Which rung of the wealth ladder are you on?
Wealth isn't one destination: it's seven distinct stages, and each one has a different "next step". Knowing your rung turns a vague ambition into a specific plan.
Most people can place themselves within seconds, and most are surprised to find they're lower than they feel (a high income with high EMIs can still be rung 1) or higher than they feel (a modest income with assets covering years of expenses is already rung 3).
The move from any rung to the next follows the same sequence: build the emergency fund first, clear high-cost debt, start the SIP, step it up every year with your increments, and let diversified growth assets compound until the income they produce (not your salary) pays for your life. The upper rungs (4–6) are where planning shifts from accumulation to income: SWP design, asset buckets, and for larger portfolios, PMS and AIF strategies.
The rung you're on today matters less than the direction and the habit. Climbing is boring, monthly, and automatic: which is exactly why it works.
Your net worth and how many years of expenses your assets cover: the two numbers that place you on the ladder.
Framework: the widely used "stages of financial wealth" model, presented by Prospar. For education only (not investment advice. Prospar Consulting LLP) investments are subject to market risks.