First Date: Getting to Know You.

In preparation for your first date - get yourself a pad and pencil, or open up a spreadsheet like Microsoft EXCEL, or if you use money management software such as Intuit’s Quicken or Microsoft Money – turn on your computer and open up your application.

Grab your files, your shoe boxes, or whatever your financial storage units are, and settle in for a re-acquaintance session.

Make a Date with your Money.

Have you noticed how shocked and surprised folks appear to be when someone takes the time (generally on a financial planning show, or financial segment on a talk show) to total up their income, expenses and debts. It’s like they are meeting their money, or lack of money for the first time. I am sure you are very familiar with your money, but if you are not, its time for you get re-acquainted. Your money is one of those things that will completely turn on you if you ignore it.