7 wealth-building tips

No guts, no glory

To grow your savings faster than inflation (average annual rate: 3.1%), you've got to invest in stocks for the long haul.

Don't try so hard

72% of actively managed large-cap funds have failed to beat the stock market over the past five years.

Miss a day, pay the price

The S&P 500 gained 11.8% a year between 1982 and 2001. But only investors who stayed the course managed to earn that big a return.

The toll of high fees

The more you pay in management fees and other expenses, the less you'll earn over time.

Hot fund, cold comfort

Between 1998 and 2001, Firsthand Technology Value fund fared well. Its investors? Not so much.

Debt be not proud

If you make only the minimum payments on a $5,000 balance, you'll be paying that debt forever - and shelling out a ton in interest along the way.

More money ≠ more happiness

After you cover the basics, being much richer doesn't make you much happier.