2) Keep your Social Security number private. Do not have it printed on your personal checks or drivers license. Do not share it with anyone, including merchants, unless they can provide a good reason for having it. Once someone has your Social Security number they have key to unlocking your identity and using it fraudulently.

3) Shred offers for pre-approved credit cards that you receive by mail. Do same with any receipts that contain account numbers or your Social Security number. Identity thieves are not afraid to go “dumpster diving” in order to obtain your personal information.

Identity theft has become fastest growing crime because it is most profitable crime. On average, loss from identity theft is about $18,000.00. Taking these precautions now can you save you from becoming another statistic in fight against identity theft.

Now, to get a productive business that earns a good return for you, you need to keep adding “employees” to your business by saving your money and investing it. Whether it’s a dollar or twenty dollars, every “employee” counts. The wealth creating habit you want to cultivate in this regard is to save and invest your dollars rather than spending them on things that will give you short term pleasure but no long term benefit. Remember that every dollar you turn into an “employee” rather than spending in moment will work for you for rest of your life! Think about that next time you feel tempted by some new trendy thing you’ve just got to have!

How can you get started on building this wealth creating habit in your life? It’s easy. At beginning of each day, spend a few minutes experiencing what it would be like not to have to go to work every morning, but to be able to choose whether you want to work or not. During day, as you are faced with spending choices, bring that experience back into focus to help yourself choose wisely. At night, keep a journal of your spending decisions for that day and note what percentage of time you chose wisely. Your goal? To increase that percentage gradually to 100%.

Most experts say that it takes 21 to 40 days to create a solid new habit. That’s not long when you think about it. All you have to do is get started – now. Good luck!