Avoid Mistake 55% Homeowners Make

"Would you like  a greater return on your investment?" asks Let your Mortgage Make You Rich! customer Danny Wittenburg of North Carolina. Danny is a smart individual with a strong interest in real estate investing.

When he asked me whether I'd like to enjoy a guaranteed 50% return on my investment, I said, "Sure! What have you got?"

Of course, both Danny and I are paying off our homes at an accelerated pace by using what I like to call equity cycling. That's essentially a technique for using the paid-for portion of your house to pay down the unpaid for portion. We've both already made some very smart decisions with our money.

Danny's advice didn't directly tell me where to put my money. It was more about what NOT to do…what 55% of all investors do that costs them half their wealth.

What he said is, "Invest in your relationship." Invest in your marriage. Take care of that person who could take you for half of everything you own. From the picture of Danny and his wife above, that advice seems to be working out great for them!

I recently interviewed Richard Geller about his program The Credit Card Relief Formula. He had 10 points for staying right side up on your money. Step 2 was "become a couple or stay a couple." Statistically, adults in intimate relationships do better financially. Outside of catastrophic medical expenses, divorce is the leading cause of financial distress.

Not only will you not have to divide all your earthly possessions if you invest your time and attention in your relationship, you'll also be happier, healthier and live longer.

Relationships are like bank accounts. Doing something considerate for your partner is making a deposit. Asking for something inconvenient, or speaking sharply makes a withdrawal from the account. Every now and then we need something really big from our partner. Like asking him or her to help us clean out the garage or basement. Sure, it's both people's responsibility, but perhaps not this weekend! If you want it done now, that could be a considerable inconvenience to your partner's emotions, if not to his or her plans.

But you can still ask, and get loads of loving support and help. How? Because you've made multiple deposits on a daily basis: kind words, a look of eagerness and excitement when you see each other after work, gentle touches, emptying the dishwasher, taking the kids out so the other one has the house quiet for a couple hours…

All these components, minor or major, put cash into your marriage. One insulting remark can bankrupt you for a week or more!

I recently read a statement from Nancy Reagan. As I remember it, "A good marriage consists for four or five things a day left unsaid."

Pour your heart into your partner and she or he won't leave with your pocketbook.

Thanks, Danny!