A long time reader named Bobbi sent me an email recently. The email contained a list of 45 lessons that life taught Regina Brett, a 90 years old resident of Cleveland, Ohio. The list inspired me to share my own list of lessons, but from a personal finance perspective.

Of course I’ve learned far more than 40 lessons, and the list grows daily, but here’s the top 40 I’ve learned so far. Hope you enjoy and if you think it will help others, feel free to share.

1. Mange your money, don’t let it manage you.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.


3. Don’t pay minimums.


4. If you can’t control your credit cards, get rid of them.


5. Married?  Manage your finances together.


6. Involve your children in your finances, it may save their financial future.


7. Just when you are starting to make good progress, something bad will happen.


8. Have an emergency fund (see #7)


9. Pay off your credit cards every month, or don’t use them.


10. Don’t have just one income source, have many.


11. Learn from the past, but don’t dwell on it.


12. It’s okay to spend your money, just do so wisely.


13. Save for retirement with your very f