I call them myths because they are not true. Or, at least they are not giving you complete picture.

We can't blame our parents for myths in us. They already gave us best they could. And don't forget that times change. Things were true then may not be true today.

If you want to move ahead financially, you have to be aware of myths that you have about wealth and money. And do not let myths stop you from living a wealthy life.

Money Myth 1: Work hard and you'll be rich. Many of us think that by having a job with a big company would ensure that we're on path to financial freedom. With so many layoff announcements, we might be out of job anytime. I'm not saying that you'd be one of them but fact is there is no job that is guaranteed.

Recently, my friend was laid off in less than a month in his new job. Having a job is merely helping you to cope with daily expenses, providing you shelter, food and clothing. Do not be misled that a job or your employer will turn you into a rich and wealthy person. No one cares more than you about your wealth.

Money Myth 2: Saving is good. When I was small, I was told by my mother that I must learn to save. I thank my mother for inculcating habit of saving in me. The habit of saving helps me to develop discipline. Many people think that when they save enough, one fine day they'll be rich.

But is saving alone enough to make you wealthy?

I came to realize that if I only depend on my savings to get rich, I'd have to wait for a long time. That's problem with savings, it takes a long time for you to get rich. Saving alone is not enough. You have to learn to invest your money in other investment vehicles to grow your money faster.

Yesterday I received a phone call from a friend whom I last talked to almost two years ago.

Like other people, I was surprised to hear her voice.

She heard from a mutual friend that I just set up a fitness studio and she wanted to ask me about my new venture and as well as what's going on in my life.

To my surprise again, she told me that she was retrenched from her job 6 months ago. She admitted that she was very sad about layoff. She didn't know what she did wrong in her job that she was retrenched.

You and I know that there is no apparent reason when companies want to lay off people. Sometimes, it's just bad luck.

From way she talked, I could tell that she has become stronger and more mature. She's more open to new ideas and opportunities.

That's not all. She told me another shocking news: her dad passed away 3 months before she was retrenched.

I was like "Oh my God, how could she take it?"

How on earth a young lady could ever take pressure of facing death of her loved one and losing her job within 3 months' time?

What would you do if these happened to you? Give up on life?