The biggest advantage to being a courier is huge tax deduction. For tax year 2002, you can deduct 36 1/2 cents per mile for all business miles. If you are making 35 cents per miles, you will pay taxes on almost nothing. You don't even have to itemize your deductions to claim this deduction. The 36 1/2 cents per mile is standard deduction allowed by IRS which covers all of your vehicle expenses. You will receive a 1099-misc form giving your total income for year. You will need to report that income on Schedule C - Profit or Loss From Business. In addition, if you are away from home over 6 hours at a time, you can claim 50% of any meals while on road. The IRS requires that you keep track of your mileage and meals each day. You can buy a small log book for this or use Budget Stretcher's Vehicle Expense Log http://www.homemoneyhelp. com/vel.html and Vehicle Expense Summary http://www.homemoneyhelp. com/ves.html.

Usually only requirements to be a courier is a drivers license, a vehicle and a fairly clean driving record (NO DUI/DWI). Since most couriers deliver/pickup a regular route, most of time you don't even have to have a good knowledge of area you will be driving. After two or three days you will know your way around.

To find courier jobs in your area, check classified ads in your local newspaper under drivers or business opportunities. You can also check with your bank or insurance agent to see if they have a courier company providing service to them. Once you have identified courier companies that service your area, a simple phone call will let you know if they have a route that suits you.

Always go to grocery store or dollar store with a list. Buy just what is on your list. If you see items you would like to have, make a note to put them on your list for your next trip.

Always consider entire price of an item before buying. In my state, if you buy a car that costs $20,000, you have to pay about 7% in sales taxes within 30 days of purchase. That $1400 may not be that easy to come up with.

I know that above ideas takes all fun out of spending your money. Planning and budgeting are about as dull as watching grass grow. However, a family that budgets their money and plans purchases, will no doubt be able to make more purchases and feel much better about it.