It can be frustrating to wake up at 25 or 35 or 45 and realize you’re not where you want to be financially. Don’t be discouraged, and don’t compare yourself others. Start where you are.

Each of us has an internal money blueprint that shapes how we think about and act with money. If your blueprint is faulty, you have to make changes.

You are the boss of you. Nobody cares more about your money than you do, so assume responsibility for your financial future. Run your life like a business.

The difference between what you earn and what you spend — your “profit” or “saving rate” — is the most important number in personal finance. Profit gives you the power do build the life you want.

Do you know the number-one secret to wealth, freedom, and happiness? It’s simple: become proactive. Decide to take charge of your life.

The best way to get what you really want is to become clear on your goals and values. That’s why everyone should craft a personal mission statement.

Like it or not, if you want to get rich — slowly or otherwise — you need a budget. I hate budgets too. That’s why I’ve come up with the Money Boss budget, an ideal to aim for.

As soon as you’re earning more than you’re spending, make it a priority to get out of debt. No other action will bring you greater peace of mind.

Frugality is the cornerstone of wealth-building but Big Wins are the best way to spend less.

There are two paths to building wealth: spending less and earning more. If you really want to supercharge your progress, you’ll want to look for ways to make more money. Remember: You are 100% responsible for your income.

Learning how to negotiate your salary can allow you to earn an extra half-million dollars in your lifetime.

Life is full of unexpected surprises. To protect yourself from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, you need an emergency fund, a cash cushion to cope with crises.

Use barriers and pre-commitment to automatically do the right thing — every time.

Grow your wealth snowball. The more you put into it, the bigger it’ll get. Your wealth snowball is the key to your financial future!

As your savings grow, you need to learn how to invest. Fortunately, investing doesn’t have to be difficult. You’re capable of managing your own money.

You’ve probably heard that time is money. In a very real way, it is. You pay for money with your time. The less you money you spend, the lest time you have to work.

Think like a billionaire by carefully guarding every dollar you spend. Recognize that every time you spend today, you’re sacrificing a piece of tomorrow. Practice mindful spending.

The road to financial independence can be long and tedious. That’s okay. Along the way, learn to adopt habits that foster wealth and success.

Not every unexpected event is bad. Sometimes life brings us lucky breaks. That’s why it’s smart to maintain an opportunity fund.

One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make on the road to financial freedom is how much to save for retirement.

As your wealth snowball grows, your mind will turn to retirement. But what does it mean to be retired?

In reality, retirement isn’t any one thing. There are multiple ways to approach it. I believe there are at least five types of retirement.

After you’ve accumulated a wealth snowball, you have to figure out how to manage the money. One of your most important tasks is figuring our how to handle spending and withdrawals during retirement.

It’s an awesome problem to have: You’ve accumulated enough money to fund your life — and then some. What next? What happens when you go beyond wealth?

I spend a lot of time with people who have achieved financial independence. One thing I’ve noticed is that every single early retiree I’ve met enjoys an abundance mindset.

Building wealth is awesome. It’s liberating. But achieving wealth can have some surprising side effects. Guilt is one of them. But feeling guilty about your wealth does zero good for anyone.

Money isn’t everything. What good is wealth if you’re not content? As you pursue financial freedom, be sure to learn how to be happy and lead a meaningful life.