Want to Accumulate a Lot of Money? Here's How

Here are 10 tips to help you "get rich" the old fashioned way:

Make saving money top priority. Save as much money as you can. Save every penny. nickel, dime and dollar.
Reduce your spending. Compile a list of your current expenses and spending habits. Identify areas where you can reduce spending. Do you need that latest gadget? Is bigger really better? Is more stuff necessary?
Do not carry a credit card balance - ever. Pay off your monthly bill in full and get an interest-free loan. Pay off existing credit card debt.
Do not use a home equity line of credit to pay off other debts or finance your spending. Keep building equity in your home. Using your home equity to pay for a vacation makes no sense.
Determine how much money you need to accumulate for retirement. Use buyupside.com calculators for help.
Determine how much money you need to save each month to meet your nest egg goal. Use buyupside.com calculators for help.
Set up a regular saving and investment program. Each month automatically transfer money from your paycheck to your saving and investment accounts.
Make the maximum contribution to your-employer sponsored retirement account. Select low-cost stock index or exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Avoid all managed mutual funds; their fees can significantly reduce your total return. Do not load up on your employer's stock.
Make the maximum contribution to an individual Roth IRA. Set up the account at a low-fee online broker. Buy and hold at least ten dividend-paying blue chip stocks such as Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson, Pepsico, Proctor & Gamble and Wrigley.
Learn about prudent investing styles and sound investment products. For example, owning blue chip stocks makes sense, but owning an annuity does not. Very high fees and contractual restrictions make annuities among the worst investments.

Related Articles and Books:

Control Your Spending and Increase Your Savings
EAT YOUR SPINACH: Spend Less & Invest More (And How To Do It)
Dave Ramsey Books About Money and Financial Planning
Suze Orman Books About Money and Financial Planning

Posted March 18, 2008.

Want to Accumulate a Lot of Money? Here's How

Want to Accumulate a Lot of Money? Here's How