The last month or so I’ve been working on getting my own projects back on track. After working for other people so long, most of them had withered on the vine. As I go through and clean them up and get them ready for re-launch I’m also thinking about the future. New projects, how to make money, how to save money and make this whole thing work. One of the most simple tricks to making money is by saving it. Spend less than you make. I do that now, but not as well as I could. So as 2007 winds down I’m looking at what I can do in 2008 to not only make money, but save money!

1. I’ll be chopping bills left and right. Anything that I don’t use or need is history, starting with Cable and Phone services. Cable will be cut back just Shotime and HBO and otherwise, basic digital cable package + internet. With the phones, I’ll probably cancel my Vonage account, just don’t use it enough and I’ll be cutting extra features that aren’t used on my cell package as well (4th line, etc.)

2. Paying off Credit Cards. I’ve been working on this for a while. I don’t have a ton of credit card debt, but I’ve been using them to build up my credit rating for a rainy day. Paying these off quickly will save on interest and lower my monthly payments.

3. Refinancing my house and possibly my car. When I bought the house I had to pay insurance and other stuff through an escrow account. It’s been a year and I’m now eligible for a lower rate and won’t have to pay the extra dough each month. I may refinance enough to fix up a few things that desperately need it, but I’ll still end up paying about $400 - $500 a month LESS than I am now. If that still isn’t as low as I want it, I’ll consider selling it and getting a smaller place. I’m going to do whatever it takes to work less for clients and more on my own projects. It’s now or never. If I have enough money left over, I’ll probably put a couple thousand down on my car and refinance to lower that bill by a 100 or so bucks a month too.

4. “Cleaning House” - Getting rid of things that take up space and use up electricity. I’ve already started with my office and once I’m done, I’ll move on to the next room. Part of the plan is just to reduce the clutter in my life. Things that distract me, and waste space and energy. Some of them I can sell and use the money for better things, like paying off bills or buying things we actually need.

The goal is simple: Save as much money as possible. Right now I support more people than I should and I spend more than I should. That ends now. I’ve spent a large part of my adult life helping everyone around me and while I won’t stop being helpful, I’m going to do something I’ve never done before, put myself first. There are things I want and things I want to do and it’s time that I make them happen. If things go as planned then I’ll be in a better position to help people anyway, which is part of my plans. I just need a couple of years or so to get my sites and ideas in place and then I’ll have more time and money with which to help people. So, 2008, look sharp buddy. I’m on my way.