Money is a very emotional subject. Many, many relationships - personal and business - have been severed due to money. Siblings, friends, partners, husbands and wives will discard each other because of money. In fact, many people will remain unhappy for years and years in order not to lose money. That makes me so sad. Life has so much more to offer!

Money is only a tool. While it is true that having money can solve problems and create fun, it remains only a tool. There really are people in this country and across the world who have no big problems and have much joy in their lives with very little money.

Money is mostly about choices. If all I wanted was money, I could have an MBA and be making over $100K/year right now. Would I be happy? Sometimes, maybe, but I'm happy nearly all the time right now, and I am not wealthy. My life is rich, though, because of the choices I have made for myself. I acknowledge that my life is the way it is because of my choices, and I take full responsibility.

Are you taking full responsibility? I recently met with someone who told me they thought they had no choice in solving in their money problems. They must sell their property - that's the only option. In fact, this person has many choices. They can get a job and give up their business - temporarily or permanently. They can acquire more debt. They can claim bankruptcy. They can ask other people to give or lend them money. The fact is, they have already decided against the other options, making the decision to keep their business dreams and retain their integrity.

Here are some options people often disregard as unacceptable:

• Get a second job (this could be waiting tables, consulting or babysitting!)

• Sell things (jewelry, antiques)

• Trade down (get a less expensive car; move to cheaper neighborhood)

• Borrow money to invest in your business (be very careful with this one!)

• Eliminate expenses (movie channels, Starbucks, private school)

• Stop shopping (God forbid!)

• Get a regular job while getting more education to open future doors

There really are only 2 ways to solve money problems - get more and spend less. There is a lot of freedom and a sense of empowerment in resolving the problem without acquiring more debt. Would it hurt to baby-sit a child the same age as yours a couple of nights per week while the mom goes to night school? Do you really need those antiques from Aunt Nellie who died 10 years ago? You never really liked that stuff anyway. Instead of spending $150 per month on cable, read books to your kids and have them read to you! Win-win!

A critical component in making the right money decisions for yourself is a plan. What do you want? Do you want to start a business? Do you want to keep your business? Put your kids through college? Retire early? How much do you need to accomplish your goal?

Without a goal of some kind, it makes it more difficult to make the right decisions for yourself and your family. You will just continually feel overwhelmed and stressed. Put together a 2-3 page, comprehensive life plan that includes family goals, business goals and personal goals. This plan is only for your use and you can change it any time you want. Remember what the Cheshire Cat said to Alice - if you don't know where you're going, it doesn't matter which way you go!

In the last couple of decades I have seen an evolution in our society. More and more people think money can and should come to them effortlessly - they have a sense of entitlement. We who are in the U.S. are extremely lucky to have the freedoms we have to work when and where we want, start businesses and acquire education. A superhero's grandpa once said, With great power comes great responsibility. True.

Copyright (c) 2007 Audrey Burton