My budget advice -
1) Never buy a new car - self made millinaires rarely buy new cars
2) When you receive a windfall - even a small one, save it. Or pay off debt. Don't spend it on a new ipod, or whatever to keep up with the jones'
3) Don't keep up with the jones' you don't like them anyway so don't try to impress them.
4) When you get paid, put the money into savings first, and then pay bills.
5) Save at least 10% of your earnings
6) Put your money into American Funds
7) Have $1000 in an emergency fund ( I put the $1000 in the online account ING -which currently has 4.25% interest)
8) Buy a house that is within your means - stay away from Adustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)
9) If you need cash quick - have a garage sale or sell stuff on Ebay.
10) Take advantage of any matching funds your employer offers.

As far as credit cards, if you can pay off the entire balance each month and not overspend your means, then some cashback bonuses are nice and using the card to establih good credit is not a bad thing to do- but if you have a history of credit card debt, don't budget your expenses, and generally not good with money, then the credit card companies will take you for a huge ride and make your life miserable.

I've cut the Internet and cable out of my budget, but I'm not sure it helps my productivity at work. It certainly helps my budget.

I also bought the cheapest slightly used car on the lot, rather than a new one.

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)