Earn What You Deserve: 6 Secrets to Change Your Money Ways
Whether you’re a freelancer, an entrepreneur or a corporate climber, get paid your worth by using our moneymaking secrets
By Juliette Fairley

women with money
Credit: John Lund/Tiffany Schoepp/ Getty Images

Step #1: Face your fiscal situation
Losing track of our money is also how we dig ourselves into debt. Freemoneyfinance.com offers these solutions: (1) Stash your cash in envelopes related to your budget categories (that is, groceries); (2) go to sites like Mint.com, which can track spending and show ways to save; and (3) get a notebook and write down every deposit and withdrawal.

Step #2 Seek out supporters
Within your social circle are those who are grappling with the same money issues as you and desire to do better. Meet on a consistent basis and speak with one another before taking difficult actions. You can also try Underearners.org for a support group or read Leading a Support Group: A Practical Guide by Keith Nichols and John Jenkinson (Open University Press) to start your own.

Step #3 Free your finances
Initiate a debt repayment plan on your own and attend a meeting through Debtorsanonymous.org. Also read Girl, Get Your Credit Straight! A Sister’s Guide to Ditching Your Debt, Mending Your Credit and Building a Strong Financial Future by Glinda Bridgforth (Broadway) and Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom by Lynnette Khalfani Cox (Advantage World Press).

Step #4 Set earnings goals
Think both short-term and long-term. For example, “In six months, I will earn 15 percent more. In two years, I will be promoted to manager of the department.” Setting goals helps measure your progress. Also read The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting by Gary Ryan Blair (The GoalsGuy) for more info.

Step#5 Realize that time is also money
Once Vinson, the therapist, turned 35, she realized “something’s got to change. I deserve to earn more,” she says. So she quit her job last November to complete an inspirational devotional book she was writing. Become conscious of how you spend your time by keeping a log for a week in your small calendar or BlackBerry. You’ll discover pockets of time to use more profitably.

Step #6 Highlight your strengths
For example, you may need to meet the president of the trade association that governs your industry or get involved in your union to build connections and visibility. Signing up for a work-related class to learn a new skill can set you apart from the competition. For continuing education programs in your area, check the University of Continuing Education Association Web site at ucea.edu.

Are you changing your money ways? Share your story below.

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-5 latest comments

Earning 15% more in 6 months is an aggressive goal; I think I will take on the challenge!

Cie, if you're looking for some coaching advice on how to launch a part-time biz while you teach/research, please send an email to savvyteachers@gmail.com!

-Ideapreneur

Financial Management is important to me, because I will keep spending without keeping track and end up broke. I use to be afraid to go online and look at my account, now I am not anymore, I know that the only way I can manage money, is to look at what I spend through out the week and continue to cut on wants and get what I need. You can't give the bill collectors all your money, so I just evenly distribute a reasonable amount, to keep them off my back, because you have to have enough to make it to next pay, especially with t

-Repost from mystery2me

Financial Management is important to me, because I will keep spending without keeping track and end up broke. I use to be afraid to go online and look at my account, now I am not anymore, I know that the only way I can manage money, is to look at what Ispend through out the week and continue to cut on wants and get what I need. You can give the bill collectors all your money, so I just evenly distribute a reasonable amount, to keep them off my back, because you have to have enough to make it to next pay, especially with t

-Mystery2me

Need suggestions on how to work from home, earn a at least $50-60,000 per year. Any suggestions on where to apply for employment? I have a B.S. in Urban Studies, a M.S. in Information and Library Science. I am currently a Reference Librarian/Asst. Professor/researcher with a young family. I need to spend more time at home and earn a good living.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

-Cie

I am debt free..now every purchase i make as well as my husband i save a dollar invisible purchase so if i buy gas i put up a dollar..it works for my family then i add a percentage at income tax to what i have save over a year.

-td