Money Fix: 3 simple rules for prospering

If you've ever wondered why some reach the ranks of the wealthy or financially comfortable and others hover in paycheck-to-paycheck land, you might be surprised to hear it has little to do with getting a nice inheritance, starting a hot business or even being blessed with luck.

The real reasons are much more mundane, but fortunately replicable, says Jean Chatzky, author of "The Difference -- How Anyone Can Prosper in Even the Toughest Times" (Three Rivers Press, $14).

The book topped the personal finance category of the 14th Annual Books for a Better Life Awards, sponsored by the New York City/Southern New York chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Some of what separates the haves from the have-nots:

Habitual saving. That means socking away money on a regular basis, month to month. A study of more than 5,000 people found the financially comfortable saying that regular saving was the most important factor in attaining their financial status, Chatzky says. For those considered truly wealthy, regular saving ranked second. Luck is at the bottom of the list.

Sound investing. The wealthy said this was even more important than regular saving, though not by much. (For those at the financially comfortable level, investing came in second to saving.) "The wealthy buy stock," writes Chatzky. "Far too many people stop at saving."

Being optimistic. But not overly so. Chatzky points to research that found being "mildly happy" is better for your finances than being "euphoric."

That's because, she says, "mildly happy people are strivers. They're more interested in making the sort of changes necessary to get ahead in life. . . . When you're blissful, you become complacent."