But that's just half of it. You'll take a good look around to see what you already have ... BEFORE you head to art supply store. The result? More money in your pocket, and less stuff to find room for in your studio!

7 - YOU'LL BE MORE REAL - WITH YOUR ART, WITH YOUR LIFE. Let's face it, totally ignoring your financial situation doesn't do anything for your art. And it sure doesn't make things easy for people around you. So come on, just do it!

It's not really that hard (I promise...).

Most people are pretty good at 'money coming in' part, so I won't say much about that. All you need to do is keep track of how much money you earn each month (job, gifts, artwork sales, etc.).

I'm willing to bet, though, that you're NOT very accurate about how much you spend. So here's plan:

Starting today - and for at least four weeks, every day - write down every penny you spend. Yep, EVERY penny. From your morning newspaper, to your new canvas, to new pair of sandals you just couldn't live without. (It may help to buy a small spiral notebook for this. And yes, price of notebook gets written down, too!)

Also, every time you get a bill (telephone, rent, etc.) over next month, save it.

Pretty easy so far, right?

Here comes interesting part. At end of month, take a look at some of 'small' things you're spending money on.

Say, that $1 cappuccino you have every morning to get you going. Couldn't you go a lot further on $365 you'd save - every year - if you had coffee at home instead? (Hmmm. Three cappuccino-less years and you could save, let's see, more than a thousand dollars....)

Take a look at all places you could save - WITHOUT having to change your lifestyle. For example, magazine subscriptions for magazines you don't have time to read. Framing that you usually send out, that you could easily do yourself. A cell phone plan with way more minutes than you ever use. Get picture?

Just thinking about how you're spending will help you spend less. Guaranteed. So go for it! In fact, have fun with it!

And maybe one day soon I'll bump into you at some fabulous little restaurant that costs about half as much as one we used to go to!

3) Others had a Wish List for their Perfect Person and expected me to find person on that list for them. One divorced man in his late 30's expressed a desire for a woman who had a specific type of nose. (Really!) A never-married woman in her early 30's with pale blonde hair and very light skin wanted a man with very, very dark skin (but not an African-American), who earned at minimum $75,000 per year, was not in Sales, had never been married and had no children. I had twelve men who matched her description in my data base but she found something wrong with each one and refused to go out with any of them. She then complained about my service and was upset because she 'had not had even one date'. AARRGGHH!!! An Indian medical student saw her photo and was instantly smitten. They had many things in common and each was what other was seeking. He was very excited about meeting her; however, before they met, he wanted a guarantee of a successful relationship which I of course could not give him. They never met and as far as I know, both are still single and searching.....

My advice: Don't shoot yourself in foot! If you are meeting a lot of people and just can't seem to connect, ask yourself if you really want a relationship. Are you ready and willing to be close with another person? If you constantly find fault with others, ask yourself these questions and be a bit more tolerant. Don't expect to find your perfect person because he or she does not exist. Be happy if you find Ms. or Mr. Almost-Perfect. Good luck!