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The 13 Steps to Investing Foolishly
Step 2: Settle Your Personal Finances

"[T]he separation of credit card interest rates and the federal funds rate changed dramatically in the 1980s. Lenders got Wise. They began to realize that many Americans didn't know the first thing about "interest rates" or that their grade-school mathematical training could actually be helpful in the money world. Lenders' market research produced one overriding revelation: These people haven't a damned clue about their money." -- You Have More Than You Think

Hey! Whoa there!

Not so fast, buddy -- what's your rush? We know you're on the information superhighway and all, but believe us, when it comes to investing money you've worked hard to earn, you want to obey all the speed limits. Your personal finances need to be in squeaky clean order before you ever think of placing that exciting first stock trade. As you'll find Fools imploring again and again all over this site, do not ever rush. This Second Step is here to tell you to settle your personal finances.

Erase Credit Card Debt
First stop... how thick is your billfold these days? Is it full of cash or credit cards? One of the critical keys to investing is only to use money that is free of other obligation. Thus, if you are carrying a revolving balance on your credit cards,

Fools only invest money that is free of other obligation.

it ain't free! (Neither are you, unfortunately.) Here's why: Many credit cards have an annual interest rate of 16%-21%.

Let's say you have $5000 to invest, but you also have $5000 in credit card debt with an average annual interest rate of 18%. If you invest the $5000 instead of using it to pay off the credit card, you will have to get an 18% return on your investment after taxes (or about 24% before taxes) just to break even.

Credit card debt remains probably the single best answer we know to the question, "Why can't I ever seem to get ahead?" As of this writing, there are more than a billion credit cards in circulation in the United States... that's almost four cards for every American man, woman, and child. And nearly 70% of all credit card holders in the U.S. today carry a revolving card balance each month (i.e. they are paying the minimum amount due). Yikes! Most unFoolish, dear reader. With an annual interest rate of 18%, making minimum payments (2% of the balance or $10, whichever is greater) on just a $1000 balance is going to take you a little over 19 years to pay off -- during which time you will pay close to $1900 in interest on that $1000! It's enough to want to get into the credit card issuing or lending business, isn't it?

As you now chart out your path to becoming a more Foolish investor, we simply will not let you pass on to Step Three until you stop letting the credit card companies feed on you. Click here for all the details on how to pay down your debt or discuss your credit card questions with other Fools on the boards.

A Plan for Regular Saving
Next stop... how well are you regularly paying yourself? In other words, are you routinely setting aside an adequate established percentage of your paycheck every payday? Or do you only set aside money when there is something left over? Or worse, are you finding there is nothing left to pay yourself with?

If you answered yes to either of the last two questions, you're simply not ready to Pass Go yet. It's time to examine why you aren't paying -- or can't pay -- yourself. A Fool does not go investing with her lunch money, or next month's rent,

Your personal finances need to be in squeaky clean order before you ever think of placing that exciting first stock trade.

or with money that should go toward paying off a credit card. We invest money that we have worked for (or heck, received as a gift -- that counts, too) and have Foolishly saved. As we stated above, money that is free of other obligation.

Fools try to save around 10% of our annual incomes. For some, it'll be closer to 5%. Others might manage to put away 15%... y'know, the ones who are hooping it up in the National Basketball Association and that sort. Anyway, the important thing is to establish a regular "rhythm" of savings and stick to it, even if that means living below your means. You should also have around three to six months worth of living expenses in an account that is liquid (like a money market account) for those rainy-day emergencies.

Now, if you already are routinely saving, are you exploiting all the possibilities you have to make that money grow tax-deferred -- i.e. through an IRA, or SEP, or Keogh, or 401(k) or 403(b) plan? Money in tax-deferred retirement plans can grow exponentially compared to money in a regular investment account, because you don't pay taxes on the money deposited or the earnings until you begin to withdraw it. Further, a number of employers now offer to match your 401(k) plan savings with additional monies kicked in to benefit you (read: Free Money!). Make certain you are plowing as much of your savings as possible into these highly Foolish vehicles. Remember: Pay yourself first, and you'll thank yourself later.

Learn More About the Rest of Your Personal Finances
In Fooldom, we can't say what should be of value to you, and thus we can't ultimately determine how much you should end up with that is free of other obligation. But as Fools we are constantly working to help you get the most bang for your buck. So before you jump headfirst into that dramatic first investment, you should at least give some additional thought to other financial aspects of your life, such as any investing for your kids' future educational costs, insurance, housing, future employment, your bank, and your wheels.

We could go on and on. We often do in fact. Most of the subjects just mentioned have several shelves of books devoted to them. Fortunately, you can come directly over to the various "Managing Your Finances" message boards and correspond directly with thousands of other readers who are there to share their experiences and answer one another's questions.

Next Step: Setting Expectations »

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The 13 Steps

Introduction What is Foolishness Settle Your Finances Setting Expectations Index Funds All About Drips Open a Discount Brokerage Account Dow Approach Read Financial Info Evaluating Businesses Understand Rule Maker Investing Consider Rule Breakers and Small Caps Advanced Investing Issues Get Fully Foolish

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