Two habits that build a fortune: what do millionaires do that 99% of people don't?

MarGib September 08, 2026

🌐 🇵🇱 Polski · 🇬🇧 EN

Is it just luck, background, or a certain amount of risk-taking that sets millionaires apart from the rest of society? Recent studies show that the key to financial success lies in specific financial and psychological habits – the same ones practiced by both entrepreneurs and investors, and which can be cultivated at any age.

Porównanie osoby zestresowanej problemami finansowymi z tą samą osobą cieszącą się wolnością finansową dzięki systematycznemu oszczędzaniu i inwestowaniu — Two faces of financial freedom: from chaos to peace of mind through the habits of millionaires

Over the last two decades, behavioral economics and research into the habits of millionaires have proven one thing: financial success is not a matter of chance, but a consequence of daily choices. What most often distinguishes those who have built their wealth from scratch is not their genes or being born into a wealthy family, but two key practices: early and systematic saving combined with investing, and the ability to think long-term – as confirmed by both international studies and analyses of Polish millionaires.

In this article, we will examine which specific financial and psychological habits are most frequently cited by experts as predictors of wealth success, what scientific research confirms them, and why they work universally – regardless of industry, culture, or life stage. We will also look at the pitfalls that await those trying to implement them and the tools that can help in developing them.

All data, statistics, and examples refer to the latest research available in mid-2026, and thus to the context of the year 2026 – a year in which financial technologies, automated saving, and approaches to investing have reached a whole new level.

"Pay Yourself First": Why automated saving works better than planning "at the end of the month"

One of the most frequently repeated mantras among millionaires is the "Pay Yourself First" principle. The idea is to set aside a portion of your income for savings or investment goals before paying bills, booking vacations, or buying a new car. Sounds simple? In theory, yes, but in practice, only a few apply it consistently.

How does it work? The psychological and financial mechanism

When we save "at the end of the month," there is always something that will "eat up" that money – an unexpected expense, a store promotion, or simple human weakness for immediate gratification. In contrast, the "Pay Yourself First" principle works because it leverages our natural tendency to avoid losses (so-called loss aversion), described by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. When money is set aside immediately, we don't feel like we are losing something we could have spent – it simply "disappears" from our account before we have a chance to spend it.

A study conducted by Harvard Business Review in 2024 (updated in 2025 and 2026) showed that people who follow this principle accumulate on average three times more wealth over 20 years than those who save what is left over. Furthermore, 60% of millionaires in the USA (according to the Federal Reserve, 2025) do this automatically – through monthly contributions to investment accounts, 401(k) retirement plans, or Polish IKE and IKZE accounts.

Real-life examples: from Warren Buffett to Polish entrepreneurs

There are plenty of examples of people who have succeeded thanks to this principle:

Warren Buffett: Since the age of 14, he has saved and invested 60–70% of his income, which allowed him to build a fortune worth over 120 billion dollars.
Oprah Winfrey: In an interview with CNBC (2025), she admitted that during the first years of her career, she saved 10% of every dollar earned – even when her income was low.
Polish entrepreneurs: According to a PFR (2026) report, 65% of people whose net worth increased by more than 50% over the last five years used automated saving. Most often, these were monthly contributions to investment funds or IKE/IKZE accounts.

It is worth noting that this principle works just as well for people with low incomes as it does for those with high incomes. The key is not the amount of savings, but their consistency.

Tools that facilitate "Pay Yourself First"

To make it easier to apply this principle, it is worth using available tools:

Automated investment apps:
- Talerz.pl – a Polish platform that allows for automated contributions to investment funds starting from 50 PLN per month.
- Revolut – offers a "round-up" option, which rounds transactions to the nearest whole unit and invests the difference.
- Rocket Money (formerly Truebill) – an app that automatically moves surpluses to a savings or investment account.
Investment accounts with monthly contributions:
- IKE and IKZE (Poland) – tax incentives encourage systematic retirement saving.
- ISA (Individual Savings Account, UK) – a tax-advantaged savings account, popular among British investors.
Loyalty programs with cashback:
- Shopmium – a portion of the refund for grocery shopping goes into a savings account.
- Payback – points can be exchanged for store vouchers or deposited into a bank account.

Long-term thinking: why investors who stick to the plan earn more

The second key habit of millionaires is the ability to delay gratification and make decisions based on long-term benefits. Research in the fields of neuroeconomics and behavioral economics shows that people who can detach themselves from short-term temptations achieve better financial results – both in investments and in building a career.

Scientific research confirming the effectiveness of long-term thinking

One of the most famous experiments in this field is Walter Mischel's "Marshmallow Test", conducted since the 1960s and continuing to this day. Children were offered one marshmallow immediately or two if they waited 15 minutes. Those who were able to delay the reward achieved better financial results in adulthood. The latest research from the University of California (2025) showed that this ability correlates with 23% higher income over 10 years.

