If you hate overlong, involved articles about how to do complex things and often find yourself skimming through the piece to get to the crux and usually missing something vital, then you have my sympathy. So, here's a series of questions and answers about how the complex subject of making money isn't so complex. They're based on uncommon common sense.
Q: How come some guys get rich, while no matter what I do, I stay poor?
A: How did you spend your youth? Dreaming about being a pop, football, catwalk star, or a millionaire?
A: Sure. Didn't we all?
Q: What did you do about it?
A: Dreamed mostly.
Q: And did your dreams come true?
A: Mostly, no.
Q: Because not only do dreams NOT come true, but when they do they usually come true gradually- and then mostly for people who worked hard making sure that they do, haven't you noticed?
Q: But why do some guys have all the luck?
A: You know the old saying: "The harder you work the luckier you get."
Q: Why then, do you never hear about all these guys who work hard and get lucky?
A: Because there's so many of them.
And because journalists don't write dreary stories about the long road to success.
That doesn't make snappy copy.
Journalists usually only report success that appears as easy as making instant coffee.
As Randolph Hearst said, nobody's interested in the dogs that don't get lost.
Q: So what do I do.
A: The secret is always a list. First, give yourself a raise.
Q How?
A Look at what's sapping up your cash.
Do you need a mobile phone?
Premium TV channels?
Gym subscriptions?
New car?
To eat out as often?
Could you get your utilities cheaper from other companies?
Cheaper property insurance?
Cheaper mortgage payments?
Life insurance?
Write a list of all the things you can do without.
But be ruthless. We're talking about big savings here.
Pretty long list, don't you think?
Q: OK. I've got my list. Now what?
A: Get on the phone and cut or reduce the cost of these things from your life.
In one month you'll see you've saved a lot of money.
Q: So what?
A : Only money can EARN you more money for doing nothing -simply by saving it in a high interest paying account.
Q: Hey! I don't wanna live like a miser. What's money for, if not to spend?
A: Congratulations! You've made a major discovery. Ask yourself that question again- and if you come up with the same answer, stop reading this article.
Q: Why?
A: Because you've found what really makes you happy.
Q: So?
A: You see, we're not talking about money; we're really talking about happiness. So, far better a guy stays happy doing what he's comfortable with. You've only one life- this isn't a rehearsal. So stop reading here right now.
Q: No.
A: Okay- so you're serious.
What do you earn money doing?
Could you make more?
Q: Not in a salaried job.
A: How about in your spare time?
Q: My family takes up my spare time.
A: Go back to the starred answer -So, you're still here. Right. Then start with what you know.
Can you turn something you are already paid to do for others, into something which could also pay you in your spare time?
If the answer is "no" then think about other things you're really good at.
Could you turn that into providing a skill or service of some kind?
By 'that' I mean just having a bright personality -getting on with people. That can be a commercial asset if used in the right way. In fact, it's one of the greatest assets -with endless possibilities.
As you can see, all of the above is superficially simple. Doing it is not.
It requires discipline, application, and noting what you'll learn from your failures. But most of all, you need patience and perseverance to start over again and again, if necessary. Until you unravel the secret code which opens the door to making money for you -remember it won't work for anyone else. If, on the other hand you find each road pointing you back to the starred answer above, then being rich can't be for you -because you're rich already.
Either way you should find yourself a million times better off than when you began reading this article.
