Beth D'Andrea

Debt is a bad word these days, but most of us have at least a little bit of it. Is debt good or bad; a tool or a hindrance? The answer is not always clear-cut and depends on your particular circumstances, but there are some general guidelines to adhere to. Understanding how debt can help you have a stronger financial portfolio is key to growing your assets, while living a fuller life and retiring successfully.

It is a sad day when you and your spouse decide to go your different ways. Whether this parting is amicable or not, there are many very important decisions that need to get made right now that affect your future. Read on to check on some financial items that often get overlooked during this hectic time.

Most of the time we go through life simply "taking care of business." As life events occur, we handle them accordingly and go back to our lives. Often, we do the same with our finances. We save a little, spend a little, sometimes have an emergency and move on. But, there's more to it than that and you can get a lot more out of your investments if you make a plan and monitor it on a regular basis. Keep an eye on these six major areas.

When you have finally decided that it's time to get a little help with your finances, you might feel a bit stymied about the best way to find the financial adviser that meets your needs. There are many different people out there calling themselves "financial advisers" make sure you find the right person to meet your needs.

You've got a good amount of money banked, but, unless you are managing it properly, it's not growing as fast as it could. Here are four important steps to take to make sure your money is safe, sound, and building your nest egg.

College costs continue to rise and it can strike fear into the heart of the average family. It doesn't have to be that hard, though. Saving for college is easier than you think and is much less expensive than taking out a loan. Read on to learn how you can save for college now and keep extra money in your pocket.

You know, the one thing they do not teach your child in high school is how to manage his money – a very valuable life lesson. This leaves it to you, the parent, to teach and model good money habits along the way. So, whether your child is in 9th grade or getting ready to move out to college, work with him to get him started on the three points below.

Getting Married? What a wonderful step you are about to take! If you've organized the wedding, the honeymoon and where you'll live once you're married, there's one thing left to discuss - your future FINANCES! Do you know if your future spouse has debt? If your honey is a conservative investor or a spend-as-you-go kind of person? Find out, and resolve money issues now.