

8. They Know You Can Get $280/Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You They Already Buy

Ever notice how so many rich people watch every penny like a hawk? They’ll be the first to remind you about a coupon or a rebate offer. It seems strange, but that attention to detail is a big part of why they’re successful in the first place. It’s something any of us can do by using a free cash-back app like Upside. 

Upside pays you cash back when you fill up at the pump and buy other things you already need, like groceries and even meals at restaurants — frequent users earn an average of $280 per year.

Once you download and install the free app, just browse its more than 100,000 participating grocery stores, restaurants and best of all, gas stations, to find a cash-back offer near you. These are always changing, but we’ve seen up to 24 cents back per gallon.

Claim the offer you want and buy your items with your usual debit or credit card. After, check in with Upside to verify your purchase. Upside will verify your purchase and then add the cash back to your Upside account (this can take up three business days). Then you can cash out directly to your bank account, or via gift card. 

Upside pays its users $1 million each week, and the app has a 4.7 star rating from more than 250,000 reviews. When you download the free app right now, Upside will pay you an extra 25 cents per gallon on your first tank of gas. Hurry though, this offer expires soon. Get started to see how much cash back you can earn on gas, food and other things you already have to buy.

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Bottom Line

Building wealth on a middle-class income isn’t about trying to hit it big; it’s about making thoughtful decisions and putting your money to work for you. With the right tools, guidance, and the openness to making smart money moves, you can take meaningful steps toward achieving millionaire status.

 *Source: FDIC, national average of savings, week of 02/18/25. Rates subject to change.

**Gainbridge^®: Annuity rates are subject to change at any time, and the rate mentioned may no longer be current. Please visit Gainbridge.io for current rates, full product disclosures and disclaimer. Withdrawals above the 10% free withdrawal amount are subject to a withdrawal charge and market-value adjustment. FastBreak™ is issued by Gainbridge Life Insurance Company in Zionsville, Indiana. FastBreak™ is not a tax-deferred annuity; instead, it is taxed annually.

*Fizz: ShoulderTap Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Fizz (together with its subsidiaries, “Fizz”) is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard® (“Fizz Mastercard”) is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. The Fizz Visa® Debit Card (together with the Fizz Mastercard, the “Fizz Card”) is issued by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Loans offered in connection with the Fizz Card are originated by Lead Bank. Any promotions or rewards offered in connection with the Fizz Card are offered and managed by Fizz, not our bank partners. Increases or specific changes to your credit score are not guaranteed. Impact on your credit score may vary depending on your use. Fizz is required to report late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account, which may negatively impact your credit score. 

*Terms and eligibility restrictions apply. See joinfizz.com for details. Over $300 in annual value of Fizz Card based on cash value available to Fizz Card users assuming half of all available rewards and promotions are used. Membership is subject to a periodic, recurring subscription fee. Fizz Members may choose to apply for a Fizz Card, but are not required to. Fizz Membership does not guarantee access to a Fizz Card. Application and eligibility restrictions apply. You may apply for the Fizz Card without subscribing to the Membership by contacting support@joinfizz.com.

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