1. PAY YOURSELF FIRST...Try to put away 10 percent of your take-home pay in a savings account. To accumulate wealth, take advantage of the "time valve of money" and the impact of compounding interest.

2. ESTABLISH FINANCIAL GOALS...Set immediate, intermediate and retirement savings goals for yourself and your family. Review and update your goals annually or when family circumstances.

3. ESTABLISH A BUDGET - AND STICK TO IT...Remember to track your expenses.  Even small purchases add up to large amounts over time.  A cup of coffee can cost you $200.00 a year. In the case of Starbucks hundreds more. In some places, a pack of cigarettes a day could amount to $1,000 in the course of a year.  Not to memtion cancer treatment to smoking. Plus the $7,000 plus to bury you.  And the great lost to your family of yourself and your income. Get yourself a copy of Quicken for tracking all your monies. You will be glad you did, down the road.

4. BE CAREFUL IN USING CREDIT CARDS...Try to plan and budget for large purchases or gifts.  Save your available credit for emergencies.

5. DON'T MISUSE YOUR CREDIT CARD...Never over use your credit card for any reason.

6. BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT LIFE INSURANCE...Learn the difference between Term, Whole Life, and other types of life insurances. Buy only what you need and can afford.  Remember, the primary goal of life insurance is to replace family income in the event of a breadwinner's death.

7. BEWARE OF SCAMS AND RIP=OFFS...Remember the simple adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

8. STAY CURRENT WITH FINANCIAL EVENTS...Take courses and read financial publications and periodicals. Watch CNBC business channels and Jim Cramer' MAD MONEY.

9. SET ASIDE MONEY FOR UNEXPECTED EVENTS...Unexpected expenses can include car repairs, dental or medical or deployment costs.  Insure your property is well insured for events like Katriana.  Don't expect any help from ANY level of goverment.

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