Chapter XXVI - Look Before You Leap Page 02
BE PROMPT, BUT NOT TOO PROMPT
Sometimes a man will give a number of notes and secure them by one mortgage.
The notes may pass into the hands of a number of people.
Let us suppose that you hold one note and the mortgage, and that the mortgagee comes to you and tenders the amount of your note, should you then surrender the mortgage to him?
By no means, until the last note is paid that mortgage remains as security, and the holder of it is responsible for its safety to the holders of the other notes.
In such a case it is better to have the mortgage held by one party for the protection of all.
BE IN NO HASTE TO INVEST
When a person not accustomed to managing money comes into the possession of a sum that it is not safe to carry about in the pocket, what should he do with it?
Obviously the first answer to this question must be "He should put it in the bank."
We have already given hints as to investments, and to these it is not necessary to refer again, we are now considering another and not an unusual phase of such a case.
Young men and women of all ages are very apt to be inexperienced in these matters. As soon as it becomes known that such people have come into the possession of a goodly amount of cash, which they are not considered competent to manage, it is surprising how past acquaintances suddenly pose as old and unselfish friends, each with a scheme for doubling the money while the owner is looking at it.
Now, there may be good, honest friends who are eager to advise and help in a case of this kind, but they are sure to be outnumbered by advisers who have their own little axes to grind.
Our advice is "Don't be in a hurry to invest. Your cash is quite safe while in bank."
But no matter how promising, do not invest your money in a business you know nothing about, even if it does carry with it a position and a salary.
Find a good honest lawyer, despite sneers to the contrary, we believe most men in the profession are of this character, and ask his advice, and pay for his help if papers are to be drawn.
Buying rentable real estate is usually a good investment, provided always that the price is reasonable, the title clear, and the chances of its advancement pretty certain.
MEET YOUR DUES PROMPTLY
It is estimated that every man and woman in the United States belongs to one or more societies of some character, and this is not an overstatement.
Every member of such an organization is such by reason of election and the payment of dues.
If you are a member of, or a pledged contributor to, a church, lodge, grange, or other society, you should regard the prompt payment of your dues as sacred as any other form of obligation.
The expenses of a properly conducted church are always considerable, even in small communities. It is a disgrace to the Christian organization that, after forcing down the pastor's compensation to the barest cost of life's necessities, then force him to run into debt if he and his family would live, or to be forced continually to remind the trustees that his salary is far in arrears.
If you belong to a lodge or other society, leave it if you honestly feel that you cannot afford the dues. Neglect to do this and your name will be dropped from the rolls on which it never should have been placed.