It’s easy to say that the life of a performer isn’t always one of steady employment. But at this point I think it’s safe to assume that there’s no such thing as safe steady employment anymore. At least for right now.
So I read a lot about personal finance and try to maximize what I do have coming in. I’m not rich, but I am comfortable. And I’m always on the lookout for ways to create new wealth. Because as I say in a new song on my upcoming DVD, “I can’t be funny if I’ve got no money..” I don’t believe in being a “starving artist”. 🙂
Recently I read a fantastic book called “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi. If that sounds familiar you may have read Ramit’s blog of the same name.
First take note of the title. It’s “be”, not “get”. This is not a book full of get rich quick stuff. It’s one of the most down to earth, easy to accomplish finance books I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re the type that doesn’t know your assets from a hole in the ground, this is a great way to get started. We’re not setting up budgets and things you’ll never stick to here. It’s all about having a basic plan that will take care of the “needs” and give you some extra for the “wants”. He’ll even show you how to tell the difference between the two.
Highlights:
Scripts for negotiating yourself out of bank fees
Setting up an easy retirement fund and never having to worry about asset allocation. (Just did this one myself)
How to make everything work automatically so you don’t have to spend more than an hour a month on your finances
Tips for the self-employed (hello artists!) on how to make all this work for you too
The whole thing is a very simple step-by-step program to help you learn how to save money and still get all the stuff you want. And yep, there’s even some ideas on how to make more money in your chosen profession.
Ramit calls this and 85% solution. It doesn’t get into trading in single stocks, CD laddering, Options trading, or any of that advanced stuff. This is a book that will get your started and get you comfortable. It will get you 85% of the way there. Which is better than the 0% there that many people have right now. If you want to be a finance nerd, you can learn all that other stuff later.
And I’ll tell you… It’s actually a fun read. Ramit has a great sense of humor. And it’s not often that I find myself laughing out loud while reading about personal finance.
Do yourself a favor and give it a looksee. And yes, that’s an Amazon link that pays me a little change if you buy. Multiple streams of income, my friends. 🙂
Phil Johnson
http://www.RoadsideAttraction.com <- Be sure to check out the free download of the week!
Other Blogs On This Subject
- Personal Finance For Dummies | Breaking stone to be success
- Making Money with a Side Hustle (Ramit Sethi & Paperwheel.com) |
- Today is my birthday — will you do me a favor? | I Will Teach You To Be Rich
- "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" – Review and Giveaway! | Budgets Are Sexy
- Interview w/ Ramit Sethi: NY Times Best Seller & Blogger! | Budgets Are Sexy