Lottery winners have become collectively famous for their inability to manage their money upon winning. New lotto millionaires misspend and misuse, fail to invest, end up with less money than they started with. The same can be said for NFL athletes–men who beat up their bodies for wealth that frequently ends in bankruptcy or corruption. Of course, anyone can spend their money poorly–the rules of proper investing cross all levels of wealth. Jason Hartman believes in the value of real estate in building wealth–but what then? If you’re a student with a part-time job or a professional athlete with a ten year, $80 million contract, there are rules for managing your money, so take note. Rules for acquiring wealth Acquiring wealth isn’t easy–very few people strike it rich and many never experience the level of financial comfort they had once dreamed of. But it isn’t impossible–with some hard work, education, and careful investing everyone is capable of financial freedom. It isn’t about your income A hefty paycheck is great, certainly–but it isn’t the only factor that determines your ability to build wealth. People who have significant wealth have it because they’ve saved appropriately–no matter how much they’re bringing in. Focus less on the number on that bi-weekly check and more on what you’re doing with it. And if you’re wisely managing your money and still struggling to save, look at alternative ways to make a couple of bucks. Real estate investing is a great way to passively make income, and collecting rent is a great way to build your personal fortune. While stocks and bonds can be a bit of a gamble, there are plenty of investment opportunities that promise high returns with little risk. Look past the initial lack of sparkle We get it–investing doesn’t initially seem as sexy as other ways of making money. You don’t immediately get a big car or a fancy new house. But everything in time. Good investors are patient and don’t spend a lot of time messing around with their investments. They invest in areas that make sense and not just those with a little flash. They spend time reading and researching. They show a level of patience that differentiates them from those that never quite build wealth. Find the people who fail It’s interesting to look at people who have done well with their money, but it doesn’t tell you all that much. It’s unlikely that your path to wealth will follow someone else’s very closely, so while it might be enjoyable to attempt to follow in the path of the elite, it is helpful in a limited way. Instead, look for the people that have done a pretty bad job of managing their money. This way, you work toward avoiding bad choices. You make fewer mistakes because you’re aware of what those mistakes actually are–and you’re going out of your way to make sure they never happen to you. As a beginner, avoiding mistakes will be more beneficial than making amazing choices. Everything in time. Rules for living with wealth Once you’ve made a few great choices and acquired wealth, you’ve got to live with it. Don’t worry–it shouldn’t be that hard. It’s more about the things you can’t see Wanting to look rich is a poor reason to become wealthy. Resist the initial vanity that comes with money and work toward wealth that isn’t as visible. Lottery winners, athletes, and celebrities live extravagantly because they want to prove their success with expensive items, and many go bankrupt as a result. If you’ve got the stuff but not the cash, how real is your wealth? Focus on building assets that will last a lifetime–and produce income. It’s all about perspective You’ve probably heard that it isn’t good to compare yourself to those around you–while this may be true in some areas of your life, it can be helpful in others. Because wealth in