We share 5 more “money rules” adapted from Ramit Sethi, best-selling author of “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” and more importantly BFF of VFS (and secretly my personal idol).
They stem from years of real-life experience, so you may want to adopt or adapt them.
- Buy the best and keep it as long as possible
This reminds me of an acquaintance (an office worker) who used to say “I can’t afford to buy cheap shirts, so I go to a professional tailor.”
It may sound counterintuitive, but it is full of wisdom.
If you buy $20 shirts (or shoes, or pants), they won’t last long.
If you pay for quality, you will be rewarded in two ways. It will last longer, and you will feel like a millionaire.
That’s the essence of Ramit’s rule #6: in many cases, cheap is expensive – in the long run.
- No limit on spending on health or education
Investing in yourself is arguably the best investment you’ll ever make.
Brian Tracy, the best-selling self-development author, recommends investing 10% of your income in yourself. Few people do it – and unsurprisingly, their results are often proportional to their investment.
Can’t afford 10%? Start with 5%, and go up from there!
Remember that everything you learn should not be related to your field. Consider taking cooking, dance, beekeeping, Japanese, or kickboxing classes. Think about working with a personal or business coach. Or decide to invest in a financial conference.
Health, including food and fitness, is obviously critically important if you want to stick around.
A personal trainer at the gym, weekly or monthly, a visit to a dietician, a super comfortable mattress, are affordable luxuries that can make a big difference in your health.
Ramit wisely calls health and education “rewards that keep on giving.”
- Earn enough to work only with people you respect and like
Ouch!
That is the ultimate luxury.
What matters to you?
Respect? Kindness? Trust? Freedom? Culture? Growth? Cooperation? Security? Stability? Mentorship?
All these criteria should not be dreams. They are perfectly possible.
If they are truly not possible in your position as an associate, then maybe you should consider hanging your shingle and creating your little slice of veterinary heaven.
- Marry the right person
Not only could arguments about money cost you your marriage, but divorce could cost 50% of your net worth.
Sharing the same philosophy and the same values about financial matters is critically important in a relationship.
Whether you’re in a relationship or already married, openly talk about financial concerns, rather than brushing them under the carpet.
- Prioritize time outside the spreadsheet
There is more to life than finances.
Money is merely a means to an end.
The end should not be a magic number or a mystical net worth.
Take time to smell the roses, spend time with family and friends, and take real vacations.
It should be a way to live the lifestyle you want, and to reach your personal and professional goals.
As Ramit points out, most of his rules are “more about saying yes than saying no.”
Notice that no rule says you can’t buy a Frappamochaventiespresso every morning.
No rule says you can’t order avocado toast for lunch every day.
No rule says you can’t buy designer shoes.
Most of his money rules are about investing in yourself, your health, and the small luxuries that make you happy.
I will conclude with one of my favorite quotes from Ramit the Sage: “There is a limit on how much you can cut. However, there are no limits to your earning potential.”
Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, Fear Free Certified