Another confirmation is the McKinsey "Behavioral Finance" report from 2026, which proves that investors who avoid emotional decisions (e.g., panic selling during a bear market) achieve on average 4% higher annual returns than those who react impulsively. Furthermore, people who use long-term planning techniques are more likely to build passive income sources – e.g., through real estate investments, dividends, or their own business.

Business examples: from Jeff Bezos to Polish stock market investors

There are many examples of people who have succeeded thanks to long-term thinking:

Jeff Bezos: In an interview with Business Insider (2025), he admitted that the key to Amazon's success was making decisions based on a 7-year time horizon. This allowed the company to invest in innovation even when it didn't bring immediate profits.
Warren Buffett is known for his rule: "Buy stocks as if you were buying the whole company – and hold them for at least 10 years." His portfolio has recorded an average annual return of 20.1% since 1965 (when he took over Berkshire Hathaway) – significantly above the market average.
Polish investors: According to GPW (2026) data, investors who held stocks for a minimum of 5 years had on average 30% higher profits than those who changed their portfolio more than once a year.

It is worth noting that long-term thinking does not only apply to investments. Employees who plan their careers 5–10 years ahead are more likely to be promoted to management positions – as confirmed by a Harvard Business School (2025) study.

Techniques for developing the habit of long-term thinking

To cultivate this habit, experts recommend several proven methods:

The "10-10-10" technique (Suzy Welch):
Before making a financial decision, it is worth asking yourself three questions:
1. How will this affect me in 10 days?
2. How will this affect me in 10 months?
3. How will this affect me in 10 years?
This simple technique helps detach from emotions and look at the decision from a broader perspective.
Financial mindfulness:
Harvard (2025) research shows that people who practice mindfulness make 18% fewer impulsive investment decisions. Techniques such as meditation or keeping a financial journal help maintain calm during difficult moments.
Quarterly and annual planning:
Regularly reviewing your financial goals (e.g., every quarter) helps maintain focus on long-term priorities. Tools like YNAB (You Need A Budget) or moneylover make it easier to track progress.

Are these habits universal? Differences between entrepreneurs, investors, and employees

Although the "Pay Yourself First" and long-term thinking principles work in every professional group, their implementation looks slightly different depending on the industry, culture, or life stage. The table below shows which habits are most commonly used by different groups of millionaires in 2026:

Group	Main habit	Statistic	Example
Entrepreneurs	Risk-taking + reinvesting profits	68% of millionaire business owners reinvest at least 30% of profits (Forbes 2026)	Elon Musk – reinvested all profits from PayPal into subsequent projects (Tesla, SpaceX).
Investors	Diversification + patience	82% of investors who earned >1M USD never panic-sold (blackrock 2025)	Charlie Munger – Buffett's partner, known for his long-term approach to investing.
Employees	Systematic saving	71% of millionaires in the USA started by saving 10% of their income (Ramsey Solutions 2026)	Jan Kowalski – an engineer from Krakow who saved 15% of his salary from age 25 and invested in index funds.
Artists/Creators	Building passive income	45% of millionaires in the creative industry have at least 2 sources of passive income (PwC 2025)	J.K. Rowling – invested in real estate and copyrights, which brought her passive income.

As you can see, although all groups use similar principles, their implementation is adapted to the specifics of their work. Entrepreneurs take risks more often, investors focus on diversification, and employees – on consistency.

Pitfalls and contraindications: when millionaire habits do harm

Although millionaire habits are effective, their excessive application can lead to unexpected problems. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

1. Excessive investment optimism

A CNBC (2026) study shows that 34% of people who lost their wealth trusted only their "gut instinct" without risk analysis. Optimism is important, but it should be combined with sound analysis. Example:

Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos): She trusted that her "revolutionary" technology would work, which led to the company's collapse and the loss of billions of dollars.

How to avoid: Always check the fundamentals of an investment (e.g., financial statements, business models) before making a decision. The "10-10-10" technique can help maintain common sense.

2. Compulsive saving

The "Financial Anxiety" (Goldman Sachs, 2026) report indicates that people who save more than 40% of their income often suffer from financial stress and make worse investment decisions out of desperation. Example:

People in Japan: The culture of saving ("bimbo") has led to a situation where many people have huge savings but don't know how to invest them – causing them to lose out to inflation.

How to avoid: Set a realistic savings percentage (e.g., 15–20%) and stick to it, but don't give up on pleasures entirely. The balance between saving and living is crucial.

3. Lack of flexibility

A McKinsey (2025) study shows that investors who stick to a strategy that is too rigid lose on average 2% per year due to a lack of adaptation to market changes. Example:

Cryptocurrency investors in 2022: Many stuck to their portfolio despite the bear market, which led to huge losses.

How to avoid: Regularly review your investments (e.g., every quarter) and adjust your strategy to the changing market situation. Diversification is the key to limiting risk.

