10 QUICK TIPS FROM AMERICA'S RICHEST REGULAR PEOPLE from RICH LIKE THEM by Ryan D’Agostino

IT'S NOT JUST HOW MUCH YOU PUT AWAY, IT'S WHEN
An 82-year-old woman in Paradise Valley, Arizona told me that she has friends her age who are still working. But she and her husband saved early and often—while still setting aside some money for frugal vacations.

TRY TO CONNECT THE DOTS
Often, the best ideas strike when you can combine two seemingly unrelated people, things, or ideas.

TALK TO EVERYONE
Curious minds see every new person as a potentially interesting contact. So, you know, say hello.

WHERE OTHERS SEE SOMETHING OLD, IMAGINE SOMETHING NEW
The abandoned building you see every day on the way to work, the failed restaurant downtown, the project that’s languishing in the marketing department—all of these are opportunities to build a business or to make something out of nothing.

BE COCKY WHEN IT COUNTS
Don't go through life being arrogant, but when it's time to toot your own horn, toot it loud.

DON'T THINK ABOUT MONEY AND YOU'LL EARN MORE
Ever notice that most extremely wealthy people are still working? That's because it's about the work, not the money.

BREAK SOME GLASS
A retired CEO near Cleveland told me this. He said he never just did his own job—he tried to do everyone else's, too.

WHEN YOU FAIL MISERABLY, REJOICE
The person with an open mind sees failure and rejection as a way to find some new thing that will be a success.

NEVER LET PRIDE GET IN THE WAY OF PROFIT
If you're too proud to roll up your sleeves and get down on the floor and work, fine. Sit back, relax, and watch the dollars pass you by.

SOMETIMES, THE BIGGEST RISK IS DOING NOTHING
"Risk" suggests action—buy the house, take the job, make the move—but sometimes you have to know when the best move is to pass up an opportunity that's not perfect.