The discipline of regular investing is more important that the actual investments. This discipline has disappeared in the United States. In 2005, personal net saving went negative. This continued in 2006.

The discipline of thrift reflects a mind-set: future-orientation. This is the crucial component for building long-term wealth, both individual and national.

The easier that you can make your personal investing program, the better. It is the regularity of the process, month by month, that adds up. I am big on monthly withdrawal programs. Have your employer deduct money every paycheck. Put it anywhere, even a passbook savings account. You can allocate the money to various investments later. Never forget: "If you ain't got it, you can't invest it."

I am also a partisan of tithing 10% of your gross income to your local church. I have written a book on this. Read it here: Tithing and the Church.