1) Be greatful to God for everything you have -- Every day take a two minute walk to talk to God and for each step you take think of something to be grateful for.  With so much thankfulness going on, your mind is eased, and you become calm, happy and... well, grateful.

2) Stay Healthy! Medical problems drain bank accounts-- At the top of the list of risk factors for dying is poor nutrition.  Here at Avalon we have several products that you can use for optimal health. The second risk factor is fitness level. An older person with high cardiovascular fitness is healthier than a younger person who is physically inactive. By getting good nutrition and increasing your fitness level, you can actually roll back your biological clock.

3) Redefine your definition of “rich” -- Instead of sitting in your cubicle staring at a picture of an SUV you want to buy, look at pictures of your family. To sum things up, my definition of being rich is having enough money to meet my family’s basic needs, a few of our wants, and to be able to give some away to others.

4) Buy with cash -- You can’t spend money you don’t have. Many bank accounts provide overdraft protection, so even with a debit card, it’s easier to go over your account balance than you think.

5) Stop competing. Forget about the Jones’ altogether -- If getting rich makes us happy, then why don’t countries as a whole get happier as they grow wealthier? They discovered that as a country gets wealthier there’s no overall increase in happiness. Why? We continually compare our wealth against that of others. We are competitive and envious. Add to that the fact that Western countries encourage people to strive for more and more, and you have a formula that spins many into depression.

6) Curb your consumerism! -- Have you ever watched how a child can play with a cardboard box for hours, and ignore the toy that came in it? How is it that children can enjoy themselves without a lot of “stuff”, but we as adults feel the need to reward ourselves by buying more stuff?

7) Avoid the mall -- Going to the mall is not entertainment! We used to go when we were bored. Of course, we usually ended up spending money while we were there. If you need clothes, then shop sales or go to stores that offer name-brands at a discount. Shop at reseller shops where you can often find brand name clothing worn only one season. You can save a ton on these items if you are a smart shopper. Never pay retail!

8) Limit your intake of advertisements -- Advertising sucks. That’s the cold, hard truth. It’s engineered to make you feel like you’re incomplete, that you have an unfulfilled need, that you’re not good enough.

9) Avoid impulse buying; buy things you truly need -- Don’t you just love the excitement you feel after coming home with a new TV? Driving home in a new car? Opening the box on a new pair of shoes? I sure do. But, from watching the behavior of myself and my friends I’ve found that the new quickly becomes just another item. The excitement of novelty passes quickly.

10) Borrow and share. Everyone wins! -- Go to your public library and take out a DVD (or borrow one from a friend) instead of renting or buying, and have a little snack from your own fridge! Way cheaper than using gas to drive to the theater/rental place, paying for a movie, and paying for a snack.

11) Gradually prepare yourself for a rainy day -- Even when things are going great, and you feel on top of the world, you must always be prepared for a change. If you take the time and patience to set yourself up properly, then when things take a turn for the worse, you will be prepared to handle it. If you live above your means, then when the slightest change occurs, you will not be prepared to adapt. Financial flexibility is more important then keeping up with the Jones’.

12) Find a better deal and actually SAVE the difference -- Regardless of what they sell, if you’ve switched companies for price reasons, save the difference. Think of phone companies, internet access, cell phones, credit cards, and others.

13) Adhere to a long-term investment strategy -- Be a long-term investor. Gold and silver is best, but if you really want to play in the stocks, your portfolio should be spread over several mutual funds, a few ETFs and a few individual stocks. Each and every one of these holdings should be carefully chosen, after thorough research. But remember this is LONG TERM.

15) Get out of the “easy street” mentality -- I think there is too much emphasis on the quick fix or the easy option in today’s society. For example buying a treat for your kids to share at school instead of making one ... money is sometimes being used as a substitute for work.

16) Don’t let greed and deceit get the best of you --If you reach an admirable end through the wrong means it will ultimately turn to dust in your hands. This is due to unintended consequences that are not seen or evident at first. For example: The parent who yells at their kids to clean their rooms will accomplish the end of having a clean room. But this very means has the potential to negatively affect relationships, and it is unlikely the room will stay clean when the parent leaves town for a few days. Now, to return to the topic of wealth, I think it is possible to see much of the world’s current financial problems as stemming from people who wrongly believe the ends justify the means. My advice? It is fine to aspire to wealth, but don’t lose sight of the means to accomplishing it.

17) Grow some of your own produce -- Plant a vegetable garden with heirloom seeds and learn how to cultivate, harvest, and preserve your veggies and herbs.  Heirloom plants allow you to collect seeds for the next season - hybrid plants won't - so make sure to save seeds for next year.  You can garden in pots on your patio, in a plot in your yard, or on a larger scale and sell extra produce to your neighbors.

18) Learn how to be handy around the house -- Why pay someone else for a simple repair job when you can do it yourself.  Everyone knows someone that knows what they're doing.  Call them up and ask questions (or bribe them with a home-cooked meal to come over and help), or go to your local Home Depot store and ask.  Soon you will have a whole new set of job titles to be proud of.  There's nothing like the satisfaction of a job well done to boost your ego.

19) Learn how to sew-- Sewing, altering, and mending comes in so handy.  Buy material from a clearance rack and the money you save will more than pay for your sewing machine.  You can also use this avenue to earn a little income sewing for others.

20) In case you didn't remember, be greatful to God for everything you have -- This is so important it bears repeating.  Every day take a two minute walk to talk to God and for each step you take think of something to be grateful for.  With so much thankfulness going on, your mind is eased, and you become calm, happy and... well, grateful.