Jennifer Merritt - 13 Things Rich People Won’t Tell You: 325+ Tried-and-True Secrets to Building Your Fortune by Saving and Spending Smarter

Introduction

Ah, to be rich. To jet off to a sunny beach in the middle of winter on a whim. To have not just enough, but more than enough, to own that just-right house in that dream neighborhood, send your children to that top-tier college, buy that designer dress or silk tie without thinking twice, and retire without worrying about whether your money will last.

Well, you dont have to be rich to have rich-guy vision. Rich-guy vision isnt just something the wealthy have. You can get it, too. Its the ability to see years down the road and make a financial or lifestyle decision now to set yourself up to get to that goal, be it something youre planning for in five years or fifteen years.

Rich-guy vision means looking at today with an eye to the future. But it doesnt mean denying yourself now to get to that bright future. Instead, that dream trip or designer dress all become part of the planthe one you will use to save smart, budget wisely, invest in your home and your retirement future, and, yes, afford the little luxuries that make life really sweet.

So, how, exactly, do you get a bit of that rich-guy vision? By knowing what rich guysand galsknow about making and sticking with smart money decisions. Those secrets of the rich arent secret anymore. We spoke to dozens of wealthy people, financial and other advisers to millionaires (and billionaires) and regular people whove adopted rich-guy vision to reach their own financial goals. We had to promise some level of anonymity to dig out some of these inside-the-rich-guy-brain tidbits, but we think youll find the stories worth the advice.

Once you understand how the rich think, its easy to see how manyokay, maybe not the ones who were born richgot that way and stay that way. Whats more, youll see how easy it can be, at any income level, to build your own wealth, to make smart financial decisions andmost importantlyto live a rich life without feeling deprived, whether your annual salary ends in three zeros or six.

Among the eye-opening, money-growing tips we got insiders to reveal:

• How a janitorand yes, youcan amass $1 million or more.
• When a pricier college might actually be the better one for your budget.
• How the wealthy negotiate the home-buying process in ways you should, too.
• Why you might not need a financial adviser as soon as you thinkand exactly when you should entrust your money to one.
• How you can afford to buy a boat or a camper or any other luxury purchase on a budget.
• Why doing your homework will save you money on shopping, groceries and your houseand help you avoid financial catastrophes.
• How saving change all year long can turn into a swing set or a trip to Florida or an entire Christmas paid for in full.

From the basics of saving smart, to budgeting tricks that will leave your checking account fuller than you imagined, to practically-free luxury shopping, to the financial smarts of buying a boatyes, a boat!even on a budget, to retiring in style without spending a fortune, weve compiled everything you need to knowthe stuff the wealthy already know and keep to themselves. This window into rich-guy vision will set you on your way to joining the millionaires club by fine-tuning the secret financial smarts of the wealthy to work in your own life.

Youll not just become wiser and savvier, but more comfortable navigating your own finances as you make your way to the millionaires clubor at least to that no-worry retirement or dream trip to Fiji. By unlocking the secrets of the wealthy on everything from saving and investing to home renovations and college savings, youll see that it doesnt take much to adjust your own vision to think richand yes, live rich yourself.

Thanks to everyone who shared their secrets, their knowledge, and their own stories of rich-guy vision. Thanks to them, this book will open your eyes to the sort of financial decisions that are much easier than you imagined, and more regular-guy than you might ever have believed.