I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: 4 Steps I Took To Become Rich on an Average Salary

I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: 4 Steps I Took To Become Rich on an Average Salary

Martin Dasko

Mon, September 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM GMT+3 4 min read

According to CNBC and the SurveyMonkey American Dream Pulse Survey, 51% of Americans believe the American Dream is out of reach for most people, while 45% feel it's attainable only for some. Notably, 60% of respondents cited housing prices as the main reason the American Dream felt unattainable.

We spoke with a self-made millionaire Adriana Montes, founder of Florida Dreams Real Estate Group, about the money moves she made to build wealth on an average salary.

She shared that she came to America as a first-generation immigrant with no inheritance and no safety net. worked an ordinary paycheck and built wealth over time. Her first job was making $70,000 in 2003 as a sales rental agent for Alamo Rental Car at their airport location.

Montes revealed the steps that she took to turn this job into a pathway toward good wealth.

Step 1: Purchased a Home as a Residence and Investment

Montes admitted that her first property was not a dream house but rather a wealth-building tool as she embraced house hacking. She lived in one part of the place and brought in tenants to help her cover her housing costs. She elaborated, "That freed up the income most people pour into rent and let me save and reinvest instead."

How Can Everyday People Replicate This?

You can look around to buy a small multi-unit or a home with a rentable room, live in one part, and rent the rest. She pointed out that owner-occupant loans allow you to make a low down payment, and your largest monthly expense becomes an income source. This strategy allowed her to save on living expenses so that she could focus on investing.

Step 2: Invested In Herself With a Real Estate License

Montes got her real estate license and reinvested the commissions. By spending the money on her license, she picked up a side income stream and learned how to spot real estate deals. She used her commissions to reinvest in her business while maintaining her fixed salary.

How Can Everyday People Replicate This?

Montes emphasized that you don't have to invest in your real estate license, but you should try to learn about your local market. She recommends investing in your skills to earn extra money on the side. Then you should treat any additional income, a side hustle, or a business as investment fuel rather than a lifestyle upgrade.

Step 3: Held Assets For The Long Run

Instead of chasing quick flips with real estate, she held on to her assets. Buying and holding real estate paid her in four different ways: Monthly cash flow, the tenant paying down your mortgage, long-term appreciation, and tax advantages. The time in the market did the heavy lifting that a salary couldn't.

How Can Everyday People Replicate This?

You can start with one property and hold on to it as the tenant builds your equity. You can then use this equity to eventually purchase another property because patience compounds. The goal is to hold on for the long term so that the asset can appreciate properly.

Step 4: Turn Expertise Into An Income

Montes felt that the biggest jump in her net worth came when she founded the Florida Dreams Real Estate Group. She went from relying on an average salary to having control of her income. While her job allowed her to fund her investments and build her expertise, she knew she had to take the leap to reach the next level.

How Can Everyday People Replicate This?

Montes advises regular people to start a service or small venture based on what you already know and grow it on the side until it can support you. You have to build the skills first, and you definitely shouldn't quit your job overnight, but you want to do whatever you can to increase your income.

Montes concluded, "I lived below my means, avoided lifestyle inflation and bought assets that paid me back. On an average salary, wealth is not about what you earn. It's about what you keep and where you put it."

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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