How to Get Rich

It's easy to get to Easy Street: Buy hot stocks, start your own Internet company, hit it big in the lottery. Right? Wrong. Getting rich in America takes a sensible and sane approach.

Things You’ll Need:

• Financial Calculator
• Personal Financial Software
• Brokerage Accounts
• Bank Account
• Financial Advisers

Step 1:Decide what 'rich' means to you. Does it mean money for everything you need? Money for everything you want? Enough to retire where you live now? Enough to retire and live in Costa Rica?

Step 2:Start saving. Most experts agree that investing 10 to 15 percent of your gross monthly income creates a very comfortable nest egg for later years.

Step 3:Take advantage of compound interest, earning interest on your interest by letting investment returns accumulate and build on themselves.

Step 4:Resist temptation, whether that means a brand-new car right out of college or weekly dinners at nice restaurants. Invest the money you save by buying a used car or going out only twice a month, and you will have thousands of dollars more at retirement.

Step 5:Take care of yourself. This will reduce medical costs later on in life, as well as extend the years you can work and save.

Step 6:Go to college. By one study, college graduates earn roughly $20,000 more per year than people with just a high school diploma, and a post-graduate degree nets $20,000 more than a bachelor's.

Step 7:Get married. Married people are generally healthier than singles. Plus, they can economize on expenses, and they have more to invest. And because married people live longer, they can work and save longer.

Step 8:Enjoy the ride. Don't be so concerned with amassing a fortune later on that you neglect to enjoy life now. Strive for balance.

source: eHow.com