I have the pleasure of speaking to college students across the country about money, credit, debt, romance & finance, and landing/keeping a job; often I am asked questions on and off the stage that many of you probably wanted to ask but didn't; or at least wondered about a time or two. Over the next two issues I'll let you in on the most common questions I get about Money, Love and the Dream Job and how I've answered them. Who knows I might just have the answer to your unasked question. Either way, I hope my advice and insight helps you to continue to become money-minded, saving savvy and financially fit.

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Understanding how to manage money, credit and debt is in my opinion one of the most important and lasting types of education you can get, and yet we're generally not taught these lessons in school, college, church or even at home. This leaves many of us to learn the hard way about what's needed to become "responsible" with money. Following are a few tips, tools and techniques that'll support you in saving more, spending less, paying off your debt and becoming financially savvy.

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Bad credit can happen to good people. Often all it takes is a financial misstep here or medical emergency there and the average American could easily make a late payment, miss a payment, or fall behind all together on their bills. While there is usually a unique personal story, and often a very good reason, rarely are individual circumstances a factor when your credit score is calculated. Now more than ever it's important for individuals to know their credit scores; but apparently private citizens aren't the only ones who need to know the three digit score that's become the "grade" you're given based on your on-going financial behavior.

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Effective today, October 17, 2005, the way American's cancel their debt is forever changed. The debate over when and if one should file bankruptcy has long been a heated debate on both sides of the fence, regardless of where you stand; one thing's for sure the new bankruptcy laws will make it harder to file. In fact, the new laws won't allow some individuals, who normally would have been able to, to seek Chapter 7 protection resulting in a liquidation of their bills, and it will require others to attend credit counseling up to six months before filing.

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