Q: Where do I start?

A: If you haven't had a lot of experience with something, the natural tendency is to do what you think everyone else is doing. When it comes to money, it seems like the "popular" view of managing money is keeping up with the Jones'. The Jones' spend everything they earn and in most cases, spend more than they earn by going into debt. Sooner or later, one little hiccup along the way, and the Jones' will realize they are actually broke.

Albert Einstein said, "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." No matter what point in your life you are at, it's time to set some un-"popular" goals. Nicole and I have a few goals that we are working on. In the near future, we are trying to pay off our car and student loans. After that we want to buy a home. Eventually we want to enjoy financial freedom from any and all forms of debt, so that we can live life to the fullest and help others. What are your goals?

My challenge is to decide to be un-"popular." Decide to be different. Write some goals down. Share your goals with someone, preferably your spouse if you have one. If you can figure out the why and the what, then figuring out the how will become much easier.