e-Wealth Daily: Free Ways to Make Quick Money, Ways to Become Rich

Every day, I get dozens of letters from people whose goal is to achieve financial independence. The sad thing is, most of the time, just when it seems as though they are getting ahead, someone of authority — like a big business or even the government — tries to push them down again.

And I'm not afraid to say that I'm fed up with the misuse of power here and the refusal of these "big boys" to let the little guy succeed.

So, I've done my homework, and now I would like to let you in on a couple of ways that you can keep these giants from screwing you out of your precious time and money!

Let's start big. The government is screwing you out of your hard-earned money by overtaxing you. This year, the average family had to work all the way through the beginning of the year until May 12th in order to earn enough to pay their federal, state, and local tax bills.

And if you're one of the lucky ones who are getting a big refund at the end of the tax year, congrats! You just gave the government an interest-free loan!

Surprised? Don't be. But there is a way to keep more of your money.

You've probably forgotten about form W-4 (you more than likely filled it out when you first started working at your job). The W-4, which can be amended at any time, allows you to mark your tax-filing status (single, married, etc.) and the number of allowances you want to make. An allowance essentially reduces the amount of taxes withheld and increases the amount of your take-home pay.

By amending this form, you will more than likely wind up having to pay some taxes when the time rolls around, even if traditionally you would be getting a refund. But you'll also be hanging on to your money for a full year, which can either collect interest in a bank account or reduce interest by paying off extra debt.

The average tax refund is $1,700. That works out to approximately $142 a month of extra income that the government is borrowing from you interest-free! Amend the W-4 form so you can keep this money before the government takes any more of it!

Another multibillion-dollar entity that keeps fleecing the little guy is the bank. Yet, we still put our money in the big banks. It's a fact: Banks make mistakes!

A bank can lose a deposit, credit you with the wrong amount for a deposit, count one ATM withdrawal twice, accidentally add an extra "0" so that your $300 check turns into a $3,000 debit, transfer money to or from the wrong account, charge you fees that you shouldn't have to pay, fail to use the overdraft protection that you signed up for, or mess up so spectacularly that you end up pulling your hair out!

(Note: In the past month, my bank has made two errors that I've caught!)

So how do you resolve these blunders?

Complain. I mean immediately. Don't wait for a bank to correct the error on its own accord. As soon as you see a mistake on your banking records, call your branch immediately.

If there is still an error remaining on your account a day or two after the phone call, walk into your local bank branch and complain in person. Don't write a letter to the president (which will wind up in the trash) and don't complain to the teller. The bank manager is the person who will need to hear your concern and he or she should be able to rectify your problem immediately. Remember to be polite and have all the documentation of your concerns with you.

The other way a bank can screw you is through service charges.

Tell me if you've been here before:

You deposit your paycheck on Friday morning like you always have for the past six or seven years. The bank is "kind" enough to place a hold on the funds. You write your rent check, only to have it bounce because the funds haven't cleared yet! Your landlord is questioning your integrity and, to add salt to the wound, you're slapped with a $20 non-sufficient funds (NSF) charge!

To avoid this embarrassment and the $20 charge (some banks have $15 NSF charges, some as high as $30!), ask your bank for overdraft protection. This is usually free of charge if you link your checking and savings accounts.

(Note: Some banks will offer a line of credit to use for overdraft. Don't take it. It usually comes with an 18% interest rate.)

Also, many banks offer one credit a year for NSF charges, so don't be afraid to ask your bank to waive the fee a second time. If you make a habit of bouncing checks, though, don't expect your bank to be so forgiving.

Don't let any of the big banks or the government push you around. If you feel like you've been robbed of your money, you have every right to get it back!

** Five Steps to Smarter Decisions, Part 1
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"

We all have to make decisions, sometimes hundreds a day. Here are my five steps to making smarter decisions, starting today with Steps 1–3:

Step 1. Unmask the real issue. Often the reason we struggle with a decision is that we're focusing on the wrong question. For example, if you're stuck and can't choose between a "Dodge Caravan" and a "Ford Freestar," the issue might actually be the minivan. Do you really need one? Or want one?

Once you recognize that there is a different root problem, you may also begin to see the factors operating in your unconscious mind. Typically these have to do with social pressures — what is expected of you. These days, it’s almost a given that families with kids will have minivans; but when you allow yourself to question assumptions, you may decide this kind of vehicle is just not right for you.

Step 2. Research the issue. It's amazing how often we make major decisions without conducting any research whatsoever. But you can't possibly be confident that you're making smart decisions if you don't have a firm grasp of the background and surrounding issues.

Topics to research include: what are the facts? The risks? The opportunities? What has been the experience of other people in similar situations?

As with any research, the library is a great place to work. But if you have Internet access, the Web is even better. You can search web sites, join newsgroups, and/or find chat groups on almost any subject. Again, using the car-buying example, there are literally hundreds of automotive web sites. One of the best (once you've looked at the technical data) is http://www.carsurvey.org/, where real users write reviews of their vehicles, telling both good and bad like it is.

Step 3. You've identified the problem and reviewed the facts. Now think up solutions — not one, but several. It's all too easy to latch on to the first solution that comes along just to solve the problem. But don't confuse decisiveness with foolhardiness! The smart decision is the best possible choice from a selection of options.

In the business world they call this activity "brainstorming." Brainstorming gurus tell participants to concentrate on generating a lot of ideas, not criticizing their thoughts as they emerge.

On Monday, I’ll reveal Steps 4 and 5!

** Get Passionate About Personal Motivation
By Michael Newman, the "Money Finder"

At first, things are as good as they can be. You jump out of bed each and every morning ready to tackle whatever new challenge and success could come your way. This energy lasts for months and years and is what is keeping you focused on achieving your end results.

Your personal passion for what you are doing, or what you are doing it for, is what gives you this boost of energy.

However, sometimes you'll feel your energy fade after a few too many challenges spring up in the way; or maybe you just aren't that excited about your business pursuits.

Now, this isn't the time to throw in the towel. There are plenty of reasons why you don't feel as energetic as you once did. There are numerous distractions when it comes to running your own business or reaching a personal goal. And these distractions can all take away from the energy and zeal you once had.

And the good news is, getting this energy back is very possible and not very hard to do.

All it can take is just a few simple steps where you identify your personal motivation and integrate it into your daily routine.

Know your motivations. What is it that first brought out energy bursts every time you did that action or had that thought? Is it your friends and family? Is it a personal or financial goal? Whatever it may be, identify your motivating thought, or thoughts, and clearly define it.
Identify your major distractions. With bills to pay, sales to make, people to contact, and everything else that goes into running your own business, you're going to have countless distractions at all times. Some of these are bigger than others, and your goal here isn't simply a list of what stands in your way — it understands how these distractions take away from your motivations. Some can bring on thoughts of self-doubt and concern, while others are simply speed bumps that can't be avoided. Identifying the most troubling distractions will give you a clearer picture of what you need to do.
Create a personal motivation mix. Now that you've identified both your motivations and your distractions, it's time to put them together. You see, when an interruption occurs, it can be easy to get sucked into the negative feelings it evokes. Instead focus on the motivations that bring out your energy in these times of stress. Even something as simple as developing a personal mantra, such as, "I'm doing this for…" can help you see beyond the doubt and focus on your goals.

Keeping your passion for the things you are doing is essential for staying energetic about your final destination, no matter how long it takes.