The Financial Advice that Changed My Life

“Practical dreamers have always been and always will be the pattern-makers of civilization.” – Napoleon Hill

Since grade school, we are taught that college is the only way to reach the upper echelons of society. I won’t knock higher education, but I don’t believe their dated syllabus has caught up to the 21st century. To me, college felt like a breeding ground for docile employees. I studied business and marketing from a subordinate standpoint, but was never taught any real lessons about making and growing money.

Stability and security are at the top of most people’s wishlist, but it resonates much differently with me. You are only as stable as the performance of your company, and if production goes down, downsizing and layoffs ensue. No one’s job is safe, ever. I also associate stability with mediocrity, and that will never fulfill any real level of wealth.

With the information age taking a dominance over the industrial age, it’s important to understand how this paradigm shift will affect the way you make money. Rich Dad Poor Dad is a book I have read over a handful of times. To say it was life-changing is an understatement, and if you haven’t read it I suggest you buy it immediately! I wanted to take some time to highlight the most important financial advice I ever received:

The difference between an asset and liability.

+ I’m not referring to the balance sheet you learned in accounting. If you had to list your assets, what would you put? Your house, car, boat? The truth is none of those things are assets and most people have nothing to add to their column. Older generations will probably argue this, but your home is a liability. In Layman’s terms, an asset is something that puts money in your pocket. A liability is something that takes money out of your pocket. The problem is most people treat their homes like ATM’s and will continue to bury themselves in debt for as long as they live. However, buying investment properties that cash flow is an asset.

I’m by no means a financial adviser. I just had it all wrong until I read this book and started doing my own research. I associated more wealth with more expenses, but anyone that is hyper successful will tell you to keep your overhead low. The reason people get stuck in the Rat Race is that they take their bonus or new promotion and go buy a fancier home with it. The rich buy assets and have their cash flow pay for their expenses. Get it?

I’m currently self-employed in sales which has given me the financial freedom to figure out my next revenue channel. Instead of buying a home and being cash poor – house rich, I rent an apartment so I can free up my equity.  I’m an extreme novice at real estate but I would like to own my first investment property in the next 5 years.

For anyone interested in Real Estate, I suggest following Grant Cardone, Richard Niyosaki and creating a Bigger Pockets account.

Thanks for stopping by!