Stop working start living how i retired at 36 without winning the lottery mantesh

ll.

eG
et
A

.T
h

w

w

w

co
m


STOP WORKING...

l.c
om

START

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

LIVING


Copyright © Diann e Nahirny , 2001
All right s reserved . No par t o f thi s publicatio n ma y b e reproduced , store d i n a retrieval
system, o r transmitte d i n an y for m b y an y proces s — electronic , mechanical , photocopying ,
recording, o r otherwis e — withou t th e prio r written permissio n o f the copyrigh t
owners an d EC W PRESS.
NATIONAL LIBRAR Y O F CANAD A CATALOGUIN G I N PUBLICATIO N DAT A

ISBN 1-55022-484- 0

co
m

Nahirny, Diann e
Stop workin g . . . star t livin g : how I retire d a t 36

tA
ll.

I. Retiremen t income . 2 . Early retirement. 3 . Retirement — Planning , I . Title .
NGI79.N34 200 1 332.o24'o
I C2ooI-9Oo8io4
Cover an d tex t desig n b y Tania Craa n
Cover phot o b y Ro b Allen
Layout b y Mar y Bownes s

Ge

Printed b y Webcom

he

Distributed i n Canad a b y
General Distributio n Services ,
325 Humbe r Colleg e Blvd. ,
Toronto, ON , M9W 7C3

w

.T

Published b y EC W PRESS
2120 Quee n Stree t East , Suit e 20 0
Toronto, ON , M4 E IE2
ecwpress.com

PRINTED AN D BOUN D I N CANAD A

w

w

This boo k i s set i n Futur a an d Garamond .

The publicatio n o f Stop Working . . . Start Living has bee n generousl y supporte d b y
the Canad a Council , th e Ontari o Art s Council , an d th e Governmen t o f Canad a
through th e Boo k Publishin g Industr y Developmen t Program . Canada*

Disclaimer
This publicatio n i s designed t o provid e accurat e an d authoritativ e information . I t i s sold wit h
the understandin g tha t th e publisher s ar e no t engage d i n renderin g legal, accountin g o r othe r
professional advice . I f lega l advice 6 r othe r exper t assistanc e is required , th e service s of a competent professiona l shoul d b e sought . The analysi s contained herei n represent s the experiences
and opinion s o f th e author , bu t th e autho r an d publishe r ar e no t responsibl e for th e result s of
any action s take n o n th e basi s of information i n thi s wor k no r fo r an y error s or omissions .


STOP WORKING

et
Al

l.c

om

START
.T
he

G

LIVING
w

w

w

HOW I RETIRED AT THE AGE OF 36..,
WITHOUT WINNING THE LOTTERY

DIANNE NAHIRNY

ECW PRESS


m

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA

ll.
co

This page intentionally left blank


om
l.c

w

w

w

.T
he
G

et
Al

For Peter and Tatianna, Fred and Anna, and Mary


m

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge
tA

ll.
co

This page intentionally left blank


om
l.c

et
Al

This book wouldn't hav e been written i f it hadn't been for the
following:

.T
he
G

John and Julie. Without them, my life, m y lifestyle, and my book
would neve r have come into being . They are my inspiration .
Mark an d Jane , fo r thei r exper t advice , generou s assistance , an d
encouragement.

w

w

Sandie. Many time s I might hav e given up if it hadn't been for her
unwavering belief in me, and al l her help .

w

Jack, for recognizing my potential an d patiently guiding m e along.


