It's true that you should put your whole heart in your main source of income. When you work hard enough with a drive to succeed, nothing will keep you away from that success. However, unexpected circumstances come into play every so often, so you may need to divert to Plan B temporarily.

Here are some ideas for building a rock-solid Plan B:

1. Develop Multiple Streams of Income. When your main stream of income is sufficient to sustain your family, you may be tempted to rely on that income alone. However, it's always a good idea to insulate and supplement that income. You may think you don't absolutely need the money, but you can always save for future unexpected expenses.

• Look for other opportunities for side jobs in your field
• Turn a hobby into a money maker
• Consider wise investments to grow money faster

2. Add to Your Savings. You'll need to realize that even small contributions will add up to something big before you know it. Shop around for a high yield savings account. Tell yourself that you'll add a fixed amount to the fund each month. Have an automatic withdrawal every month even if you can only afford $10 or $25 at a time. Over the long run this really adds up!

3. Develop Your Skills. Always be on the look out for opportunities to improve your current skill set, or to develop completely new skills. This will give you back up career opportunities. If you pigeon hole yourself into one set career, you'll be scrambling if something unexpected happens. While it'll still be a bummer if Plan A falls through, it'll feel so much better when you can launch into Plan B without panicking.

4. Make Contacts and Establish Good Relationships. You've probably heard the saying: "Don't burn your bridges." You truly never know when you might want to walk a certain path, so don't close any doors hastily. Also, remain open and make contacts wherever you can. You might just be hanging out at the gym after work, but you never know what kind of friendship you can drum up, and how that person may be able to help you out in the future.

5. Write Out Your Plans. It's vital to maintain a certain amount of organization in your plans. When establishing your life's Plan A and Plan B, it'll really help to write everything down. Have separate lists for your short term and long term financial goals. Cross off goals as you meet them. This way you've got a written reminder of your progress. If Plan B comes into play, you'll have written instructions and you won't have to worry.

Making Wise Choices

When it comes down to deciding what you should do with your money, remember to always invest in some sure bets. You don't want to gamble with your money expecting greater gains. Your best bet is to find a middle ground. Decide on a certain amount of money that automatically goes into a savings account and can't be touched.

When you have a nest egg for unexpected life events, it gives you time to execute your Plan B. If you're lucky enough to have extra cash coming in, you can then decide to be riskier with your financial decisions. As long as you know you have enough money coming in, it may be worth your time and investment.

1. Read Think and Grow Rich

You should first read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. This is the classic reference work created when Andrew Carnegie challenged Hill to come-up with the ultimate philosophy of success. The book has been responsible for creating more millionaires than any other book ever written.

Carnegie commissioned Hill to interview 500 extremely successful men and, from the experience, distil the secret of success into a simple workable formula. He accepted the challenge and the resulting book - Think and Grow Rich - took him 20 years to produce. Happily, the original version of is now in the public domain and you can get a free copy on the internet right here ...

Think and Grow Rich

2. Read the Science of Getting Rich

The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles is an excellent book and is also in the public domain. Wattles opens by saying ...

‘It is expected that the reader will take the fundamental statements upon faith, just as he would take statements concerning a law of electrical action if they were promulgated by a Marconi or an Edison; and, taking the statements upon faith, that he will prove their truth by acting upon them without fear or hesitation. Every man or woman who does this will certainly get rich’

What an extraordinary opening and what a promise too! The book certainly opened my eyes to the causes of wealth; and also to the realisation that there was no reason at all that I should not become wealthy too. It is something I am working toward and with some degree of success too – thanks to this book. Download your copy here ...

The Science of Getting Rich

3. Read The Path to Prosperity

Finally, for a proper balanced view of seeking financial success, you should read The Path to Prosperity – again a public domain work available on the internet completely free.

James Allen is perhaps better known for his book As a Man Thinketh (also in the public domain). In this book, he provides an excellent discussion on the futility of seeking happiness by pursuing riches. He concludes that ‘the law of love’ is the basis for living a meaningful life.

Get a free copy here ...

The Path to Prosperity