In no particular order, here are some of the things that I had made note of. Choosing the path. . . in the beginning, my enthusiasm was very high (perhaps too high?) and I was chasing off on several different home-based business opportunities at the same time ...

If you are among the majority who are not saving for emergencies first determine how you are spending. Go back through check stubs and credit card statements and determine how you are spending. Then look for areas where spending can be reduced. While energy costs are going up, you may be able to save some on your utility bills through conservation efforts. A combination of tax credits and fuel savings might make a new furnace a cost saver over the long term, provided it is significantly more efficient than your existing furnace.