That's a question I've been asking myself for years. It's not an easy question to answer. Because there are so many factors.

While I don't have all the answers, I've pretty much concluded that there are 2 reasons that are NOT factors in how much money you make (at least not by themselves):

1) Being a nice person. Sure, you can be nice and make lots of money. But being nice doesn't mean riches will fall in your lap. And being nice does not mean you'll get promoted. Or your business will flourish. Or that you'll get lucky. Not that you need to be a jerk. But if you think the "money gods" will bless you with money or success just because you are nice and treat others well, forget it. Life doesn't work that way.

But be nice anyway. Just because it's the right thing to do.

2) Working hard. Yes, you need to work hard to make money. But just working hard alone won't make you rich. How many people do you know that work long hours in factories, or stores, or any other job and DON'T make millions? I could easily work 100 hours a week at my job and never get rich. I imagine that's true for most people.

But work hard anyway. Because without it, you'll never succeed at anything.

3) Get lucky. If you spend your life waiting and hoping you'll win the lottery, or you'll inherit a fortune from a long-lost relative, you'll be 6 feet under AND be broke. Luck won't make you rich. Those "overnight sensations" you read about? Most of them spend years failing and learning - and failing and learning - before they become rich overnight.

But feel lucky anyway. No matter how bad life may seem, if you're alive and breathing, you're lucky!

Wish I could tell you exactly what will make you richer than your friends, or neighbors, or stars you see on TV. But that's a dream you'll need to follow on your own. Here are good ideas to think about.

Then decide what your dream is, and follow it until it comes true!

You read all the time about how rich or successful people - business people, celebrities, star athletes, lottery winners - end up going bankrupt. With all that money, you would figure that they would have everything they need in life.

And that they would find a way to at least keep enough of their money to avoid going broke.

I know, I know. Bankruptcy doesn't always mean you've lost all your riches. Some people just seem to use it as a business strategy.

But the whole idea of success, failure, and money are all connected in some strong way.

To help myself succeed, I belong to a marketing forum run by Josh Spaulding, and he wrote the following article on this article about success and failure.

What does that have to do with credit card debt?

A lot.

Because getting out of debt is a success much like building a profitable business, or reaching any worthwhile goal. Those who have a goal, and a plan, and don't let anything stop them succeed (get out of debt). Those who don't will stay in debt.

The turning point for me in getting out of debt was deciding that I had enough. And deciding that I was going to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get out of debt.

It was hard. And stressful. And took a lot of sacrifice. And it took me about 2 years.

But in the end I succeeded!

And I'm no financial "whiz" - if I can do it, so you can you!

Work hard. And make it happen. Create your own success. Then do it in other areas of your life. You owe it to yourself!

If you have a success story about debt, money, or any area of your life - no matter how small - let us know in a comment below.