America is, today facing a very disturbing duality," Spend and Save". No one can escape advertising on TV, in the World Wide Web, in movies etc. Because our economy relies so strongly on consumption, we are usually buying more than we need. According to studies, the more money a family makes, the more they spend. Yearly spending exceeds saving by a very wide margin. Every time we are making a big purchase, we always use our credit card with the thought that we will pay it as soon as we get the bill. By the time we get the bill, other obligation stop us from paying it in full. After a few big purchases, we accumulate so much debt that we either have to seek a second job or file for bankruptcy. To avoid that nightmare, I apply a very effective method of balance: buy only what is needed and enjoy life within reachable means. To me, we have as much a moral obligation to fulfill our needs, as it is to save for a better future.
             Bad financial management usually creates shameful and difficult situation. Five years ago, I create a program with my wife to keep our budget under control. In that program we both agree that our total monthly spending should never exceed seventy percent of our total monthly income. Housing, gas & electric, telephone, Car insurance and groceries are all included in that. Credit cards are used only in case of an emergency and we always create a payment plan to pay them off as soon as possible. Because of that, we have to think about everything and impulse spending is completely out of the question. The rest of our monthly earning is always divided between saving and entertainment. Whenever we save less than ten percent of our monthly earning, we sit down and go over our actions for that month and figure out what needs to be corrected.
             Financial planning is a key to achieving any goals. Because money is so important in our life, being financially successful is a very important tool in ou
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