What Does Creating Wealth Mean to You?

By Tauna Locatelli

The traditional definition of wealth is “an abundance of valuable possessions or money.”

I find that definition incomplete. Real wealth goes far beyond money or material things;

it’s about growing, giving, and creating a life that feels deeply meaningful to you. In my

experience, for many people, true wealth includes:

• Freedom and choices: Having the resources to do what you love, spend time

with loved ones, and work in ways that feel meaningful.

• Health and well-being: good physical and mental health, strong relationships, and

a sense of purpose often matter more than money.

• Legacy: Some see wealth as the ability to make a lasting difference for their

family, community, or the world.

• Security: Feeling financially safe and prepared for unexpected events brings

peace of mind.

So, what steps should you begin with on the path to building wealth?

Creating wealth starts with understanding your finances and making a plan.

1. Assess your finances: Review your bank and credit card statements starting with

the past 30 to 90 days. Track where your money goes—housing, food, transportation,

etc.

2. Calculate your net worth: List what you own (assets) and what you owe (debts) to

see your overall financial picture. Include details like interest rates. This is an intentional

and disciplined process of building assets and reducing debt over time.

3. Make a plan: With this information, set realistic goals to grow assets and reduce

debt over time. Make them SMART goals – (S)Specific, (M)Measurable, (A)Attainable,

(R)Relevant, and (T) Time sensitive. Write it down – a goal written down is much easier

to track and 42% more likely to succeed.

By following these steps, you can build wealth that supports your values, whether that

means financial independence, a secure retirement, or simply more freedom and less

stress. Creating wealth makes it much easier to take the next steps in Creating

Community.