When you take a look around at folks who have or have had financial difficulties, oftentimes, the source of the problem is a lack of understanding of how money should be allocated when initially acquired. Maybe a person has just been hired into a position that pays much more or has just launched what he expects to be a successful business venture. With stars in his eyes, he goes out and purchases all the new toys he ever wanted. Six months later, he can't pay his bills because the income he predicted never came in, or his assets are tied up in material goods. (Now granted, this is not always the reason for money issues, because sometimes people simply fall into hard times, whether it's due to the economy or serious illness or a myriad of other reasons.)