m

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge
tA

ll.
co

This page intentionally left blank


GET RICH QUICK 1

et
Al

CHAPTER 1

l.c

om

STOP WORKING ... START LIVING

PART ONE

.T
he
G

THE PART

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS: THE FORMATIVE E YEARS 11

CHAPTERS

THE STUDENT YEARS 25

CHAPTER 4

FIRST THINGS FIRST 39

CHAPTERS

ONWARD AND UPWARD 71

CHAPTER 6

PLUNGE INTO FREEDOM

w

w

CHAPTER 2

w

PART TWO

THE

97

PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 7 A NEW ATTITUDE 107
CHAPTER 8 FINDING YOURSELF 125
CHAPTER 9

KEEPING TRACK MEANS KEEPING MONEY 139

CHAPTER 10

GET RICH NOW

CHAPTER 11

THE CHALLENGE: BASICS

CHAPTER 12

THE CHALLENGE: NECESSITIES

CHAPTER 13

THE CHALLENGE: VARIABLES

219

CHAPTER 14

THE CHALLENGE: UNUSUAL

241

161

CHAPTER 15 247

183
197


m

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge
tA

ll.
co

This page intentionally left blank


om
l.c

.T
he
G

et
Al

GET RICH
QUICK

his i s a "ge t ric h quick " boo k wit h a promise . I t reall y is

T possible t o retir e early , even thoug h today s mone y expert s

w

w

w

would hav e you believ e there are no quic k scheme s that work ,
you mus t inves t ove r th e lon g term , an d yo u wil l nee d a n
unbelievably hug e amoun t save d whe n yo u finall y d o retire .
I've prove n the m wrong . I didn't follo w conventional wisdom ,

and I have achieve d financia l freedom . M y promise i s to sho w
how yo u ca n too .
The averag e person will spend mor e tha n 3 0 years working
before retiremen t eve n become s a possibility . I earne d a
mediocre wag e an d mad e financia l mistakes alon g th e way , yet
I retire d i n hal f tha t time . Dependin g o n you r ow n circum stances, you could retire much sooner than I did. Bu t regardless
of timing , t o becom e financiall y free , al l yo u nee d t o d o i s
follow m y example .
I've alway s questione d conventiona l wisdom . Ho w man y
financial advisor s d o yo u kno w wh o ar e comfortabl y retire d
I


2

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c
om

in thei r mid- 3 os? Ar e the y retired , rich , an d young ? To me ,
"retired" mean s havin g al l th e tim e i n th e worl d an d th e
freedom t o choos e ho w t o spen d it . "Rich " mean s being fre e
from debt , havin g al l living expense s covered , continuall y sat isfying desires , and enjoyin g luxuries to th e fullest . "Quick " is
the freedo m t o retir e young. Al l this i s not onl y possibl e bu t
also sustainable . I shoul d kno w — I'v e don e it .
You probably wouldn't notic e me walking down th e street,
and yo u wouldn't pic k m e ou t i n a crowd . Jus t lik e th e
majority o f th e millionaire s i n Nort h Americ a (accordin g t o
The Millionaire Next Door), I loo k lik e ever y other ordinar y
person i n you r neighbourhood , probabl y a littl e happie r bu t
a perfectl y average woman — excep t tha t I' m retired , young ,
and rich .
I spen d m y tim e howeve r I choose . I f I wan t t o slee p in ,
I do . I f I don' t wan t t o g o ou t i n th e col d o r rain , I don't .
There reall y isn' t muc h tha t can' t wai t unti l anothe r day .
Usually, I ge t up aroun d 9 a.m. unles s I was up lat e the nigh t
before finishin g a gripping nove l or watching a video int o th e
early hours. I have a breakfast o f home-baked cinnamon bread,
freshly squeeze d juice, and te a ou t o n th e patio , weathe r per mitting. Otherwise , it' s breakfast o n a white wicker tray in be d
to enjo y wit h th e newspaper , a magazine, or a television show.
After breakfas t an d a leisurel y shower, I dres s t o sui t myself .
Then I conside r what I fee l lik e doin g tha t mornin g — per haps lookin g ove r m y investmen t portfolio , possibly tending
my garden , mayb e going for a hike dow n th e ravin e or takin g
a strol l t o th e library . Then I ma y mee t famil y o r friend s fo r
lunch, an d i n th e afternoo n I ma y delv e int o a projec t o f

