Researchers are now identifying what many of us in mental health already knew -- sometimes people's money problems are a part of their psychological makeup. Their attitudes, beliefs and expectations about money are developed in childhood and can affect how a person handles money their entire life.

Some experts like the Financial Consulate in Hunt Valley, MD., recommends that people recognize their history with money by participating in an exercise called their "Personal Money Story." This historical review can uncover the habits, trends and decisions that work for or against a solid financial standing.

I have long noted in my private practice that people who struggle financially often make the most ridiculous decisions; buying a new aquarium when they can't make the mortgage payment, taking an expensive trip when they just lost their job, etc. They may be able to rationalize, explain and justify what they are doing but it still does not make financial sense.

Take a few minutes to take stock of your financial health. At a minimum you should know how much you need each month to break even, how much you bring in, and what your net worth is. I highly recommend using a financial software program like Quicken or Microsoft Money to keep track of all spending. You will be amazed how money gets frittered away on impulse buying or poor decisions.

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter, please visit: The People Pro.

With the turmoil in today's markets, more and more retirees are returning to the workforce for extra money. Worried about outliving their shrinking portfolios, many folks are leaving the fishing and golfing to get a job. Some are resentful, feeling that they paid their dues and shouldn't have to work. Others welcome the chance to get out of the house and do something they enjoy.

Regardless of the mindset, work is good for the soul. The word retirement is used only twice in the Bible and both times as a punishment. The idea of retirement really wasn't in people's minds until the advent of social security in 1935. While there were other entitlement programs before this time; benefits to Civil War widows and children being one of them, no program addressed every American until the Social Security Act.

When this legislation was initiated, retirement age was arbitrarily established at 65. While there have been adjustments in recent years, people still view retirement in their 60's as a right that they have earned. This is too bad because physical and mental health are based on exercise and stimulation. Too many older folks find that exiting the workforce alienates them from people, activity, and personal reward.

Personally, I never plan on retiring. I like the work I do. Speaking across the country, writing columns and books, and consulting gives me lots of flexibility and variety. That is, of course the key. Finding something you really love to do and then figure out a way to get paid for it.

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter, please visit: The People Pro.

Radio, TV, infomercials, and phone calls--stop already. This election has been the longest one I can remember; it has gone on and on. At this point, hasn't everyone made up their mind? I made mine up shortly after the primaries. Will another ad or two make a difference?

Apparently the candidates think so. Obama spent a fortune last week renting time on every major station for his infomercial. He plans to release another ad today showing McCain's ties to Cheney. McCain, who doesn't have the war chest of money like Obama, went on Saturday Night Live to increase his reach. By far, the best part of the McCain campaign is Tina Fey's rendition of Sarah Palin.

The ads are endless. That is all you see on TV and if you try to escape in your car, they are on the radio. I try to hide in the house, but folks are coming to the door and calling me on the phone. At this point, I will vote for anyone who doesn't call me with a recorded message.

It raises the question whether this is the best way to do things. With so many folks struggling in this bleak economy, couldn't the political money be put to use helping people? It would be an interesting campaign if every dollar spent had to be matched with a charitable donation. Just think how many folks this could help.

I could enjoy the ads then, knowing that every dollar spent actually helped someone else. I would give more to the campaigns knowing that the money was put to good use. I can't wait until Tuesday is over.

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter, please visit: The People Pro.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has created a fortune of more than $750 million, thanks to a string of lucrative musicals -- but his kids better keep their day jobs. In an interview with the Mirror, Lord Webber states that his five children will be seeing very little of his cash when he dies. The composer says, "They aren't bothered. They don't think that way. It is about having a work ethic -- I don't believe in inherited money at all."

Smart man. Inherited money can cause a lot of grief. I have seen it in my own family; a brother-in-law who quit working in his forties waiting for his inheritance from his parents who had the gall to use it for their own care. A cousin who blew his parents' life savings on a business he knew nothing about. A close friend who now is struggling to make ends meet after flushing a large inheritance on an poorly planned restaurant. Grandkids who received money and stopped working the same year.

