1. Maximize your abilities through self-discipline and the ability to get along with others.
2. Start saving early. If it doesn’t hurt, you’re probably not saving enough.
3. Never spend more than you earn.
4. Max out all your retirement plans every year.
5. Get and stay married to a sensible person.
6. Buy your home.
7. Plan far ahead for your retirement, and then stick to your program.
8. Make a plan with a reliable financial adviser. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
9. Save your hindquarters, not your face—that is, make savings and financial stability more important than showing off or looking cool.
10. Adopt a straightforward investment philosophy that takes advantage of the historical benefits of investing in common stocks but balances it with bonds in a judicious mixture.
11. Don’t swing for the fences. You’ll get into good retirement shape with singles and walks—in other words, don’t try for something brilliant. Just stay even with the market and you’ll do great.
12. Always have a reserve of cash on hand so that you don’t have to dig deeply into your stock-and-bond savings.
13. At the earliest possible stage of life, learn to enjoy yourself in some other way than impoverishing yourself or beggaring your retirement plan.
14. Acquire work skills that are in demand so that you’ll consistently be employed and won’t need to use up your savings while unemployed.
15. If you’re starting a business, make someone else put up the money while you put up the sweat.
16. Consider the tax implications of everything you do.
17. Planning for your retirement is more important than offering a lavish life to your children. They’re young and strong and can fend for themselves.
18. Know in your heart that you’ll be fine if you err by having too much savings—not if you have too little.
19. Be able to say no to people who ask for money, even if they have the same last name as you.
20. Make sure your plan allows for flexibility if economic times and styles change, but don’t follow fads or trends
21. Keep in mind that no matter what, you don’t want to be old, weak, ill, and poor.