by Mark Fisher
Book Review & Giveaway

Do you ever wonder why you read all your favorite financial blogs day in and day out? I feel there are various reasons. One reason might be to learn how to improve our frugal saavy ways. The second reason might be to learn how to invest your money properly to insure a secure future. The third reason… we’re looking for that magic formula to make us instantly rich. Get rich quick headlines always catch our eye. {Don’t tell me you don’t read that stuff. *pshh* You’re reading this post, right?}

I admit, I don’t have a get rich quick scheme lurking in this post. But what I do have is the financial tool to set you on the millionaire path. If that is what you chose… keep reading.

You see, financial blogs basically denote the same basic tone or structure:

1. Get rid of the debt
2. Save, save, save
3. Invest
4. Build wealth

Then, its about finding a blog to read that speaks to us, resonates to our financial values or place in our journey. It’s about finding someone or someplace to share our financial progressions, rants, and questions. Thus building a great bond between reader and blogger {I have met some awesome people this way – all of you!}.

So where was I going with this… if every financial blog or website offers the structure for building wealth, why are we not all millionaires? Why do some people succeed in becoming millionaires while others only dream about it? What do they know that others don’t?

I am going to tell you…

because Millionaires understand and practice the principles of success

Want to learn the “instant millionaire” principles? Read on…

The Instant Millionaire: A Tale of Wisdom and Wealth
(New World Library, August 15, 2010)
written by millionaire Mark Fisher

Millionaire Mark Fisher writes this memorable fable based on the true story of his meeting with an old man who passed on his secrets of success.

In practical, ready-to-implement lessons, the “instant millionaire” shares the ideas and actions that can give anyone the mentality of a millionaire {really, its pretty good stuff}. Here is a tidbit of the book’s supportive wisdom:

• “To get rich, you have to know the secrets of wealth. Most people aren’t ready to accept these secrets even if they are revealed to them in very simple terms. Their greatest limitation is their own lack of imagination.”

  I truly believe the reason most of us don’t acheive true wealth is because people keep a closed mind. The adage, “we are our worst enemy” stands true. Open your mind to seizing opportunites and taking risks.

• People who waste time waiting for the perfect conditions to fall into place never get anything done. The ideal time for action is now!”

  The fable tells, “If you want to succeed in life, you have to make sure you have no choice in the matter. You have to put your back against the wall. People who vacillate and refuse to take risks because they don’t have all the elements in hand never get anywhere.” (pg 22).

  I agree with that last sentence. I used to be known for never starting something because I wanted to be successful right from the top. In fact blogging has taught me a great deal about putting one foot in front of the other. Just as Dave Ramsey guidance gave me the snowball method to be successful in paying down my debt and building my net worth.

• “Everything that happens to you is a product of your thoughts. So if you want to change your life, you must start by changing your thoughts.”

  Have faith! As the fable continues, “I must warn you that becoming a millionaire will probably seem to easy. But don’t let simplicity deceive you. Each time you begin to have doubts, remember Mozart: true genius reside in simplicity. With time, as wealth magnetically attracted to you in the most unexpected way, you’ll begin to understand.”(pg 36)

• “The simple act of putting your goals, deadlines, and sums on paper is the first steps toward transforming your ideal into its material equivalent.”

  Hello?! We all write down our goals. You keep a budget, right? And a net worth sheet? We already have a great roadmap to guide us! So answer this, “how much do you expect to earn next year?” or if you are paying down debt, “how much debt do you plan to pay down by next year?”. Most successful people can tell you on a dime. If you couldn’t answer, up your goal one by listing an amount and making a deadline for reaching it {example, I plan to pay off an extra $5,000 of debt by July 14, 2011. Be precise.}

Of course, I can’t tell you all the awesome principles told in this fable. It’s for you to seek the remaining ready-to-implement lessons and put them into practice {magic word, ‘practice’}. The fable has similarities to The Richest Man in Babylon. Which means, the book’s 121 pages gives you the core structure for acheiving wealth. That the secret to becoming a millionaire doesn’t take a library of books to learn. Just one book and a couple of hours. It’s known as the “instant millionaire” because the young man grasped the true secret of making a fortune overnight. And so can you. What are you waiting for?

