Wealth Building Is More Than Money

How to build wealth holistically

As I move towards my late 20’s here are a few life lessons that I have learned:

Friendships Really Do Matter

Friendships change a lot in your 20s. You and your friends are likely in very different stages from one another, and it's not like school anymore, where you'd automatically see each other daily. Your lives can go off in totally different directions, but if they’re good friends, hold onto them. It might look like scheduling quarterly (or even yearly) catch-up calls, but make the time. Friendship makes life so much more enjoyable when you have people you can genuinely rely on. There's a lot online about how friends can be toxic, especially when it comes to female friendships, but don’t buy into it. You don't need a friend for every single part of your life, and a friend who can’t meet every need doesn’t mean they’re not a friend worth having. Some friends are for a fun night out, some are for discussing goals, some are for being vulnerable, and that’s okay. It’s all about quality, not quantity.

Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness—But It Helps

From being around people in all kinds of financial positions, I’ve seen that having more money doesn’t automatically lead to happiness. Some wealthy people are still unhappy, while others who don’t have much live quite joyfully. But let's be real: there’s something to be said for “crying in a Bentley versus on a bus.” When your financial concerns don’t impact your basic needs, your quality of life tends to be better. Having “rich-people money problems”—like figuring out how to finance a second property—definitely beats the stress of wondering how to make rent. That said, real joy often comes from enjoying what you do daily. Many people who exit their business with a big payout find themselves feeling lost and realize they miss the process itself. Money can ease some burdens, but without a purpose or passion behind what you’re doing, it won’t ever feel truly fulfilling.

Humility & Empathy

Life has a way of keeping us grounded, especially when we start thinking we’re above others. Looking back at school days, it’s interesting to see where some of the "popular" people have ended up now. Life moves in cycles, and things can change unexpectedly. Staying focused on your own journey while showing empathy toward others is key—because, often, the situations we think "could never be me" eventually come knocking. Humility keeps you grounded and resilient, and having a sense of empathy and self-awareness makes the journey more fulfilling.

Lessons From This Week’s Podcast Guest

In this week’s episode of Building Wealth with No Borders, I sat down with Chidi Ashley, a multi-8-figure entrepreneur who runs Luxe Tribes (a luxury travel agency) and Readyhubb (a marketplace for beauty professionals and freelancers). If you've followed my content for a while, you’ll know I’ve mentioned Chidi a few times before. I first came across her content in 2021 when a friend sent me a YouTube video showcasing an incredible villa she built in Bali, which inspired me to think more globally about my own life. Fast forward to 2023, and we were both living in Dubai and able to connect.

One of the key lessons I took from this episode was the reminder that generational wealth is about so much more than just financial assets. Yes, you can pass down financial assets, but there are also other aspects you may unintentionally pass on—like emotional distress, trauma, difficulty managing stress, poor eating habits, and more. This is why it’s essential to think about wealth holistically; it’s not just about what you have but also about who you are.

In this week’s episode, we also tackled another #WealthWoe which read:

“There’s this guy I really like but he’s not wealthy and I want a wealthy lifestyle. There’s potential but I don’t know if it’s worth it. What would you advise, should I give him a chance?”

If you have any supportive and kind advice to share, please jump into the conversation in the comments on Instagram or YouTube. Remember, this is a real dilemma from someone in the community, so please speak from a place of care. If you have a wealth woe you can submit it anonymously here: https://ngl.link/buildingwealthwnb

This week’s topic for the paid community is the real reason why I left Johannesburg, keep scrolling past the links to hear me talk about this topic.

📹 The Latest Episode of Building Wealth with No Borders

📹 Take a Tour of Chidi’s Villa in Bali

🎙️ Listen to the Building Wealth with No Borders podcast

🏠 Interested in Investing In Property In Dubai or the UK?

You can respond to this email with your budget and the type of investment you’re looking for and I’ll be sure to help you make it happen.