Borrow the absolute minimum

If you have a student loan at all borrow the absolute minimum, but never borrow more than one year's salary of whatever field you plan to pursue.

After you graduate, get that loan on an accelerated payment plan. Don’t keep it forever as it is a drag on your future and limits your employment options.
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Take control of your money

Some of you earn way too much money to be living paycheck to paycheck. You don’t need to get a second job to fix things, you just have to take control of your money.

Many folks are afraid to run the numbers because they fear they are in over their heads with spending. Funny, but some who think that way actually have plenty left over. They just have no way of knowing because they're afraid to look.

Which are you?
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Taking responsibility

Using a calculator is easy. Looking at the result on the display and taking responsibility for it is the hard part.

It's hard to do the math and admit you don't have the income to cover your lifestyle.

Get out the calculator, you have to know where you stand.
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Stop it!

Stop it! Quit running down the credit card companies. You allowed them to do this to you so it's time to shut up, pay up and never do it again.

It's all in the fine print you ignored. That's what gives them the right to raise your rates, change your payment dates, keep you in the dark. You allowed it.
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"Tax deduction" trick

You hand me a dollar and I give you twenty cents back. Are you happy? That's what happens when you keep debt on a house or student loan for the tax deduction.

Don't fall for the "tax deduction" trick. If that $10,000 write-off is so important find a good charity and give it away. Your money is put to good use and you can enjoy your paid-for house and relish the job where you use your paid-for education.
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Try it

Being financially prepared and in control doesn't solve all your problems. But, it eliminates a lot of them and takes the financial stress out of others.

Try it. You'll never go back to living on the edge again.
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Go forward financially

If married, you can't go forward financially if both aren't involved. Have a weekly budget meeting, a must in order to prosper together.

Some people want their partner to handle the money and just give them an allowance. This isn't a relationship, it's parenting.

Others claim they want nothing to do with the money but are quick to complain about the finances. This isn't a relationship either, it's just childish.
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