I love, love, love that you want to use your debit card. But to keep your credit score solid, you still need to keep a few credit cards and use them at least once every few months.
Your credit score affects the interest rates you're offered on credit cards and loans, can be used to vet your job application, and in some states may influence your insurance premiums.
Understand and accept the cycles of money. The setbacks you may have today or next year will not keep you from financial freedom. If you hold on to your goals and dreams, you will get there.
Never cosign a loan. Once you have cosigned, you cannot get out of it - even on your deathbed.
My greatest pleasure is still flying private. I spend between $300,000 to $500,000, depending on my year, on flying private.
The only way you will ever permanently take control of your financial life is to dig deep and fix the root problem.
The middle class has disappeared. We have a highway to poverty and no roads coming out.
They got married, they got divorced, and half their money goes out the window.
You should keep a copy of your tax return indefinitely, but you need to save supporting documents for only three years.
When you give, give from the place of the heart because it is the right thing to do, not the easy thing to do.
If you pay off your mortgage before retirement, you take a huge financial load off your shoulders. You also become eligible to take out a reverse mortgage once you turn 62.
Never invest emergency savings in the stock market.
We women know how to take care of everybody so well. But the one person we have written out of the equation is us.
Yes, your kids should go to school. No, you shouldn't bankroll their degree whatever the cost. You've spent your life creating a sound financial plan; don't upend it by suspending your retirement savings or taking out a home equity line of credit to pay for a pricey college.
If you can't afford the upkeep of your home, it makes no sense to do a reverse mortgage. You will just end up having to sell eventually when you realize you can't afford the home, and whether you have any equity left after the sale depends on the size of the reverse loan that must be settled.
Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give your family. And setting up a smooth inheritance isn't as hard as you might think.
One journalist estimated my liquid net worth at $25 million. That's pretty close. My houses are worth another $7 million.
Find $50 a month for savings. No excuses!
Look everywhere you can to cut a little bit from your expenses. It will all add up to a meaningful sum.
If you make time each month to give your money some attention, you'll start the next year in fabulous financial shape.