GET RICH QUICK

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c
om

personal interest . Later , a n ar t class , yoga , ballet , o r aerobi c
exercise provide s a nic e break . I als o choos e "work " a s a par t
of mos t days , bu t no t fo r th e income . I t ca n b e a n enjoyabl e
hobby, a new project that could generat e some cash, or helpin g
out a s a volunteer. Workin g fo r fun , fo r persona l satisfaction ,
to socialize , o r t o hel p other s isn' t reall y "work " a t all . M y
evenings an d weekend s ar e fille d wit h trip s t o antiqu e mar kets an d auctions , watchin g amateu r theatr e productions ,
attending investmen t seminars , meetin g wit h th e are a garde n
club, o r eve n jus t readin g an d putterin g aroun d th e house .

My neighbour s watche d th e gradua l renovation s mad e
recently t o m y Tudor-style house , an d alon g wit h th e conge nial nod s o f approva l I coul d se e th e curiosit y i n thei r eyes .
They seeme d t o ponde r m y situation : / wa s always a t home.
I was young and on my own. Didn't I have a job to go to? How
could I be making all these home improvements without one?
Didn't I need a job? I coul d onl y imagin e thei r speculations .
Then on e Saturda y morning , a s I wa s re-sealin g m y drive way, a neighbourhoo d coupl e stoppe d t o admir e m y effort s
and chat . Inevitably , they asked the questio n tha t find s it s way
into polit e conversation : "Wher e d o yo u work? " I stil l hav e
trouble answerin g tha t question . " I don' t work " ha s al l th e
wrong connotations, an d it's untrue — I work, bu t onl y within
my area s o f persona l interest . " I don' t nee d t o work " sound s
arrogant. I t remind s m e o f a snobbis h characte r i n th e shor t
story An y Reasonable Offer b y Kur t Vonnegut , Whe n aske d
what h e doe s fo r a living, th e ma n answers , "Do? Why, what ever amuse s me . . . ." Instead, I answer, "Actually , I'm retired. "
The respons e i s usuall y surprise d silenc e followe d b y "Oh , i t

3


4

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c

om

must b e nice!" And i t is . Really nice. I think everybod y should
retire young , an d I' m goin g t o sho w yo u how .
I believ e almos t anyon e ca n d o wha t I'v e done . I t doesn' t
matter whether you're just starting out, single , or married with
or without children , an d i t doesn't eve n matter how much you
earn. There ar e benefits and drawbacks in every situation. What
you d o wit h wha t yo u hav e i s al l tha t reall y counts .
Early retiremen t doesn' t necessaril y mea n neve r workin g
again; rather , it mean s being able to freel y choos e the amount ,
if any , an d typ e o f wor k t o pursue . Durin g m y retirement ,
I've bee n approache d a fe w time s t o fil l temporar y vacancie s
as a favour , an d I'v e bee n happ y t o oblige . Th e job s hav e
always bee n ne w an d different . Whe n th e hea d libraria n a t
my neighbourhoo d branc h aske d m e i f I' d b e intereste d i n
working a fe w hours a week, I gladl y joine d th e librar y staff .
Although initiall y I worke d 1 2 hour s a week , I wa s abl e t o
reduce th e numbe r o f hour s t o jus t Monda y morning s whe n
I wante d mor e tim e t o spen d o n a hobby . Wha t mad e eac h
job fun , however , i s tha t i t wasn' t a necessity . Whether yo u

want t o hav e any kind o f job o r no t wil l depend o n your own
definition o f retirement .
In writing this book , I' m please d to prov e by example tha t
early retiremen t i s possible fo r almos t anyone . I als o promis e
to presen t m y formul a fo r succes s i n a n enjoyabl e an d con cise manner . Sinc e I've foun d man y personal finance book s t o
be heav y reading , I trie d t o creat e a mone y boo k i n a "shor t
notes" style , condensin g concept s t o thei r simples t forms . A
fast an d to-the-poin t rea d i s no les s educationa l o r usefu l tha n
one padde d wit h extraneou s information . I'l l sho w yo u ho w


GET RIC H QUIC K

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c
om

I becam e financially independent simply , and you'l l lear n ho w
to appl y th e sam e principle s t o you r se t o f circumstance s fo r
your ow n ultimat e success .
This boo k i s fo r al l thos e wh o wonde r ho w I coul d pos sibly hav e don e it . It' s als o fo r everyon e wh o seriousl y think s
there mus t b e som e explanatio n othe r tha n carefu l plannin g
and determine d actio n fo r m y earl y retirement . A s well , it' s
for thos e believer s who kno w there' s a way; the y jus t nee d t o
be show n how .
My freedo m wa s not finance d b y a winning lotter y ticket ,
inheritance, gift , governmen t subsidy , or financia l settlemen t o f
any kind . Actually , I shoul d b e amon g th e "workin g poor, "
slaving awa y a t a low-payin g job , livin g i n a low-ren t apart ment. I'v e neve r ha d th e weddin g gift s (dow n paymen t o n a
house, cash , ne w appliance s and/o r furniture ) tha t man y cou ples receive . Likewise, there hasn' t bee n an y hel p fro m in-laws .
My parent s didn' t giv e m e th e money . I neve r ha d th e benefi t
of a two-incom e househol d (tw o peopl e reall y ca n liv e mor e
cheaply tha n one!) , and , a s a singl e employe d person , I hav e
had fe w ta x breaks . Ove r m y 15-yea r workin g life , I average d a
gross salary of about $20,000 a year. And whil e I've always lived
on m y own , livin g poorly ha s neve r bee n m y ide a o f financia l
freedom. I' m no t a "bac k t o th e land " perso n either , choosin g
voluntary simplicity ove r central ai r conditioning, a dishwasher,
or package d food . I liv e i n th e city , an d I lik e t o liv e well .
A middle-clas s lifestyl e complet e wit h luxurie s i s ho w I
have chosen to live. Travelling by Concorde, acquirin g antiques,
and enjoyin g th e art s ar e a par t o f it . I als o spen d tim e o n
various othe r hobbies , I volunteer, an d I visi t more ofte n no w

5

6

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c

om

with famil y an d friends . I vacation a s I please. I enjo y th e pic turesque wal k t o th e shop s an d librar y alon g th e upscal e
avenues of manicured lawns and charmin g homes where I live.
I tak e i n th e loca l sights , an d I tak e i t easy .
So ho w di d I manag e t o ow n a hom e wit h al l th e "toys "
and enjo y a comfortable retiremen t lifestyl e when mos t peopl e
my ag e aren' t eve n a t th e startin g gate ?
I hav e no t bee n a stockbroker , accountant , o r financia l
advisor. I di d no t star t ou t wit h an y special knowledge , bu t I

believe m y childhoo d environmen t provide d th e basi c skills ,
and m y interes t i n persona l finance book s contributed a s well.
I've found both goo d an d ba d advic e and hav e made m y share
of mistakes . Bu t thos e experience s hav e pave d th e roa d t o
financial independence . Eve n afte r som e mone y blunders , I
still retire d ver y earl y — an d s o ca n you .
You wil l nee d perseverance . I' m a n impatien t perso n an d
stubbornly g o afte r wha t I wan t unti l I fin d a way t o ge t it .
While thi s isn' t on e o f th e bes t qualitie s fo r buildin g a happ y
relationship, i t ha s helpe d m e i n m y ques t fo r a quic k an d
easy path t o financia l freedom . Throughou t the years , my goal
was alway s with me . Determinatio n wa s a necessar y compo nent o f my success , along with knowin g what t o d o an d ho w
to d o it . Fo r you, i t shoul d b e easier , an d coul d tak e less time ,
since thi s boo k no t onl y show s th e rout e t o earl y retiremen t
but als o points ou t th e roadblock s tha t ca n occur an d ho w t o
detour aroun d them . I'v e alread y don e th e thinkin g an d
rethinking, th e mistakes and learning, and the trying and practising. Al l yo u hav e t o d o i s rea d thi s boo k an d pu t th e
principles t o work .


