Dear graduating class of 2012 Published: Mon, May 21, 2012 I wasn't invited to give a graduation speech this spring. Still, I was prepared. And since a good speech is a terrible thing to waste, I offer it to you now. To the Class of 2012: You did it. You worked hard; you stuck it out even when you wanted to quit. You persevered, and for that I offer my sincerest... Read More

Compulsive shopping, disorders and tractors, oh, my! Published: Mon, May 14, 2012 If you're anything like me, which is to say compulsive and good at denial, then you had to be happy with the news awhile back from a study done by doctors in the health sciences field. The findings? It is not our fault. We can't help ourselves from binge shopping and overspending because our brain chemicals are... Read More

Get rid of that awful smell, once and for all Published: Mon, May 7, 2012 There are times when I write this column that I feel like I need to step into the confessional booth. Today would be one. It's not easy for me to tell you all of the things I've thrown away — not because they were worn out or I no longer needed them, but for one simple reason: The smell. I'm talking about... Read More

Stop spending everything you make Published: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 Affluence is not measured by your annual income. Affluence is determined by how many of your resources you manage not to spend — the amount of income you keep. The idea that you should live below your means is obvious, isn't it? It's not like this is the first time you've ever heard of the concept. You know that... Read More

Greed is never good Published: Mon, Apr 23, 2012 When Gordon Gekko, the main antagonist in the 1987 film "Wall Street," declared in no uncertain terms that "greed is good!" people flocked to the theaters. And cheered. But it was just a movie. Please don't base your belief system on a movie line that might have been memorable and entertaining, but dead wrong.... Read More

Debt-proof your attitude Published: Mon, Apr 16, 2012 One of the human freedoms we enjoy is to choose our attitude in any given set of circumstances. We can alter our lives by altering our attitudes. When it comes to debt-proofing your life, I believe 10 percent is about the money you have and 90 percent is about your attitude toward it. How else could I possibly... Read More

Meet the seven rules Published: Mon, Apr 9, 2012 Over the years, I have taken the lessons I've learned, the mistakes I've made, the principles in Scripture, and wisdom from experts, counselors and teachers whom I respect, and boiled it all down to these simple rules that changed my life: Rule 1: Spend less than you earn. Rule 2: Save for the future. Rule 3:... Read More

How to get your perspective back on track Published: Mon, Apr 2, 2012 These days, it's easy to fall into the muck and mire of worry and despair. Personal earthquakes like the loss of a job — or worse, your home — punctuated by the daily news can steal your perspective and keep you in a pit of despair. What you need to know today is that even when things seem completely hopeless,... Read More

More imporant than money Published: Mon, Mar 26, 2012 If you've ever found yourself caught in the vicious cycle of debt where you are spending more than you earn, money becomes the most important thing in your life. Money drives your decisions, and debt limits your options. This desperate condition makes you think about money every moment, day and night. Money... Read More

Don't quit! Secrets to help keep you going Published: Mon, Mar 19, 2012 Attitude, the way you respond to life and all of its circumstances, is more important than anything. It is more important than the past, than struggle or success, than education or experience. It is more important than how much money you have, how much you owe, what you would like to do or where you would like to... Read More

Your FICO after a mortgage catastrophe Published: Mon, Mar 12, 2012 Mortgage related derogatory events are not a fun topic. But reality being what it is, these days lots of people are asking the same difficult questions: How much will a foreclosure hurt my credit score? Would a short sale go easier on me? How long will it take to recover from any kind of mortgage catastrophe?... Read More

You really need a contingency fund, really Published: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 No matter your situation — even if you are up to your eyeballs in credit-card debt — you must have a Contingency Fund. Every household needs one. It's that emergency fund that you can get your hands on at a moment's notice. It is essential for successfully — and permanently — getting out of debt. It's... Read More