You could have a whole heaps of these in your wallet without even trying just by sorting out your finances one step at a time.

But let’s face it unless you’re earning squillions it’s probably not worth thinking about.

The good news is it’s actually easier than you think to live like you’re rich even if you’re nowhere near it.

Financial guru and author of The Barefoot Investor Scott Pape said anyone could live a richer lifestyle and it didn’t have to involve sticking to a budget.

Pape said it was simply a case of fireproofing your financial future and making a series of changes over several weeks involving date nights.

It may sound a strange concept but the News Corp columnist insists it’s the only way people make the time to sit down and sort out their finances, saving thousands of dollars a year one date at a time.

This money could then be poured into savings or on more luxurious things like five-star holidays and fancy meals.

And because this would come out of money you’ve saved — not money you had set aside — Pape said you won’t even notice the impact on your wallet.

The finer things in life are nice, but they don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, just time.Source:istock

Pape, who wrote the book following a fire which destroyed his Victorian farm two years ago, said the disaster was the lowest point of his life.

As he looked around at what was left, he looked at his wife and said “I’ve got this.”

It took two years but he rebuilt, but instead of replacing everything with the money from the insurance he only brought what he needed.

“The idea for this book came from this moment,” he said.

“Because at some stage you’re going to face your own financial fire, whether it’s your partner walking out on you or you lose your job, you need to be able to say I got this.”

Pape said it didn’t matter whether you wanted to save for a house or stash away money for retirement, we could all save more and be that little bit richer.

Here’s how.

PICK A DATE NIGHT, STICK TO IT

The first step is to pick a date night once a week for the next five weeks, then monthly thereafter.

According to Pape, money talk is always better over garlic bread and wine — and if you’re single try it with a friend.

“The point is to set time aside,” he said.

“Open some accounts and do it over a nice dinner.”

Pape suggested getting dressed up and heading out for dinner, but it could just as easily be done by opening a bottle of wine at home — and actually sitting down to talk about it. The point is, you need to make time, and stick to it.

“You’ll be spending money on dinner but this will add value to your life,” he said.

Scott Pape said if people fireproofed their finances they could handle anything.Source:Supplied

BUY YOURSELF NICE THINGS

Pape said we all deserve to splash out on nice things, but the true trick was to only buy what you really need.

And the trick was to spend wisely and well on the things you use everyday.

“When we lost the farm, I realised it was just stuff,” he said.

“One of the first things I did was buy myself a nice pillow. It sounds strange but you spend eight hours sleeping you may as well be comfortable.

“And splash out on nice socks and jocks.”

Pape said not only will you learn to appreciate the simple things but you will feel more content and less likely to splash out on the unnecessary.

“Most of the stuff we spent money on doesn’t really have value, but spending money on a nice holiday or dinner those are the experiences that add value,” he said.

GIVE YOUR BANK NOTICE

On your first date night Pape advises splashing out and having a nice glass of wine or two because you’ll save $515 a year in just one night by setting up a zero fee bank account.

Pape said the annoying $2 ATM fee was costing more you than you think over the course of the year.

In fact if you added it up it would be enough to pay for a flight and five star holiday in 10 years, $5000.

Better still Pape said this could all be set up via mobile phone over dinner in just 10 minutes.

We don’t need to travel by private jet, but we can afford a little luxury by sorting our finances and letting our money work for us.Source:istock

SORT YOUR SUPER

This is for many people, in the too hard basket, Pape said.

Many younger people either didn’t think about it or figure it’s too far away to bother with.

But not doing anything at all is costing you thousands.

Pape said another date night would involve you and your partner both switching to low-fee super accounts, instantly saving $10,000-$15,000 a year. While it’s unlikely you could finalise a new super account over dinner — you can do the research and get the process started.

He said research showed a person who started work at 20 could accumulate up to $663,000 over their working life, but $174,000 of this was lost in fees.

In some cases it could be higher with the difference between a one per cent fee and 0.002 fee adding up to a staggering $226,484 over the same time.

‘DON’T B****, JUST SWITCH’

Insurance, electricity and health insurance are another one for the too hard basket.

If it all seems too hard or you’re too busy whining about it instead of doing something, think of the big bucks you’ll save by switching.

Best of all Pape said most will want your business so will do most of the hard work for you by cancelling old contracts.

The other trick is don’t just renew your insurance, he said, shop around and ensure you get the best deal, saving potentially hundreds in the process.

Pape said this also included asking for a better deal on your mortgage, which if you asked your bank, would happen in four or five cases.

Switching to a better interest rate could save thousands over the course of the mortgage and hundreds of dollars a year.

Scott Pape and wife Liz survey what was left standing after the bushfire, which made him reassess his life.Source:Supplied

JUST WAIT

Finally Pape said be prepared for things to take time as get rich schemes don’t always work.

Instead by making simple changes one at a time you’ll build wealth gradually and by six years will have established patterns in place that will already have started to reap their own rewards.

“No one really wants to budget when push comes to shove unless you’re the sort of person who likes turning up to BBQs with home brew,” he said.

This doesn’t mean you go crazy, but be realistic and allow yourself little luxuries and a nice meal through money you’ll save in other areas.

debra.killlalea@news.com.au