GET RICH QUICK

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c
om

I presen t th e metho d i n tw o parts , showin g first wha t yo u
need t o d o an d the n ho w yo u actuall y d o it . Th e firs t part ,
"The Plan, " introduce s th e basi c financia l concept s I learne d
when I wa s young an d the n th e step s I too k a s an adul t tha t
led t o m y financia l independence . Th e secon d part , "Th e
Procedure," provide s the means for putting m y plan into actio n
and mouldin g i t t o you r ow n situation , wit h practica l sug gestions an d techniques .
If you'r e single , ear n a lo w incom e (m y averag e salar y for
the firs t thre e years was $15,000), an d sta y single over the nex t
10-15 years, you hav e th e potentia l t o retir e at th e en d o f tha t
time. I' m livin g proof . Dependin g o n you r circumstances , i f
you're no t jus t startin g out , o r you'r e earnin g a muc h bette r
income, o r you'r e marrie d (wit h o r withou t children) , yo u
could als o retir e withi n tha t tim e fram e o r sooner . Yo u may
already hav e you r househol d furnishing s an d appliances , car ,
mortgage partl y paid off , or eve n som e investment s an d retire ment fund s saved . You r childre n ma y b e young , enterin g
university, o r leavin g home, o r you ma y b e childless. I t doesn' t
matter. Ever y situation wil l b e different, includin g incom e an d
debt levels . Thes e factor s wil l no t kee p yo u fro m ultimatel y
succeeding, bu t ho w yo u choos e t o dea l wit h the m wil l affec t

the timin g o f your retirement . I f you wan t financia l freedom ,
it's entirel y u p t o you . I f you' d rathe r ten d you r garde n tha n
look afte r you r customers , yo u can . I f you' d rathe r loung e i n
your backyar d tha n doz e i n a traffi c jam , yo u can . I f you' d
rather g o hiking tha n si t through a business meeting, yo u can .
You ca n reac h financia l independenc e withou t feelin g
deprived, jus t as I have. Bu t i t take s conscious living . You may

7


8

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c

om

have t o adop t a ne w attitud e towar d you r us e o f mone y an d
exchange som e ba d habit s fo r goo d ones . Yo u ma y nee d t o
make som e decision s abou t you r lifestyl e an d prioritiz e th e
things yo u trul y valu e i n life .
Simply put , yo u ge t ric h quic k b y acceleratin g th e accu mulation of assets and th e elimination of liabilities. To continue
indulging i n you r dreams , yo u kee p buildin g your asse t base ,
even afte r you'v e retired . B e encouraged , though , tha t doin g
so wil l b e easie r i f yo u follo w th e guideline s i n thi s book .
Other money book s hav e yo u performin g lon g calculation s
with schedule s that resembl e tax returns (as if you'd reall y want
to d o that i n you r spar e time) , an d b y fillin g ou t question naires, charts, and budget s you'll supposedly benefit monetaril y
sometime i n th e future . The n there are books tha t assume you
already hav e a sizeabl e amount o f cas h an d onl y nee d advic e
on ho w t o inves t it . Stil l other s ar e dissertation s o n th e psy chology o f money . Th e book s identify , label , analyse , an d
discuss al l th e possibl e behaviour s tha t characteriz e a n indi vidual's view of money. How thi s approac h get s people of f th e
couch an d o n thei r wa y t o bette r finance s I don' t know . I t
wouldn't wor k fo r me .
So ge t read y fo r a n eas y read — simpl e an d fas t way s t o
stop workin g ari d star t living . Immediatel y afte r putting thi s
book t o work , you'l l fee l freer , more secure , more retired ! I f
you tak e actio n an d persevere , yo u won' t hav e t o suffe r th e
seemingly interminable wait unti l conventional retirement , and
you'll avoi d th e common , shocke d respons e "I'll hav e t o sav e
how much? " Whil e othe r book s offe r difficult , ploddin g


GET RICH QUICK

w

w

w

.T
he
G

et
Al

l.c

om

methods t o achieve financial security, this book offer s th e techniques simply , wit h a s littl e hassl e o r drudger y a s possible .
Plain an d simple . Faste r an d easier . S o what ar e yo u waitin g
for?

