At Money Certain we want to keep things simple for our readers. Financial decisions are important but they are not impossible for the average investor to navigate. At the bottom of all financial decision-making are several key factors that need to be considered before a final decision is made. Think of these factors as the "corner pieces" that form your puzzle. Do you remember how much easier it made the process of completing a puzzle if you could get the corners of the puzzle in place first? Well, that's what we are going to do now.

Let's begin with the top left corner of your financial puzzle:

"Understanding the 5 Common Practices of the wealthy."

Common Practice #1: Have specific, written and clearly defined financial and personal goals.

Common Practice #2: Do not focus on working for money but on ways to make your money work for you.

Common Practice #3: Let your assets dictate your lifestyle vs. going into bad debt to create a pretend sense of wealth or accomplishment, i.e., live significantly below your means.

Common Practice #4: Take a constant pulse of your financial heart beat by keeping up to date financial records, current financial statements, status reports, expense tracking, profit & loss statements etc.

Common Practice #5: Do not make excuses, procrastinate or blame others for the success or failure of your life . . . simply do what must be done.

So which of these do you practice? All? None? Some of them - but not others? Hopefully you do all of them because each of these practices is crucial to your financial success.

Americans have for far too long lived haphazard financial lives. We watched our salaries increase each year and we lived a lifestyle based upon spending with little regard for "saving for a rainy day." Well, it's pouring out there! The financial storm is upon us and most have not prepared for it. With Medicare and Social Security in serious trouble it behooves Americans to think really hard about implementing the five common practices that wealthy folks practice every day whether the sun is shining or torrential rains are upon them.

Let Money Certain help you get started. Go to  "Course Descriptions" to review our available courses. And don't forget our "Value Bundles." Start building your Financial Puzzle today!