I was listening to the WGN local news here in Chicago yesterday morning when something caught my ear:

They took an online survey for the midday show and the question was: are you satisfied with your job. Eighty percent ~ that's 80% ~ said NO. That startled me. No? That many people are not satisfied with their jobs?

I shouldn't be shocked by the number. For years I have been meeting people or speaking to them online who have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on getting degrees in things they aren't even pursuing. The big kicker was that now they not only had that debt to pay they were paying it with interest!

Recession seems to be the trigger word being used on why people are not happy with their jobs.Let's break it down: they were happy with their jobs, even if it wasn't all that thrilling to them, if it brought in the money they desired at the time. Now that it isn't, they aren't happy at all. It's the money,not the job.

Perhaps this is a great time then to have an honest talk with ourselves. If we would get paid $10 an hour to do anything(and I mean anything: teacher, attorney, brain surgeon, etc.) what would that be? Do I just like my job because of the pay? Am I putting up with not developing the full extent of my skill set in exchange for money? What is my passion? My family? A special talent I've kept hidden? So many questions you can ask yourself.

If money is standing in your way, or the lack thereof, then perhaps it's time to develop another stream or two of income. I love writing, so that's one stream for me.

The other thing I'm passionate about is food.Perhaps because I'm a nurturer. Perhaps it's because I have three children. Perhaps it's thinking about the millions of our own American children going to bed hungry tonight that just breaks my heart. Perhaps it's the downturn in many people's lives that has middle class people trying to get on governmental food assistance and then getting turned down because their unemployment pay gave them a bit too much to qualify. Okay, try telling that to their family!

Anything to do with with food and decreasing my own expense so that I have more to help someone in need falls in line with one of my passions. I'm a giver and I'm always looking for an opportunity to give, no matter how big or how small.

That's why I'm so grateful I heard about My Harvest America from my sister. I'm estimating I will be saving over $200 a month using their free delivery grocery service. This savings includes deducting the modest monthly subscription costs for the massive discounts I receive as a subscriber. Hey, I don't mind paying a bit when my family of five is gaining over $200 in exchange! Try getting that from coupons.

So if you were able to decrease your grocery expense, what would you do with that money? How would you invest in the one place you will always get a wonderful return in (that's you, by the way)? A 40% drop in your grocery bill may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. And if you were also in a position to get free gas, that would help. There's also a shopper loyalty program. Seems like it's adding up.

Would you dare to pursue your dream, even if that dream is to finally take that family vacation you have been wanting for the last few years so that you can reconnect with them? Will you resolve this year to invest something in yourself? In your future? There's no perfect time like right now to start something new, all be it small.

This program might not be a good fit for you, but something out there is. Decide today that you will not be among those 80%ers who aren't happy. Don't let money, or the lack thereof, rob your joy. There's greatness in you. Sometimes all you need is a little push to help bring it out. And if you like where you are at but need an increase, why not give yourself a raise so that you can stay where you love to be?

Make a decision today.