The Book

Step Off the Consumer Merry-go-Round and Start Saving Today!

Wealthier Than You Think, a breakthrough book that takes the mystery out of money management, gives guidelines on how to immediately stop mindless spending, avoid needless debt traps and gain financial peace of mind.

It provides crucial advice on how to save money and pay off debts faster, decode financial fine print to avoid hidden, costly traps, identify and curb senseless spending habits (retail therapy, impulse purchases), get big or small discounts on just about anything, and how to teach children effective money management strategies.

Almost a decade ago author of Wealthier Than You Think, self-made multi-millionaire, Paul Squires observed an alarming trend that Australians were beginning to use their ability to borrow money as the ‘new savings’, despite having the funds to avoid the many debt traps that can lead to financial insecurity. People seemed to have no fear in their attitude towards debt and 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.

Before writing the book, Squires found ways to successfully protect his own financial wellbeing and passed these on to those in his life who wanted and needed to change their approach to money management.

Is this you?

• While trying to live ‘the good life you are busily spending money and accumulating debt.
• You turn a blind eye to what is on your bank and credit card statements when they arrive each month.
• You are on a treadmill of repayments.
• You don’t save a cent and have credit card debt.
• You fear the arrival of monthly bills and pray that no unexpected event comes along to rock your delicately balanced financial boat.

Drawing on Paul’s 23 years experience, Wealthier Than You Think will make you braver than you think, in terms of:

• Getting a better price through asking for the discount you didn’t know was on offer;
• Doing your homework and shopping around;
• Being ‘real’ about your financial situation through uncovering your spending patterns;
• Saying ‘no’ to frivolous spending on consumer goods and recreation; and
• Putting the brakes on so-called retail therapy.

Paul claims the latest available records showed that Australians have a total outstanding balance on credit card and charge cards of $41.41 billion, an increase of $4.1 billion compared to the same time last year*. Mortgage debt is at an all time high; while housing prices have doubled debt has increased five-fold**. According to charitable organisations, many households are crying out for help. Records show most Australian families are unprepared for a credit squeeze, or even an unexpected crisis, such as ill health or accident.

Wealthier Than You Think provides proven ways for climbing off the consumer merry-go-round and overcoming or avoiding crippling financial pain.

Wealthier Than You Think is now available at Angus and Robertson and all other good book stores.

* Figures released by Reserve Bank Australia, 18 October 2007
** ‘Deeper in Debt, Professor Steve Keen, Economics and Finance Professor, University of Sydney. September 2007