Many people seem to think that investing is simply throwing money at some hot deal and hoping to strike it rich. Or just turning it over to a total stranger and hoping that stranger or that company returns your money to you someday. Obviously that is not investing - it is gambling. But worse than gambling, it demonstrates a lack of respect for something most people have given a part of their life, their sweat, blood, and time for.
Most people do not like working for abusive and cheap people or abusive and cheap companies. Yet when it comes to the money they invest, many people turn their money over to people and companies that seem to care more about their own self-interest than the investors' interests.
Warren Buffett said, "The best way to get rich is to not lose money."
One of the best ways to not lose money is to invest a little time making sure the money you invest... your personal employees... are working in a financially intelligent, high-integrity, well-managed, financially responsible, and safe environment. That is what an investor does. That is what investors such as Warren Buffett do.
Warren Buffett treats money, the businesses he invests in, his workers, and his investors with a high degree of personal intelligence, integrity, and respect. That is why his company is so successful.
Rich Dad said, "People who do not respect money, or abuse the money they earn, are themselves often not respected and financially abused."
Regardless of whether if you invest in businesses, real estate, or paper assets, treat those assets and your money with the same respect you want for yourself. If you will do that, your money and those assets will grow and make your life easier and more abundant.
Take care of your money and your assets and they will take care of you.
As my rich dad said, "If you take control of your money, you take control of your life." He also said, "Give your money to strangers and your money will work for the strangers - before your money works for you."
Become an Educated Investor
If a person does not know what to do with their money, they should first invest some time in their investment education before investing their money.
In my opinion, one of the primary reasons why millions of people lost trillions of dollars is because they invested their money but were not willing to invest their time.
Always remember what my rich dad told me years ago. He said, "People without much financial education most often fall for a sales pitch... mistaking the sales pitch for advice."
