Reading this recent profile of the paradoxes of Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney in the NY Times reminded me of the classic financial and investment advice book, The Millionaire Next Door (1998). Whatever one thinks of Governor Romney’s politics, his apparent embrace of the frugal millionaire philosophy appears wise from a financial, investment, and estate planning perspective. Those interested in studying this frugal philosophy would also profit from The Millionaire Mind (2001), by the same author. A good estate plan should protect you and your family’s interests from unnecessary taxes and/or probate proceedings, while also staying out of your way to let you live your life with purpose and pleasure, enjoying the good and simple things of life that you’ve worked so hard for.

(c) 2011, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.