"Yes, there are many excellent financial planners, and when it comes to fine-tuning and implementing your plan, they can be a great help. But when you're originally developing your plan, you must take responsibility for your own future. As I said earlier, the great thing is it's not hard."
"Dad said last night that some old guy taught you a golden secret when you were young. What is it?" I probed.
"Oh, no. I'm saving that for next month. If you only pay attention once in the next seven months, let it be next month. If you follow that lesson, even if you do everything else poorly, I guarantee you that someday you'll be rich."
"Can't we start today?" I implored.
"No," Roy answered firmly. "My granddaughter's going to be here in five minutes. I'm taking care of her for the afternoon. Cathy can stay, but I want you two out of here ASAP. Emily's only three years old and I don't want to scare her off men for the rest of her life."
Never before had I been tempted to get my hair cut for two consecutive weeks. Roy had really piqued my interest. I've known him all my life, and he has always come across as a very modest man. The matter-of-fact confidence he displayed when discussing Tom's, Cathy's, and my financial futures was out of character—and contagious. I had no doubt that I had taken the first step along the road to financial prosperity.