National studies, and various online surveys have revealed that on average nearly 30% of adults don't understand the 'basics' of personal money management.  Worrisome to be sure, but largely due to the fact that most of us are simply never taught the very basics of money, much less any form of money management. 

Many people harbor the notion that money management is a very complex undertaking or that it only matters if you already have a lot of money.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and in reality, the less you have to go around the more important good money management skills are. 

The good news is that it is really quite simple if you just start to follow a few very basic money management principles.  And the even better news, is that it is "never too late" to get started,  even if you currently have a financial mess on your hands.
    

Dr. Von Zuko's Seven Most Important Money Principles:
The first steps on your journey to financial security.

1.) Make Your Money Get a Job:
If you earn a little or you earn a lot, make sure to always send some of it off to work for you!  You work hard to get it so make your money return the favor.  How do you make your money get a job? 

Save it; put it in a savings account or other investment that is paying you interest!  From that point forward, your money will be working for you day and night, adding more and more of its money buddies to your money workforce.
 

2.) Know Where Your Money Goes:
Work from a budget . . . and don’t guess, write it down and stick to it. Typical budget categories are: housing, food, utilities, transportation, savings.  Once you have the budget items fully covered you can consider what is left as your fun money!
 

3.) Set Goals for Your Money:
Set financial goals for yourself like saving for a down payment on a home, paying cash for a car, or getting out of debt.  Write them down and stick them in your wallet or on the front of your refrigerator where you'll be sure to see them regularly.  Be very specific on the dollar amount.  
 

4.) Plan for the Unexpected:
Build an emergency savings fund . . . make this a priority.  Think of this as an insurance policy (except that you get to keep the money working for you).
As a general 'rule-of-thumb' the amount in this fund should be at least equivalent to three months of your current take-home pay.
 

5.) Recognize Need vs. Desire:
Money has no conscience, so you must know and decide the difference between a need and a desire. Always ask yourself, “what do I need this for?”  If you can’t come up with a practical or rational answer, you don’t need it! 

Now certainly desires are not bad, we do need our little rewards from time to time to remind us of why we work so hard, but always take care of your real needs first.
 

6.) Credit Cards Are Never Your Friend:
Having a credit line of $5,000 does not mean that you are $5,000 richer!  It means the 'Credit Card' company will allow you to get yourself on the hook for high interest payments back to them for many, many, years.  And they know that once you are 'hooked' it is very difficult for you to get off of the credit card addiction.

In this case, the credit card company's money is working for them . . . at the expense of your money!  
 

7.) Don’t Spend to Impress:
No one really cares anyway! If you live paycheck-to-paycheck (or worse, on your credit cards) just so you can impress others with a fabulous wardrobe, expensive car, stunning home, or to  throw amazing parties . . . you’re a fool. At the end of it all, you’re broke, and your audience will simply move on to be impressed by someone else.

The point here is . . . only you can decide your financial future.
It's really not that hard to build good money management habits!
 

Of course if you’ve been a good money manager and you can do all of this with your fun money then congratulations . . . “game on!”
 

The First Four Steps to Becoming Wealthy

First:  You must decide that you want to be wealthy and then believe that you can be. Yes, it sounds way too simple doesn't it?  But it is the first and most important step you can take on this journey.

Also, never listen to those who want to tell you the reasons why you will fail.
These are the people who are really more concerned that you won't fail.

Ever wonder how people can come from the poorest nations on earth with nothing, but later end up very wealthy?  The answer starts with their belief in themselves and that no one told them all of the reasons why they would fail.

Second: Have a plan on how you are going to become wealthy.  You may decide it's starting a business, or you may decide you'll invest your sweat equity in real estate, but what ever it is have a written plan and most important of all work your plan. 

Not having a plan is like saying you're going to sail to Tahiti but you have no clue where it is. Obviously, you'll be lost at sea for a long, long, time.  Get it?

Third: Be prepared and willing to work hard.  The notion that the wealthy are just lucky is complete and utter nonsense.  A very large percentage of today's millionaires started at the very bottom and worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals.  It is all about determination.

Fourth: Never forget that no matter what we do in life, we make our money from other people.  Be genuinely courteous, operate with honesty and integrity, provide true value to those around you, and value your relationships.