About Paul

Paul Squires is an energetic businessman who constantly meets and works among people in the 'consumer society'.

Nearly a decade ago, Paul began to detect an interesting and worrying trend. People seemed to have no fear in their attitude towards debt. Consumption was becoming excessive in relation to income or salary. People of even quite modest means were far over-reaching their ability to pay. Young people, many just setting up house for the first time, seemed compelled to have not only everything – but the best of everything. No waiting for income or bank balances to catch up, no 'doing without' until funds were available. The 'let's have it now' attitude - for the latest fashions, the newest hi-tech gadgetry, the full suite of household and recreational equipment was clearly entrenched.

And so Paul Squires' book, Wealthier Than You Think, had its genesis. Paul's observations of the people around him and the influences affecting their buying habits made him decide it was time to raise a contrary voice. As he sees it, and explains so clearly, in Wealthier Than You Think, clever marketing has blurred consumer judgement, particularly about levels of debt.

"Advertising experts and the 'debt industry' have, with astonishingly successful effect, managed to warp our expectations, and our sense of the reality of our own circumstances," he says.

"You don't have enough ready money to buy that boat or car or home theatre? No problem – there's always someone to show you how to extract equity from the assets you do have. They'll help you spread it further – and thinner."

But as Paul asks in his book: "What about pay-back time? Where does the debt spiral end? What happened to the reality check of simple arithmetic? Does anyone take a look at their known debt and likely income sitting alongside each other in dangerously unbalanced columns? Are most of us really just hoping that inflation will keep our family home equity levels high enough for more refinancing and therefore more spending money?"

The stresses caused to people's lives through over-spending, heavy debt and the constant need to keep up, are shown to be incredibly damaging. Wealthier Than
You Think offers not only advice about managing finances but also about reclaiming a calmer lifestyle.

As the owner of a successful business and a self-made millionaire, Paul Squires' voice is one well worth listening to. He doesn't claim that his is an overnight rags-to-riches story. He has achieved his financial security using what he describes as 'tried, true and trusted' strategies. Married with two children, Paul has managed to build a solid foundation for the future, using mostly low-risk, low-stress investments. And along the way, although he and his wife have often had to wait before buying some not-so-necessary items, they've done it all comfortably and, looking back over 23 years in business, quite quickly.

Wealthier Than You Think is a healthy antidote to the dizzy spells and panic attacks the consumer merry-go-round can cause. Full of commonsense and excellent advice it arms its readers to withstand the constant pressure to spend. Now this is a sound investment!