I think Oprah's [winfrey] learned from me that it's OK to be harsh on people because in one's harshness you can see transformation happen right before your very eyes.

Remember that in most cases, student loan debt is not dischargeable in bankruptcy. So you continue to pay it off anyway. Those who have very low interest rates (2-2.5 percent) on student loans and know everything is secure, great.

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

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

If you're saving for the long run, it's actually a good thing when the market is down because the more shares you have, the more you can potentially make when markets rise. And over time - decades, not months - the markets rise more than they fall.

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

Live below your means but within your needs.