I've been away for a really long time. I wanted to give you an update since my last blog. Well, on April 1st we put our rental property on the market to sale. I've sold three of our homes before, but this is a different economy and market. After two months showing the house three times, and getting around eight phone calls, we put it on the market to rent.

I put the ad on Craigslist, and got my first call within two minutes, literally. After that I showed the house almost daily. It was rented in three weeks. I'm not mad!

I know the ecomomy will change, and our home will be worth even more. Which means we'll have a bigger paycheck from the sale. You can't get discouraged, frustated, or defeated with the economic climate. Just go with the flow and be patient.

Are you trying to sell or rent? How's it going for you?

Yes - for free. Is your adjusted gross income (AGI) less than $56,000? If so, you can prepare your taxes for free. Go to www.irs.gov.com to prepare your federal taxes for free.

To get your state taxes prepared for free go to your state income tax website. There you should be able to prepare and e-file your taxes for free, if they offer it. Most states offer the free service. If you prepare your state taxes on the "free" federal website they will charge you for preparing the state taxes. If you are expecting a refund, you can e-file for free, and get your refund deposited into your bank account within 10 days.

Truth -- this world's system is set up to separate you from your hard-earned money, so keep as much as you can.

Do you pay to get your taxes done or do them yourself?

I know it may sound crazy, but I really am excited about 2009. I'm healthy, will be starting a new job, I'm still coaching clients, and I feel like I have a balanced life.

I am refusing to participate in the gloom and doom the media loves to program into us. I see many possibilities for great financial gains and accomplishments in 2009. When the average person is allowing anxiety, worry, and fear to consume their daily thoughts and actions, I choose faith and hope.

Of course faith, hope, and preparation is a major key to weathering this economic storm. I believe since we've been so frugal and have stored away in our time of harvest, we are prepared during this time of famine.

All in all, I'm excited about 2009 and I am looking forward to what the future holds.

What about you, are you excited about 2009 or not?

We have electrical car problems. The inside light stopped working about 3-weeks ago, and this morning we found out the tail lights weren't working. We were so scared the cost would be a thousand or so. I mean come on it's electical work, right?

Well my husband took the car in this morning, and before he left we prayed for an honest person, and that the total bill would be no more than $200.

We got the call a couple of hours ago. The total bill is only $133, and the rental car we will need until Tuesday is only $66.70. Did you know if you put your rental car on your visa, insurance may be covered. Our Marriott Visa covers comprehension, theft, and liability.

Total bill $199.70 (repair and rental). Prayer really does work, and we are so thankful!

Yesterday after having a fun day out and about, we stopped to get gas. Surprisingly enough, the prices were quite low compared to just 3-weeks ago. Yes, $2.34 a gallon mid-range.

I told my husband 6-months ago that just before Election Day the prices would start dropping. And, yes they have! I've always felt the whole gas thing was rigged and crooked.

How low are your gas prices where you live? Do you feel the whole gas thing is rigged and crooked?

With the economy as it is, we are watching every penny. We're very frugal, but sometimes I just want what I want when I want it. You know what I mean?

Okay, so we just discovered this wonderful cuban restaurant five-minutes away. Hadn't tried cuban food before that, but basically it's just caribbean or island food. I LOVE it! I actually dream about it, and they have a great dinner special for $6.99 before 4:30pm.

So one thing we have decided to do to save money is to get food to go (no tip), and we are ordering a regular entree and two kids meals. Come on, I'm a kid at heart, right? Anyway, kid's meal portions can be bigger than adult meals at times.

I'm too excited!

What is it that you want when you want it, and sometimes you just got to have it?

Within the last 3-4 years, I've worked at the voter registration booth on election day. Actually, I've done it a total of three times. I did not work through the state office, but through a temporary service.

The first time I did it, they paid me $340 for the day. The last two times I worked, I got paid $400 for the day. I just called and left a message to see about doing it again this coming election. I just got signed up, and they will let me know the pay once it is approved.

Yes, that $400 was the easiest $400 I've ever made. The day is long. It starts at 6am and ends around 8pm. I got two breaks and a one-hour lunch away from the booth. The state workers can't leave the premises. I brought plenty of books, magazines, and newspapers to read.

My job? If a machine doesn't work; I unplug it from the outlet. If it still doesn't work, then I called technical support to come fix the machine. In the interim, I put a sign "out of order" on the machine. I was praying for machines to break I was so bored.

I hope they are paying $400 or more this election. $400 to sit and read, and make sure the state workers are doing their job, only in America.

I use to have cable, but I got rid of it because I didn't have the self-control to get up off the couch and do my work or just go to bed. However, when I did have cable, it was basic. Not standard but basic. A lot of people get confused between the two. Basic is around $20.00 with all the fees and standard is around $40.00 or so. The cost difference is around $240.00 a year.

Okay, so in mentoring people, one of the biggest money wasters is what they pay for cable. I've had clients paying $240 a month for cable on the verge of foreclosure. Unfortunately, they had determined that premium cable was a necessity, and having a roof over their head wasn't that important.

