I believe that building wealth shouldn’t come at the cost of your wellness. And if you’re currently in Stage 7 of financial security—you’re covering all your expenses, maintaining a checking account buffer, have one month of income saved, are sending extra payments to high-interest debt, and investing at least 5% of your income for retirement—you’re already doing a lot.

But when I introduce Stage 8—which includes having 3 to 6 months of income saved, being completely free of high-interest debt, and investing 15% of your income toward retirement—many people feel overwhelmed. If that’s you, I want to normalize those feelings. You’re not behind. You’re climbing. And climbing takes time.

What’s the Real Difference Between Stage 7 and Stage 8?

Stage 7 is where your systems are working. You’ve built foundational habits and have proof that your money plan is sustainable. This stage is a major milestone—especially for first-gen wealth builders—and often comes with a mix of relief and pressure. You might hear internal voices saying, “I should already be further along” or “Why does this still feel hard?” That’s scarcity and urgency creeping back in.

Stage 8, on the other hand, is all about depth and endurance. You’re saving a full emergency fund, eliminating high-interest debt (defined as anything over 9%), and significantly increasing retirement contributions. Most people take 12 to 24 months or more to move through this stage. It’s not a sprint. It’s a slow, steady climb—one that must be supported by nervous system regulation and daily self-care.

The Wealth Building Cycle: What Keeps You Moving Forward

Progress from stage to stage doesn’t just happen because of a good budget. It happens because you stay in the Wealth Building Cycle, which includes:

• Reviewing your money mindset
• Developing your financial literacy
• Knowing your numbers
• Increasing your income

To keep moving forward, you’ll also need to stay anchored in D.I.V.E.R.S.E. Self-Care:

• Dinero Self-Care: Check your numbers with curiosity, not criticism.
• Interpersonal Self-Care: Practice loving boundaries.
• Vocational Self-Care: Protect your energy and time at work.
• Emotional Self-Care: Process the guilt, fear, and pressure that arise.
• Restorative Body Self-Care: Breathe, stretch, rest, and move gently.
• Spiritual Self-Care: Root into trust, purpose, and community.
• Environmental Self-Care: Create physical spaces that feel safe and nourishing.

D.I.V.E.R.S.E. Self-Care allows you to retrain your body and mind to believe that you are safe, that you are allowed to build wealth con tiempo.

What If It Feels Like It’s Taking Too Long?

That’s when you check in.

Are you tending to your nervous system?

Are you engaging in 4 or more types of self-care?

Are your thoughts rooted in urgency or grounded in trust?

If you’re too overwhelmed to engage in self-care, the answer isn’t to push harder. It’s to practice patience. However, if you are consistently engaging in self-care, then maybe it’s time to channel your energy toward increasing your income—whether that’s job hopping, asking for a raise, or monetizing a skill.

That’s what Husbae and I did. We started our journey making less than $130,000 combined. Now, our average annual household income is closer to $500,000. That growth didn’t happen overnight—it was the result of patience, new skills, and a lot of inner work.

You’re Not “Bad with Money” If You Still Feel Anxious

Even with savings, investments, and a growing net worth, many first-gen wealth builders still experience fear, guilt, or shame. That’s because emotional safety and financial safety don’t always align. Your body may still be responding to past instability, scarcity, or trauma.

You may carry beliefs like:

“If I save this money, something bad will happen.”

“If I stop helping my family, I’m being selfish.”

“The more I earn, the more I’ll have to give away.”

These are trauma responses. They’re nervous system patterns. And they don’t disappear just because your bank balance improves. That’s why nervous system work and emotional regulation are essential to your financial progress.

You’re Doing Something Generationally New

Let that sink in.

You’re creating stability where there was once survival. You’re building financial systems that allow you to eventually become work optional. But the journey isn’t just about spreadsheets and calculators—it’s about tending to your heart, your mind, and your body.

If you’re ready to move from Stage 7 to Stage 8 with structure, coaching, and emotional support, I’d love to work with you 1:1. Together, we’ll build your emergency fund, create a plan to eliminate high-interest debt, increase retirement contributions with ease, and support your nervous system along the way.

Want help making the leap from Stage 7 to 8?

Let’s create a sustainable plan poco a poco.

Book a 45-minute discovery call to explore 1:1 coaching.

You’ll also receive 12-month access to Wealth Para Todos Academy, 12 private coaching calls over four months, and ongoing WhatsApp support.

🔗 Schedule Your Discovery Call Now