Last Monday on the way back from my teaching job Andy noticed I had the audiobook “The Richest Man in Babylon” on my iPod. He suggested we listen to it and we did for the rest of our trip. It was first published in the 20’s I believe so the way they speak is very interesting. But what I found more interesting was the information in which was presented. The basic premise of the book is this.
Two friends talk about how they have sought to be, and have become very skilled at their professions. They couldn’t work any harder or better yet they are still living “paycheck-to-paycheck” so to speak. This conversation came about because they saw the richest man in Babylon ride by in his chariot and began wondering what he knew that they did not.
I won’t ruin it for you in case you want to read it (I definitely recommend it) but I will tell you the 7 principles that are within it’s pages.
7 Cures For A Lean Purse:
FIRST CURE: Start thy purse to fattening.
The stream of money that flows into and out of one’s life is immense. Wealth and security can be secured from it, but only if portions of that stream are diverted. Time and again, the book’s “enlightened” characters stress saving at least ten percent of your income every month, without fail. Accomplish this by setting aside that ten percent before all other expenses are considered.
“But when I began to take out from my purse but nine parts of the ten I put in,” Arkad said, “it began to fatten. So will thine.”
SECOND CURE: Control thy expenditures.
The amount of money a person makes is important, but it is secondary to the degree to which that person controls his expenses. Budget and plan your expenses earnestly. Demand value for the dollars you spend.
“That what each of us calls our ‘necessary expenses’ will always grow to equal our incomes unless we protest to the contrary,” Arkad stated. “Confuse not the necessary expenses with thy desires.”
THIRD CURE: Make thy gold multiply.
Three words: interest, interest, interest. Take care to see that all saved monies are kept in the highest-yield interest-bearing accounts available. If you have the experience and education to do so, invest a portion of your money by other means, always striving to create a reasonable risk/reward ratio.
“A man’s wealth is not in the coins he carries in his purse; it is the income he buildeth. That is what thou desireth: an income that continueth to come whether thou work or travel.”
FOURTH CURE: Guard thy treasures from loss.
Forget about gunning for those astronomical returns promised by market gurus and their “hot tips.” And don’t bother with those wacky startup businesses you see boxed in the classified ads, either. If you’re going to take risks and invest your money, then make sure you have the education to know how to guard and protect your assets. Only you can keep your best interests at the forefront. Your savings control your future; treat them like it.
“The first sound principle of investment is security for thy principal. The penalty of risk is probable loss. Study carefully, before parting with thy treasure, each assurance that it may be safely reclaimed. Be not misled by thine own desires to make wealth rapidly.”
FIFTH CURE: Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment.
In most cases, home ownership — even when financing is included — is preferable to renting. At some point, the mortgage payments will end, and ownership will be achieved. There is no ownership for the renter … ever.
“Thus come many blessings to the man who owneth his own house. And greatly will it reduce his cost of living, making available more of his earnings for pleasures and the gratification of his desires.”
SIXTH CURE: Insure a future income.
The future cannot be known, but preparations can be taken to assure a certain level of financial safety. Whether this is done via a strict savings plan, outside insurance, or a combination of both, one must be careful to provide for the wellness of himself and his loved ones in later years. Disability and untimely death have caught and ruined families and their finances since time immemorial.
“No man can afford not to insure a treasure for his old age and the protection of his family, no matter how prosperous his business and investments may be.”
SEVENTH CURE: Increase thy ability to earn.
Last among Clason’s “cures” is action taken to increase one’s earnings. Acquire education, experience, and confidence in yourself, and use these things to improve your income. You might begin a second, part-time job, or simply freelance your abilities in your spare time. Whatever you do, never underestimate the opportunity to turn a favorite hobby or skill (woodworking, photography, home decorating, cooking, etc.) into extra income.
“The more of wisdom we know, the more we may earn. The man who seeks to learn more of his craft shall be richly rewarded. Cultivate thy own powers, study and become wiser, become more skillful, and act as to respect thyself.”
The second cure is not an easy thing to master. In the book he talks about how over a persons lifespan an enormous amount of money passes through their hands. Lets just say I earn $40K from the time I’m 30 years old to the time I’m 70. That’s approx. $1.6M that’s passed through my hands! And it’s the equivalent of a mighty tasty, three-layer, cream-frosted-with-a-cherry-on-top Financial Cake.
And everybody wants a piece:
Mortgage companies.
Automakers.
Auto-finance companies.
Credit-card companies.
Cable TV companies.
Satellite TV companies.
Cell-phone companies.
Long-distance phone companies.
Utilities.
Retailers.
Grocers.
Fast-food restaurants.
Slow-food restaurants.
Doctors.
Lawyers.
Hollywood.
Record companies.
Magazines.
Discipline. It’s a hard thing but if one can manage it, the possibilites are endless.
