I'm motivated, but do not have a lot of spare time or spare cash to invest.

I can write, I can design; I have a fairly good mind with mainly unaltered brain cells.

I've got the right attitude, if you ask me. I'm not afraid of hard work.

I just don't want to throw money away in the process.

I'm becoming tempted by several "programs" to make money online. I think I could definitely be one of the top 1-5% that these things are successful for. I just don't know enough about them -- or anyone involved in them -- to get started.

One thing I know is Squidoo. Another, is CafePress. I've also experienced success with other online income sources such as affiliate commissions and referral bounties, so I don't shy away from most opportunities that many are skeptical about.

For goodness sake, in the 1990's a company called AllAdvantage paid me over $500 to view banner ads! I made over $500 on Epinions just for sharing my views. I know that not all online money making programs are scams, because I've cashed the checks to prove it.

I think I'm pretty darn frugal already.

I know about living on a budget (on practically nothing really), about dumpster diving and curb crawling. I've pinched pennies until they peed zinc.

I generally save 50% or more on my groceries by only buying what's on sale and using coupons on top of that. Cutting the grocery bill for a family of five in half is an incredible monthly savings.

I've used FreeCycle, both to declutter my own life and to find things I'd rather not buy new.

I know about repurposing and reusing. We recycle, I donate to Goodwill regularly and am not the least bit ashamed to shop there. Why should I be embarrassed that I spent $4 for a $50 pair of jeans with the tags still on them?

I never throw out the last little bit of soap or shampoo or detergent or anything with one more use in it. I battle with clutter because I can't bear to throw away something, even if I haven't needed it or used it in years, because as soon as it is gone I just KNOW I will need it!

It's that magic question. How does someone without sizable talent, looks or money get started?

I'm pretty well grounded and realistic. 25 was my midlife. I want to make the next 10-12 years of my life AMAZING. I have no expectations to live beyond 60. It's not a morbid perspective; it is simply realistic given my health and family history.

I want to DO everything I've always wanted to do. Not just talk about it. No more, when we're older, no more when the kids are grown, no more when we're retired and have time ...

No, I don't have a terminal illness, other than that pesky inevitable death we all have coming. Just a new outlook on life.

TIME TO LIVE IT.

Had the chance to get into eBay's IPO at less than $20 each and didn't have $100 to my name at the time.

Not worried about what I didn't do then. Just about what I can do now.

This year emerged as a year of changes right from the first day. We've had to make some very hard choices and our only reward, only consolation has been that we know we were making the best choices of those available -- for the right reasons -- and whether or not they prove to be the right choices, we hope we will eventually know. :)

The hardest thing to change is your perspective. My husband quit smoking right in the middle of the biggest crises of our lives, and he doesn't give himself nearly enough credit.

The "bad things always happen to me" mentality is something we are trying very, very hard to erase from the kids' mindsets. I spent too long living that way, and living with people that lived that way.

THINGS happen to EVERYONE and you CHOOSE to react and respond the way you do!!

I haven't been this inspired and motivated and ready to make positive changes since the life events that most who know me well consider my "metamorphosis" in 2000-2001. I don't want to reinvent me or change my path -- just lighten the load a little and plant a few more flowers along the way. :D

Got me two years worth of book learnin' with a 4.0 in every class and a piece of paper cer-tifi-cate in my field; only thing holding me back from an Associate's is MATH.

The only thing I get about math is I've got more money going out than coming in. I cannot wrap my right brain thinkin' around Algebra.