What is the best way to get started when you don't have a lot of income to invest?

This is another question that ultimately needs to be handled by your own personal wealth strategist. However, I may be able to provide a few insights.

First, remember that financial capital is only one form of capital. There is also time capital and intellectual capital. I find that people who are successful in accumulating great amounts of wealth have employed all three of these types of capital. But what if you don't have much money and you are working full time so you don't have much time capital either?

That's where you really need to take advantage of your intellectual capital. In Take for example, Bill Marriott, chairman of the Marriott Corporation of hotel and hospitality fame. When I lived in Washington, D.C., it was my great privilege to meet Mr. Marriott on several occasions and even to work with him on some church-related matters. At the time, Mr. Marriott, besides being chairman of one of the largest corporations in the world, was also responsible for the spiritual well-being of a few thousand members of the LDS Church.

I often wondered how he found time to do both of these seemingly monumental tasks. I learned that Bill was a master of leveraging time and intellectual capital. He was not only using his own time and considerable intellect, but solicited help from hundreds and thousands of others. He had mastered the ability to leverage other people's intellectual capital to help him build his wealth. What I also learned was that he had a passion for helping others achieve their financial success. At one time, he went so far as to tell all of the LDS bishops in the area that he would be willing to employ any member who was without a job. He would find a place for them in one of his companies. I have always remembered this and believe this desire to help others as one of the reasons for his considerable business success.

By employing others, he helped them, but he also received the benefit of leveraging their time and their intellectual capital. Now, I do not believe that is the reason he made the offer to employ any unemployed member. I firmly believe he made this offer for completely unselfish reasons. But we can learn from this great example. We help others when we employ their intellectual and time capital and at the same time help ourselves.

So, whether or not you should borrow to get started is a matter to discuss with your wealth coach, as that answer is different for every individual. But don't forget your other capital – time and intellect. And don't forget the capital of your team members. Many people have built fortunes with little or no financial capital, through their own and others' intellectual and time capital.

Warmest regards,

Tom