Pay Yourself First

I was 18 years old when I read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki on the train travelling to university. It was Kiyosaki who famously coined the phrase: “Pay yourself first.” Like millions of other kids growing up, I had been taught the simple steps to success – like getting a good job, and always giving it your best shot. But is this enough? Kiyosaki’s wisdom is that no, it’s not enough. There is much more you can do to secure a more successful outcome. Don’t just work harder, work smarter. And work your money in smarter ways too. When my pay cheque comes in, the first bit is set aside to be invested in my future wealth. Only when I’ve done that, am I free to use the remainder on discretionary items, travel or entertainment. This is the essence of Kiyosaki’s advice: pay yourself before you pay anyone else. My money works hard for me, and this is what I wish for my clients also, because I know it works.