1. Giving is the foundation of your financial health

How’s your giving? It’s in giving that you receive, but you should give to give, not to receive.

2. Plan for the worst

Emergencies will always happen. Even more so when you aren’t prepared. An emergency fund (not a credit card) is foundational for surviving hard times.

3. Spend less than you make

Always be striving to earn and achieve more, but for now, you must spend less than you make so you have money for what really matters. Delay your gratification and keep your discipline. Wait until you can actually afford what you’re buying.

4. Set Goals

Set goals in every area of your life. Without goals, you have nothing to achieve. You should always know where you’re going in life.

5. Do what works for you

One size doesn’t fit all. If you find a way to budget, invest or save, and it works for you, do it. Apply advice to your life. Don’t mold your life to advice.

6. Get the lowest price

There are things that you can’t change the price of, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. The worst thing that can happen is that they say “no”. It’s as simple as always asking for a lower price. It can only help and it never hurts.

7. Know your limits

Know your level of discipline/responsibility and live your life accordingly. If you aren’t responsible with credit cards, don’t use them. If you are undisciplined, automate your budget and your investing.

8. If you’re going to spend, you might as well earn

If credit cards aren’t for you (see principle #7), then you can ignore this principle. But if you are able to use credit cards responsibly, search for the most rewarding programs and earn when you spend through cashback or other rewards.

9. Money is More Mental than physical

Money is about your mindset. Your mentality is more important than your ability, but your ability will grow with your mentality. Money doesn’t solve money problems, mindset does.

10. Don’t be average, be successful

Most people are average. That’s why it’s called average. On average, most people aren’t successful. You are better than average. Hold yourself to a higher standard. Did I say average enough?

11. Take action

Nothing happens unless you take action. Reading and learning is necessary, but if it doesn’t lead to action, it’s meaningless.

12. Work to learn, not to earn

The skills you get are more important than the pay you receive. Focus on working in ways that will get you closer to your ultimate goal.

13. Learn from everything

Everything you experience teaches a lesson. Learn from your successes and mistakes, as well as other people’s successes and mistakes.

14. Money isn’t everything

Don’t focus your life around money. Money is just a tool to freely enjoy the things that really matter in life. Respect it, but don’t worship it.

15. Don’t Wait to Be Happy

Don’t wait for your debt to be paid off. Don’t wait for your dream job. You can be happy through the whole process. Stop saying “if I could just [fill in the blank] I would be happy”. You can be happy. Right now.

16. Make Small gains

In every area of your life, make small progress, consistently, for a long time. This is a proven way to achieve any goal you have. Small investments, made monthly, equates to huge wealth down the road.

17. Pay yourself first

This is the most basic law of investing. Your investments and savings should be paid before your bills. You will always find a way to pay your bills. You will never find a way to invest or save, unless you do it first.

18. Invest diligently and patiently

Don’t try to get rich quick. Investing involves diligence and patience. Anything else is simply trading, speculating or gambling.

19. Only invest in what you understand

Even the great investor, Warren Buffett, doesn’t invest in companies he doesn’t understand. From stocks and mutual funds to ideas and start-up companies, know what you’re investing in.

20. Know why you’re investing

When you buy an investment, you should know why you bought it. If you can’t explain why you bought it to a child, you don’t really know why you bought it.