Maybe you have a lucky friend or family member who took the only $10,000 they had, bought a hot tech stock, then cashed out with double their money. That’s a gambler, not an investor. You need to know the difference. Gamblers rely on luck and chance – maybe you’ll roll double-sixes, maybe you’ll get snake eyes. Investors put their cash only into things they understand, that have been proven to work time and again. They rarely hit the jackpot, but they also rarely lose it all either, and history says they’ll make money. Which do you want to be?

There’s nothing “personal” about your finances unless you’re single and completely independent. If you’re married, living with a partner or have children, your financial moves affect everyone in your family and vice versa. Silence kills when it comes to money and family. Talk to your spouse or partner about money issues. And whether it’s bill-paying, check balancing, budgeting, or long-term planning, be sure that each person understands their own role, Involve your kids early and show them that money is about choices.