I’m a Self-Made Millionaire: Money Habits I Had To Break To Build Wealth
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Becoming a self-made millionaire isn’t just about making the right moves — it’s also about ditching the wrong ones.
Before their bank accounts grew, many successful people had to unlearn habits that were quietly holding them back.
GOBankingRates spoke with Dennis Vong, the founder and owner of the Inland Power Wash, and Joseph Keshi, CEO of Keshman Property Management, to discuss the money habits they had to break to build their wealth. Here’s what they had to say.
I Stopped Just Saving
Among the habits Vong was forced to give up early was differentiating between saving and directing every dollar.
“Equipment failure in the trades incapacitated whole schedule and thus investing in tools, training and systems provided me with stability — which pure saving could never bring,” Vong said.
He advised the newer business owners that standing cash does not help.
“The foundation is made of cash put to work,” Vong added.
Keshi shared a similar experience where he quit fearing investing.
“Through personal experiences, I came to learn that waiting for just the right circumstances kept me standing, whereas a strategy combining consistent contributions and diversification provided me with exponential reassurance,” according to Kelshi.
I Stopped Doing Everything Myself
The second habit Vong stopped had to do with overestimating his capabilities of stretching himself.
“I also spent years attempting to manage all the jobs, clients and problems. It had me busy and limited my earnings,” he said.
As soon as Vong recruited and trained individuals who would be able to deliver to his expectations, the revenue went back to predictable.
“Wealth came when I started not to spend my time as free time is,” Vong noted.
I Stopped Saying Yes to Every Opportunity
“My other dropped notion was that all opportunities got a yes,” said Vong. “The low-priced clients in my industry may be more time consuming than the premium ones.”
He said saying “no” had him improving his schedule and increasing his margins in a jiffy.
“Individuals believe that wealth starts by making more money. In my case, it can be when you get rid of habits that make you small,” Vong continued.
Ending Emotional Shopping
Attention to this taught Keshi to lighten his temporary load of stress with money spent from the soul. Quitting the emotional shopping stopped the never-ending pangs of regret, and he said thoughtful budgeting ensured swift savings.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a self-made millionaire isn’t just about chasing more money — it’s about breaking the habits that keep you from reaching your full earning potential.
For Vong and Keshi, wealth came when they stopped hoarding cash, trying to do it all themselves, saying yes to every opportunity, and spending emotionally.
The common thread? They put their money, time and energy to work intentionally, rather than letting old habits keep them small.
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