You should be a millionaire.

Seriously. Considering the fact that there are actually millions of millionaires in the United States, it stands to reason that they can’t all be the lottery winners, athletes and heiresses that we think about when we hear the term. Truth be told, a million dollars isn’t what it used to be, and you can develop a plan to join the ranks of the high net worth.

Even if you are starting out in the hole with more debt than you care to think about (however you can’t help but thinking about) there’s no reason why reaching a cool million in assets shouldn’t be a reasonable and attainable goal in your life.

First you have to recognize that most millionaires don’t lead an extravagant lifestyle filled with champagne fountains and piles of caviar. That’s exactly the thinking that gets most people into debt troubles, not into the ranks of the 1%.

Most millionaires reach their financial goals over a long period of time through frugal living and smart career and spending choices, which is the same recipe you’ll need to get in the black with your credit card and loan obligations.

So as far away as the thought of being a millionaire may seem when you’re just barely staying financially afloat, it’s not an impossible goal.  And I’ve got just the starting point for you. Get a copy of the book The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley.  It’s a real-world blueprint for monetary peace of mind when we all can use some.

It’s as much a handbook for getting out of debt as it is for becoming a millionaire. It’s a way to reframe your thinking and move forward with a better understanding of what it takes to become rich and what it means to be rich.