How about a product that returns 12 - 42%, is 100% insured and backed by assets of wealthiest institutions on planet. Your banker takes your "CD" money and invests in this vehicle. Now you can turn tables with this special insurance contract.

Earn ROR equivalent to, or exceeding, equity markets! Without any market risk or risk to principal - Guaranteed!!!

Its called a Viatical Settlement - and here is how it works.

Viatical Settlement - sale of a life insurance policy at a discounted rate to a group of investors by a person who is in advanced stages of a terminal illness.

Let me be first person to say, "Why wasn't I smarter with my money?" I look back over years in amazement at how my money "innocently" slipped through my hands.

Ultimately, beyond those fleeting moments of gratification, I can't really say I have much to show for some of my misspent money. I certainly don't want to be a killjoy or anything and I don't advocate being a penny-pinching scrooge that doesn't enjoy life but there are small, yet significant steps you can take to keep more money in your pocket.

Just off top of my head I came up with these and you can probably add a heck of a lot more to list. Here we go:

Bank Service Charges:

We all know how our banks love to nickel and dime us. For reasons such as not maintaining a $1000 monthly balance or using another banks ATM machine. Whatever reason these small fees quickly add up over time. Pay attention to your bank statements and review all bank documentation regarding service fees. You are looking at savings of $4 to $15/month.

Magazine/newspaper subscriptions:

Visit your local library or subscribe to magazines that offer professional/courtesy subscriptions. Tradepub.com lists various free publications across a range of subjects. Otherwise, carefully pick and choose magazines you really want to subscribe to and look out for introductory subscription rates.

Stop smoking:

Preachy, I know... but that's a lot of money going up in smoke (pun intended!). Not only is this good for your wallet but for your health as well and if you are applying for life insurance, your premiums will be lower because you are classified as a lower risk individual. At $4 a pack and two packs a week that's $32/month.

Telephone services:

Do you need all those bundled services (call waiting, call answer, call forward). Pick only services you absolutely need otherwise save at least $5-10/month.

Books and CDs:

Why pay full price when you can get a "gently used" or "previously enjoyed" copy of that best seller for a fraction of price. I have bought CDs from local used CD stores that were almost brand new and saved $8-9 off retail price for each CD.

Rebate Programs: