Simple Test On Personal Finance

Have you been making money but wonder why you are not wealthy in relation with how much money passes through your hand?

Here are some simple questions that can help you to get right on track.

1.  DO YOU HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT?
The art of  wealth  building begins with savings as illustrated by George S. Clason in his book titled 'The richest man in Babylon'. You need to have a savings account to deliberately accumulate money. The rule is to pay yourself  monthly or according to how frequently you pass money by setting aside a percentage of your earnings e.g 2%,3%,5%,10% etc to keep in the savings account.

  DOES YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT SYSTEM ALLOW YOU TO USE ATM CARDS?

If you fall into this temptation, you may never be wealthy. Retail banking products such as ATM have been designed to enable easy access and spending which should never be a part of savings. The progress should be from savings to investment then to wealth acquisition and not from savings to spending as spending your money as you earn, it will still take you back to your starting position.

3.  DO YOU BUY THINGS THAT FASCINATE YOU OR BUY ONLY WHEN IT IS NECESSARY?

If you are fond of shopping malls, clubs, parties you are likely one of the good spenders. Warren Buffet (the richest investor in 2013) advises that if you keep buying things you do not need, then you will eventually sell all the things you need. You must be disciplined to be wealthy, no matter how much money you make; you can only become rich through how much you retain out of your earnings and not how much you earn. Quit spending on things you don't need.

4.  DO YOU INVEST IN MONEY MARKET?
Money market is the best place to start your  investment because of its liquidity. You however need to know that your money market investment yield a return higher than inflation rate for you to preserve your wealth. Inflation rate in Nigeria hovers between 9% and 12% par annum month on month. You must find a bank that gives you return of at least up to the inflation rate for your investment to be meaningful. Most retail banks offer between 1.5% and 6.5%. You may want to consider other sub-sectors of banking for better returns.

Consider this matter seriously and take a bold step to wealth creation now. Time is fast running.