A PART OF ALL YOU EARN IS YOURS TO KEEP.
Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family.
I recently re-read “The Richest Man in Babylon” and these two quotes stood out most of all. They are also the beginning of how to get your financial life in order. The first means that it is your duty to keep one tenth of everything you earn. YOUR’s to keep, not to pay bills, not for spending on frivolous things, money to keep and save, before anything else is spent from your earnings. Dave Ramsey says to pay yourself first, this is what that means.
The second basically says the same thing, but gives the meaning a little more definition. Once you force yourself to do this, and continue for a few months, it becomes habit. The best part is, you won’t miss the money once you start saving it. It feels good to know you have some money put aside.
I highly recommend everyone read this book, it is only 72 pages long and was written in 1926. Every message holds true today. It is set in Babylon and has several stories of men passing on their knowledge and wisdom on how to gain wealth, regardless of your circumstances.