"Why you'll never be rich" first appeared on iafrica.com on 29 September 2010. It is the second most read "Financial fitness" article of the past year. Liked it? Get your finances in shape in 2011 - bookmark http://personalfinance.iafrica.com/.

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How do we achieve our goals for building wealth and a secure future in an increasingly complex and high-tech world? It sometimes seems impossible; an unreachable goal. But it doesn't have to be. However, we do have a problem: the consumer society.

We all want the latest car, the biggest home, the best clothes and this desire to appear successful means that many of us have lost the ability to discipline ourselves and use our money prudently. More new products are added to the list of latest gizmos every day and there are a multitude of new fads and places to keep us busy.

It used to be that entertainment would be a day out on a country drive, a picnic or a trip to the park with the kids. Not anymore. We want computer games, wide screen TVs, DVD players, surround sound, expensive restaurants and cinema. By the time we stop to catch our breath, we are just about flat broke and the bank manager is calling more often.

We must impose balance; we should stop ourselves spending every last cent we have.

I personally know people that literally earn small fortunes, but they save nothing. They spend it all on lifestyle, you know, "seize the moment", "live for today" and "you can't take it with you". Everybody wants an above-average lifestyle; it may be sustainable by credit in the short-term, but once the money flow stops because of a job loss or unexpected expense we could lose everything.

You?ve heard it a thousand times: "We must save for our future and our retirement." However, there is another way to look at it and this is the way I view things: "Retirement? No, I want the money now." It's all very nice being financially independent in your old age, but I want the financial independence now ? I don't want to wait. Sound familiar? Bear in mind, however, that spending 100 percent of your income on expenses is clearly the best way to achieve absolutely nothing. You remain, and will remain a "wage slave".

Lose that attitude now. You must save as much as you can ? at least 15% of what you earn ? and that should not be put in the bank, it should be wisely invested. Those investments will eventually provide a return that will exceed your normal income and then you will be financially independent. That's the secret that all rich people know. Go for the investments ? that's the key! Ignore all the other temptations. A salary or wage gives once ? an investment just keeps on giving, year after year.