Zero to Rich

An invigorating and fresh take on building a bright financial future

In Zero to Rich: Secrets to Becoming a Millionaire by 30, celebrated personal finance blogger Fiona Smith delivers an energizing new approach to achieving financial security and independence without living like a monk. You'll discover how to improve your emotional, social, intellectual, and—most importantly—financial wellbeing as you implement the straightforward lessons taught by the author. From clarifying your money goals to paying off high-interest debt, you'll get step-by-step guidance on how to achieve your most critical money milestones.

The book provides personal anecdotes, illuminating stories from real people, informational graphics, and engaging end-of-chapter challenges and exercises to help you get started on your new path to financial freedom. You'll also find:

• Easy-to-follow advice on how to start investing, including the use of tax-advantaged accounts and 401k plans
• Strategies for maximizing your earnings, like negotiating your salary and building a business or side hustle
• Techniques for improving your financial security right now, including budgeting and insurance planning

An essential financial self-improvement resource for anyone interested in building a brighter future for themselves, their family, and the people they love, Zero to Rich is packed with the expert personal finance knowledge you'll wish you learned in grade school.

Acknowledgments ix

About the Author xi

Disclaimer xiii

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Chapter 2: Determine Your Purpose 9

Chapter 3: Think of Money as Time, Not Money 23

Chapter 4: Stealth Wealth 31

Chapter 5: Pay Yourself First 37

Chapter 6: Growth versus Fixed Mindset 49

Chapter 7: Find a High-Quality Mentor 59

Chapter 8: Stop Procrastinating 79

Chapter 9: Embrace Failure 97

Chapter 10: The Biggest Financial Decision of Your Life 115

Chapter 11: Increase Your Millionaire Odds 127

Chapter 12: Play the Tax Game 159

Chapter 13: Roth IRA versus Traditional IRA 171

Chapter 14: Assess Your Risk Tolerance 187

Chapter 15: The Eighth Wonder of the World 207

Chapter 16: Become a Master Budgeter 219

Chapter 17: A Discussion about Debt 241

References 255

Index 259

FIONA SMITH is the founder and CEO of The Millennial Money Woman. She has over 10 years’ experience studying and working in finance and investment management. She?s a wealth and investment advisor for clients from a variety of financial and personal backgrounds. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Personal Financial Planning.

In Zero to Rich: Secrets to Becoming a Millionaire by 30, personal finance blogger Fiona Smith delivers an exciting and intuitive roadmap to financial freedom. The author provides a step-by-step guide to becoming emotionally, socially, intellectually, and financially rich. From clarifying your money goals to paying off high-interest debt, Smith draws on her years of experience working with the financially successful to outline exactly how you’ll secure a better future.

You?ll learn to tap into your work ethic, motivation, and talent to implement effective strategies for financial independence. The book offers anecdotes and stories from real people, informational graphics, and end-of-chapter challenges to help you internalize the practical lessons contained within. Smith examines the mindset shared by many wealthy people, including their fixation on growth, their willingness to fail, and their tendency to value time over money.

Zero to Rich explains the importance of sound investment strategies and walks you through how to set up your own accounts, build your 401(k), use tax-advantaged accounts to your benefit, and minimize the fees you pay to brokers and advisors. Finally, it offers a blueprint for financial security that teaches you how to budget, choose between renting or owning a home, negotiate your salary, and even decide how to insure your health, possessions, home, and life.

Perfect for early-career professionals, members of growing families, and ambitious young people intent on building a brighter future for themselves and the people they care about, Zero to Rich contains all the tools you’ll need to secure your financial foundation, plan for your retirement, and improve your life.

Transform your financial future with insightful advice from The Millennial Money Woman

Zero to Rich: Secrets to Becoming a Millionaire by 30 is a fun and inspiring guide to mastering the money and investing fundamentals that will unlock a brighter future for you and your family. Popular personal finance blogger Fiona Smith walks you through how to shift your mindset and save, invest, budget, earn, and spend (yes, spend!) your way to financial independence.

Filled with easy-to-follow advice, personal anecdotes, stories from successful investors, informational graphics, and end-of-chapter challenges, the book makes it a breeze to take your first steps on a new and rewarding journey. It’s a hands-on learning experience that shows you everything you wish you’d learned about personal finance in school or from your parents.

A can’t-miss resource for young families, professionals just beginning their careers, and ambitious people everywhere who are committed to building a better future for themselves and the people they love, Zero to Rich is packed with the tools, strategies, and guidance you need to transform your financial life.