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Pathways to WealthAn ABA Foundation program
American Bankers Association

Building wealth
is a journey.

It's also the story of your financial life. Pathways to Wealth is a clear, practical guide to the things you can do — and the decisions you can make — to make the most of what you earn and build lasting wealth, whatever your starting point.

Start with Build →Find your pathway →

Where Should I Start My Journey?

Not sure where to start? Four quick questions will send you in the right direction.

Find your pathway
Otto, a friendly owl guide with reading glasses, waving hello

Meet your guide

Hi! I'm Otto, your guide along this journey through financial knowledge. I'll pop up along the way with tips, pointers, and help with finding the information you need.

The stages of a financial journey

There are five stages, and sometimes they overlap. How you handle each one writes your own personal story of building wealth. Let's get started.

1

Prepare

Get ready for the journey

Take stock of where you stand today — your income, your debts, your goals — and map the route ahead.

2

Build

Grow what you earn

Turn income into lasting wealth through smart choices at work, steady saving, and investing for the long term.

Explore Build
3

Manage

Make the most of what you have

Budget, borrow wisely, and steward your money so it keeps working toward your goals.

4

Protect

Guard against setbacks

Use insurance and planning to make sure a single event can't undo years of progress.

5

Share

Pass it on

Enjoy what you've built and pass wealth and wisdom on to the people and causes you care about.

Building wealth isn't simply about accumulating money. It's about the smart choices that help you grow, manage, protect, and share what you earn — and the confidence that comes from understanding how.

Tools for your journey

Activities

Calculators, worksheets, and simulations to help you put what you learn to work.

Glossary

Understand the financial terms, products, and concepts that appear throughout your journey.

Videos

See personal stories of building wealth and watch for key takeaways.

Learning Library

Explore complete guides on specific topics for further learning.

Ready to begin building?

Start with income, saving, and investing — the foundation of it all.

Enter the Build stage →