Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should buy it.

If you make time each month to give your money some attention, you'll start the next year in fabulous financial shape.

If there is anyone dependent on your income - parents, children, relatives - you need life insurance.

It's impossible to map out a route to your destination if you don't know where you're starting from.

Just because one of you earns the paycheck doesn't mean that person should lord over how the money is handled.

If you're in poverty and all you have is a debit card or a prepaid card or you pay in cash, it does not report to a credit bureau. If it doesn't report to a credit bureau, it cannot create a credit score for yourself.

I have always advocated doing everything possible to pay off credit card balances; it's good financial management and the ticket to a strong FICO credit score.