Spend less than you make!
While this may seem a very simple statement and not terrible helpful it is amazing just how many people are unable to live on what they earn. Many seem to spend more than they make every month. While money can get far more complicated as you get into investing, such as where to invest and how long to invest, the place to start is on your everyday spending.
As the old saying goes, we often spend our money buying things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like. If we simply start saving money each month and living within our means you will soon find more financial peace than you have had in a long time.
I am a true fan of being debt free. Often, when you talk to people they claim to be debt free and then tell you how all they have is a house payment, car payment and student loan. These kinds of debt are so accepted in our culture today that we don't think of these as debt. Just think on a day to day basis how much more money you would have every month without your car payments.
I would challenge everyone to make a written budget each month and track where your money is actually going. I think you will be surprised how much of your money is just slipping away on things that aren't really that important. Make an effort every month to try and pay down debt. whatever you do try not to go any deeper into debt. Pull out those bills and look at just how much interest you are sending the bank every month. This alone is usually enough to make you mad enough to want to do away with credit card payments and car loans.
It wont be simple, but if you never start you may wake up many years from know still making banks rich with all the interest you are paying them and still in debt up to your eyeballs. A great resource that I and my family have used to get out of debt is the Dave Ramsey plan. If you have a desire to get your financial life in order I would highly recommend any of his materials. The book of Proverbs also has a lot of advice on money and fiances. If possible try to live on less than you make and see what a difference it will make it, not only your money issues but the rest of your life as well.
Links I Like:
http://www.daveramsey.com/
http://www.crown.org/
Proverbs 21:5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty
