Learn to Walk Before You Run: Master the Basics of Personal Finance

By Tim Gamble

Many of us dream of financial success; hitting it big with the next hot stock or diving into complex investments like bitcoin. But in my experience with family, friends, neighbors, and even myself, we often want to run before we’ve learned to walk. The result? Predictable stumbles and setbacks. Financially speaking, learning to walk means mastering the basics of personal finance. Without that foundation of knowledge, focus, and dicipline, even the savviest investment strategies will to crumble.

If you lack the discipline to live within your means, you won’t have the discipline to be a good investor. If you don’t have a solid emergency fund, chasing cryptocurrencies is a dangerous distraction. If you’re carrying thousands of dollars in credit card debt month after month, searching for the next breakout Asian tech stock is a useless exercise. The truth is simple: you can’t master complex investments until you’ve mastered the fundamentals of financial management.

So, where do you start? Begin with an honest self-appraisal. Ask yourself: Have I mastered the basics of personal finance? If the answer is no, it’s time to focus on education, discipline, and building a strong financial foundation. Here are some practical steps and resources to get you started:

1)  Live Within Your Means: Develop the habit of spending less than you earn. This discipline is the cornerstone of financial success.

2)  Build an Emergency Fund: Aim for a fund that covers at least 3-6 months of expenses to protect yourself from unexpected setbacks. Check out Build an Unshakable Emergency Fund (article link) for a step-by-step guide.

3)  Tame Your Debt: Pay down high-interest debt before diving into investments. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls with Money Traps the System Sets for the Poor & Middle Class (and How to Break Free) (article link).

4)  Budget Wisely: A solid budget is your roadmap to wealth. Explore Taming Your Family Budget: A Foundation for Building Wealth (article link) for practical tips.

5)  Protect Your Future: Ensure your essential documents are secure and plan for the unexpected. Read Protecting Your Essential Documents (article link) and Death, Wills, and Estate Planning (article link) for guidance.

6)  Make Smart Insurance Choices: Insurance is a key part of financial security. Learn more in The Power of Smart Insurance Choices (article link).

7)  Learn from Timeless Wisdom: For foundational principles, dive into Wealth-Building Lessons From The Richest Man in Babylon! (article link).

8)  Expand Your Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with the financial terms and organizations you need to know using the Financial Glossary (glossary link) and Organizations Glossary (glossary link).

Mastering these basics isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Once you’ve built this foundation, you’ll be ready to take on more advanced financial strategies with confidence. For now, focus on walking, step by step, toward financial stability. 

Subscribe tothe free email list for Wealth From Chaos (click here) to stay in the loop on this journey.

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Organizations Glossary – Players You Need To Know

Welcome to the Organizations Glossary for Wealth From Chaos on TimGamble.com. This guide demystifies major players shaping global finance and economics. These are the official institutions, international alliances, and non-governmental bodies that impact markets, policies, and stability. Understanding these entities is key to navigating financial news and protecting your wealth amid geopolitical and economic shifts.

