Rewriting Money’s 25 Rules: A Summary

Five weeks ago, I began the process of analyzing and rewriting Money Magazine’s 25 Rules to Grow Rich By as an exercise in examining the fundamentals behind some of the often-repeated statements on how to get ahead financially. Below, you’ll find the rewritten list of rules. Each rule is linked to an article that describes

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #25: Warranties

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #25: When you shop for electronics, don’t pay for an extended warranty.

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #24: Frequent Flier Miles

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #24: Don’t redeem frequent-flier miles unless you can get more than a

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #23: Airline Tickets

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #23: Buy airline tickets early because the cheapest fares are snapped up

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #22: Gadgets

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #22: Resist the urge to buy the latest computer or other gadget

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #21: Auto Leases

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #21: Lease a new car or truck only if you plan to

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #20: Automotive Purchases

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #20: The best way to save money on a car is to

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #19: Information Requests

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #19: Anyone who calls or e-mails you asking for your Social Security

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #18: Credit Scores

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #18: The best way to improve your credit score is to pay

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #17: Credit Cards

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #17: The best credit card is a no-fee rewards card that you

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #16: Deductibles

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #16: When you buy insurance, choose the highest deductible you can afford.

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #15: Life Insurance

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #15: You need enough life insurance to replace at least five years

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #14: Paying for College

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #14: Aim to accumulate enough money to pay for a third of

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #13: Emergency Funds

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #13: Keep three months’ worth of living expenses in a bank savings

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #12: Proportional Savings

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #12: If you’re not saving 10% of your salary, you aren’t saving

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #11: Building Knowledge

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #11: If you don’t understand how an investment works, don’t buy it.

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #10: The Nest Egg

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #10: Aim to build a retirement nest egg that is 25 times

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #9: Mutual Fund Fees

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #9: The most you should pay in annual fees for a mutual

25 Rules to Grow Rich By #8: Portfolio Diversity

The Simple Dollar is running a series in which we re-evaluate Money Magazine’s “25 Rules To Grow Rich By”. One “rule” will be re-evaluated each weekday until the series concludes; you can keep tabs on the action at the 25 Rules index. Rule #8: Invest no more than 10% of your portfolio in your company