We tend to focus on assets and forget about debts. Financial security requires facing up to the big picture: assets minus debts.

It's better to do nothing with your money than something you don't understand.

You're thinking to yourself, 'How is it possible that I am going to pay back $150,000 in student loans? I'm never going to pay that back. What am I going to do?' Listen to me and listen to me good, class of 2013. I want you to think back to all of these things you said to yourself, 'I can't do that. I can't palpate a cow. And what's worse, palpating a cow or taking semen from a horse?' But you did it, didn't you?

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

People often panic when the markets go down and sell off their stocks - but then they aren't in the game when the markets are doing well.

We each focus on what we're going to buy, but that's an incorrect focus. Focus instead on why you want to spend the money on this or that. What feeling in you does it satisfy?

Stop buying things you don't need, to impress people you don't even like.