The Wealthy Barber

 

 

"How can you teach us so much in so little time? I mean, Roy, you really are working with novices. Tom and Dave and I are financial idiots!"

"Cathy, my job will be removing the word 'financial' from that statement. You'll have to worry about the other part yourselves. Trust me—good financial planning is nothing more than common sense. The old KISS philosophy at its best: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart.

"We all share pretty much the same goals—an annual vacation, a nice car, a comfortable home, early retirement, the ability to give our children what they need and want. . . and baseball season tickets. These are the average American's goals.

"And I'll tell you right now, they're easily attainable . . . easily. Especially if you start young. Time is your greatest ally. If you three start now, I guarantee you that you will exceed all your goals—dramatically.

"Look at me. I'm a barber, for crying out loud! I'm proud of my business, but I'm the first to admit that I'm not pulling in a doctor's salary. Far from it. Yet you'd be hard-pressed to find many professionals with better financial statements than mine. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm bragging. It's just that it's important for you to know that if someone as simple as me can become wealthy, it's certainly possible for you geniuses."

"You're not simple, Roy. Maybe a bit slow, but not simple," Tom wisecracked.

"I don't want to seem cynical, Roy, but if it's so easy, why isn't everyone doing it?" I asked.

"Lack of knowledge. Your dad and I talk about this all the time. Our schools don't teach money skills. Our family