There is something about inherited money that makes people lose their work ethic and think the money is endless. Like my brother-in-law, it often accompanies a sense of entitlement that becomes rigid and demanding. They spend their newfound money with gusto, making decisions a lot quicker than if they had earned each and every dime.

I have already informed my kids that they better not count on much from us. We plan to spend it. And if we do have some extra cash laying around, I'd rather help them a bit now; downpayment for real estate or paying off school bills. We have made it clear that if you want to make a good living, you have to work hard. That is the way the world really works.

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For tips to make your relationship better, see Marriage Tips.

There are some things it doesn't pay to open your wallet for; cars, boats, and children's clothes. But sometimes it pays to cough up the extra bucks because it makes a big difference. Here's five things worth spending your money on:

• House. For most folks, this is one of your most important assets and an important investment. Present market aside, it is an appreciating asset; that is, it acquires more value over time. The present market actually makes it a great time to buy. Don't over buy your budget and be "house poor," but buy the most house you can comfortably afford.


• Bed. Several years ago we invested in a high quality pillow top bed. This is one of the best investments we ever made. Not only do you spend about one-third of your life in bed, a good night's rest makes all the difference the other two-thirds of the time.
  

There are some things that it really pays to spend extra money on; houses, beds, and bicycles. But there are some things that we buy that are simply money drains. Here are five purchases where it pays to be cheap.

1. Car. A depreciating asset, you lose money the minute you drive it off the lot. And then they continue to depreciate. I buy cheap, used cars with about 30,000 miles on them. I try to pay no more than $12,000 or so and I still think that is too much. My next car will be a hybrid of some sort with gas mileage 50 MPG or more. If I need a van for a trip, I will rent it.


2. Higher education. Unless you are going to Harvard or one of the big name schools, it really doesn't matter. Most of us can get a great education at our local state schools for a whole lot less money. Especially for a general liberal arts degree, it doesn't make sense to be $100,000 or more in debt to get that bachelors. Save your money for the masters or professional school.


3. Household products. Save a fortune every year by buying all household products in bulk. Cleaning supplies, detergents, bathroom products, paper goods and kitchen staples can be bought cheaply at one of the large stores. Stock up for 1-3 months at a time to save money and gas.


4. Children's clothes. Kids grow so fast, especially when they are little. Take hand me downs, shop thrift shops and buy at cheaper stores like Target and Kohls. You will find high quality at reasonable prices. As they get older and want nicer clothes, have them earn a part of the cost so they appreciate the value.


5. Hotel rooms. I travel all over the country for speaking engagements and all the hotel rooms look the same. Unless it is a five-star hotel at over $500 per night, I rarely notice a difference between expensive and cheap rooms. When traveling on your own dime, look for the cheap rooms and spend the extra money on a nice dinner out.

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. Join her for her new webinar on relationships. For info see: Webinar

Go to the BillShrink web site, and it will note that its site is occasionally running slowly because it's had a lot of press lately, which means more traffic than it's expected.

I'm about to make it worse. So far, BillShrink only assists customers in shrinking their bills with cell phone plans and recently, credit cards. It seems obvious that they hope to expand into other types of bills, however, and so they're probably worth watching for awhile.

It works like this: Type in a little information about what you're looking for in a phone plan, and now credit card plan, and using a bunch of variables -- for instance, with the cell phone plans, they have signal maps and plan rates at their disposal--they'll tell you what service plan you should be using with your carrier, or if you should dump your phone service and find a new one. And now they're taking that concept and using it with credit cards. Do you want one with the lowest rate possible? Something with the best rewards possible? Whatever your needs, BillShrink purports to be able to give you the best plan out there. The Washington Post recently wrote about them, as did the Dallas Morning News, CNET News, the Consumerist and on and on.

While in the dollar store recently, I witnessed a scene that must be happening in dollar stores all over North America. A Mom was helping her college-bound son pick out kitchen ware, bath ware and cleaning essentials for his first foray into life away from home. Been there, done that -- twice. But in case you haven't yet, here are my picks for the great and not-so-great deals to help you save money as you nudge your fledgling out of the nest.

