Exercise Your Money™: Put Your Dollars to Work

Matthew Barnes
7 days ago
2 min read

You can eat clean, get rest, and stay healthy—but without movement, your body won’t get stronger. Money works the same way. Saving is good, protecting is essential, but at some point your dollars have to get off the bench and start working.

That’s why the fifth step in the Financial Fitness First 5™ is Exercise Your Money™. Once you’ve secured your six, built your Rapid Response Fund™, detained your debt, and bossed your budget, you’re ready to move from defense to offense.

Why Exercise Matters

Too many people stop at “saving.” They pile money into a low-interest account and feel like they’re making progress. But saving alone won’t build wealth. Inflation eats away at stagnant money. To grow, your dollars need exercise.

When you Exercise Your Money™, you:

Grow wealth – Investments compound and multiply over time.
Build freedom – Your money creates options, not just obligations.
Stay fit – Consistency keeps your financial strength improving, year after year.

Ways to Exercise Your Money™

1. Invest in Retirement Accounts

Take advantage of pensions, 457(b) plans, Roth IRAs, or other tax-advantaged accounts. These are like your weight room—steady, consistent, and built for the long haul.

2. Diversify Your Moves

Don’t put all your money in one place. Spread it across growth accounts, real estate, or other long-term investments. Balance risk with safety (see Risk vs. Safety™ in the Balance Series).

3. Stay Consistent

Fitness doesn’t come from one workout, and wealth doesn’t come from one deposit. Reps matter. The more you contribute regularly, the stronger your future becomes.

4. Increase the Intensity Over Time

As your income grows, raise your contributions. Don’t let lifestyle creep steal your

progress. Use tools like Raise the Bar™ and Code 80/20™ to keep growing.

The Real Win

Exercising your money isn’t just about numbers on a statement. It’s about creating a future where you’re not tied to overtime, not dependent on debt, and not stressed about retirement.

It’s about freedom—freedom to choose how you spend your time, freedom to give generously, and freedom to enjoy life without fear of running out.

Mindset Shift

Here’s the shift: money isn’t just something you earn and spend. It’s a tool you train. Just like physical training, financial training requires discipline, reps, and patience. You don’t see results overnight—but over time, the gains are undeniable.