Never, ever invest money that you will need prior to three to five years - minimum.

Make it a priority to have at least eight months of living costs set aside in a federally insured bank or credit union account.

What happens to your money directly affects the quality of your life -- not your stockbroker's life or your banker's life, but YOUR life.

What's keeping you from being rich? In most cases it's simply a lack of belief. In order to become rich, you must believe you can do it, and you must take the actions necessary to achieve your goal.

Opt for a fixed-rate rather than an adjustable-rate mortgage.

A wise woman knows how to summon her courage and do what is right, rather than what is easy.

Every portfolio benefits from bonds; they provide a cushion when the stock market hits a rough patch. But avoiding stocks completely could mean your investment won't grow any faster than the rate of inflation.