My old sweet Memories

The first investment of the invisible rich? Themselves. Education is still a prime driver of lifetime income, and it's never too late to learn.

Your own earning power -- rooted in your education and job skills -- is the most valuable asset you'll ever own, and it can't be wiped out in a market crash. But it can erode. Keep pushing up your earning power through continuous education, training and personal development. This could mean going back to school, adding a needed certification on the weekends or serving in work-related fields that will build your network -- and increase your salary.

There's a ton of difference in salaries out there, even among jobs that require similar amounts of training and education. The wealth builders look at lifetime earning potential. What jobs are they choosing? Some top payers we've identified are personal financial adviser, app developer and management consultant. Learn more from our 10 of the Best Jobs for the Future slide show (and learn what fields to avoid, or consider leaving, in 10 of the Worst Jobs for the Future.) Some wealth builders might work in one of these high-risk fields that pay big bucks.