How Long Would It Take to Become a Millionaire?

The median post-tax take-home pay in the U.S. is around $41,600 per year. If you were somehow able to save every single dollar, it would take you just over 24 years to hit millionaire status. That sounds daunting—almost unachievable.

But what if you didn’t just save, but invested that money? With an average 8% annual return, you’d reach $1,000,000 in under 14 years. Just by adding investing to saving, you knock off a full decade.

Now let’s add another modern reality: most households today have two working parents. That means, together, you could reach millionaire status in under 9 years—if you both saved and invested every penny.

Why Time Beats Money in Building Wealth

Saving and Investing: Why Time Beats Money

Most of us know we should save and invest, but it’s easy to put it off. Between day-to-day expenses and the idea that “retirement is decades away,” saving often slips to the bottom of the list.

But here’s the truth: saving and investing early isn’t just about retirement—it’s about freedom, choices, and building a secure future.