Louis G. Scatigna, CFP

Millions of people go through life without understanding money and finances. They try to make ends meet, pay their bills, fill their families' needs, buy homes and cars, save and invest even though they have little or no knowledge about what they're doing.

When you retire, your life will be different, you won't have the same needs. So it's essential to make adjustments so you can get the most out of your life.

At no time in history have any people lived as well as we Americans have been living for the past 30 years. Now that we are in a period of economic stagnation, millions are paying a steep price for living the high life and with such abandon.

Blindly acting on advice from others can be a sure way to lose money. Before you invest, learn about financial advisors and investments. Find out who you can trust to advise you on how stock markets work and about specific industries - especially those in which you may invest.

When it comes to our finances, few of us are nearly as diligent as we are with our physical health. Most of us don't keep good records, make budgets or monitor our overall financial health.

Understanding your financial psychology will provide greater insights into why you handle money the way you do. Everyone falls into one of 2 basic financial attitudes.

When only one member of a household runs the financial show, it can lead to trouble. It's vital that both partners be involved and on the same page when it comes to money.

Financial fitness isn't hard to achieve. It involves learning some essential concepts that are logical and easy to understand, but only if they are properly explained.