Have you ever wondered how life would be different if you were in the upper middle class? While the income required to hit that target varies by state, you’ll generally need to earn well into the six figures to qualify.
If that seems like a lot of money, you’re right. The median household income in the U.S. is around $70,000.
Learn More: What the Upper Middle Class Makes in Different US Cities
For You: 7 Reasons You Should Consider a Financial Advisor — Even If You’re Not Wealthy
Fortunately, whether you’re a long way off from achieving that milestone or right on the edge of it, you can ultimately boost your status. We spoke with someone who’s reached that socioeconomic tier, and she shared the top two financial steps she wishes she had taken sooner.
Her insights may help you hit the mark faster than you thought possible.
Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.
Meet Aitzarelys Negrón
Aitzarelys (Aitza) Negrón, certified public accountant and founder of Strategies and T.E.A., said, “I consider the upper middle class to have an annual income of $90,000 to $150,000. My income level with my full-time job and businesses is between $100,000 to $130,000.”
While Aitza is solidly upper middle class now, she believes two basic activities would have improved her financial situation sooner: saving more and earning more. Here’s how she would have done it.
Max Out My Retirement Accounts
“[I would have] gotten accustomed to maxing out my 401(k) contribution at the start of my career as well as my traditional IRA before phasing it out. With these in place, I would have benefitted from a tax perspective and have become used to living below my means earlier on,” said Negrón.
Find Out: How I Went From Middle Class to Upper Middle Class
Per the IRS, in 2024, you can contribute up to $23,000 to your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plans. You can also contribute up to $7,000 to your individual retirement account (IRA).
Don’t worry if you can’t afford to make the maximum contribution yet. Even small increases to your investment amount will add up over time. Setting up an automatic annual increase of just one percent is a smart way to ensure your 401(k) account will keep growing (and you probably won’t even notice it in your budget).
Start a Side Hustle
“[I also would] have started my side hustles sooner. With my side hustle income, I could have accelerated my debt payoff, which would have allowed me to invest sooner and benefit from compound growth,” Negrón said.
Initially, your side hustle can give your budget some much-needed breathing room. Eventually, the income from your side gig could replace your corporate salary.
How To Get Into the Upper Middle Class (And Beyond)
Getting into the upper class requires a mindset shift, a change in financial habits, and a willingness to invest in yourself. We spoke with Julie Berninger, a former technology professional turned entrepreneur. She owns Gold City Ventures and said her businesses earn her an upper-middle-class income each month. Here’s her advice to build wealth.
Pay Off Debt
“Some may argue that it is wise to leave low-interest debt, but at the beginning of my journey to financial freedom it was really important for me to pay off student loans because it gave me the mental freedom to take risks to pursue my dreams. I would not have left my comfortable day jobs to pursue entrepreneurship year-round if I still had that debt,” said Berninger.
Accumulate Assets
Maxing out your retirement accounts is an important first step. Beyond that, Berninger encourages you to, “Purchase real estate, build a business, and focus on accumulating things that have value beyond just a one-time purchase.”
Create Versus Consume
Berninger said, “Notice how you are spending your free time and note how often you are putting your creations into the world versus how often you are just sitting and consuming what is going on around you. Taking action is how you get ahead financially.”
Get Help
“Don’t try to DIY everything in the interest of saving money. Save yourself time and go find the people who know how to do what you want to do and pay them to help you. Your time is valuable,” said Berninger.
Bottom Line Advice
“[Give yourself some] grace and go at a pace that is sustainable. Focus on stabilizing your finances and then on building wealth,” said Negrón.
Negrón offered these steps to help you get started:
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“Identify your true why. Think beyond the dollar amount to get to the root of why you want to stabilize your finances and build wealth. This is the key to keep you going [over the long haul],” Negrón said.
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“Assess your current reality,” said Negrón. Review your spending, debt and savings.
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“Compare your top three spending categories with your why. Are they getting you closer or farther from the goal?” asked Negrón.
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“Create a zero-based budget using all of these pieces of information. Remember that budgets are not about sacrifice. They are tools to help you say yes to more things you love,” advised Negrón.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m Upper Middle Class: 2 Financial Steps I Wish I’d Taken Sooner