If your company matches your 401(k) contribution, then no matter what, contribute to your 401(k) first. You put in a dollar, they put in 50 cents. It's an automatic 50 percent return on your money. You can't pass that up. I'd rather have the 50 percent than pay 32 percent interest on a credit card.

Those carrying a credit card balance should scale back to making the minimum payment each month so they have more money to put into savings.

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.

Live below your means but within your needs.

I get so frustrated when people tell me it's unrealistic to create an eight-month emergency savings fund, or have money saved for a home down payment, or pay off their $5,000 credit card balance.

If you expect your money to take care of you, you must take care of your money.

True generosity must benefit both parties. No woman can control her destiny if she doesn't give to herself as much as she gives of herself.