Get a free copy of your credit report once a year from annualcreditreport.com — the real free one, not those 'free' sites with monthly fees. Check it for errors. Mistakes on credit reports are way more common than people realize.

Don't make a big financial decision when you're stressed or excited. Sleep on it. The dealership, the realtor, the salesman all want you to decide RIGHT NOW because pressure works in their favor. Walking away is always an option.

Pay off your highest-interest debt first — that's almost always credit cards at 18-22%. There's no investment that reliably beats paying off an 18% credit card. It's a guaranteed return. Knock that out before you even think about the stock market.

Be very skeptical of anything that promises high returns with no risk. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. The dot-com bust should have taught everyone that lesson. Slow and boring index funds beat hot stock tips over the long run.