4 Ways You Can Build Wealth by Spending On Experiences
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Building wealth isn’t always about smart investing. It can also be about smart spending. Experiences like attending conferences and traveling can lead to opportunities that reshape careers, expand networks and broaden perspectives.
Here are four ways spending on the right experiences can lead to lasting financial growth.
Attend Professional Conferences or Workshops
Stephen Greet, CEO and co-founder of BeamJobs, said that, for him, building wealth through experiences starts with deliberately choosing opportunities that create ripple effects.
“One experience that comes to mind is attending niche industry conferences or workshops,” he said. “I remember the first conference I attended as a young professional — it wasn’t cheap, and I debated whether the ticket was worth it. But the connections I made there were invaluable.”
Greet said that one connection he made led to a mentorship that shaped his early career decision and, indirectly, the founding of BeamJobs.
“Events like these don’t just teach new skills; they embed you in networks where opportunities are exchanged, leading to career growth and financial gains down the line,” he explained.
Travel
Greet said leveraging travel as a way to build cultural competence is another example of building wealth through spending on experiences.
“Early in my career, I worked on a project that took me abroad, and the perspective I gained from navigating different business customs completely reshaped how I approached problem-solving,” he explained. “This experience didn’t just boost my adaptability — it directly enhanced my ability to collaborate with diverse teams, making me a stronger leader.”
Ultimately, new places can expand your horizons and your growth. “For individuals, immersing yourself in new environments — whether through work, study or volunteering abroad — can expand your value in a global economy where cultural fluency is increasingly prized,” Greet said.
Pay For Opportunities To Share Expertise
Hope Horner, CEO and founder of Lemonlight, said that documenting her startup journey online changed everything for her.
“Back in 2014, I began sharing my startup journey online — just honest stories about building Lemonlight,” she said. “No grand strategy, no LinkedIn verbiage — just documenting what I was learning. Those articles unwittingly paved a way for me onto Forbes Business Council (alongside a membership fee).”
Horner explained that the opportunity to contribute was a complete surprise and she wasn’t expecting much when she applied. But she found that she suddenly had a platform to share deeper insights about video marketing and entrepreneurship.
The relationships that formed through her articles, conversations and invitations were a major turning point for her and the wealth she started building, she explained.
“It was never my driving factor; I purely and thoroughly enjoyed discussing business, talking about Lemonlight, what we do, the tech we were using, and so on and so forth,” she said. “And then out of nowhere, my thoughts on different subjects became sought-after.”
By investing in these opportunities to share her expertise, Horner was able to grow her network and build wealth.
“Speaking opportunities followed naturally. Each event connected me with people who became mentors, collaborators and, eventually, clients. One conference talk led to a partnership that opened doors to Fortune 500 companies we never had access to before,” Horner said. “The wealth-building happened organically, almost as a byproduct. The real value came from the network of incredible people who read those articles or attended those talks. They challenged my thinking, shared opportunities and helped Lemonlight grow in ways I never imagined.”
Invest In Personal Development
Adam Garcia, CFP, founder of The Stock Dork, said that spending on personal development retreats can help you indirectly build wealth.
“Retreats focused on mindfulness, resilience or leadership teach you how to handle stress, make clearer decisions and think strategically — critical traits for advancing in your career or managing investments,” he explained.
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