Never cosign a loan. Once you have cosigned, you cannot get out of it - even on your deathbed.

Take free money. No matter how in debt you are, if your employer offers a matching contribution on a 401(k) or other retirement vehicle, you must sign up and contribute enough to get the maximum company match each year. Think of it as a bonus.

Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward your emergency savings.

The foundation of a financial fresh start actually has nothing to do with money or specific financial dos and don'ts.

Power comes from who you are, not what you have, and the transformation starts with how you allow others to treat you.

We are all powerless as children, and money looms so powerfully... we don't grow up to claim our financial power until we look money directly in the eye, face our fears, and claim that power back.

If you wait until your children are high school seniors to spring it on them that there's not a whole lot of money for school, they won't have too many options.