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The smartest advice I ever got

33 of 40

Always get it in writing

• Send feedback to Money Magazine

Dave Barry
Humor columnist

I got my best financial advice when I was 16. I met this kid who was only eight, but he seemed smart, and he said, "If you give me $5, I'll invest it in a company I plan to start someday. In return I'll pay you 10% of the profits."

That young man was Bill Gates. I'm sure he'll remember this, now that it has been revealed in a reputable magazine.

NEXT: Be humble about what you don't know

Last updated July 22 2008: 11:27 AM ET

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