African Development Bank (AfDB): A regional multilateral development bank established in 1964 to promote economic and social development in Africa. It provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to African countries, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, and poverty reduction. Asian Development Bank (ADB): A multilateral development bank founded in 1966 to foster economic growth in Asia and the Pacific. It finances infrastructure, education, health, and environmental projects, supporting sustainable development in its 68 member countries. Japan and the U.S. are the largest shareholders, each with 15.6% voting power, followed by China (6.4%) and India (~5.4%), shaping ADB’s regional development focus. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): A China-led multilateral development bank established in 2016 to fund infrastructure projects in Asia and beyond. With 109 member countries, it supports sustainable development and regional connectivity. The U.S. is not a member, unlike key shareholders China (26.6% voting power), India (7.6%), Russia (6.0%), and Germany (4.2%), which drive AIIB’s infrastructure focus. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): An intergovernmental organization formed in 1967 by ten Southeast Asian countries to promote regional economic growth, trade integration, and cooperation on issues like food security and disaster management. ASEAN comprises 10 nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Bank for International Settlements (BIS): An international financial institution established in 1930, known as the "central bank for central banks." Based in Basel, Switzerland, it fosters global monetary and financial stability for 63 central banks. Bilderberg Group: An annual, invitation-only conference founded in 1954, bringing together influential leaders from business, politics, and academia to discuss global issues. Its private and secretive nature sparks debate about its influence on policy and economics, making it the subject of many conspiracy theories.  BRICS+: An economic bloc originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Formed in 2009, it promotes multipolar governance and trade via the New Development Bank. Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): A U.S.-based think tank founded in 1921, influencing foreign policy and global economics through research, publications, and elite membership. Its reports and events shape discussions among policymakers and business leaders. Davos: Not an organization, but the annual meeting meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), held in Davos, Switzerland, typically in January. It brings together global leaders from business, government, and academia to discuss economic, social, and geopolitical issues, such as trade, climate change, and technology. Known for shaping global agendas, it attracts significant media attention and influences financial markets and policy debates. Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): An economic union founded in 2015 by Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan to promote free trade, customs integration, and regional economic cooperation. European Central Bank (ECB): The central bank for the 20 eurozone countries, established in 1998 to manage the euro and ensure price stability. It sets monetary policy and promotes economic integration in the European Union. European Union (EU): A political and economic union of 27 European countries, established in 1993, integrating markets and policies. It uses the euro as the currency for 20 members. It is influencial in global trade and regulations. Federal Reserve (The Fed): The U.S. central banking system, created in 1913 to ensure financial stability. It conducts monetary policy, supervises banks, and influences global markets through interest rates and dollar policies. Financial Action Task Force (FATF): An intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. It sets global standards and monitors compliance across 39 member jurisdictions. Key players: United States, China, Japan, Germany, and the UK. G7 (Group of Seven): An informal forum of seven major economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US (plus the EU). Established in 1975 to coordinate global economic policy, trade, and crisis response. G20 (Group of Twenty): A forum of 19 major economies plus the EU, founded in 1999 to address international financial stability, economic growth, trade, and sustainable development across advanced and emerging markets. Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): A multilateral development bank established in 1959 to promote social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean through financing and technical assistance. The U.S. holds the largest share at 30% voting power, followed by Argentina and Brazil (11.4% each), with borrowing members collectively controlling over 50% of decisions. International Monetary Fund (IMF): An international organization founded in 1944 with 191 member countries to ensure global monetary cooperation, financial stability, and provide crisis assistance and policy advice. New Development Bank (NDB): A multilateral development bank established in 2014 by BRICS countries to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies. OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries): An intergovernmental organization founded in 1960, currently consisting of 12 oil-producing nations (13 prior to Venezuela's 2024 suspension) to coordinate petroleum policies, stabilize oil markets, and influence prices. Saudi Arabia is the largest producer and de facto leader. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): An intergovernmental organization founded in 1961 with 38 member countries to promote economic growth, trade, and living standards through data and policy standards. Key members: United States, Japan, Germany, France, and the UK Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): A Eurasian alliance founded in 2001, led by China and Russia, with members including India and Pakistan. It promotes regional cooperation in trade, security, and counter-terrorism. Trilateral Commission: A non-governmental organization founded in 1973 to foster cooperation among North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. It brings together private-sector leaders to discuss global economic and policy issues, influencing international agendas. World Bank: An international financial institution established in 1944 to end poverty and promote shared prosperity. It provides low-interest loans, grants, and technical expertise to low- and middle-income countries for development projects, including infrastructure (roads, energy), health, education, and climate resilience.  World Economic Forum (WEF): A non-governmental organization founded by Klaus Schwab in 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland. It hosts annual meetings (e.g., Davos) to bring together global leaders in business, politics, and academia to shape economic and social agendas. World Trade Organization (WTO): An intergovernmental organization founded in 1995 with 164 members to regulate international trade, oversee agreements, resolve disputes, and promote fair competition. This glossary of organizations will be updated as needed. Suggestions for additions? Leave in the comments section below. Stay in touch with Wealth From Chaos by subscribing to our free email list by clicking here! 

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Wealth From Chaos - A Rebelious Game Plan

By Tim Gamble

TimGamble.com relaunched in April 2025 as Wealth From Chaos, a rebel economics website offering a unique survivalist’s perspective on economic news, money management, and building personal and generational wealth in a turbulent world. Previous articles laid the groundwork. This article presents the game plan.

 

Wealth From Chaos - The Game Plan 

 

1) A Solid Foundation. Your attitude and habits will make or break you. 

• Work Ethic: Expect hard work and take accountability for your life and sucess. Deliver an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and then some.   
• Self-Control and Discipline: Prioritize the future over instant gratification. Avoid debt and build savings, even when it’s tough.  
• Financial Literacy: No one is born understanding personal finance, and schools rarely teach it. Take responsibility for learning it yourself.  
• Financial Courage: Act decisively and seize opportunities when they arise.  

Highly recommended:  

• The Richest Man in Babylon (Amazon link) 
• The Millionaire Next Door (Amazon link)
• Rich Dad Poor Dad (Amazon link)
• The Intelligent Investor (Amazon link)  

2) Master the Basics. You probably know these steps but may not follow them consistently. Start now.

• Live Within Your Means: Spend less than you earn.  
• Track Your Money: Create a budget or spending plan to control where your money goes.
• Pay Off Debt: Prioritize high-interest consumer debt (credit cards, car loans, payday loans).  
• Save for Major Expenses: Plan for big purchases like a car, college education, or a retirement celebration.
• Get Adequate Insurance: Life is unpredictable. Protect yourself against small and large emergencies (article link).
• Plan for Retirement: Aim to retire debt-free with cash reserves. Relying solely on Social Security is a risky bet.    
• Build an Emergency Fund: Start small if needed, but aim for at least six months of expenses. (article link). 

3) Build a Capital Fund. Beyond an emergency fund, true financial power comes from cash reserves (article link). Start building yours today with these practical steps:  

• Open a high-yield savings account and automate $50 a month, more as you can.
• Request extra hours at work or take a second job to boost savings.
• Sell unused items, like a pool table, ATV, motorcycle, or boat.
• Hold a yard sale to declutter and raise funds.
• Downsize your car to eliminate payments and redirect savings to your capital fund.
• Pay off debt and redirect those payments to your capital fund.

4) Diversify Your Income. Relying on one job is risky. Create multiple income streams with these ideas:

• Main job
• Self-employment
• Part-time weekend or evening job (e.g., pizza delivery)
• Rental income
• Investment income
• Interest income
• Passive income (e.g., royalties, affiliate sales)
• Online store (e.g., Etsy, eBay)
• Reselling 
• Consulting services 
• Content creation (e.g., Patreon, YouTube)

5) Diversify Your Investments. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Diversification is challenging with limited resources, but as your wealth grows, spread your investments across assets. Learn more in my article on The Rothschild Asset Allocation Model (article link).

 

6) Exploit the Chaos. Chaos brings disaster, but also opportunity. During the Great Depression, fortunes were lost, and fortunes were made (article link). The same thing happened during the more recent Great Recession (article link). Now, we’re in an era of global disruption across economic, technological, and cultural systems. Key factors include:

• AI and High-Tech Civilization: Job losses and wealth concentration.
• Technocracy and Authoritarian Control: Increased surveillance and centralized power.
• Loss of Privacy and Freedoms: tracking and overreach by both government and corporations.
• Decline of the West: Massive debt, ideological changes and population shifts in America and Europe.
• Rise of the East: China’s dominance and Asia’s growth.  
• Related Chaos: inflation, supply chain failures, and social-political unrest.   

Identify the flashpoints caused by this chaos. Protect your family and finances from these threats while capitalizing on the opportunities they create to build personal and generational wealth. That’s the mission of Wealth From Chaos.

 

Want to stay ahead of the curve? Join our free email list for exclusive insights, updates, and tools to help you fight back against the chaos. Don’t stay in the dark—sign up today and start building your wealth rebellion. 

 

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