Don't laugh at the plumber you call in to unclog your toilet or fix your leaky sink. According to Forbes magazine list of the 100 best blue collar jobs, plumbing has become one of the mot lucrative professions in America. While plumbers are not yet on par with, say, investment bankers, they are doing extremely well.

The simple fact is that almost anytime you have an important job that most people don't want to do, someone is going to make some money. Personally, I want nothing to do with my toilette or pipes when I am done using them. I am quite willing to pay someone to come in and help if there is a problem. That's they key. Plumbing is not rocket science, yet it requires skill and a temperament that most people just don't have.

To become a plumber, there are two paths. First, you can go to plumbing school. There are many fine plumbing educational institutions scattered throughout the country. The classes typically run eight hours a day. After two years, you receive a certificate of plumbing studies. You can even major in such academic pursuits as "Low flow technology," "the Porcelain vs. ceramic controversy" and "plumbing south of the equator."

The better way to become a master plumber however is to become an apprentice. You basically assist a plumber in whatever he needs. The job is not glamorous at all. Yet, it is really a great way to plumbing and financial success.

So get off the coach and go to the bathroom... the bathroom school that is!

Many years ago, it could take a lifetime to build a successful retail business. You had to have the right location, the right merchandise, and the right prices. Most importantly, you had to have a good reputation, spread by satisfied customers. By definition, that could take years. Far more businesses failed in the first ten years because they didn't have everything just right.

When the Internet arrived, everything changed. Today, anyone can open a web store with the right 'location." All you need is a good web address and someone who knows how to make a webpage look great. As far as merchandise, on the Internet a retailer can pick and chose whatever he wants to sell. All you have to do is look at other websites to see what is selling. Most vendors love the increased business they get from Internet retailers and do not hesitate to open accounts with business that do not have a long history. As far as prices, all you have to do again is see what your competitors are doing. All it takes is a few seconds.

Finally, customers nowadays seem less concerned with reputation than with good products and prices. Within hours you can set up a website and start selling merchandise and be just as competitive as the major retail chains. Just make sure that you can deliver the merchandise in a timely manner to keep your customers coming back. And also remember that you need to keep adding new products everyday. You don't need to have a huge warehouse to stock all these products. Most manufacturers will ship directly to the customers for you. There may be a charge, but you can always pass it on to your customers.

When was the last time you went to the local bowling alley? You may not believe it, but those things are gigantic cash cows. That's right, despite the blue collar image, a bowling alley is quite a white collar investment.

The secret is that it costs a great deal less per square meter to build a bowling alley than say a restaurant. You don't need much furniture or even any windows. And after your initial costs (bowling balls, shoes, etc), you just have to pay a very small staff to run things.

You buy a few pairs of bowling shoes in different sizes. You charge your customers $6 to rent a pair of shoes. In a typical day, you could rent those shoes out at least ten times. If you have ten lanes and four people play per lane, then each day you are making $2,400. All for shoes that cost about $20!

Now you don't just charge for shoes, of course. People will pay $12 for every game. Once again, ten lanes, ten times each day, that's $1,200/day. Since bowling alleys are open every day, that's half a million a year! Throw in a concession stand and maybe sell personalized bowling balls, and you are on your way to great riches.

Some of the most wealthy people around own bowling alleys. Some have even told me that they themselves don't bowl. In fact, one guys says he detests the game! He does not, however, detest all the millions he is making from the sport of bowling.

Who are some of the wealthiest entertainers these days? It is obviously the pop stars. What is very interesting is that many of them have absolutely no talent. They don't play any instruments, they have professional musicians backing them up. They don't write their own songs, once again professionals do this for them. Managers and agents book tours, design costumers, and manage all the details.

So what do the actual stars do (besides make lots of money)? Actually not much. They go out on stage and lip synch to songs (some of whom they have never heard before). They sometimes sign autographs, and they always wave to fans. Yet for many of them, they were just lucky enough to have been in the right place at the right time.

So how can you be a pop star? Well, first, you will need an agent with experience. Then, you need one breakthrough hit. It doesn't have to be long (or even that good). The main thing is that your agent has to have the right connections to get your song on the radio. Once you get airtime, you are all set. Your career will take off on its own.

Just remember, you will be surrounded by lots of people. Some of them will help you make money, others will help you spend it. The most important thing to do is tell the difference and do something about it. Otherwise, you will be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.

Good luck, I'll be listening for you!