How to develop these habits? Tools and methods for 2026

To start applying millionaire habits, you don't need large capital or expert knowledge. Just a few simple steps and the right tools are enough. Here are proven methods for 2026:

1. Financial automation

The less you think about your finances, the better. Automation allows you to detach from emotions and focus on long-term goals.

Automated transfers: Set up a standing order at your bank that moves a set amount to a savings or investment account every month. ING Bank Śląski (2026) offers such a feature for 5.2 million clients.
"Round-up" apps:
- Revolut – rounds transactions to the nearest whole unit and invests the difference.
- Tatra Banka (Slovakia) – offers a similar feature for clients in Central Europe.

2. Tracking progress

To maintain motivation, it is worth monitoring your progress regularly. Tools like YNAB or moneylover help track expenses, savings, and goals.

Example:

YNAB (You Need A Budget) – an app that helps plan a budget based on the "zero-based budgeting" principle (every dollar has a job).
moneylover – a popular financial management app in Poland that offers automated expense categorization.

3. Financial coaching

If you feel you need individual support, it is worth seeking help from a certified financial advisor. The Financial Advisors Association (2026) has over 12,000 certified coaches in Poland who help with financial planning.

Service examples:

Retirement planning – determining how much to save to enjoy a peaceful retirement.
Tax optimization – utilizing tax breaks and deductions.
Building an investment portfolio – adjusting investments to risk tolerance and life goals.

4. Financial education

The more you know about finance, the easier it is to make good decisions. In 2026, many free and paid courses are available:

Online courses:
- "Financial Markets" (Coursera, Yale University)
- Investing courses on Udemy
Books:
- "The Millionaire Next Door" (Thomas J. Stanley, 2026 – update)
- "Rich Dad Poor Dad" (Robert Kiyosaki)
- "Your Money Or Your Life" (Vicki Robin)
Podcasts:
- "The Dave Ramsey Show" – advice on saving and avoiding debt.
- "choosefi" – discussions on financial freedom and building wealth.

Summary: three steps you can take today

If you want to start building wealth the way millionaires do, here are three concrete steps you can take today:

Set up automated transfers
Start by setting aside 10–15% of your income into a savings or investment account. You can do this by:
- Setting up a standing order at your bank.
- Using apps like Talerz.pl or Revolut.
Use the "10-10-10" technique before every major financial decision
Before you decide on a purchase, investment, or taking a risk, ask yourself:
- How will this affect me in 10 days?
- How will this affect me in 10 months?
- How will this affect me in 10 years?
Conduct a quarterly review of your finances
Every three months, check what progress you have made in saving and investing. You can do this yourself or with the help of apps like YNAB or moneylover.

Remember that the key to success is not perfection, but consistency. Even if you start with small amounts, you will see results over time. As Warren Buffett said: "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

If you want to delve deeper into the topic of financial freedom, I also recommend our articles:

On how courage and risk influence success – Courage and risk: keys to a full life and success.
On how technologies are changing the job market – Sektor 3.0 Festival: How are technologies changing the job market in Poland?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these habits work only for high-income earners?

No. The key is consistency, not the level of income. Low-income earners who save 10% of their income often build more wealth than high-income earners who spend everything on living. Example: Jan Kowalski from Krakow, who saved 15% of his salary from age 25 and invested in index funds, today has assets worth over 500,000 PLN – even though his starting salary was 2,500 PLN net.

How long does it take to develop these habits?

According to Journal of Economic Psychology (2025) research, developing the habit of systematic saving takes on average 3–6 months. The most important thing is to start and maintain consistency. After that time, the habit becomes natural.

Do these principles work in every culture?

A PwC (2025) study found that millionaire habits are universal, but their implementation may vary depending on the culture. For example:

In Poland and Germany, people save mainly for retirement.
In the USA, investments in real estate and stocks are popular.
In Japan, people save a lot, but often a lack of investment knowledge leads to losses due to inflation.

The key is to adapt the strategy to local conditions.

Can you apply these habits while in debt?

Yes, but with some caveats. First, you must stabilize your financial situation by:

Establishing a debt repayment plan (e.g., the "snowball" method).
Saving a small amount (e.g., 5% of income) so as not to feel completely deprived of funds.
Avoiding new debt.

Example: Dave Ramsey, author of the book "Total Money Makeover", recommends paying off debt before starting to invest – but on the condition that you save at least a small amount for an emergency fund.

What's next? Your path to financial freedom

Building wealth is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is consistency, patience, and the ability to make good financial decisions – even when they don't bring immediate results. Remember that:

Saving is not a loss, but an investment in yourself. Every dollar you set aside is a step closer to financial freedom.
Long-term thinking is the greatest competitive advantage. Investors who stick to their plan earn more than those who look for quick profits.
Tools are just tools. The most important thing is your decision and readiness to act.

If you want to deepen your knowledge, I also recommend our articles on success and happiness mechanisms and on the future of investing in the AI era.

Good luck building your wealth! Remember that every millionaire once started from zero – the key is to start today.