In January we start saving money, getting out of credit card debt, funding our retirement accounts, and we're doing wonderful. Then, every single year like clockwork, starting in November, all of you fall into this trap that says, 'I have to buy this gift... I can't show up at this party and not have something for everybody.

The last thing family and friends want is for you to spend money on them that you don't have or that you can't really spare.

A cash advance on a credit card is one of the worst types of borrowing because the interest rate is typically 21 percent or more.

If you have debt I'm willing to bet that general clutter is a problem for you too.

I want to see a new system. I believe that the credit scoring system is broken. That's my belief.

But credit card debt is unsecured debt, which means if you get in trouble and cannot pay off your credit card, you can discharge it in bankruptcy. What are they going do to you? If you're in a financial position to just methodically pay off both credit card and student loans, pay them all.

Women need to turn their attention from saving their spouse, their mothers, their this, their that, their kids, to putting that financial oxygen mask on their face first. When they're solid, they can pick up the whole world.