How is your financial health? Is it in critical condition (bankruptcy)? Intensive care (moving back in with Mom?? Burn unit (loaned money, ripped off).  Cancer (bad debt)? Just a common cold (too many payments)? Clean bill of health (savings are growing)? If you want to be wealthy (healthy), study self made wealthy people and the principles they followed and actions they took. Prosperity begins with an idea. Become convinced that it is available; persuade yourself to obtain it and accept it as it arrives.

Be a good cause. The more you look for ways to help others, the more you will earn, both financially as spiritually. You will be less occupied with success and more likely to achieve it.

Don’t play the blame game. Stop blaming others for your predicament: It’s the market, the economy, the company, my clients. You have a choice. To save or not to save. To charge or not to charge. Take charge of your money.

Bounce back. Even if you go into debt you can bounce back better, stronger than you were before.

Be a budgeter.  Make a budget, script and save, pay off your debts, save 10 percent of everything you earn. That is all there is to it. If you think it is boring, you fail to realize how much creativity it takes to make macaroni and cheese appetizing six nights a week.

Invest in yourself.  Promotional materials, equipment and training that are focused on bringing you closer to your goal are worth many sacrifices.

Lower your overhead.  Enjoy what you have and leave it at that. Are there ways to cut back or out on some things that maybe are hidden cash drainers?

If it sounds too good to be true, run away.   Don’t take risks with vague promises and money schemes.

Take the ‘free’ out of ‘freelance  Limit how much you’re willing to do for free. Ultimately people won’t value your work unless you place a value on it. I believe you should be paid what you’re worth and always overdeliver.  I have learned that you can’t make it on volume. There just aren’t enough hours in the day.

Want to get rich? According to the book ‘The Millionaire Next Door’ the best way to make a million is to become self employed. They learned that about two thirds of the millionaires who still worked were entrepreneurs. Self employed people are four times more likely to be millionaires than people who work for others.

Recycle old ideas. Without selling pills, potions, or pie in the sky products, look for ways to earn residual income (and I am not talking about multilevel marketing!).  Can you resell your work?  Turn chapters into articles, illustrations into clip art, original art into prints.

Money Magnet. If you are worried about never having money, you never will. It is funny how that works. Fear prevents you from doing the things required to get it. (some risk is involved when it comes to acquiring money). Take a change. Be a money magnet. It doesn’t always have to make financial sense. Enjoy some of the money you are earning. Money is meant to spent, right?

Loan sharps. Don’t lend money to others. This includes getting greedy when it comes to returns on investments. Don’t gamble ever, with more than you’re willing and able to lose.

Don’t shop when you are depressed. Or hungry. Windowshop when you are broke, but don’t go inside.  Barter your services.

Don’t live hand to mouth. From client to client. Save for changes in the market, lulls, slumps, necessary equipment and other investments. Saving gives you a sense of security. It means you don’t have to do things that suck just to pay the rent. It means more freedom, less stress, room to make better long range decisions. With savings you can take a position in a start up company for low pay at first. You can travel, take a break, start your own business.

Live below your means.