"For each ten coins I put in, to spend but nine." — The 1st Cure
After learning the secret from Algamish, Arkad became the richest man in Babylon. The King was impressed and asked him to teach his secret to the entire city, which was suffering from poverty.
Arkad gathered 100 people in the Temple of Learning. These were ordinary people—farmers, butchers, and soldiers—just like you and me. He promised to teach them the "7 Cures for a Lean Purse".
Today, we will master the First Cure. It sounds simple, but it is the hardest thing you will ever do.
1. The Logic of the Basket
Arkad didn't start with complicated math. He held up a simple egg basket and asked a question:
"If you put 10 eggs in a basket every morning, and take out 9 eggs every evening to eat, what will happen eventually?"
The students laughed. "The basket will overflow," they said.
"Why?" asked Arkad.
"Because every day we put in one more egg than we take out."
This is the First Cure: "For every 10 coins you earn, spend only 9."
2. The Invisible Trap: Parkinson's Law
You might say: "But I need 100% of my income to survive! My expenses are too high."
This is where Parkinson's Law comes in. It states: "Expenses always rise to meet income."
The Reality Check:
- When you earned ₹20,000, you survived.
- When you earned ₹30,000, you survived.
- Now you earn ₹50,000, and you still claim you have "no money" to save.
It's not that your *needs* have increased; your *lifestyle* has inflated. The truth is, you can live just as happily on 90% of your income as you do on 100%. The difference is invisible in your daily life, but massive in your bank account.
3. The Feeling of Wealth
Arkad told his students: "When your purse is empty, you feel pain. But when your purse starts to bulge with coins, you feel a new power."
This is psychological. When you have money saved (even a small amount), you walk differently. You talk differently. You have confidence. This confidence attracts more opportunities.
The Challenge: Try living on 90% of your income for just 3 months. I guarantee you won't miss the 10%, but you will love the feeling of seeing your savings grow.
4. How to Execute This Today
Don't just read this. Do it.
- Open a Separate Account: Call it your "Freedom Fund."
- Set Auto-Debit: The moment your salary hits, move 10% to this fund automatically.
- Forget It Exists: Treat the remaining 90% as your real salary. Budget everything within that limit.
Key Takeaways
- You Won't Miss It: Living on 90% of your income is surprisingly easy. You just cut out the "unnecessary noise."
- Consistency is Key: It's not about the amount (even ₹500 counts). It's about the habit of keeping the basket overflowing.
- Break Parkinson's Law: Don't let your expenses grow. Force a gap between your income and expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What if my salary is very low?
A: The rule applies even more to you. If you can't save 10% of a small salary, you won't save 10% of a big salary. The habit matters more than the math.
Q2: Should I use this 10% for emergencies?
A: Yes, initially. Once you have a 6-month emergency fund, start investing that 10% for wealth creation.
Q3: How does this "cure" a lean purse?
A: A lean purse (empty wallet) is a symptom of spending everything. By keeping 10%, you cure the disease at its root.
Up next: Part 4 – The 2nd Cure (Control Thy Expenditures).
📚 Credit & Disclaimer:
This post is a summary based on the classic bestseller "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason.
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