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There is one simple thing that makes you different from those who have the money you always wanted to have. It is not your skills, talents or your connections. It is your MINDSET.

What am I talking about when I say mindset? The way you use your money immediately tells me if you are a Gratification Groupie or a Genius. Here are my definitions for those terms.

Gratification Groupie: Overspending is habitual and cash runs through your hands as fast as it arrives purchasing things that you want rather than need. You think it is important to impress others with the material things you own. You follow the crowd and do what they do - shop, shop, shop, spend, spend, spend. You are drowning in debt that you cannot pay off, but try to give the appearance that you have money. You look for ways to spend money, and spend time deciding on things you want to purchase rather than taking the steps to pay off your debt and investing in your future financial survival. You are always worried about money.

Genius: Paying yourself first by investing a portion of every dime that you make for your future financial security is your top priority. You use the rest of your money in ways that helps you produce more money for your financial survival. You methodically set money aside over time to purchase the things you need, and you pay cash. Credit cards are seldom used, and the balances are paid off as soon as the statement arrives. You do not use your money to buy things to win popularity or impress others. You never worry about money.

What separates millionaires from normal people? Not much. The only real difference is how they use their money when it comes in.

You see, It is not how much money you make, it is what you do with it that determines your financial condition. There is a simple method to managing your finances the right way. Very rich people know this system.

If you really want to change your ways and convert from being a Gratification Groupie to a wealthy Genius and get on the road to winning your financial freedom, here is a simple formula the Genius uses to control the money when they make it:

1 - Put a minimum of 10% into an retirement savings plan for your future financial security. Raise the percentage as often as possible.

2 - Starting today, pay cash for everything. Knock off buying on credit.

3 - Use a minimum of 15% of every dollar you earn to pay off debt and past due bills.

4 - Use cash to pay for current necessities like rent, telephone, and utilities.

5 - Base your spending decisisons on NEED rather than WANT. Buy the things you need that contribute to your ability to produce more income. Buy used rather than new. The instant you buy something it loses up to 80% of it's value.

At the risk of repeating myself unnecessarily, I am going to make this one very important statement again. It is not how much money you make, it is what you do with it that determines your financial condition.

Sandra Simmons, President of Money Management Solutions, has years of experience helping business owners and private individuals manage their money to achieve their financial golas. To find out about the Money Management Software she created, visit her website and watch the FREE 5-minute demo video at www.MoneyMgmtSolutions.com