The Key to Personal Finance Success

If I wasn't married, I think I'd go after this woman. Consider the following about/from her:

Crannell is an aficionado of Goodwill Industries shops. And she'll pass by the racks with $7 blue jeans and head for the bins where the jeans sell for $1.

Crannell likes yard sales, especially those where an entire neighborhood cooperates because there's a bigger selection. She shops at a local farmers market and sometimes makes vegetarian meals, partly because she believes they're healthy and partly to cut down on high-cost meat.

"Keeping track of where your money goes is the most important financial task you can undertake," she said. "It really doesn't matter what you make. It matters what you spend."

That last quote really is the bottom line: no matter what you make, you need to spend less than that amount to get ahead. And since most people have much more control over what they buy than what they earn, keeping a tight rein on your spending really is the foundation for a good financial plan.

And here are a couple posts to help you in spending less than you earn:

• If you'd like to make more money, read 11 Great Ways to Earn More Money.

• If you'd like to spend less/save more, read The 10 Most-Hated Money Saving Tips.

Comments

[Big Cheese]

Hi FMF,

I am happy my spouse is also frugal in her thinking. But marrying this lady, did you check out the picture first?

BC

[FMF]

BC --

Ha!