Today’s show empowers women (http://www.AmbitionIsNotADirtyWord.com)to own their finances so they can own their lives (http://www.MoneyZen.com). Did you know that a $100 pair of jeans could end up costing you almost twice that much if you pay only the minimum balance on your credit card each month? Or that 90% of American women will be the sole keeper of their personal finances at some point during their lives? Whether you’ve been living paycheck-to-paycheck, are trying to save for a down payment on your first home, or are hoping to one day retire in comfort, my guest today can help. Personal finance expert and commentator Manisha Thakor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzxxpiXQvc8&list=UUU_Dathw1z4477jdPHuCZ3A&feature=plcp), CFA, maps out how to balance your desire to live well today with the need to save and invest for tomorrow. Listen in and discover: how much of your income to save; how to avoid the perils of credit card debt; how to create a budget you can live with (and still have fun!); how to invest wisely using a powerful, keep-it-simple plan; how to deal with real life situations – such as figuring out how much home or car you can afford, whether or not you should finance your child's college education at any cost, and how to overcome financial anxiety by changing your mindset. Discover easy, proven tools to create the financial life you’ve always dreamed of. The sooner you apply the basic financial concepts highlighted on today’s show, the more likely it is that you’ll achieve common life goals such as owning a home, providing for yourself or your family, taking fun vacations, and retiring in comfort—all free from financial stress.