1. Do a personal finance assessment. Ask what's coming in, what's going out, where's it going, and what's left. That is all you need to know.
2. Proactively try to negotiate lower interest rates on your debts.
3. Make extra payments

Consider where you find yourself as each phase requires a different strategy.

Three accounts make it easier to get a grip on your finances.

• The Richest Man in Babylon, by George S. Clason. The message of this 1926 book is that rich people are rich because they save their money and don't get into debt.
• Your Money or Your Life, by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. This book will change your...

Personal finance is about managing your own money - how much you spend, save, get into debt, and invest.

First manage the money you do have, then use your money to generate more money. You don't need to think about investing until you're out of debt and have multiple ways of generating income.

Debt is a liability unless you use it to finance income-generating assets. Don't take on debt for anything that does not increase in value over time.