It's All About the Benjamins: Going Green in 2009

This year, I'm making it my sole goal to ramp-up my net worth. So, I'm looking at ways of doing so. In the past, I've taken second jobs teaching, working in customer service for a lawyer's retail company, and designing websites. While I do not plan on getting a second job, I am now contracting, and hope to take the increased income and parlay it into achieving my goal.

I read a finance book this weekend that featured a quote basically stating (to paraphrase) that people who do not care about or appreciate money usually do not have it.

I thought about this and wondered why some believe money is bad or the root of evil. Having money allows people the freedom to pursue their interests, yes, but it also affords them the opportunity to help those less fortunate. Therefore, a second part of my goal for increasing my net worth is to help those who need help.

Before you get all kharma on me and say that my wanting to help is part of the pay-it-forward movement, I want to state that in the past (not that I need to justify it), I've always volunteered my time. I've worked with the Red Cross, Girl Scouts, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and several other non-profit organizations. In the past, I've also donated money, but that was more along the lines of sponsoring someone in a walk for cancer or juvenile diabetes. This year, as part of my plan, I want to donate a set amount of money to a charity every month and continue until this mortal coil slips away into the furnace for cremation and distribution amongst the various parts of this gorgeous country.

What steps am I taking to achieve my goal?

1. Only paying cash for purchases. Once it's gone, it's gone.
2. Refusing to charge anything. Easy because I hate using my credit cards; I've cut-up one and saved one for emergencies only. However, emergencies will be addressed with cash first - unless I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere and can't get to an ATM wherein the emergency costs more than my daily withdrawal limit. ;^)
3. Continue to reduce the times I eat out and continue cutting portions. In the last 18 months, I've seen my weight drop 55 pounds as a result of a lifestyle change and desire to get back to what I used to be. This is just another piece in the puzzle to help me not only continue my health odyssey, but also save money in the process.
4. Reduce what I spend on gifts. Ask anyone who knows me, I love giving. Plain and simple. However, I've stopped sending out cards and gifts for every Hallmark holiday.
5. Increase my job skill set. We've all been there. We get comfortable in our careers; when did I stop being so hungry for advancement? In the fall, I plan on taking a course towards a degree that will provide better opportunities and allow me to acquire more skills to advance my career. Michaelangelo said, "I am still learning." I want to continue learning, as it certainly can't hurt - what hurts is when you stop learning.

There are more things I plan to do in the coming year, but these are the main steps I am taking. I hope that going green in 2009 is more than a statement but actions I pursue and complete.

Because frankly folks, it is all about the Benjamins.