Harry's words of wisdom

These pearls of wisdom from longtime Daily News personal-finance columnist Harry Gross appeared in the newspaper on Nov. 15, 2015, on the occasion of his retirement.

LET ME leave you with a number of tidbits of wisdom I have picked up over these many years. Many are original; many are not. They have guided me in numerous ways.

* The only way to stay ahead financially is to live beneath your means.

* If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.

* Never use a credit card unless you can pay the debt in full during the grace period.

* Giving blood and donating organs are the only ways you can give life as a gift.

* You cannot die without a will. If you don't write one, the state will write one for you.

* When a parent gives money to a child, both smile. When a child gives money to a parent, both cry.

* If the whole world goes to pot, gold will open doors.

* A flat income tax only benefits the very rich.

* Most market timers perform poorly.

* Very often, people don't buy homes; they buy a school district.

* The only person who can cheat you is someone you trust.

* Taxes do not have to be fair.

* You don't find happiness; you bring it with you.

* Varying commission rates can be an incentive to sell you the wrong thing.

* The estate tax keeps us from developing an aristocracy.

* Superpatriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

* Those who choose safety over freedom will ultimately have neither safety nor freedom.

* He who laughs lasts.

* Every person is my superior in some way, but I am his in another.

* Don't rust out, wear out.

To all of you out there, I wish you peace of mind and good health.