Here’s the end goal: live substantially below your means for the rest of your life. That’s it. If you do that one thing your financial future is set. Here’s how this could work. First, you must increase your financial IQ. Second, save constantly. Third, tell your money where to go (aka – have a budget). Finally, live debt free. In this process you will also have to learn to live frugally, sell stuff, and seek out opportunities to maximize your income while minimizing your expenses every day.

I realize this sounds like a whirlwind of tasks to complete and challenges to meet, but you have plenty of time to make all kinds of mistakes. In fact, it is in the mistakes that you learn the greatest financial lessons.

Start Small

The first step to becoming financially successful is to learn about money. Start by reading Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness. This will introduce the basics of money management that will set you up for life with a proven plan that works. I preach this stuff because I actually do it. I don’t have any credit cards. I don’t borrow money. I live on a budget. I live what I preach. Start small and learn about money. It doesn’t matter if you want to become a billionaire, thrive in the middle class, or scrape by with handouts on the street corner – money will control you until you learn to control it.

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