The best thing we can do for our kids is to help them see that student debt is not the only option (I say debt is never an option!). Working while in school and applying for scholarships are a good start. Also help them see that fancy schools with high price tags are not always worth the costs.

If you’re using a spreadsheet, file it away and start a new one. The idea is to start with just your bank account balance, then slowly add in your expenses one at a time.

If you’ve overspent on eating out and need to take that money from a different priority, like vacation, that’s accountability. You are living the reality of what it means to spend more than you’d planned: you’re now that much farther from your vacation goal. It’s not a failure, but a reprioritization.

Rule Two is your debt antidote. Use it to figure out what you can afford in debt payments. Then keep using it to keep yourself out of debt forever.

Set a goal to save what you spend in a typical month.

Rule Three: Roll with the Punches is all about adjusting your budget to allow for whatever comes your way. Because your budget is a plan that reflects your life, and like life, plans (and budgets) change.

Rule Two: Embrace Your True Expenses,

Predictable or not, you can get a pretty strong hold on your true expenses just by looking at some past credit card statements.

If you’re ready to design the life you want, you’ll need to engage with your money consistently.