1. GET OUT OF DEBT: If you fainted when you opened the credit card bills following your December shop-a-thon, you may want to go to a credit counselor to get help on getting out from under the 19-21 % credit card crunch by the millennium. The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (800-388-2227) will refer you to someone in your area who can help you get on the right track. Their fees arc usually $50-75.00 for initial counseling and $10.00-20.00/week for budgeting and bill-paying services.

• Use a secured card which is attached to a CD or Passbook Savings account. Your credit limit is equal to the same amount that you put into the savings account. Call the Ram Research Group at 800-344-7714 for alist of the best secured cards. The fee is $5.00.
• Cut up some of the plastic. You need only one or two credit cards for emergencies, travel reservations and when you don't want to carry a large amount of cash to make a purchase.
• Consolidate your student loans through the Federal student loan program that rolls them into one note. This allows you to write one check a month, over a ten year period for a lower interest rate, currently 9% or 8.5% if you arrange for automatic monthly deductions from your bank account. Call The Direct Loan Consolidation Center at 800-848-0982 for information on how to do it.

2. BECOME FINANCIALLY LITERATE: Read the business section of the newspaper. You already bought it for the sports, the sales, the movie reviews; regular columns on personal finance can probably give you some needed information that can help you build wealth the best way. Slowly---one day at a time.

• Watch some financial talk shows on BET, CNN, CNBC or PBS and see what aspect of money management applies to you. The information is free and the discussions about credit card fees, CD rates, mortgages, mutual funds and retirement planning will give you something to think about.
• Get a subscription to a financial publication, MONEY, BLACK ENTERPRISE, KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE, YOUR MONEY. For about $15.00 you can start developing a "money mentality," and discover how to get the most out of each dollar that passes through your hands.

3. START A REGULAR SAVINGS PLAN: If you have no discipline with putting away money, then get some help. Ask your employer to put it somewhere profitable before you get your grubby little hands on it. Sign up for a payroll savings plan with at least $25.00 coming out of each paycheck and going into a savings account or purchasing a Series EE savings bonds. Increase the amount as you see the cash build up and create one specific goal for yourself, like putting a down-payment on a house or a condo within the next 3-5 years. It can happen but it starts here. Once you establish the habit of saving for major items and after you have purchased your first home, continue the same savings habit with a regular investment program.

4. WRITE A WILL: This may sound morbid but since nobody gets out of this life alive, you may as well start thinking about this little technicality. Even if you have no more than $500.00 in a savings account, a group life insurance package at your job, a car and stereo, you have to put it in writing if you want someone specific to get certain items. This is also a critical decision if you have children. Don't assume that your sister or your mother-in-law is willing to take them on. The courts may decide differently if you don't designate how you want the matter handled. For less than $100 you can get a software package to do this for you. " QUICKEN FAMILY LAWYER" ($29.00) or "WILLMAKER " ($49.00 at 800-992-NOLO) can walk you through a simple program. The National Association of Paralegals (707-935-7951) will refer you to someone in your area or contact the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, or the National Association of Black Women Attorneys, Inc. (202) 966-9691 3711 Macomb Street, N.W., 2nd fl. Washington, D.C. 20016) if you want to have someone do it for you. Ask your employer if there is a company sponsored benefit or union perk available to you to take care of this matter. Dontt assume anything about being able to pass on money to a spouse or a sibling just by adding their name to your checking or savings account.

5. INVEST IN YOUR 401(k): This may be the only money you'll have when you retire and your employer won't put away anything until you do. Start with $20.00 to $50.00 out of each paycheck. Your boss will match that amount up to 6% of your salary. The investment choices in this plan usually allow you to pick from several mutual funds. The younger you are, the more risk you should take so go for stock funds with a growth and international focus. In the next ten years, you'll be glad you did. You can't touch this money until you reach 59-1/2 without major tax penalties so be prepared to leave it there for the long term.

Making financial decisions and handling money can be as easy as riding a bike or making dinner, but you have to start with the right attitude of wanting to know how to do it and making it a fun process for yourself. The only person who is going to get deeply involved in your financial well-being is you.