Stability and Success: Mastering the Stages of Wealth Building

Guest Blogger Collin Campbell

In his second special guest blog, Sammy Rabbit is proud to showcase the insights of Collin Campbell!

Collin is a Finance major at The University of Texas at Tyler with a minor in Economics. He is a UTIMCO Scholar, a prestigious program that recognizes top finance students across the UT System and provides exclusive mentorship and exposure to institutional investment management. He is currently working toward his Financial First Responder certification and has served on university budget and student government appropriations committees. Collin is an aspiring financial advisor who is passionate about financial literacy, generational wealth, and empowering others through informed financial decisions

Discover more about Collin and his aspirations on LinkedIn: Collln Campbell

The Six Steps to Core Financial Literacy

Since January, I’ve been learning from The University of Texas at Tyler Executive Director of the Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, Susan Doty about “the economic way of thinking” and the six core steps to becoming financially literate. It starts with investing in yourself and earning income, followed by learning to spend wisely and save consistently. From there, understanding credit and debt, protecting what you have through insurance, and building knowledge around investing and financial markets become essential. Finally, embracing charity, service, and philanthropy brings it to its full circle. Each step builds on the last, and together they lay the groundwork for building lasting wealth.

No Shortcuts: The Truth About Wealth-Building

While these six steps are fundamental, they aren’t shortcuts to wealth. Financial literacy is the starting point; but knowing the steps isn’t the same as mastering them. Building wealth takes time, intentional choices, and disciplined habits. Often, it requires unlearning old money beliefs and sticking to a plan even when progress feels slow. It means making sacrifices that don’t offer instant rewards and staying focused through setbacks. Wealth isn’t built overnight; it’s the result of consistently applying sound principles with patience and resilience.

Adapting Your Strategy Through Life’s Changes

True financial growth also requires adapting as your life evolves. What works in your early twenties may not serve you in your thirties or forties. The journey isn’t linear; life events, economic shifts, and personal goals can all change the course of your financial path. That’s why building wealth is less about reaching a destination and more about developing the ability to adjust your strategy while staying grounded in strong financial habits. Being informed, adaptable, and self-aware are just as important as budgeting or investing.

The Emotional Side of Wealth

Moreover, wealth-building isn’t purely financial. It’s deeply emotional and behavioral. Many of the barriers' people face aren’t just about lack of income or knowledge, they stem from fear, shame, or inherited beliefs about money. Learning to approach your finances without judgment, being honest with yourself, and continuing forward when things get uncomfortable is part of the process. Long-term wealth demands more than technical skills, it requires emotional maturity, persistence, and commitment to continuous growth.

Wealth Is a Lifelong Journey

At its core, building wealth is a lifelong journey that blends knowledge, discipline, and mindset. The six steps of financial literacy are crucial, but they’re just the beginning. True wealth comes from applying those principles consistently, adapting to life’s changes, and doing the inner work to challenge limiting beliefs. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. When you treat wealth-building as a long-term effort rooted in self-awareness, patience, and intention, you give yourself the opportunity to create lasting stability—not just for yourself, but for future generations.

Connect with our Featured Guest Blogger

To learn more about Collin, connect with him on LinkedIn: Collln Campbell

Attention Young Leaders

We welcome and invite you to participate in Sammy's 'Be the Change' financial literacy initiative for college and high school students.

(1) Join peers advancing awareness on the importance of early age, youth, and family financial education by having your journey into financial literacy featured as a Sammy Rabbit Guest Blogger.

Index of Student Blogs (Click and scroll down)

(2) Then volunteer as a Sammy Rabbit Ambassador or Intern championing financial literacy in your community and around the globe! Learn more in these blogs or by CONTACTING Team Sammy today! We welcome your questions and suggestions on Sammy Rabbit and his mission to get kids, families & communities financially literate.