Читать книгу The Barefoot Investor - Scott Pape - Страница 23

Given this is our first Barefoot Date Night, I want you to go out for dinner and really treat yourself.

I'm serious.

Get ready to buy the best thing on the menu and have a nice glass of wine (or two).

Why?

Because you're about to start saving money.

When I wrote this book, people were being charged $477 a year … or thousands of dollars over a decade. And in half an hour's work I showed them how to banish bank fees from their life forever.

Now it's your turn.

That's right, you'll never have to worry about sticking your card in a so-called foreign ATM and getting the banking equivalent of herpes (if you go to a non-bank ATM you could be hit with the dreaded $2 ‘FU fee').

What you're going to do is set up the accounts that will form the backbone of the Barefoot Steps, allowing you to automate your day-to-day finances to the point that you'll be able to manage your money in around 10 minutes a week.

Literally, while you're having your ‘wine time', you're going to set up your new zero-fee accounts via the wonder of the mobile phone.

Most people never get around to doing this. Instead, they flick through a finance book and put it back on the shelf — but not you. Never underestimate yourself with a drink in your hand.

Of course, this will mean making some changes to your current banking arrangements.

Here's you: Ugh! You want me to change my bank accounts? I really … can't be bothered.

Here's me: Your current bank account is a lot like your last boyfriend. You knew he was a bit of a dud, that he was draining you and that he was never going to change. Your current bank account is also draining you: the average Australian household gets whacked with $395 in bank fees each year (according to the Reserve Bank). Over 10 years that's $3950 — enough to take you to New York City and stay at a five-star hotel.

Here's you: Yeah, but I have all my direct debits set up. It would be such a pain …

Here's me: The real pain comes from dealing with a bank that slugs you with all sorts of annoying fees, and having to think about it.

Plus, switching isn't a big deal. If you call your bank they'll give you a list of all your direct debits over the past 13 months. And your new bank should bend over backwards (or at least limbo a little) to get your business. Often they'll have templates and other hacks that you can email to your existing billers.

Anyway, I think of it like this: having an awesome bank account is a self-confidence thing. It's the little wins — the habits you build — that strengthen your confidence.

Or think of it like surfing: sure, you have to paddle a bit at the start (with a freaking wine in your hand), but once you catch that wave, you can relax and let it carry you home.