Getting Rich in America by Dwight Lee and Richard McKenzie

Their advice works anywhere, not just in the States.

That said, for people who've already bought into a progressive economoptimist worldview, do you really need to know that buying a new Toyota Camry instead of a used one costs you 869,000 USD (at ages 23 to 67, with 8% return on money assumed). ;)

1. Life has many opportunities -- work hard to understand and use them
2. Compound Interest -- failure to understand this means you win poverty
3. Temptation -- resist it
4. Work on your education
5. Get Married -- and stay that way
6. Work to stay Healthy -- money + no health = no fun
7. Take risks -- do your homework, then decide
8. Life Balance -- reflect and review what you're doing