Take some time to review this section. When you've done so, you will:

• have a clear understanding of your financial situation;
• have a good grasp of your spending patterns;
• be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses in dealing with money;
• have learned some helpful hints about saving money;
• know what your goals are;
• have learned how to reach those goals by making some simple changes;
• know the legal alternatives available to you;
• have learned about the different ways you can borrow money to pay off your debt;
• know when you should—and when you should not—refinance your mortgage;
• be able to make informed decisions about getting a home equity loan;
• know what your options are when you need a loan to buy a car;
• understand why, in most cases, loans from qualified retirement plans are not recommended; and
• have a strategy in place for borrowing money, for whatever reason, that makes sense for you.