Haven’t we all dreamt of being a millionaire? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you, your children and your grandchildren could enjoy the financial independence that comes with being a millionaire? It is not as hard as you might imagine. Follow these simple rules, and you too can enjoy the mental freedom of not worrying about money.

Develop a written financial plan- Dreaming about becoming a millionaire isn’t going to magically make it happen. Like most things, you must come up with a workable plan and put it into action. Calculate what you need to earn, and learn how to invest it.

Save, Save, and Save Some More- Never mind that new pair of shoes you don’t really need. Get into the habit of saving money! The goal of your plan should be systematic investment. Build an emergency fund so you don’t have to raid your savings in the event of an emergency. Religiously save no less than 10% of each paycheck, and half of all pay raises. You did without the money before, and you will cherish it more later than you will that now old pair of shoes!

Live below your means- Do not be a walking billboard for over-priced designer clothing, shoes, sunglasses, or jewelry. Do not allow your car or house payments to be budget busters. Do live and eat well, enjoy activities that do not cost money, like walking, hiking, working in your garden or yard, taking your grandchildren to the park, or teaching your dog a new trick.

Cut up your credit cards- Credit cards should not be used if you are not able to pay off your purchases within two to three months. If you can not pay it off, do not buy it unless it is an absolute necessity or emergency. You realistically only need a few credit cards. If you have a wallet full of them, pay them off and cancel them. Debt will hold you back like nothing else will.

Make your money work for you- The saying "It takes money to make money" is very true. But, you do not need a lot to get started. Most money market account can be opened with only $1000.00. Look for companies that offer no-load funds, and low expense ratios. If you build yourself a diverse portfolio, you can reasonably expect to earn 8 to 10 percent annually on your investments over the long run.

Start your own business- In the 1996 book "The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy," the author states that two-thirds of the millionaires are self-employed, with 75% of them entrepreneurs, and the rest being professionals such as doctors and lawyers. Education does pay off!

Get professional advice- Find a professional that you can work with and get involved. Learn about your investments, pay attention to how they perform, do not be afraid to ask questions and make decisions for yourself if you are fully informed. If you would rather not pay somebody to manage your investments, many of financial planners will review your portfolio for a one-time fee.

Office Files and Folders- Clean them out! Throw it out, or store it away.

Your Rolodex- Clean it out, tossing away people you have not worked with in years, or who you do not care to work with anymore.

Your Bad Habits- Be aware of what ever is getting in the way of you being the best you can be. A wise man once said "judge a man not by his problems, only if they are the same problems he had last year". Experts say it takes only three weeks to create or break a habit.

Your Stuff- Get rid of the old to make way for the new. Donate old stuff to charity, or have a garage sale to earn some extra spending money. Enlist the help of your grandchildren, or neighborhood kids and help to teach them the value of a dollar and a sense of accomplishment from a job well done.

Your Attitude- Be aware of where you limit yourself because you believe something to be true, that in reality is simply one way to look at it. Be good to yourself and think positively.

Your Desk- Clean it off, get it organized, and if at all possible, move it to another location in the room where you will have a nicer view, or a different perspective.

Your Equipment- Take the cover off of your computer and use compressed air to clean it out. Clean and properly maintain all of your office and home equipment on a regular basis. It will last much longer. Promise yourself to properly maintain your vehicle with regular oil changes, checking tire pressure, and necessary fluids.

8. Your Databases- like your rolodex, get rid of information that you don’t use