For a writer, readers' letters are the greatest gift imaginable. They confirm that someone is reading. The count, after four of these columns had been published, was eight letters, and this week, we'll look at one of them.

It was sent by a friend I made recently, who asked that his name not be used "or else my letter might not be taken as seriously as it might otherwise be". I'm not sure he's right; people seem to listen to my advice, and no one takes me seriously.

What Jim (not his real name) wrote should be taken seriously, however, because it's right on the money.

"Too bad the people who really need (the advice the column offers) won't read it or do anything to help themselves," Jim wrote. "I've seen too many people living in conditions almost worse than slavery, and not doing anything to help themselves. Working and not having enough money to cover food and shelter is appalling."

See what I mean?

"There is no chance to get ahead in those conditions," Jim continued, "but I know someone who, while in that situation, would still spend his little money on flash clothes and video games, but not food. He never realised that he didn't have a home to play the games in and would take them to other people's houses and hope they would offer him a meal."

This came as a surprise to me, because I didn't think anyone could be that misguided.

"Eventually, he has made changes, after I verbally beat him about the head several times to make them, and he has almost paid off all his outstanding debts," Jim wrote. "It has taken him five years, and he has learned how hard it is to get out of debt. He has learned that he does not mix well with telephones, because he runs up thousands of dollars in bills and now is happy living without one."

As a sidebar, here are some instructions to cell phone users, about which I'll write more, one day. Unless you are a doctor or an airline pilot on call, to get the best value out of your cell phone, place it carefully in your right hand. Walk as directly as you can to the nearest large body of water, in this case, the Atlantic Ocean. Throw the cell phone in the ocean. Then start your new, improved life.

Jim continued: "Instead of hanging out with people wearing flashy clothes to be social, he now is happy going fishing after work, where he doesn't need to change clothes, and saves money on laundry as a bonus. And he gets a healthy free meal when he catches something."

Jim works in the construction industry.

"My advice to every new labourer I've met on the job has been to invest at least $20 a week in tools," he wrote. "Hand tools are essential for climbing the construction ladder. When you show up on a job with a sack of tools, you are in a different category from the guy who shows up empty-handed, and has to be handed a broom. It shows you know how to take care of your own tools and will probably take care of your employers. It also shows that you have gone out and bought your own and most likely know how to use them, unlike Mr. Broom-pusher, who can still mess that simple job up.

"The next phase of the 'buying tools lecture' is always to buy tools that make money," Jim's letter continued. "A labourer who learns how to wash a roof will only ever make his hourly rate, but if he saves a little each week for tools, he can buy his own power washer and tools and charge a fair price for his finished product."

Obviously, Jim should be writing this column. Pay close attention now, there's a golden rule coming up.

"The more responsibility you take, the more financial gain there is to be made," Jim wrote. You might want to paint that on your living room wall.

"After making some money, it's also about what you do with it," Jim wrote. "When you make a good bit of money, and then reinvest it in more expensive tools that make more money, then you make more money; simple. Going from a labourer buying his first hammer, to a D&J-sized company can be done in a generation, and everything necessary can be learned along the way."

Breathtakingly good advice, that. Jim has his head screwed fair and square on his shoulders. Note that he suggests that turning a person into D&J Construction might take a generation. That's getting rich slowly. Like Jim says, a journey of a million dollars starts with a single dollar.

We're gearing up here to start you on the path to slow riches. Next week will be the final reminder, and then you will start the actual process on Thursday, September 1.

Some readers have stopped me on the street and said: "I know all that stuff you write about. I just want the money," which suggests that they're not actually reading. Knowing is not the same as doing. Everyone knows we should all be nice to each other, but most of us aren't. Everyone knows that envy is a ruinous emotion, but most of us are green with it. It's not enough that you know you should be saving, and making sensible financial decisions, you have to do it.

It can be hard work and take time, but we're not long away from the start of the rest of your financial life and the realisation of some of your dreams. Exciting, isn't it?

@EDITRULE:

Another reader who prefers to remain anonymous wrote to comment on last week's lottery column. I'll present the letter without comment, because I have much to say on the subject of lotteries, and will do so at another time.

"I liked your column today, but I would like to point out something to you. You mentioned something about 'Overseas Subscribers Agents'. I wanted to let you know that this is a legitimate company. The problem is that fraudsters say they are affiliated with this company, when they are not. OSA warns their subscribers about this, and tells you if you receive correspondence that claims to come from them saying you have won money when you haven't paid, that this is fraud.

"OSA asks that you send anything suspicious to them so that they may investigate and prosecute if necessary. They know that people are out there fraudulently using their name. Furthermore, for big wins they call you ? they don't just send a letter. They tell you that if they have to send you a letter regarding a big win, that it would be registered mail.

"I have been subscribing with them for about three years ? written to them and talked to their agents on the telephone. I have also won small amounts over the years (and yes, more than I have paid them in subscription fees) and they have paid me every penny.

"Small amounts, they credit back to your credit card, bigger amounts they pay by cheque in the currency of your choice. The most I have won was about $400 that I got when I played in one of their syndicates. I only play occasionally, and I know for a fact that I haven't even given them $400, so it's not like they're giving me some of my money back. They don't pressure me to play, either so they have nothing to gain by sending me money!

"Believe me, this company is the real deal. Their website is www.osalotteries.com."

@EDITRULE:

Roger Crombie is a chartered accontant and business journalist. E-mail him at crombienorthrock.bm