The world's wealthiest have a very different approach to money than the majority of people who are simply trying to survive financially until the end of each month.
The wealthy, on the other hand, own assets that not only increase in value over time, but also produce a passive income, such as savings that earn interest above inflation or an investment that pays dividends, a business, royalties on a book, a patent or a franchise operation or a property that is rented out.
Dr Koos du Toit, chief executive officer of P3 Investment Group, shares seven of the “secrets” of the wealthy, which ordinary salary-earning South Africans can apply to build a better financial future.
1. Invest in yourself
Investing in yourself is the single most important investment you can make.
Take the time, make the effort and invest the resources required to obtain knowledge of financial matters, money management, investment options and wealth creation, including the so-called “secrets” of the wealthy that have created their financial prosperity.
2. Retain control of your money
Warren Buffett warns: “Never invest in something you don’t understand.”
Avoid investment instruments that are complex, shrouded in jargon and require expensive advice and management. Some types of investment, such as exchange traded funds (ETFs) and buy-to-let property investment, are surprisingly simple, and do not require you to relinquish control of your money to any institution or individual at exorbitant fees, hoping they will deliver on their promises through investment vehicles you don’t really understand.
3. Have a long-term perspective
A long-term perspective cultivates discipline and the ability to delay short-term gratification in favour of achieving more important long-term financial objectives.
Stick to your long-term investment plans and avoid making emotional decisions based on short-term market volatility and fluctuations.
4. Become an asset owner, not a liability owner
The poor own liabilities (debt) that costs them ever-more in compounding interest, leaving them with ever-less disposable income every month and forcing them the acquire ever-more liabilities (debt) just to survive. It is a vicious cycle.
Property investment further allows the wealthy to maintain a long-term perspective, because it is an illiquid asset and cannot be acquired or disposed of in a moment of panic or euphoria.
The wealthy, on the other hand, own assets that not only increase in value over time, but also produce a passive income, such as savings that earn interest above inflation or an investment that pays dividends, a business, royalties on a book, a patent or a franchise operation or a property that is rented out.
The key to shifting from being a liability owner to an asset owner is to avoid more debt at all costs, pay off all your existing debt as quickly as possible, start saving up (at least three months' salary) and then begin to invest in assets that can generate income for you.
5. Use only “good” debt intelligently
While the wealthy avoid short-term, high-interest debt, such as credit cards, store cards and personal loans at all costs, they use longer term, low-interest debt intelligently to invest in assets that will not only grow in value over time, but will also produce an ongoing passive income.
In financial circles, this is known as “gearing”. A pertinent example is buying a property through a home loan, and renting the property out to create an ongoing passive income, while also earning capital growth over time.
6. Focus on income, not capital growth
Most ordinary salary-earners attempt to accumulate enough capital to secure a comfortable retirement, but statistics show this is almost impossible given the devastating effect of inflation and poor investment returns.
The wealthy do not focus on accumulating capital or even capital growth, they focus on creating ongoing, never-ending passive income to sustain themselves financially, not only in retirement - regardless how long they may live - but also well before and well after.
They do this by investing in income-generating assets, such as a buy-to-let property, which not only generates an ongoing, inflation-linked, passive income for life but also, as a bonus, steady capital growth over the long term.
7. Invest in property
The world’s wealthiest invest in property, and for many good reasons.
It is a simple and straight-forward investment alternative that is easy to understand and allows them to increase their income-earning abilities.
It also allows them to retain direct control of their money - which is invested in brick and mortar where they can see and touch it, not at the mercy of the volatile stock markets or salaried asset managers.
Property investment further allows the wealthy to maintain a long-term perspective, because it is an illiquid asset and cannot be acquired or disposed of in a moment of panic or euphoria.
It allows the wealthy to acquire an asset that generates an ongoing, inflation-linked passive income, as well as capital growth over time, using “good” long-term, low-interest debt intelligently.
You don't need qualifications or experience, you don't need much time, training or effort, you don't need a lump sum to invest or even a substantial monthly investment.
All that is required is the willingness to learn and implement the age-old ‘secrets’ the wealthy have used for generations to build wealth.
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