The phrase "make a wad" typically means to accumulate or gather a large amount of something, particularly money. There are many synonyms for this phrase, including "amass," "collect," "hoard," "stockpile," "accumulate," "gather," and "pile up." Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance, allowing you to choose the most appropriate one for your context. For example, "hoard" suggests a sense of secrecy or selfishness, while "accumulate" is more neutral and could refer to any type of collecting. No matter which word you choose, you can convey the idea of gathering or saving something in abundance when you say that you're making a wad.