1. Dishes. Check your favorite department store for inexpensive boxed sets. I saw a 16-piece set for $16.87 at Wal-Mart. At the dollar store, each piece is $1, so the boxed set is almost as cheap and certainly a lot easier to transport to a first apartment or dorm room. On the other hand, if you don't want or need four place settings and don't care if everything matches exactly, buying each piece individually could be the way to go.

2. Silverware. I saw an off brand set of 20-pieces of silverware that comes with its own storage tray. That's two items off the list for $6.97. At the dollar store, each piece costs $1 so buying the set is definitely the way to go. Even if you only need two forks, two knives and two spoons, you'll still be spending $6 at the dollar store.

In a new article on compulsive shopping, there is discussion about including this behavior as a "mental disorder" in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Considered the diagnostic bible of mental health professionals, the new edition is due out in 2010, and there is discussion about including the so-called "behaviorial disorders." This group of disorders includes internet addiction, compulsive gambling, hypersexuality and compulsive shopping.

As a psychotherapist, I have treated compulsive shoppers for many years. All describe the cycle of exitement (buying), remorse (second thoughts), and guilt (low self-esteem) that is common with compulsions. Like a dopamine squirt to the brain, the shopper seeks out the next high with purchases that they don't need, purchased with money they don't have.

Family Dollar is featuring Disney backpacks or lunch bags at $6 each. It is also featuring four-pack Kraft Handi-Snacks or four-pack Kool-aid Gels for $1 each to help fill those lunch boxes. Along with Disney and other character school supplies, the 99-cent Only Store has lunch box treats like Florida's Natural Fruit Sticks in a six-pack for 99 cents or seven mini snack boxes of Sunmaid raisins for 99 cents. Dollar Tree also has lunch box snacks like potato chips, juice boxes and fruit roll-ups in multi-packs for $1.

Dollar General is offering licensed lunch boxes in assorted styles for $5 each and backpacks in assorted styles for $8 each. I can't tell from the picture, but these backpacks look to be made of nylon material and look to have some outside pockets, whereas the Disney ones at Family Dollar look like they're some I've seen that are made of soft vinyl. If it were me, I'd go for the sturdier material.

Socks is one item of clothing that you can save a lot of money on by shopping at a dollar store. Dollar Tree is featuring kids and adult sizes in solids and patterns for $1 a pair and the 99-cent Only Store has sport socks for 99 cents a pair. I've bought socks from my local dollar store and they've stood the test of time and many washings. And Dollarama has some really cute kids socks.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes about budget decorating using only items from the dollar store.

Wesabe is an amazing useful personal finance site which provides access to all of your checking and savings accounts under one site in order to better track your finances. I had a chance to chat with Marc Hedlund, the CEO of Wesabe about security, user rights, features, upcoming and the community focus of this excellent site. This article is longer than our normal fare but stick with it if you want to get to know your money using a cool online tool.

The first thing you'll want to know before handing over your banking information to a company is how secure they are. Wesabe provides its users with industry standard encryption to protect your financial data. Unlike their competitor, Mint who uses a third party to handle security and data Wesabe has taken the processes in house and developed their own system. The decision is actually a great one when it comes to security and the rights you have over your data. Marc shared with me that one of the main reasons they built their own system was to be able to offer users a Data Bill of Rights, allowing you to completely delete your data at any time, something third party vendors would have kept. Aside from keeping your passwords and financial information from a company you don't have a business relationship with the Wesabe system also has the ability to get updates about your transactions as often as your bank provides updates providing you with more accurate information.

Another cool feature of being a Wesabe user is that there are currently 4 ways to upload your data based on how much information you want to trust Wesabe with. Three of these methods don't require that you provide Wesabe with any of your banking credentials and the fourth is an automatic uploader which logs in and updates your account information throughout the day after you provide your login information to Wesabe. Many users begin with the manual upload and as their trust in Wesabe grows, move to more automatic methods of uploading. The fully automatic uploader came about from user requests and is the method that Marc uses to upload to Wesabe.

