1. The only one responsible for your future is you.

Learn from generations who have gone before you: all women must prepare themselves to take charge of every aspect of their lives. No one will do it for you.

2. Improve your education.

"Education is the single most important variable for achieving financial equality," says Jerry White, in Your Family's Money.

3. Start saving now.

The younger you are when you start, the more money you'll have eventually. Put another way, the sooner you start, the sooner you'll have whatever you want!

4. Become financially literate.

Many people think money management is a lot harder than it really is. There are dozens of great books, software packages, courses and other information resources that can manage yours wisely.

5. Dream, and dream BIG.

Planning, saving and investing might not be all it takes to make you an opera diva or a successful executive. But they can give you the cash you need to finance your interests - from going to the movies to traveling around the world. And ultimately, they'll allow you to live the life you want to live.

Your Money Your Life