JF2940: Building Your Way to the Top | Passive Investor Tips ft. Travis Watts

<p><em>Passive Investor Tips is a weekly series hosted by full-time passive investor and Best Ever Show host, Travis Watts. In each bite-sized episode, Travis breaks down passive investor topics, simplifying the philosophy and mindset while providing tactical, valuable information on how to be a passive investor.</em></p> <p>In this episode, Travis talks about the various levels investors need to achieve on the path to building financial wealth. Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Travis has created his own hierarchy of wealth building to illustrate what needs must be met before you can achieve financial independence. There are five tiers in this hierarchy:</p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>1. Self-Sufficiency</strong></h2> <p>The first level in the hierarchy of wealth building is self-sufficiency. This is where you can support your living costs and expenses through active income. You may have a W-2 job or work as an independent contractor — in any case, you are working to pay your expenses. </p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>2. Stability</strong></h2> <p>At the second level, you eliminate high-interest debt, bad debt, and credit card debt. You also have some cash in the bank as a reserve. </p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>3. Flexibility</strong></h2> <p>At the third level, you could potentially take a year off of work, travel, or even pivot careers. You may have some investments or IRA accounts and adequate cash reserves in the bank. However, you are still working to pay your expenses. Your investments have not been able to generate enough income for you to quit your job.</p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>4. Financial Independence</strong></h2> <p>At the fourth level, you are able to live off of the income that your investments generate. It is important to note that even if you are a high-income earner who makes millions of dollars per year, it isn’t possible to reach financial independence unless you become a passive income investor.</p> <p> </p> <h2><strong>5. Financial Abundance</strong></h2> <p>At the fifth and final level, money is no longer