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  Personal finances can be a big worry at one time or another to nearly everyone. It is important to have a plan for financial success-and to stick to it. It is equally important that this plan be reasonable and viable for your income.

  The media portrays successful people as driving only the newest vehicles, wearing the most up-to-date fashions, sporting the latest and greatest technology, and even using only certain kinds of air fresheners or mouth rinses. However, studies have shown that people with the most secure finances deny themselves of many of these things. It is important to remember that wealth is measured by how much cash you can claim, not by possessions. Ownership of these big ticket items not only can put a serious drain on your pocketbook with the initial purchase, but with updates, maintenance and repairs. Thus, truly, you do not own your possessions-they own you. This is also true if you manage your finances via credit. This way your creditors own your possessions, not you, until they are paid off in full.

  It takes a lot of discipline to manage money with a final goal of financial security always in mind. The efforts are worth it, because, as has been said, you can sleep when the wind blows. Happy financing!