Who doesn’t want to build their financial wealth? One of the best ways to do that is to invest and there are many vehicles to choose from. However, you have the potential to lose your money, but if you’re wise with a little bit of luck, the chance to grow your money is worth the risk.

There are other investments that if done consistently will result in a fulfilled life. You may not get rich but you will be successful.

1. Invest in yourself.

This is one of the best things you can do. Learning doesn’t end when formal school ends. Educating yourself should be a lifelong endeavour.

There are many ways that you can invest in yourself. Here are some of my favourites:

a. Set goals. One thing I’ve noticed about setting goals is that even if you don’t achieve them, you’re still closer to your desired target. It happens to me a lot. One goal that I set is to finish a novel by a certain date. I’m always closet to finishing it by the target date. So I just reset and move forward.

b. Read and read some more. I enjoy a good book. I mostly read novels like the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child or the Mitch Rapp books by Vince Flynn. These are books I read for fun, to escape for a bit, and to immerse myself in another world. I come back invigorated and ready to tackle what I have going.

It also helps me become a better writer which is ultimately my goal.

Reading books on becoming a better writer is also helpful. I highly recommend Stephen King’s On Writing.

Whatever goal you are trying to reach, there are books that can help you do that, written by people who have gone before you. Set a goal to read daily.

“What I know for sure is that reading opens you up,” says Oprah, “It exposes you and gives you access to anything your mind can hold. What I love most about reading — It gives you the ability to reach higher ground.”

c. Attend seminars and workshops. I’ve attempted to build an Amway business twice and failed both times. It wasn’t easy. But I believed I could do it because of the seminars and workshops I attended. Being around successful business owners boosts your confidence and allows you to network with others and gain invaluable insights.

I’ve found writing workshops equally helpful. Sharing struggles and success stories keeps you going. They are a good investment.

d. Take care of your health. This goes without saying. I wish I had heeded this when I was in my twenties. One thing I didn’t do was drink enough water and now my kidneys are not draining as well as they should, Something I have to keep an eye on.

What did Mom tell me? Eat my fruits and veggies, go play outside(exercise), go to bed(sleep). Three ingredients for a healthy life.

2. Invest in your marriage.

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this year. Like all marriages, we’ve had our ups and downs. We’ve even sought counseling at one point.

But the ups far outweigh the downs. With three children and one grandchild, it’s been worth it. I tell my kids that I want ten grandchildren minimum between them. I don’t care how they achieve it. Just make it happen.

Thank God for my wife. She is the one who made vacation plans, planned games or movie nights or organized drives to see the colours of fall leaves or Christmas lights around home or parks. Any family traditions that the kids talk about are due to her.

She loves it though when I make plans.
She beams when I tell her not to cook because we're going out or I’m bringing something.
She loves to go for long drives.
She loves to go for long walks.
She loves to go shopping.
She loves flowers.
She loves her children.

So I attempt to do things that will bring her joy. I’m not a fan of aimless drives and walks. But she likes it when I do them with her. So I do.

Two of our children are now in other provinces, hours away by plane. Facetime times but it’s not the real deal. She’s visited them more than I have because she can and it makes her happy, and when she’s happy, I’m happy.

What does your spouse enjoy? It’s worth investing in their happiness. Your marriage will thank you.

3. Invest in your children.

This takes work and time. It may seem like all your efforts are for naught but make no mistake. Your kids are listening. Everyone at some point says, “I’ve turned into my Mom or Dad.” Hopefully, they’ve taken your good qualities and listened to your good lessons.

We were a single income family. After our third child, we made the decision that I would work and my wife would stay home.

We believe that losing her income and gaining her time was the best investment for our kids.

There was a parent around whenever one was needed. When the kids got home from school, Mom was there.
If they scraped a knee, dr. Mom was there.
If they needed advice, counsel Mom was there.
If they needed discipline, help with homework, drive to piano lessons, etc, Mom was there.

I’m not saying you have to do what we did. It worked for us. It wasn’t easy. We didn’t have cable TV, cell phones, or two cars. We had to do without some of the niceties of life. But it was worth it.

Here’s some advice from Bill Murphy Jr that can help raise successful children. I’ve highlighted his main points.

1. Stay on top of them.
2. Praise them.
3. Take them outside.
4. Read to them correctly.
5. Make them do chores.

4. Invest in your friendships

I am not good at keeping in touch with my friends. I would be fine as a hermit for a long time. I’m happy when I’m alone. I can find something to do or do nothing and be just fine.

This is not a good recipe for building good long-lasting friendships. You have to hang out.

For any relationship to thrive, there has to be communication and time spent together.

Maintaining friendships isn’t always easy especially for men. We’re generally not quick to share our emotions or the difficulties we're going through. This is true of me.

I’ve had to make a conscious effort to maintain a connection with my friends.

-I’ll text them to ask how they’re doing or to send a funny joke.
-We’ll set time to meet face-to-face once a month for coffee or lunch or at each others homes.
-Do stuff without wives like go fishing, go to a sporting event, etc.

Friendships are one of the most important elements of your life. Investing in them is good for mental health and for having a fulfilled life.

You’ll notice that all these investments are investments in people. Whether in yourself or others, this type of investing allows you to leave behind a legacy that lasts well beyond your years.

Thinking of legacy along those lines, here are some that highlight that.

1. Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you. — Shannon Alder
2. The great use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it. — William James
3. Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your friends. It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs. — Steve Saint
4. Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people. — Peter Strople
5. The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith. — Billy Graham

Conclusion:
You’re not remembered for being rich. You’re remembered for being impactful. Eulogies never mention how rich someone was. They talk about the effect one had on others.

That’s the power of true investment.