A method to the saving madness...

But Lori, I can just hear you thinking.  What am I going to do with all the money I'm saving, now that I'm being so financially savvy?

I'm really glad you asked me that, because I have some strong opinions, starting with "spend your money more wisely."

Eventually, as you do this, you'll find that you have more of it to spare!  At that point, I would encourage you NOT to celebrate by buying that spangly Dolce and Gabbana bluetooth you've been coveting.

You know what's going to make you even happier than a Bluetooth?

Being out of debt.  Building your net worth for YOUR future, rather than giving it all to some stupid bank every month.  Trust me, financial freedom feels better than any piece of clothing or nice dinner, which you're certainly welcome to buy once your credit cards are paid off.

But, baby steps.  For now, start making a real effort to squeeze some money out of your budget, and to send it to your #*¥ credit card company, which, no kidding, is hoping you don't succeed at this.   Think about it for a second-- the bank is making what, 18% off your credit card balance?  18% is the most anyone is making on anything riight mow, so you can bet the credit card company wants you to keep making the minimum payment, so they end up making $3,000 on that $500 they loaned you to buy a new tv.

Yuck!  The fastest way for you to start winning the money game, before you do anything else, is to get out from under those credit cards.  There is no next step until this one is complete.

So, that's it-- save some money every day and use it to chip away at your credit card balances.  Then come back, and we'll talk all about index funds, and muni bonds, and investment property, and tax deductions.