A foreclosure does not define you financially.

When you give people who are being financially responsible money, you are enabling them to continue a bad habit. So you are actually helping by saying, "Love you but no."

I knew I had found my life's passion after writing my first column for The Washington Post. The response was like nothing we had seen in the business section. Everyday people were writing that finally someone was speaking to them in a way that was understandable. I think we were all shocked at how many readers wrote in to say that they too had a Big Mama who taught them about money.

Having a separate fund for the things in life that happen, helps keep the emergency fund in tact in case you lose your job or income.

If we don't want the companies to cheat on us, we shouldn't be cheating on them.

I'm not a fan of debt consolidation. In my experience, many people "clear" credit cards and other debt to get the one payment and never change what they need to change to prevent getting into debt again.

If you haven't saved, your child may have to work. But do what you can to NEVER take out student or parent loans.