If you'll have enough saved and nobody has to take on debt and you want to retire, shoot go for it.

Don't let people scare you from a career that may not net you a six figure salary. If you want to be a teacher, teach. But knowing that your salary may only reach a certain level, do all that you can to become the best money manager you can be.

My kids have to maintain good grades. They have to be involved in activities. They have to report to me how thing are going. I watch for any activity that would steer them wrong - drinking, drugs, etc. So their skin in the game is knowing the money won't be there if they don't do their part.

[My grandmother] managed her money better than some financial professionals I know. I give credit always to her because she is the reason I have my column and national recognition.

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.

Kids can and are a blessing. But plenty of people without kids live and die just as happy.

We have to protect ourselves by doing our own homework.