Create Value to Get Paid

When it comes to building wealth, one principle stands above the rest: money follows value.

Most people ask, “How can I make more money?” But the real question should be, “How can I solve a problem or help someone?”

When you focus on creating value — helping others, saving them time, or making life easier — money becomes a natural result.

Think about it. A babysitter gives parents peace of mind. A tutor helps a student pass an exam. A gardener mowing lawns saves time for a busy family. An online course teaches a skill that someone needs for work.

In every case, money is exchanged because value was created first.

Take five minutes and write down three ways you could help someone this week.

• Could you use a skill you already have to teach or guide someone?

• Could you offer your time to take a task off someone’s plate?

• Could you create something useful — online or offline — that others would find helpful?

That simple exercise is the first step toward creating wealth: not by chasing money, but by focusing on value.

Wealth doesn’t start with money. It starts with mindset. When you learn to look for ways to create value, opportunities to earn follow naturally.

This is the foundation. Everything else in your wealth journey builds on this principle.

If you’d like a simple, practical tool to start money conversations with your teen, grab the free Teen Budgeting Starter Kit. It’s designed to help parents teach their kids how to make, manage, and multiply money — skills schools often overlook.