Rules of Wealth

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Thinking Wealthy

1. Anybody can be wealthy – you just need to apply yourself
2. Decide on your definition of wealth
3. Set your objectives
4. Keep it under your hat
5. Most people are too lazy to be wealthy
6. Get a reality check
7. Understand your money beliefs and where they come from
8. Understand that wealth is a consequence, not a reward
9. Decide what you want money for
10. Understand that money begets money
11. Calculate the net return
12. If you see money as the solution you’ll find it becomes the problem
13. You can make lots of money, you can enjoy your job, and you can sleep nights
14. Don’t make money by being bad
15. Money and happiness – understand their relationship
16. Know the difference between price and value
17. Know how the wealthy think
18. Don’t envy what others have
19. It’s harder to manage yourself than it is to manage your money

Getting Wealthy

20. You’ve got to know where you are before you start

21. You’ve got to have a plan

22. Get your finances under control

23. Insurance pays someone, and odds are it’s not you

24. Only by looking wealthy can you become wealthy

25. Speculate to accumulate (no, this isn’t gambling)

26. Decide your attitude to risk

27. Think through the alternatives to taking a risk

28. If you don’t trust someone, don’t do business with them

29. It’s never too late to start getting wealthy

30. Start saving young (or teach your kids this one if it’s too late for you)

31. Understand that your financial needs change at different stages of your

life

32. You have to work hard to get rich enough not to have to work hard

33. Learn the art of deal making

34. Learn the art of negotiating

35. Small economies won’t make you wealthy but they will make you miserable

36. Real wealth comes from deals not fees

37. Understand that working for others won’t necessarily make you rich – but it might

38. Don’t waste time procrastinating – make money decisions quickly

39. Work as if you didn’t need the money
40. Spend less than you earn
41. Don’t borrow money – unless you really, really have to
42. Consider consolidating debts
43. Cultivate a skill and it’ll repay you over and over again
44. Pay off your loans and debts as a priority
45. Don’t be too busy earning a living to make some money
46. Save in big chunks – or should you?

47. Don’t rent, buy
48. Understand what investing really means
49. Build a bit of capital then invest it wisely
50. Understand that property, in the long run, will not outpace shares
51. Master the art of selling
52. See yourself as others do
53. Don’t believe you can always win
54. Don’t pick stocks yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing
55. Understand how the stock market really works
56. Only buy shares (or anything) you can understand
57. Use your head
58. By all means, use the investment professionals
59. If you’re going to get financial advice, pay for it
60. Don’t fiddle
61. Think long term
62. Have a set time of day to work on your wealth strategy
63. Pay attention to detail
64. Create new income streams
65. Learn to play ‘What if?’
66. Control spending impulses
67. Don’t answer ads that promise get-rich-quick-schemes – it won’t be you who gets rich quick
68. There are no secrets
69. Don’t just read this – do something

Get Even Wealthier

70. Carry out a finance health check regularly

71. Get some money mentors

72. Play your hunches

73. Don’t sit back

74. Get someone to do the stuff you can’t

75. Know yourself – solo, duet or team player

76. Look for the hidden asset/opportunity

77. Don’t try to get rich too quickly

78. Always ask what’s in it for them

79. Make your money work for you

80. Know when to let go of investments

81. Know your own style

82. Know why you should be able to read a balance sheet – and how

83. Be one step ahead of your tax collector

84. Learn how to make your assets work for you
85. Don’t ever believe you’re only worth what you are being paid
86. Don’t follow the same route as everyone else

Staying Wealthy

87. Shop for quality

88. Check the small print

89. Don’t spend it before you’ve got it

90. Put something aside for your old age – no, more than that!

91. Put something aside for emergencies/rainy days – the contingency fund
92. You paid what for it? How to shop around

93. Never borrow money from friends or family (but you can allow them to invest)

94. Don’t surrender equity

95. Know when to stop

Sharing Your Wealth

96. Use your wealth wisely

97. Never lend money to friends or family unless you are prepared to write it off

98. Don’t lend, take equities

99. You really, really can’t take it with you

100. Know when/how to say no – and yes

101. Find ways to give people money without them feeling they are in your debt

102. Don’t over-protect your children from the valuable experience of poverty

103. Know how to choose charities/good causes
104. Spend your own money because no one will spend it as wisely as you

105. Take responsibility before you take advice

106. Once you’ve got it, don’t flaunt it

107. What’s next? Pacts with the devil?