“A mind is a terrible thing to waste…” is a phrase coined by Arthur Allen Fletcher, former head of the United Negro College Fund – the man widely acclaimed as the “father of affirmative action”.   

One sure way to keep our minds enriched is by reading – reading to stay abreast with current affairs, reading to broaden our scope on world cultures, and even reading for entertainment.  

I urge you to commit seven minutes every day to reading.  But not just to read anything – read about your money.  Check your bank statement, read a short financial article (or a long one), open your mail from your credit card company or other debtors, and read materials on investments.  

In Level Three – Step Nine of the Dfree 12 Steps to Financial Freedom course, I encourage learners to commit to spending at least seven minutes a day on personal financial matters.  That is because it is important to make this a habit where you spend approximately the same amount of time every day at the same time, if you’re able, to review something related to your finances.  By doing this, you will become more responsible with your money and your spending. You will never miss an overcharge to your card, never overlook an unnecessary subscription, and never miss a monthly payment to incur avoidable penalties.  

There are some great resources where you can get access to reading materials for free; online financial magazines and articles, the business section of your local newspaper, or if you’re like me and prefer hardcopy books, then patronize a local library or bookstore.  

Developing a good habit of reading every day, specifically something related to finances, is guaranteed to keep your money protected and growing. 

Today, make a list of books you must read before December 31, 2022.  You can start with this recommended reading list: DBS Amazon Booklist.