Are you like this person:

"I'm not very good with finances -- I'm not a numbers guy. Many of my readers are the same way. We all know we should be investing, but we don't know what to do. Every time I ask someone, I get a long winded, jargon filled answer. Can you give me three simple suggestions -- in plain English – about what to do to get started?"

Jim Cosgrove response:

No problem, I said. I have three simple things for your readers to do. These will save them and make a ton of money.  Here's the quick overview:

1. Pay off your credit cards: Most people pay much higher credit card rates than they realize -- they creep up over time, especially if you have any sort of a balance. Even a late payment to someone else will send your rate higher.
Paying off these balances is the equivalent of a guaranteed return of 18% (or whatever your rate has become). RISK-FREE. GUARANTEED. You won’t get that deal anywhere else.

2. Max out your tax deferred accounts -- 401k/IRA: Putting money into these accounts reduces your taxable income and gives you the equivalent of an extra 20% or so investment capital (depending upon your present tax rate), which then compounds until you take it out.

3. Use dollar cost averaging: The simplest investment thesis: Set your account up for dollar cost averaging. Put the same dollar amount into your choices each month, or ay period.

When prices are high, you buy fewer shares. When prices are low, you buy more. It’s pretty fool proof. ~~~

I warned the editor that most people won't do these things. They are like diet and exercise -- we know we should, but most of us just don't. Such is the fate of us slightly cleverer, pants wearing monkeys . . .