We have to protect ourselves by doing our own homework.

We all fall - even me.

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

I usually find that my gut doesn't steer me wrong when it comes to my money!

My rule is when in doubt hire a professional. You could do it just this year and then you have direction to resume doing it yourself after the consultation. What you don't want is to do it wrong and be hit by a huge tax bill. Remember the old saying, "Don't be pennywise and pound foolish."

My Big Mama is my No. 1 financial role model. Much of my advice stems from what she taught me. She never made more than $13,000 a year, yet she paid off her home before she retired. She saved money from every paycheck. She taught me to be skeptical. It makes me cry to think that I'm a nationally syndicated personal finance columnist for one of the world's best newspapers and my core advice comes from my black grandmother who was a nurse's aide with just a high school education.

Policy changes like what you desire come from our politicians. So let them know what you think.