The Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth
A review by Andrew Forward, of Richard Paul Evans's book on learnnig to be weathly from the wealthy
The wealthy understand the principles of accumulating wealth and live them.
1] Decide to be wealthy
Money must be balanced, just like health, spirituality, work and family. Mnoey is powerful, it can provide shelter, education, food. When you no longer have to think about money is when you are wealthy. Wealthy does not imply extravagent. One small step, to choose a path is to choose a destination.
Today, I decide to be wealthy
2] Take responsibility for your money
Know how much you have, where it is coming from, where it is going and what you are doing with it in the meantime. Fill out the Net Worth Form each month, and the Annual Report each year end. Keep an Income Ledger to determine how you are profitable, and keep a Checkbook of your expenses. Learn to make money for you.
Don't have time? That is like saying you don't have time to pay attention to the traffic signals.
3] Keep a portion of everything you earn
There is a false belief that you can always make more money. Its not income, but your net worth that makes you wealthy (but, you can argue that making your net worth produce income is the ultimate means of being wealthy, but you need the net worth first).
Pay yourself first
Test your limits, then ease back. Trust me, you will not really notice the drop in disposable income. You should aim for at least 10% of your core salary and at least 80% of any of your side earnings.
If you have debt, then first consolidate into one management debt at the lowest possible interest rate and then use 10% of your income to cover debt and 10% to build wealth. Even though your rate of return on the wealth probably is not as good as the paying off debt, there is an important physiological good that comes from seeing wealth accummulate. And, once you have finished paying off your debt, redirect that extra 10% into your wealth accummulation and you will have more then doubled your effort (because of the power of compound interest).
4] Win in the margins
Consider each expenditure. Freedom and power are better then momentary (and usually immediate) pleasure. Spending does not equate to happiness. Always protect the nest egg.
Earn more, or keep more of what you earn.
Whenever you are buying something, use the 7 best words, "Is that really the best you can do?". Always ask if the expenditure is contributing or taking from your wealth. Is it an impulse or planned? Are you pressured because the deals are going fast? Avoid impulse and just say no.
Realize your savings - if you do something to save money, then put it towards your nest-egg.
Don't be a fool to the I deserve it crowd. You have it better off than probably a few billion people on this earth. Never buy now and pay latter, duh! There are people who earn interest, and those who pay it.
5] Give back
Financial Karma