Living within your means

Living takes a lot of time and effort. But If you really want to accomplish this takes you will be successful.  Like swimming upstream or walking up the down escalator, you have to work at going against the flow.  Make a budget and keep to it.  When going to the store think do I really need this or just want it. 

Think about it: Ten years ago your annual income was less than it is now. Perhaps it was a lot less. You believed then if you only made more money you’d be out of debt and on your way to building wealth and securing your future.

It is very difficult to live under your means but with time and practice you will become successful.
 

Prioritize your bills

Prioritizing your bills is something you must do when money is tight. Pay the important bills first, and then catch up with the frills. By this I mean pay the electric, buy food and gasoline, and if you run a home-based business pay the phone and internet, and let the cellphone, satellite TV, etc, go for a little while.

Instead of TV, discover the pleasures of reading a book. I found that reading a book on my hour long break left me energized, while sitting in front of a TV screen for an hour left me drained. Actually talk to your partner, instead of just co-existing with them. Take up a craft. Write something. Spend quality time with a pet.

Our ancestors didn\'t have TV, and they lived rich lives. We can, too. During Hurricane Charley we did without TV and a lot of other things for a week.