It’s our dream in today’s society to become a millionaire. Some become lucky and hit it big in the lotto. Others work hard and invest properly so that they have a nice retirement nest egg when they retire. The question is truly, “How does an average person like me make a cool million dollars?”

Believe it or not, if you have the patience, you can have a million dollars in your bank account. The secret isn’t even a secret. It’s called saving. Many of you should know by now that the younger you start, the earlier you will be able to retire. Investing in mutual funds, IRAs, 401k’s are usually the safe slow-growth way to go.

When investing for your future, it’s important that you live well below your means. This means that you don’t overspend using your credit card every month buying things you don’t need. Credit cards can rack up fast and if you’re not careful, you’ll have to declare bankruptcy. Credit card companies stay in business for a reason. They prey on people who don’t pay their bills on time and slap them with a high interest rate.

Saving isn’t hard. In fact, if you get into the habit, your accounts will grow in no time. The key to getting your first million is making sure you treat your savings like a bill. This means that no matter the scenario, you are saving that amount each month. If you’re amount is five hundred dollars a month, you best be saving that money regardless of what your bill situation looks like. Just try and pretend that if you don’t pay off this savings bill, something bad will happen.

There are many keys to saving. You will always want to invest in your company’s 401k plans, if they offer one. You’ll also want to start up your own investing account and find a few good mutual funds. Remember that it’s always best to be diversified. Don’t keep all of your money in one account.

Another big factor is to start young. It’s never too late to start saving! If you invest a simple $4,000 a year in a mutual fund averaging 12%, you will have a million dollars within 30 years. If you do the quick math, $4,000 a year comes down to $333 a month. Cut back on the pizza and eating out for a few days and that number should be manageable.

As we mention big factors, you also have to remember that education and your job is the most important. If you don’t earn money, you can’t save. The more you make a year, the more you can pile into a retirement account. No matter how much you make, you should always live below your means. The lower you live, the quicker you can save and retire. No one wants to work a nine to five the rest of his or her lives. Just remember to be patient, invest in 401ks, IRAs, and mutual funds, and you will have your cool million in no time.