Two weeks ago, I featured a story on Ed Mills. The teacher from Georgia and his wife went from a net worth of $0 to almost $1 million in just 16 years. That kind of success with one's finances doesn't go unnoticed. Readers were eager to hear about how the couple made it happen.

This week, I'm focusing on a retired gas station mechanic and janitor who passed away last year. Ronald Read was a 92-year-old, unassuming Vermont native who posthumously shocked those who knew him. Upon reading his will, it became apparent that Read had built up an $8 million fortune by following three very simple -- yet difficult to enact -- behaviors.

Check out the slideshow below to find out what they were, and what you can do to get on the same path.