Kim from New World Library is making a copy available for a giveaway! To enter do one of the following:

• ReTweet the book review
• Follow me on Twitter
• Sign up for my RSS Feed
• Comment if were you able to answer the question above with your specific financial goal for next year with an exact date?

Each task is an entry. Complete them all for an increased chance of winning! Since I don’t get back from camping until Monday night… will leave the giveaway open until Tuesday, September 14th. Look forward to hearing if you were able to answer your financial goals on a dime! Oh ya, and leave a comment telling me what you did to enter the giveaway!

The Instant Millionaire: A Tale of Wisdom and Wealth

*Financial Samurai is hosting a Book Review & Giveaway: The Simple Dollar by Trent Hamm. It has a fantastic interview between Sam and Trent. Be sure to check it out!

I’ve noticed more company are offering incentives for customers to go paperless – receiving statements, notices, and other paperwork electronically, as well as making payments over the internet. In addition to saving trees, going paperless can also save you money. Consider these reasons for trading the snail mail documents for electronic ones.

Going paperless with your financial documents offers several advantages for customers.

Cost Savings
Paying bills online eliminates the cost of postage. You can utilize your bank’s bill pay feature to send payment via electronically. Many companies are set receive a direct payment from your bank within two days, maximizing the time your money is earning interest. Also some banks are offering incentives for you to go paperless. Wells Fargo is holding an Online Statements Sweepstakes where you could win $25,000 or one of ten $2,500 prizes for switching to online statements.

Reduce clutter
All those paper bills, notices, and statements tend to pile up, and they need to be stored somewhere. When you finally sort thru those documents, they will needed to be shredded before discarding them. Electronic version don’t take up any space – except on your computer hard drive.

Convenience
You might be able to search and sort electronic bills and statements or import the data info financial programs, such as Quicken®, for analysis. Bank statements often contain interactive features that let you find out more about a charge and reconcile your checkbook or spreadsheet records. And electronic documents are portable (it is very convenient for me to keep my records on a flash drive). Having your documents categorized and sorted makes things easier come tax time. And filing your tax return electronically can speed up your refund.

Environmental benefits
PayItGreen, a coalition led by an electronic-payment industry group estimates that by eliminating paper statements, bills, and payments alone, the average household would save 6.6 pounds of paper each year, avoid the release of 171 pounds of green house gasses and 63 gallons of wastewater, and cut gas consumption by 4.5 gallons. Who knew?! The estimates take into account paper, transportation, and disposal.

Still not sure if you want to take the paperless route with your financial documents? Consider these tips for giving up paper.

Secure your computer
Back up your hard drive and keep a copy of your data in a different location from your computer in case of a fire or other calamity. Consider an online storage service like Wells Fargo’s vSafe. Make sure you have updated antivirus and antispyware programs (I highly recommend PCTools).

Download copies
Consider downloading copies onto your computer for safekeeping and future reference.

Record scheduled payments
If you set up online bill pay, especially if its automatic, be sure to record the payment in calendar, financial software or checkbook well in advance so you don’t risk overdrawing your account.

Retain confirmations
Whether you are paying a bill, making a deposit, transferring cash or anything else, save a copy of all confirmations. On your computer’s hard drive, consider setting up a folder called “Bill Confirmations”. Extract attached documents from your e-mail and save them in the appropriate folder.

Keep information current
Notify businesses if your change your email address. Otherwise you might miss bills or other important documents, exposing yourself to late charges and other problems.

I am 98% paperless with a few straggling prospectus coming via snail mail. Where as my husband is still pro paper. Vies that having a hard copy in hand lends for making sure bills are paid on time. Have you gone paperless with your financial documents? Why or why not?

Further Reading: Automating your Finances by Ramit Sethi

{photo credit: midcontinent}