Each of us needs to be living within our means. Not only that, we need to be saving at least 10% of what we earn. This savings is not for future purchases either but for investing. Investing for your future. This money earns you money and someday the amount of money you have invested will earn you enough to live on. So instead of having to work each day, your money works for you.

If you are not doing it, saving 10% may sound impossible. But people who make $30,000 a year sometimes find it easier to save than those who make $90,000. We all have the capability to spend all (or more) of what we earn. It takes discipline to save 10% of everything you earn. Make a commitment to yourself, now, to save 10% of your income.

Failing to live within your means does to your financial fitness what overeating does to your physical fitness. Failure to save 10% is the equivalent of not exercising. As the years go by the lack of fitness makes getting in shape more difficult. The earlier you start and more diligent you are the better shape you will be in when you hit retirement.

If you got sick and would your family know what to do? Would your family be able to find your financial records if you died? The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has available for download a personal finance program called My Financial House. The free software will help you create a financial inventory as well as chart long-term financial goals.

The software helps consumers:

• Organize and create a picture of their current financial situation
• Work more effectively with financial advisers
• Identify gaps or overlaps in their financial circumstances
• Guide heirs and beneficiaries when filing claims

“This software was created to help people take control of their finances and prepare for their future,” said Dr. Steven Weisbart, vice president and economist at the I.I.I. Too often consumers underestimate the money needed to pay for such large expenses as college tuition or buying a home. They don’t purchase sufficient life insurance to cover a family’s day-to-day expenses if the household’s primary wage-earner were to die in the prime of his or her working life. This software helps consumers plan for and manage their personal income and gain control over their finances.”

Once you complete your financial inventory, you can share it with your accountant, financial advisor and/or attorney – someone you trust – to help you plan for your future, so that even in an emergency you will know if your financial house is in order. You can also email your inventory and save it to a disk to store it for safe keeping.

The U.S. Mint accidentally minted thousands of the new $1 coins without ‘In God We Trust’ inscribed around the edge of the coin according to CNNMoney.com.

While I did not even know the mint was coming out with these new coins, some who bought the recently released George Washington Presidential coins were able to put the coins up for sale eBay for about $200 each.

The coins also are missing the “E Pluribus Unum” inscription, as well as a mint mark indicating whether they were produced in Philadelphia or Denver. Also, the coins are missing edge inscriptions specially made for the new dollar.

I am not sure it would do any good to look for more, but I plan on checking out my bank in the morning since they are estimating about 50,000 of the new ‘god-less’ coins are out there.

I think I will want one, even if it is ‘correct’, as a collector piece. I don’t think I have ever seen a coin with edge lettering.

The Mint will be featuring four presidents each year on the coins, with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to make their debuts later this year. Each will have its own design and feature the Statue of Liberty on the back.

And hopefully “In God We Trust.”