Do you know the story of Ronald Read? Most people don’t picture a janitor when they think of a multimillionaire, but Ronald Read was.

When Read died in 2014 at the age of 92, it became public that this janitor and gas station attendant, known for his frugality, had an estate worth over $8 million. His wealth did not come from a high salary, but from the habits he practiced every day: living below his means, embracing frugality, saving, and investing.

So often, people think the only way to become a millionaire or to build any level of wealth is through a high income, an inheritance, or a windfall. That’s why the Ronald Read story matters. He debunked the myths around how wealth is made.

His story reflects a pattern that often appears in personal finance. Wealth is usually built through steady habits repeated over time. This idea has been shared in books such as The Millionaire Next Door and The Next Millionaire Next Door, as well as in many other personal‑finance resources.

If you are working to improve your financial situation, don’t wait for a higher income to begin. Get to know your finances, even if it feels uncomfortable. Many people avoid looking at their finances because they feel overwhelmed or ashamed, but avoidance doesn’t help you build wealth. Intentionality does. When you understand what you have and what you owe, you have a clear starting point for making more informed choices.

Create a plan for your money. A budget is a tool that helps you make intentional decisions. When you decide in advance how your money will be used, it becomes easier to manage your spending and adjust as needed to stay on track.

Managing and minimizing high‑interest debt is also an important part of building wealth. High‑interest debt works against you, costing you money in interest from past purchases and limiting your ability to save or invest for the future.

Start saving. You do not need large amounts to begin. What matters is consistency. Saving from each paycheck, even in small amounts, adds up over time. If your employer offers a retirement option, that can be a strong starting point for investing in your future.

These habits can be easier to understand than to practice every day. With the higher cost of living, saving can feel harder than it once did, but it is still possible.

You get to decide how you spend or save your money. You can choose to spend everything you earn and carry debt, with your money going toward payments and interest, or choose to live within your means, save regularly, and build assets over time. Neither option is easy, but you get to make that choice.

So the next time you are deciding what to do with your money, consider asking yourself: “Is this getting me closer to or further away from my goals?”

Ronald Read’s legacy reminds us that building wealth does not come from a single decision but from intentional choices made consistently over time.
What will you do today to shape what your finances will look like in the future?

Renee Chapman (Sangermano) is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) candidate and founder of Climb Higher Financial Coaching, where she helps individuals and families navigate budgeting, debt and everyday financial decisions.