9


m

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge
tA

ll.
co

This page intentionally left blank


l.c
om

CHILDREN'S
PROGRAMS
Ge

tA
l

THE FORMATIVE YEARS

he

feel ver y fortunate that m y home environmen t provide d m e

I with
th e beginnin g necessar y for a futur e o f financia l inde-

w

w

w

.T

pendence. M y fathe r starte d ou t i n radi o an d T V repair, s o ou r
house was the first on th e bloc k t o have a colour television. My
brother an d I though t thi s wa s goo d fortun e i n itself , bu t th e
kind o f children's programming tha t contribute d t o my freedom
wasn't th e kin d o n TV . Th e us e o f mone y ha d importan t con sequences i n ou r household , an d i t influence d our everyda y life.
Its not tha t m y parents directly set out t o teach me their money
philosophy — I was a captive audience , an d bein g impression able I couldn' t hel p bu t absor b thei r gem s o f financial wisdom.
I listened , observed, and followe d the rules , completely unaware
of th e beneficia l foundatio n bein g buil t aroun d me .
"Teach you r childre n well " wa s a lin e i n a popula r son g
when I wa s growin g up , an d th e mone y concept s I learne d
from famil y interaction s hav e serve d m e well . On e o f m y ear liest recollection s is of my Europea n grandfathe r towering over
ii


12

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c

om

me an d demandin g t o kno w "Wha t fo r yo u nee d thi s one? "
I hav e n o ide a no w wha t th e ite m was , bu t th e poin t wa s
clear: ther e wer e needs , an d ther e wer e wants . Thi s concep t
repeated itsel f regularl y through parenta l idiom s suc h a s "You
don't nee d it, " "W e giv e yo u everythin g yo u need, " an d
"Money doesn' t gro w o n trees. " Sometimes , whe n m y fathe r
was i n a teasin g mood , h e woul d le t m e thin k I migh t ge t
what I was pleading for . He woul d pos e th e sam e questio n a s
my grandfathe r bu t phras e i t differently . On e time , h e said ,
"Suppose yo u tel l m e exactl y why yo u nee d a n 'X'. "
That wa s the bait . I didn' t kno w tha t m y da d wa s onl y
doing thi s fo r spor t an d that , really , I didn' t stan d a chanc e
of ever getting m y coveted 'X' . I was so easily led. Perkin g u p

with hope , I answere d to o quickly , "Becaus e I wan t it. "
My father countered , "No , I asked you to tel l me why you
need it, no t wan t it. " Afte r seein g m y crestfalle n face , h e con tinued, "Bu t g o ahead, tel l m e why you want it, " an d h e kep t
the gam e going .
"Because I reall y like it, " I answered .
"That's no t a goo d enoug h reason . Try again, " h e teased .
"Because al l m y friend s hav e one. "
I thin k everyon e knows the ol d "I f all your friend s jumped
off a bridg e . . ,. " wisecrac k I hear d next .
Finally, m y mothe r ende d m y sufferin g b y shamin g m y
father wit h "Sto p teasin g her ! Yo u kno w sh e take s yo u seri ously." I remembe r Da d slinkin g ou t o f the room , leavin g me
standing ther e an d wonderin g wha t ha d happened .
When m y parent s were busy , whinin g wa s countered wit h
"Because I said so" and "Don' t talk back," immediately followe d


CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

w

w

w

.T
he
G

et
Al

l.c

om

by some sort of punishment i f it didn' t stop. I became very well
behaved. Whethe r thes e parentin g skill s ar e considere d politi cally correc t toda y reall y isn' t th e point . Th e rea l poin t wa s
well made : nee d versu s want .
My parent s controlle d ho w mone y wa s spen t simpl y
because the y wer e th e sourc e o f it . I f the y didn' t work , the y
didn't hav e it . Bu t equall y important , mone y didn' t contro l
them. The y were never "wor k slaves " since the y chos e th e typ e
and duratio n o f work freel y The y still enjoy "working" a s long
as it's a t endeavour s of their ow n choosing . M y parent s started
out wit h little , bu t the y quickl y attained a comfortable, secure
lifestyle i n thei r ow n way . The y ha d contro l ove r income ,
spending, saving , an d ultimatel y thei r destiny .
The lesso n i n ou r hom e wa s that yo u onl y go t somethin g
if yo u worke d fo r it . Workin g mean t making somethin g o r
doing somethin g tha t someon e els e woul d pa y for . While m y
parents covere d al l m y needs , an d I ha d a privilege d child hood wit h lessons , man y vacations , special-occasio n gifts , an d
a lo t o f qualit y famil y time , ther e wer e stil l al l thos e unlim ited want s ever y child has . (Onl y muc h late r di d I realiz e tha t
wants ar e limitles s throughou t life. ) An d the y wer e o f th e
utmost importanc e t o me. Even though I had th e usual chores,
I didn' t hav e a n allowance . I wa s s o enviou s o f m y friend s
who wer e hande d mone y weekl y t o spen d a s they pleased . I f
I wante d anythin g fro m m y wis h list , I ha d t o us e th e con cept o f exchanging something of value for money. This became
one o f th e mos t importan t lesson s i n helpin g m e t o achiev e
financial independence . Ther e reall y ar e n o fre e lunches .
Whatever I go t wa s al l u p t o me .

13


H

w

w

w

.T

he

Ge

tA
l

l.c
om

So ho w doe s a ki d i n grad e schoo l ear n money ? A s i t
turned out , m y parent s provide d a great example . Exchangin g
value fo r mone y too k o n man y forms . M y mothe r sol d rea l
estate an d ra n a n office. M y father was an entrepreneur mainly ,
but h e starte d ou t workin g fo r a n employe r an d the n quickl y
went int o sales . Those wer e hi s da y jobs . Othe r endeavour s

included hom e buildin g an d renovating , bu t everyda y oppor tunities als o provide d spar e cash .
While m y fathe r wa s working a t a n applianc e repai r shop ,
a woma n ha d he r washin g machin e brough t i n t o b e fixed ,
but sh e decide d th e estimat e wa s to o high . Sh e als o refuse d
to pa y th e charg e t o delive r i t bac k t o he r house . N o on e a t
the stor e wante d th e machine , s o m y fathe r too k i t home ,
repaired it , an d the n sol d m y mother s ol d wringe r washer .
The coupl e wh o bough t i t didn' t hav e a car , s o the y wer e
happy th e wringe r ha d casters . Laughin g a t themselves , the y
wheeled i t dow n th e street , aroun d th e corner , an d presum ably al l th e wa y home .
Another tim e m y fathe r wo n a ne w televisio n i n a contest ,
so m y parent s place d a n a d i n th e pape r t o sel l ou r ol d one . I t
had a rea l wood cabine t bu t neede d som e TLC . I wa s pai d t o
clean i t up , fil l i n th e scratches , an d polis h th e woo d t o a fine
shine. A ma n calle d fo r th e detail s and cam e b y when jus t m y
mother an d I were at home. H e like d th e TV but turne d t o my
mother seriousl y an d said , "Lady , ar e yo u sur e you r husban d
knows you'r e sellin g this? " Afte r questionin g he r a fe w mor e
times, h e bough t i t an d carrie d i t hurriedl y ou t o f ou r house .
Even i n th e drivewa y wit h th e T V safely i n hi s car , h e kep t
glancing dow n th e street , war y o f m y father' s untimel y arrival.