Every year in July, my bank account suddenly goes wonky as a few annual fees hit it. (One, for hosting a web site, and the other for Amazon Prime membership.) I'm barely able to recover before I'm charged my water bill (about $250 every three months) and have to pony up my portion of the Hood-to-Coast costs (my team of mamas and papas and I run a race, and vacation at the beach afterwards, every August). What a great way to spend my summer, juggling bills.

Next summer I have a better way thanks to the brilliant concept of the "personal escrow account." Much like a mortgage escrow account -- in which the bank collects a few hundred dollars a month in order to pay the annual costs of property insurance and taxes -- to run a personal escrow account, you'd estimate the annual or semi-annual bills you pay, divide them into a monthly amount, which you'd then set aside each month. Charlotte, who wrote to the excellent personal finance blog Get Rich Slowly, keeps her money in a separate bank account in order to keep it "safe" from her other expenses.

Who knew that the list of "necessities" for consumers would be an ever-expanding laundry list of things? Back in the day, food, clothing, and shelter were considered necessities. Things like transportation ran close behind, but if all else failed, people walked lots of places. Apparently, as our society has evolved, there are more and more things that we just can't live without.

Now included on the list of necessities: premium cable, manicures, a latte a day, and cell phones. When the economy was better and people felt that they had more discretionary income, it was natural to spend money on things like this. High-speed internet access, the latest high-tech gadgets, and premium grocery store items are probably pretty high on the list too. If you wanted it, then you must have really needed it, right?

If you can really afford to pay for these things and you want to have them, then I say go right ahead. But consumers shouldn't feel entitled to these things just because they're available. People need to first pay their rent, feed their children, and pay their bills. Extras come later.

I think that the concept of what we can "afford" in today's society has become really warped. Consumers say they can't afford groceries.... but they're saying it from their computer using a high-speed internet connection. They complain about gas prices and suggest they might not be able to afford to get to work, but they're busy talking on a cellphone. Sorry, needs and wants need to be a little better defined, and consumers have to be prepared for a little more delayed gratification if they want to really live within their means. And living within their means is the real necessity.

Tracy L. Coenen, CPA, MBA, CFE performs fraud examinations and financial investigations for her company Sequence Inc. Forensic Accounting, and is the author of Essentials of Corporate Fraud.

Plastic is the devil. All of it. Whether it be plastic surgery or plastic credit cards, it is all evil. I've become so accustomed to using my debit card that I use it for literally everything. People tell me, "Just leave it at home," or "Don't use it," but that's hard. Especially since I have memorized the number.

I don't need to have my credit card on hand to order the new Ipod when I can just punch my number onto the internet. I've even got the expiration date and the CVV number in my head. It's horrible being blessed with a photographic memory.

That leads to the problem of overspending. It's so easy to spend money with a debit card. You want to know what's worse? My bank pays everything. All checks...all debits. Even if I'm about to go into the negatives. That has led me to some deep red numbers.

Maybe I should be writing this from an underground bunker. It's true that I have an overactive imagination, but I can't help but half-wonder if the American pharmaceutical industry will read this post and then send some overgrown thug named Knuckles to have a talk with me.

Because, you know, they tend to not like it when Americans go get their medications from Canada. But, oh, well, here it is.

I recently learned about eDrugSearch, a free search engine where you can shop for medications with vetted pharmacies in Canada and other nations.

These pharmacies are all licensed and accredited, and of course, the appeal to going to a web site like this is, as spokesperson Melissa Syphrett told me, "so you can be sure you're dealing with a true pharmacy and not a storefront selling fake drugs."

It does sound like a smart place for consumers to go, given all the confusion that can result from looking on your own for a pharmacy that has a non-American address. But if you do explore the Internet on your own, looking for prescription drugs sold internationally, eDrugSearch.com's founder Cary Byrd, who is based in San Antonio, has the following five tips: