How to Get Rich, by Tom Monson
A Farmer’s Journey to Wealth Through Common Sense and Legendary Investment Wisdom
Jim Harland wasn’t born into wealth. He grew up on a small farm in Kansas, where his family scraped by each year. But Jim had big dreams, and he wanted to do more than plant crops. He wanted to learn how to get rich. He wasn’t after quick schemes or shortcuts, though. Jim wanted to build wealth the right way—with patience, discipline, and a little guidance from those who’d done it before.
His journey wasn’t flashy, but it was powerful. He studied the best, mimicked their methods, and over time, Jim learned the timeless secret of how to get rich.
The Farmer Who Wanted to Know How to Get Rich
Jim’s life revolved around the fields. He knew the rhythm of the seasons like the back of his hand. While he respected the hard work of farming, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was another way to secure his future. He was tired of worrying about droughts and bad harvests.
One day, while flipping through a magazine at the feed store, he saw a headline that caught his eye: “How to Get Rich Like Warren Buffett.” The article talked about investing in the stock market and how Buffett, an ordinary man from Omaha, built his fortune with patience and smart decisions.
Jim thought, If Warren Buffett can figure out how to get rich, why can’t I? He didn’t have a lot of money, but he had something just as valuable—determination to learn.
Learning From the Legends
Jim didn’t dive into the market right away. He took his time, reading every book he could find about investing. He studied the greats: Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch, and John Templeton. Each one had their own take on how to get rich, but they all shared one key principle: buy solid businesses, not stocks.
Jim quickly realized that the stock market wasn’t about gambling or chasing the latest trends. It was about owning pieces of companies that made money year after year. He read Buffett’s advice to invest in what you know and Graham’s reminder to always look for a margin of safety.
With every page, Jim felt like he was cracking the code on how to get rich.
Putting the “How to Get Rich” Plan Into Action
Jim started small. He saved every penny he could, cutting out unnecessary expenses and sticking to a strict budget. His first investment was in a farming equipment company—a business he understood well. It wasn’t glamorous, but Jim wasn’t looking for excitement. He was looking for steady growth.
At first, nothing happened. The stock price barely moved, and Jim started to second-guess himself. But he remembered the advice of Peter Lynch: “The key to making money in stocks is not to get scared out of them.” Jim held on, and over time, his investment began to grow.
This was Jim’s first real lesson in how to get rich: patience pays off.
Mistakes Along the Way
Not every investment was a success. Jim once put money into a tech company he didn’t understand, simply because everyone was talking about it. It seemed like an easy way to get rich fast. But when the company’s stock tanked, Jim realized he’d broken his own rule.
He remembered John Templeton’s warning: “The four most dangerous words in investing are, ‘This time it’s different.’” That loss taught Jim an important lesson about how to get rich: stick to what you know and never follow the crowd.
The Power of Patience
Jim’s breakthrough came during the financial crisis of 2008. While others panicked and sold their shares, Jim saw an opportunity. He remembered Benjamin Graham’s advice: “The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists.”
Jim used his savings to buy shares in strong companies at bargain prices. He didn’t make these decisions lightly—he studied each business, making sure it was fundamentally sound. That crisis became a turning point for Jim. It showed him that one of the greatest secrets of how to get rich is to stay calm when others are scared.
Building Real Wealth
By 2025, Jim’s portfolio had grown into the millions. He wasn’t a Wall Street insider or a financial genius. He was a regular guy who’d figured out how to get rich by following timeless principles.
Jim still lived modestly. He didn’t buy a fancy house or luxury cars. To him, wealth wasn’t about showing off—it was about security, freedom, and the ability to help others.
When people asked Jim how he did it, he always smiled and said, “I didn’t reinvent the wheel. I just learned how to get rich from the people who already knew.”
Sharing the Secret of How to Get Rich
Jim’s story spread through his small town and beyond. People admired his discipline and wanted to know his secret. He started hosting free workshops at the local library, teaching others how to get rich without falling for schemes or shortcuts.
His advice was simple:
- Invest in businesses you understand.
- Be patient and think long-term.
- Don’t let fear or greed drive you.
Jim also reminded people to learn from the greats. “Warren Buffett taught me to buy solid companies,” he’d say. “Peter Lynch reminded me to invest in what I know. And John Templeton showed me that the best time to buy is when others are panicking.”
The Legacy of Common Sense
Jim Harland’s life became a testament to what anyone can achieve with patience, hard work, and a little common sense. He didn’t have special connections or insider knowledge. He simply followed the proven path of how to get rich.
As Jim liked to say, “Getting rich isn’t about luck or brilliance. It’s about making good decisions and sticking with them. The stock market’s like farming—you plant the seeds, tend to them carefully, and wait for the harvest.”
And so, Jim’s story became more than just a tale of wealth. It became a reminder that anyone, no matter where they start, can learn how to get rich with the right mindset and a willingness to learn from the best.
This story, while inspired by timeless principles and the wisdom of legendary investors, is a work of imagination meant to inspire and educate.
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