Having seen too many people crash on the road to making money, ultimately it's not that they can't earn, but that they haven't understood the traps at each stage. I divide wealth accumulation into six levels, and roughly 99% of people stumble at the third level.

**Level 1: 10,000 in self-control**
This is the starting point when stepping into the investment world. Many think this amount is insignificant, but this stage tests not the ability to make money, but self-control. Can you resist the temptation of the latest phones and trendy shoes, and build an emergency fund of 10,000? If you can't, don't talk about the subsequent steps.

**Level 2: 100,000 in patience**
Compound interest is really trivial in the early stages, with account growth being barely noticeable throughout the year. This is when it's easiest to deceive oneself, finding all kinds of reasons to "reward yourself," and spending most of the savings. Few can endure this boring period.

**Level 3: 300,000 in traps**
This is the most dangerous position. 300,000 looks like middle class, so it's time to move houses, buy a car, or upgrade your lifestyle. But this is exactly the stage most capital loves to hunt—using 300,000 to buy a house or a car is just buying a "one-way ticket to poverty." Those who can resist, let this money continue to snowball.

**Level 4: 1,000,000 in clarity**
One million is the real investment entry ticket. But many, upon reaching this point, become arrogant and treat it as a show-off capital. Stories of losing the principal and doubling through luck are all too common.

**Level 5: 3,000,000 in defense**
Some things must be kept away from—drugs, gambling, high-risk mystical investments. This isn't moral coercion, but a moat. Truly crossing this level requires stability.

**Level 6: Tens of millions in power**
Don't be fooled by private jets; true financial freedom is the right to control your time. Learn to make wealth work for you, with income always exceeding expenses—that's the ultimate goal.

Three key sentences: Wealth freedom is not the end, but a six-story tower; 300,000 is the easiest level to make foolish mistakes; and the final reward is never money, but reclaiming your time.