When looking at ways to cutback and save, there should be no "sacred cows." Meaning, you cannot get attached or joined at the hip with anything. My customer was paying $2,880 a year to watch the "boob tube." So when I suggested they get basic cable to save money, they weren’t hearing it. “What about standard cable,” I asked? Not happening! Their solution was to get a plan that cost $110.00 a month.

Again, basic cable with about 30 channels is around $20.00 including fees. If you were behind on your mortgage, your car was in fear of being repossessed, or your lights were going to be turned off, would cable still be your priority?

Wow...Everyone seems to try and "separate" us from our hard-earned money these days. Today while reading the online newspaper, I read that Delta airlines decided to raise the price of a second carry on bag. They had already put a price tag of $25 for the second carry on bag a few months ago, but now they have raised it to $50 per second bag each way on the trip.

That's $100 for a round trip ticket; just to carry an extra bag. Flying prices have already gone through the roof, but now you have to get a loan to carry an additional bag...Geez!

Thank God my family is vacationing closer to home these days. Will all the new fees, charges, and sur-charges affect the way you travel? What do you think?

Last year we discovered that our daughter needed to wear reading glasses. My husband and I do not wear glasses, so we had no idea how much it cost. Upon doing research I discovered that glasses are extremely expensive. It doesn't matter if you are an adult or child, you almost need a loan to purchase a pair.

Okay, so like having a baby for the first time, I wanted the best because I don't know that anything less would do. We paid $200 for our 10 year old daughter's glasses. That price was better than what our insurance offered. We brought the wipes that cost $9.00. I didn't know you could get them at the dollar store for $1.

Then I discovered there are many alternatives to paying retail prices for glasses.

1. my piano found a guy who makes eye glasses for $30 a pair out of his garage. I saw the glasses and they looked great!

2. then I found out about a place where eye glasses start at $8 a pair. Go to www.zennioptical.com.

3. finally, a friend told me there are places you can purchase eye wear for $99 and you can buy one and get one free.

Do you wear glasses? How have you been able to save on eye wear expenses?

Everyone and anyone has regular expenses in their budget that they absolutely need. Then there are those things that are a combination of needs/wants & conveniences. Many of those things are what I call the "extras."

Extras we like, love, and want, and may be the very thing that is causing some to drown in debt.

Here are my list of things that I consider extras. They aren't "bad" or anything. Just extra!

pedicures
manicures
haircare
pet care
vacations
cable
private school

Those are just a few. What extras have "choked" the life out of you in the past? Or are you still being choked?

A study came out a few years ago that microwavable popcorn causes lung cancer. Matter of fact, what brought the study on is that a high number of workers in the manufacturing plant were developing lung cancer and respitory problems from chemicals used in the popcorn.

I love popcorn, but I also love living.

My Dad came to visit my husband and I a few years ago, and showed us an awesome way to enjoy microwavable popcorn.

1. get a brown paper lunch bag
2. spread butter on the sides of bag, and about 1 teaspoon inside bag
3. put popcorn cornels in bag (test the amount)
4. fold down the top of bag to keep the popcorn in
4. pop in the microwave on the "popcorn" button or the same amount of minutes
5. when it is done put salt on it
6. Yummy!!!

Do you love snacking? What do you do to satisfy your craving, save money, and eat healthy?

The majority of people that have problems in the areas of debt and overspending would never consider that part of their problem may be their personality style. That's right, the way they were made.

Are you the type of person that loves to have "FUN" all the time, you satisfy your "wants" first and think of the consequences later? If so, in the D-I-S-C personality profiles you would be considered an "I." "I's" are inspiring, influencers, and outgoing. They love to be liked, live a certain image, and having "FUN" is their priority.

Unfortunately, if they are not careful they can find themselves deeply in debt. You see, they want to impress others, keep up their image; have fun whether they can afford it or not.

My personality is a "D-C." I'm direct, demanding, domineering, cautious, critical, and competitive. My personality lines up with the way I spend my money.

Do you know your personality style? How has your personality affected your spending?

In 1991 when I lived in Puerto Rico, I discovered what my REAL needs were. I need a roof over my head, water, food, and good health. I couldn't get a job because I never got a phone. So a way to communicate would be nice.

Have you discovered what your absolute needs are to survive? Or have you been programmed like the rest of the world to believe your wants are your needs?

What would you say your absolute needs are?

People hate the word sacrifice. It leaves a bad taste in their mouth. However, in order for people to pay off debt, they do need to make some sacrifices. Nevertheless, we'll say "choices."

Are you serious about getting debt free? If so, what choices are you willing to make to change your lifestyle and spending?

My husband and I just decided to sell our other car and go down to one car. We realized that our lifestyle allowed us to have one car. Having one car could save us around $2,500 a year in gas, insurance, tags, and maintenance. It's a small price to pay.

What about you, can you go down to one car to save money? What would you do with an extra $2,500 a year?