As we enter the second half of the year, I want you all to reflect on all you have earned, all you have spent and all you have saved. If your expenditure surpasses your income then you have a great problem on your hands. Not too worry; you are not the only one out there who has walked down that lonely road of being broke all the time.

Once upon a time I was like you if not worse. I never just had any money for anything and the painful thing was I could hardly pin down anything I used the money for. My fortune turned around when I stumble on some facts, here and there. The result is a better me financially. Trust me it is not easy going from big spender to little miser. By miser I do not mean you should be stingy and live in misery. I think a better word to use is PRUDENT. You might stumble through some months; my prayer though is that you be better than me, in retracing your steps and living a debt free life. Enjoy your new abundance.

1.  Thou shall live by a budget.

• Keep a budget on a weekly or monthly basis.
• Estimate and write down all your expenditure.
• Let that budget guide you through the month.
• Review your expenditure at the end of the period the budget was intended for.

2.  Thou shall not make a purchase on credit. No matter how attractive that new pair of shoe looks or how good you’ll look in those new pants please say NO.

3.  Thou shall save for a rainy day.

4.  Thou shall not leave your money to lie fallow in a current account. Put your money to good use either by buying investing in stock for long term or in a hedge fund, Insurance etc.

5.  Thou shall not think like a dependent or rely unduly on others or a basic salary, because when the money does not come you will be broken.

6.  Remember to keep thy pay day holy.

• Never go shopping on pay day.
• Never go partying on pay day.
• Never go to the bank to redraw any money on pay day.

7.  Thou shall remember the poor and disadvantaged.

8.  Thou shall always use a shopping list.

9.  Thou shall always keep sight of the big picture. Remember one day you will retire and need some money to fall back on.

10.  Thou shall reward yourself ONLY after you have paid your tithe or saved at least 10% of your income.