Act as if...
If you haven't seen the movie Boiler Room, you should stop reading and watch it right now.
Wealthist
Financial insights for everyone
The movie is about the drive to become wealthy at all costs. That's not what Wealthist is all about, but we do like the idea of acting or behaving in your life as if you were in a place you wanted to be.
This isn't mysticism or manifestation. It's just behavioral alignment, backed by data. Do the things that wealthy people do to remain wealthy. Here's Ben Affleck talking about the idea in the most impactful scene of the movie, Boiler Room.
What does "act as if" mean for Wealthist?
"Act as if" is using the observable, measurable behaviors that line up with wealth growth, before your actual net worth proves you right.
Wealth comes from behavior more reliably than income comes from luck.
Things that wealthy people do early in life
| Area | Lower-wealth behavior | Higher-wealth behavior | What to do now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income strategy | Single income source | Multiple income paths | Build a second income stream |
| Spending | Lifestyle grows with income | Lifestyle capped below income | Freeze non-essential spending for 12 months |
| Savings | Inconsistent | Automatic and rising | Auto-save at least 15 percent of income |
| Investing | Cash-heavy, reactive | Stock or equity exposure early | Start diversified investing now (like a 401(k) or automated investment account |
| Debt | Consumer debt is normal | Consumer debt is minimized | Eliminate high-interest debt now |
| Time horizon | Short-term focus | Long-term planning | Make decisions based on 10–20 year impact |
Act as if you're already financially stable
- Maintain a written budget, even when money feels tight.
- Keep 3 to 6 months of expenses earmarked as untouchable.
- Insure against catastrophic risk before chasing investment with higher returns.
- Avoid financial decisions that require perfect timing.
Financial stability is not a number. It is a system. If you follow the system, patiently, you will build wealth. If you don't? You won't.
Act as if you're already an investor
- Contribute to your investments automatically, not emotionally.
- Use boring, diversified investments like an automated investment account or a 401(k) at work.
- Ignore short-term market noise. What's happening day-to-day is rarely important for most investors. You trust the overall system, not tiny parts of the system.
- Increase your contributions when your income rises, not your spending.
Act as if you're already a high earner
- Track the market value of your skills annually with tools like Payscale
- Negotiate your pay as a part of a routine process
- Change roles strategically, not emotionally. Look for higher-paying roles across your company and industry.
- Invest in skills with clear economic returns.
A simple 12-month "act as if" plan
Months 1–3
- Create a zero-based budget
- Automate savings and investing
- List all debts by interest rate
Months 4–6
- Eliminate highest-interest debt
- Increase savings by 1–2 percent
- Start or scale side income
Months 7–12
- Reinvest income increases
- Avoid lifestyle upgrades
- Review progress quarterly
The sad truth for most people
You don't become wealthy by thinking like a wealthy person. You become wealthy by behaving like one long enough that the math catches up with the acting.
"Act as if" is not pretending. It's pre-commitment to yourself. If you need help applying this type of thinking to your life, check back weekly. We are adding new content, advice and guidance in your specific journey.
