Want to break free from debt and actually build wealth that sticks around? A well-known personal finance educator has spent decades helping millions rethink how they handle money—and it works. Here's what the approach looks like: First, stop the bleeding. List every debt you owe and attack the smallest one first while making minimum payments on the rest. It feels weird, but psychological wins matter; watching one debt vanish completely fuels motivation way better than spreading effort thin. Second, skip the fancy lifestyle inflation trap. Just because your income grows doesn't mean your spending should. Most people get this backwards. Third, emergency fund before investments. Everyone talks about getting rich, but one medical bill or job loss ruins it all if you're not covered. Build that safety net first—even $1,000 helps. Fourth, understand the difference between good debt and the debt that kills you. Student loans might build skills; credit card debt just bleeds you dry. Fifth, automate everything. Savings, investments, payments—if money moves automatically, you don't have to fight willpower battles every single day. The real talk? Building wealth isn't magic. It's boring, consistent moves over years. But it works.