There’s a lot of discontent going on currently. I hear a lot of it about the weather, the economy and the political scene. Here in Texas, we’ve seen more snow this season than we have in the last 18 years – I’m judging by thinking back over my son’s lifetime.

Well, I can’t do anything about the weather and my influence on the political scene is very limited. I can, however, affect my personal economy. My oldest son is looking at several colleges to attend next fall. As anyone in this position can tell you, that’s a big affect on the budget. The question is, how to pay for it while maintaining our current lifestyle.

Most people look at what they can cut out of their budget to save. My thought is that there is only so much you can “cut out” of a budget without severely affecting your quality of life. My philosophy is that instead of cutting things out, what can I increase? I can develop new revenue streams. I can increase the flow from current streams. When you control  your income with a home based business, you determine when you get a raise.

The added advantage of increasing your income is that when the requirements stop, you still have the income. When my son graduates in four years, I will stop paying tuition, fees, books, room and board. That money can then be diverted into creating more assets!

It’s up to you to change your winter of discontent into glorious summer!

Technorati Tags: budget, college, economy, get a raise, home based business, lifestyle, tuition, weather

Last week was a big reminder of the advantages of lifestyle freedom. I had several errands to run, among them was to vote. I have found that between 10:30 and 11:15 in the morning are the best times to do a lot of things because everyone else is at their job. Being my own boss, I decide when to do it.

When I went to vote, there was one other voter there. I was in and out in under 10 minutes. During lunch and after work, there was a mob of voters. I’m sure the vote time was at least 45 minutes.

I get my hair cut during these times, no waiting. At other times, there are at least one if not two people ahead of you. The stylists always ask if I am taking the day off because not only am I there at that time but I’m dressed extremely casually.

We had an issue with our cable TV signal. I was able to schedule the technician’s visit when it was convenient to me. Working from home meant that I didn’t have to take off to meet him. I didn’t have to disrupt my work longer than it took to tell him where the box was.

The carpet commute eliminates traffic frustrations as well as wear and tear on the car. The 13 gallon gas tank lasts about 3 to 4 weeks so the high gas prices were not a big deal.

If you want to enjoy a flexible schedule, boost your family budget and avoid things such as layoffs, I would invite you to start your own home based business. The residual income that you create will let you ‘retire’ whenever you want.

Technorati Tags: budget, carpet commute, family budget, flexible schedule, gas prices, home based business, job, layoffs, lifestyle freedom, residual income, retire, work for myself, working from home

Recession is the word I keep seeing over and over in the news. Business is contracting and laying off thousands of workers. Gas prices are cutting into to everyone’s budget. The unemployment rate has hit 5.7% ( I remember times when 5.7% unemployment was considered a good level.)

What is happening in the economy in nothing compared to what is happening in your personal economy. Even in the midst of the Great Depression, fortunes were made. In the booming economy, many bankruptcies are declared.

No matter which way the wind is blowing, sailing ships can go in all directions.

My economy is under my control. I determine what I receive. I am reminded of an old saying, “Dogs prefer meat, they get bones because they don’t get to choose.”

Working even part time on your side business can produce great dividends from income coming in as well as tax savings.

Set your sails to go where you want to go.

Technorati Tags: booming economy, budget, business, fortunes, gas prices, layoffs, recession, unemployment